The Wayward Sons: Starlee's Heart: WhyChoose Contemporary Young Adult Romance

by Angel Lawson

  He opens the door and steps inside. Suddenly the room is too small.

  “You make sure you’re with your grandmother all night, okay? Some of those men drink too much. Oh and crossing the street. Watch out for drivers. I know you get the feeling of safety up there but it’s a false security.”

  “Okay, Mom. I’ll be safe. I promise.”

  “I know you will, Starlee. You’re a good girl.”

  My heart races in my chest and I smell the warm, clean scent of Jake standing on the other side of the table, watching me carefully. There’s no doubt about the desire in his eyes. It bolsters the remnants of my courage that my mother just shattered.

  “Good night, sweetie.”

  “Good night, Mom.”

  I hang up the phone.

  “Hey,” Jake says.

  “Hi.”

  “You look…god, you look amazing.”

  I nervously touch the tie at the back of my neck. “Yeah? I found it in my mother’s closet.”

  He steps closer and touches the bare skin on my waist. “You’re like some kind of dream.”

  “Stop.”

  “I won’t.”

  So, I stop him, with my mouth. I push up on my toes and claim his lips, shushing the words but feeling them anyway. There’s zero doubt of his attraction. From the want in his eyes, to the pressure of his hands, to the hard excitement below his belly.

  “Okay,” he agrees. “I’ll stop if you keep doing that.”

  “Come on,” I say, taking his hand in mine. “Let’s get out there before Leelee finds us. She’s pretty tolerant but us making out in the kitchen may be her limit.”

  Out on the porch, Jake stops me one last time. “I don’t know where you came from, Starlee Jones, but promise me you’ll never leave.”

  It’s a promise I can’t make, but tonight is about fun and celebration. I kiss his cheek and follow him down the path toward the music and crowd. It only takes a minute before we find Charlie and Dexter, cleaned up and dressed for the night. They’ve spread out a blanket and wait for us to walk up to the small grassy area near the café where I notice most of the others in the area are younger like us. The band is visible in the distance but this little spot has a bit of privacy.

  “Your grandmother and the other older residents take the seating for the concert. George’s checking on her to make sure she’s got everything she needs.”

  “That’s nice.”

  Charlie laughs. “Our motives may be slightly less than charitable. We wanted to hang out with you tonight.”

  “Ah, I see. Where’s Sierra?”

  “With some of her friends closer to the band. She’ll dance all night.”

  “So this is the kids area.”

  “Kind of. The whole scene is a little, ‘anything goes’ for the night. You know, some of these people were at Woodstock. They don’t judge,” Charlie says.

  I eye a group of girls watching us from the picnic tables.

  “You have a fan group,” I say, looking in their direction.

  “So do you,” Dexter replies. I look around but don’t see anyone focused on me. That is until I turn back to them and see the four of them watching me, very interested.

  It’s in that moment, under the twinkling lights and hard gaze of these four boys, that I figure it out. I’m the only one overthinking this. I’m the only one with hang-ups and rules and rigid expectations. So, I let go. I let go and sit on the blanket, surrounded by the Wayward Sons. There, we share leftover pie and drink from the same cup. When the music reaches a throbbing beat that none of us can resist, I let them lift me to my feet and dance. Swaying just like Sierra predicted. And as much as I want to kiss these boys, I don’t. They don’t cross any lines out here, other than gentle touches and flirty, gorgeous smiles. When the music ends and just before the fireworks begin, they take me to a quiet spot overlooking the lake and together we watch the sky burst in flames.

  “This is fitting,” I say, watching the final fireworks explode. We’re huddled on a rock not far from where Jake and I read every morning.

  “How so?” Dexter asks.

  “The Fourth is about celebrating freedom and I know it’s about something different, about our country and patriotism, but for the first time I feel it, too.” I touch my heart. “I know what it’s like to be unchained, and I have you to thank for that.”

  And right there under the pitch-black sky filled with a million stars, I kiss each of them, deeply and appreciatively.

