Starlee's Heart (The Wayward Sons 1)

e and, I guess neighborly, that is. “I guess that’s my job now. At least while I’m here.”

“How long are you staying for, anyway?” George asked. He’s wearing shorts with paint splatters on the hem and I notice several scars on his legs. One runs down the length of his shin, the other is deep and circular in his knee. Whatever caused them looked painful.

“Just for the summer.” Unless my mother decides otherwise.

“So, what have you seen?”

“Just the town.” I shrug and feel the heat of all their eyes on me at once. “I’m not very adventurous.”

George and Jake glance at once another. Charlie checks his phone. Dexter? I haven’t looked. I know I need to thank him directly. For helping me with Dugan and making me the pie and all the other little things from the past week, but something about him makes me even more uncomfortable than the others. I’m surprised when he speaks up and says, “Guys, leave her alone.”

“What?” I ask, not realizing they’d done anything.

Jake grins and it’s deadlier under the fluorescents than in the early morning light. “Sierra sends us out every week on a day trip. You should come. Experience the wonders of California while you’re here. We’re headed to Half Dome now.”

I wrinkle my nose. “I don’t think that’s a very good idea.”

“Why not?” Charlie asks. I’m shocked that he’s even listening.

“I just said, I’m not very adventurous or athletic. Hiking or climbing or whatever you do seems like a bad idea.”

“It’s not all strenuous,” George says. “Even Charlie can do it.”

“Shut up,” his twin says, elbowing him hard. “Dick.”

“Okay, that’s enough,” Dexter says, pushing the cart into the three guys standing there. “Go check out.”

With those words he storms away, angry at something. Me? There’s a bit of muttering but they follow obediently, although George gives me a wink before he vanishes with the others.

The store is small enough that I hear them at the checkout while I continue shopping. Arguing about soda flavors and candy. I take a last peek at them leaving the store, arms laden with bags of junk food. I wonder who these boys are—they aren’t the ones my mother warned me about. They shop for old ladies and bake pies. But they also get in fights and live in a group home. I don’t get it and suppose I never will, because I made a promise when I came out here. No boys, and I’m certain that includes the ones from the Wayward Sun.

Leelee and I have made it through four episodes of Supernatural. At first, I wasn’t really sure what we were getting into, but I figured if Sierra actually built an entire business around the theme, there had to be something to it. One thing is for certain, Dean Winchester has the most amazing lips and beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen in my life.

“I’m starting to understand Sierra’s obsession,” Leelee says, fanning herself at a shirtless Dean. It’s probably weird for a girl my age to hang out with my grandmother, but who else is there? I was used to hanging with my mom all the time anyway. Plus, the excitement of being able to watch TV without Mom’s judgement is exciting.

We’re midway through the fifth episode, one called “Bloody Mary” about a group of girls at a slumber party. They conjure a spirit called Bloody Mary by saying her name in front of a mirror three times. Leelee announces, “I remember your mother playing this game with a group of friends one time. Scared the pants off of her. Her father had to drive down to pick her up. She didn’t sleep for a week and covered the mirror in her room with a blanket.”

I grab a handful of popcorn, trying not to let the scary nature of the show get to me. “Mom went to slumber parties?”

“All the time. The girls were always here or she was at someone’s house. She spent a lot of time down in June Lake with school friends, too.”

The information lands like a punch and the popcorn grows sticky in my hand. Despite the fact I want to see what happens, I say, “I think I’m going to bed.”

“You okay?” Leelee frowns in concern.

“I’m just not feeling well. Too much popcorn probably.”

I go to my room and shut the door. It’s not long before I hear the TV turn off and a knock on my door.

“I’m fine,” I say, not wanting to talk. Leelee doesn’t seem interested in what I want and comes in anyway.

“Tell me what’s wrong. Did the show scare you?”

I shrug. “No. I know it’s fake.”

“Then what? You’re obviously upset.”

She sits next to me on the bed and lays her hand over mine. I feel a wave of emotion; anger and sadness. “I guess it hurts to know that Mom had friends like that when I wasn’t able to.”