Starlee's Heart (The Wayward Sons 1)

“Take it anyway, Hollingsworth doesn’t need any more pie and I saw him eyeing this one at dinner.”

I accept the box and say, “Tell him thank you.”

I glance down at his other hand, wondering if that’s for me also. He notices and says, “Oh right. These are seasons one through five of Supernatural. I figured if you’re going to live next door to the Wayward Sun, you should get an idea of what’s going on.”

“You want me to watch all five seasons?”

He smiles. “Oh, no. That’s just the first five seasons. There are fourteen in all. You can get the rest when you’re done. Sierra is super weird about loaning them out, but I convinced her you were a safe bet. I mean, we know where

you live.”

This guy is a total goof and every word he says makes me like him a little bit more. I have zero interest in this crazy show but it’s a sweet gesture, so I take them and say, “I promise I’ll take care of them.”

“And watch them.”

I nod, even though I’m not sure. TV just isn’t one of my things. I wonder if there are any books? I’ll look later.

“Thanks for the videos and the pie.”

He grips the door with his arm and his long-sleeved, gray shirt tugs to his elbow. I see the script and the words “blood” and “family” leap out at me. Asking him about it is on the tip of my tongue but footsteps sound in the hall and I freeze. Am I going to get in trouble? Will George? I can’t imagine what my mother would do if a boy came to the door like this.

Leelee’s voice rings out.

“George? Everything okay? My alarm’s not going off again, is it?”

“No, ma’am.” He smiles down at me. There’s a deep dimple in his left cheek that I hadn’t noticed before. “Dexter sent over an apology pie.”

“Well that was sweet of him.” She takes the box from me. “Tell him thank you.”

“I will.” He winks, and I don’t know if it’s for me or my grandmother, but my whole body lights on fire and I have the distinct urge to run. Run so fast and so far. It’s stupid because he doesn’t notice, because George is a boy of constant movement. He’s already gone—jumped off the porch and headed back down the path. I close the door and notice my grandmother still standing there.

“Dexter has lived next door to me for two years. Not once has he sent me a pie.” There’s meaning behind her words and a glint in her eye. She nods at the videos in my hands. “What’s that?”

“It’s that show that Sierra likes so much. DVDs.”

“Ah, right. Well, you go put one in. I’ll get some forks.”

“I wasn’t—” I start, but she’s already headed to the kitchen. I wasn’t going to watch them but it seems like forces are conspiring against me. Or really maybe against my mother because it’s like her version of a nightmare. I think about this new and different world. Boys coming to the door. Pie and TV. A grandmother who takes it all in stride. It’s unsettling…and refreshing, just like everything else up here.

9

I do look to see if Jake is on the roof the next day.

I don’t panic when I confirm him out there.

I just zip up my hoodie and slide on my shoes and make my way around the house. I’m used to the climb up the trash can, my hands easily finding the grooves for leverage. I pull myself up, place my feet on the can and glance over, catching Jake’s eye.

Then I crash.

My foot plunges through the worn-out metal and I’m off balance, pitching backwards onto the grass, taking the extremely loud can with me.

“Starlee!” Jake whisper-yells as I lie on my back, staring at the sky.

“I’m okay,” I say, instantly feeling like it was too loud. I expect lights to come on but Leelee sleeps with a noise machine and I suspect she’s going deaf, anyway. I hear movement on the other side of the fence, an “ooof” and heavy footsteps. Two hands appear over the top of the fence and in a quick move, Jake flies over the fence and lands a few feet away. He instantly tugs at the trash can, pulling it carefully away from my leg.

“Did you actually just jump over that fence?” That seems ridiculous.

“Are you okay?” he asks, ignoring me and getting me free. Two worry lines slash across his forehead.