  21

  I don’t leave the house when I hear the car doors slam at the house next door. I wait until they’ve driven out of view before I casually mention, “I’m heading over to grab a coffee from Sierra. Want something?”

  “I’m fine. Tell her hello.”

  “I will.”

  It’s Monday afternoon—a slow time of day, and I’m pleased to see there are no customers inside when I push through the screened door.

  “Starlee!” Sierra smiles when she sees me. “What can I get you?”

  “Actually, I didn’t come in for coffee.”

  “Ah,” she says, knowingly. “The boys just left for their meeting in June Lake. They should be back in a few hours.”

  “Right. I know. I saw the car,” I confess. “I, uh, I wanted to ask you something.”

  She waves me to the little table and chair in the seating area. Once we’re settled, she asks, “What’s going on?”

  “I know about Dexter’s hearing and wanted to see if there’s something I can do. It’s not fair for him to get in trouble for helping me.”

  She sighs. “Thank you for offering, but really this is between Dexter and the judge. He knew the consequences of his actions and although I know he stuck up for you, he could have made other decisions. He could have called for help, the police, removed you from the situation.”

  “Things were tense in the moment.”

  “I’m sure they were, but that’s life, right? Tense moments and how we handle them.”

  I lean back in my seat, frustrated. “He doesn’t deserve more probation.”

  “He has a good social worker, Starlee. I think she’ll do everything she can to help him.”

  I touch a sugar packet in the holder on the table. “Can I ask you what happened to make him so angry?”

  Her jaw tenses and with her gray eyes, she looks so much like Dexter it’s chilling. “When Dex was about thirteen, he started getting into trouble. Minor stuff at first that seemed to escalate over time. Back then it wasn’t fights, it was more trespassing and petty theft. Stupid shit he and his friends would do to out-do one another. When he was fifteen, he got busted for skipping school and put on probation for the first time. He and my parents got in a huge fight and took their car. That night he got pulled over for speeding and his friend had weed in his pockets. They got arrested. He was already on probation so he was likely looking at time in detention, until…”

  I almost don’t want to ask, but I do. “What happened?”

  “My parents got the call from the police station. On the way there, they got in an accident.” Her eyes fill with grief. “Neither of them made it.”

  “Oh my god. That’s awful. I’m so sorry.”

  “Dexter was crushed. He felt a huge sense of guilt for them being out on the road that night. That guilt turned into anger and we’ve been dealing with it ever since.”

  “Sierra…”

  She shrugs. “I moved him up here hoping he’d find some peace. It’s taken a while, but he’s trying.” She smiles at me. “I just do everything I can to keep him busy. Working here, baking, hiking.”

  “He seems better.”

  “That fight in the street that day? That was the first fight that actually meant anything, and as weird as it sounds, that’s progress.”

  “Yeah, that does sound weird. Maybe don’t mention that to the judge.”

  She laughs. “He’s changed since meeting you. All of them have.”

  I scratch my nail across the table top
. “I doubt it’s really that big of a deal.”

  “Do you know that this year was the first time Charlie went to the festival since moving here? Or any event in town?”

  I shook my head.

  “Usually he’s so glued to the fucking screen I can’t get him to do anything without a fight. But that’s changed. He’s much more engaged.” She looks me in the eye. “George is calmer. Less erratic, we haven’t been to the ER once. And Jake…I know what you’ve been doing for him and I appreciate it so much. He’s a smart kid. He just needs help.”

  “He told you?”

  She nods. “He’s been working on his reading at night. Using the study programs the school gave him. He just never had the confidence before to make it happen.”

  Tears sting my eyes and I’m overwhelmed. “They’re helping me, too. I never had friends before.”

  “These boys are loyal and true.”

  “Like Sam and Dean.”

  She laughs. “Yep, just like the Winchesters. They’ll give too much if they get the chance. I have to watch that, too.”

  “I bet.”

  Footsteps shuffle on the porch, alerting us to a customer. “Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help Dexter.”

