Starlee's Heart (The Wayward Sons 1)

“You saw the whole thing?” she asks, fishing for details. It’s normal. I know that, but not normal for me to have someone so inquisitive about my life.

Despite my insecurities, I tell her about the backpacker and Dexter coming out of the shadows to save me. Her eyes widen as I describe it.

“Oh shit, I bet Sierra is furious.”

“She brought me a coffee and a muffin.”

“I bet she did. She knows the sheriff is going to come ask questions and she wants you happy so you won’t turn Dexter in. He’s been in so much trouble—mostly fights. But I heard that if he breaks probation one more time…”

“He’ll get locked up. I heard that, too.” I lean against the wrought-iron railing, wondering how I got caught up in something like this.

“He’s hot, though,” she says suddenly.

“What?”

“Dexter,” she shrugs. “A little too jail-baity for me, but he’s eighteen now. I mean, who would’ve thought that kid woul

d grow up into a sexy little monster.”

I hadn’t had much time to think about Dexter’s looks, not when I was panicking about one thing or the other the whole time. When I did think about him it was more about his intense eyes and the way his body moved when he fought. I felt, rather than saw the anger that seemed to bubble underneath the surface.

She nods at the bundle of linens. “Where are you taking those?”

“Someone’s building a new bed in 119. I’m supposed to make it when they’re done.”

Her eyes narrow. “Who’s putting the bed together?”

“She didn’t say.”

“I bet it’s Hollingsworth. I saw him go by here with a tool box an hour ago.”

Hollingsworth. I only know one other name in town than Dexter and that’s it. Jake Hollingsworth. The boy from the museum and roof.

“Maybe, Leelee didn’t mention it.”

“He does some of the manual work around here when she needs it.” Her voice lowers. “I heard he’s not that smart but pretty good with his hands, if you know what I mean.”

I stare at her blankly.

“Like with tools…and other stuff.” She gives me an exasperated look. “You’ll get it when you see him. He’s hotter than Dexter and that’s saying something. I don’t know what Sierra feeds those boys, but it works.” She glances at the sky and mutters to herself. “Seriously, I’m not into teenage boys. I’m not. I have a boyfriend that works at the park. I just…do you think it has something to do with all the Supernatural stuff? Like some kind of hot, damaged guy osmosis?”

I frown. “Supernatural? Like ghosts?”

“No, duh the show. Sierra is obsessed, obviously. The Wayward Sun? Squirrel Pie? Dean’s Eye of the Tiger Expresso?”

Again, I’m at a loss for words.

Realization flickers in her eyes. “Holy shit, you’ve never watched Supernatural.”

“Uh, no. We didn’t watch much TV at home.”

“No cable?”

“No.”

“Netflix?”

“Nope.”