  “I will, sweetie.” She stands. “You just be there for him. Stick close. Don’t let him do anything to make the situation worse.”

  “I won’t,” I reply, willing to make whatever sacrifice is necessary.

  For the next two weeks, I do everything I can to keep my promise to Sierra. Whatever the boys want to do, I’m game. We travel to Bodie to visit the ghost town, spending hours walking around the abandoned, hollow buildings. I watch as George climbs ridiculous outcroppings. As Charlie records the whole thing on his camera. As Jake spoils me with fresh cherries from roadside stands.

  We head into Yosemite, spending afternoons on Mirror Lake. I’ve never seen such blue sky or clear water, and the boys indulge me as I collect smooth, round rocks that I rest on my windowsill at home.

  We keep up with our work at home. Pie day comes, and Dexter lures me away from homework and obligations and into the kitchen, teaching me how to make the lattice crust. The boys pick up any slack at the lodge, helping Leelee with endless chores. We’re packed with reservations, which means more things get broken or need to be replaced or supplies must be dispersed. We form a cohesive unit, keeping busy. Happy. Focused.

  Two things happen on the Wednesday before the hearing. One is that the large group from earlier this summer, the one with Jordan, returns for a few nights on their way back to Vegas. And I get a letter in the mail.

  From the State of California.

  “What is it?” Leelee asks from behind the counter.

  “No idea,” I say, thinking it’s something from the Board of Education. My session is almost complete. When I tear off the end of the envelope and pull out the sheet inside, I frown. “It’s a subpoena for a hearing. Dexter’s hearing.”

  “For the thing with the backpacker? I thought no charges were filed.”

  “Dexter has a probation hearing. I’d asked to speak on his behalf. Maybe someone finally listened.”

  “When is it?”

  “Monday.”

  “I’ll get Katie to work the desk and I’ll go with you to June Lake.”

  “Really?” I ask, pleased that she wants to be involved.

  “Of course. Dexter is a fine young man that’s come a long way. I don’t want anything to happen to him either.”

  I throw my arms around my grandmother, relieved to finally give something back to the person that put it all on the line for me when I’d first arrived.

  The big group is rowdier this time and there are complaints from the surrounding guests. I spend my day running interference, trying to keep everyone happy. Thankfully, on their last night, our requests for them to quiet down seem to have worked and they’re just hanging around the firepit. When Dexter and I get back from a walk down to the lake, everything is relatively calm.

  “When do they leave?” Dexter asks as we sit on the bench in front of the market. His fingers thread through mine.

  “Ugh, tomorrow.” I squeeze his hand. “I think they’re stressing Leelee out.”

  He laughs. “I think they’re stressing you out, too.”

  “They’re just messy and drink too much and loud.” I sigh. “You wouldn’t believe the number of calls we’re getting.”

  “I can hear them in my bedroom. I’m not surprised.” He watches the visitors, eyes narrowed. “There always seems to be that one group, though, you know. Last year it was a bunch of bikers.”

  “They were bad?”

  “They would get up every morning at five to drive out. I thought their engines would cause a rockslide. Woke the whole damn town.” He gives me a rueful grin. “Tourists: can’t live with ‘em, can’t live without ‘em.”

  “I guess it’s nice when the season’s over, huh? Just a few more weeks.”

  It’s a bit of a loaded statement. In a few weeks, he could be dealing with a stricter probation and I’ll be headed back to North Carolina. That topic in particular is one everyone has been avoiding. Including me.

  “What’s going on with that?” I ask, pointing down the road to where I see Jake jogging up the inclining hill to the town. Two figures follow. “Is that Charlie and George?”

  “George’s going to try out for football this year, so Jake said he’d train him.”

  “And Charlie?”

  He shrugs. “Guess he thought he’d get in shape too.”

  “What about you?”

  “Running’s for jerks,” he says, giving me a kiss on the temple. “I can think of a million other ways to burn off excess energy.”

  The implication behind his words make me burn head to toe and I’m still blushing when the boys make it up the hill. Jake spots us and runs over. He stops short after giving me a closer look.

  “Did I interrupt something?”

  “No!” I blurt.

  “Yes. Go away,” Dexter says at the same time.

  “Stop,” I say, but he’s wearing a playful grin and it warms my heart. I feel the anger loosening on him daily. I look back at Jake. “So, you’re training those two?”

  “I’m trying.” He shakes his head. “For someone with as much energy as George, his stamina sucks.”

  “I heard that,” George yells from a few yards away. He makes it to the bench and plops down. Sweat runs down his face and pools in the middle of his shirt. His cheeks are bright red. “I have stamina for important things. Running is just stupid.”

  “You’re stupid,” Jake replies. He focuses down the road and claps for Charlie as he gets closer. “Bring it in, man! You’ve got this.”

  I hop to my feet, dragging Dexter with me, and join in. “Go Charlie!”

  George sits up. “What? None of you cheered for me.”

  “Aww,” I say, moving to give him a hug. He smiles and wraps his long arms around me. “Oh my god, you’re so sweaty.”

  “Just getting my stank all over you, baby,” he laughs. “Marking my territory.”

  “You’re disgusting.” I try to wiggle free.

  The bell on the market door clangs and I look up. Jordan walks out with a six-pack of beer. We make eye contact.

  “Starlee.”

  “Hi, Jordan.”

  His eyes, tinged with red, flick to the guys. “I was looking for you earlier.”

  “Oh, did you need something?” I wouldn’t be surprised. It was non-stop requests, all day.

  He inclines his head like he needs to speak to me privately. I tug away from George, who doesn’t seem to want to let me go. I give him a look to be patient and step over to Jordan, who has crossed the street, closer to the Lodge.

  “What’s up?” I ask, feeling the hard gaze of all the boys on me.

  “I wanted to invite you to come hang out tonight. You know, get away from the puppy dogs and hang with a wolf for a while.”

  I blink. “What
?”

  “I thought maybe we could get to know one another better.” He smiles. Wolf indeed. “Just you and me.”

  I don’t know if it’s the time we’ve spent together, our strengthening connection, or just some kind of male spidey-sense, but I feel the boys shifting behind me at the same time Jordan looks over my shoulder.

  “Seriously, Starlee, you want to hang around with a bunch of townies? They’ll be here after I’m gone. Let me show you what it’s like to be with a real man.” His words aren’t quiet. They’re intentionally loud and I realize this isn’t as much about me as him wanting to blow off some steam any way he can.

  Nononononoooo

  “Go home, Jordan, like, all the way home, from wherever you came from.” I spin on my heel. I already know we need to get out of here before Dexter makes it over here. I take a step forward but feel a strong hand grip my wrist, yanking me back.

  “Get your hands off of her,” Jake says, pushing ahead of Dexter. There’s worry in his eyes and it’s not just about me.

  Jordan chuckles. “Why? You going to make me, pretty boy?”

  I shake loose and rush up to Dexter, who looks ready to implode. I push my hands into his chest and he pauses. “Don’t do it. He’s looking to start something.”

  His jaw tics and his eyes lower to mine. “This dick has been bothering you for weeks.” He jerks his head at Charlie. “Right?”

  Charlie had been with me the last time Jordan flirted with me. “Maybe, but it’s under control and the last thing you need to do is get in a fight. Not today.”

  The hearing is in two days. Two. Days. He knows it. We all do, and I can feel the tension ripple between the guys as they decide how to handle this.

  So, I don’t let them. I handle it.

  “Jordan, go to bed or I’ll call the cops on you for being intoxicated and threatening me. You guys? Let’s go home.”

  Dexter takes a deep breath. His hands are still balled at his side and his chest heaves. But I sense the restraint and when I catch his eyes, they soften. “Okay.”

  “Okay?” I repeat, slipping my hand into his. The guys stand between us and Jordan. A barrier of protection.