Starlee's Heart (The Wayward Sons 1)

“Yes, another one. I should show you.” I glance back at Jordan. “Sorry, work.”

“Sure, yeah,” he says, but the pout lingers. “Maybe later?”

I nod and bump into Charlie, pushing him away from the cottage. When we get around the corner, I stop and exhale.

“So which cottage are we looking for?” Charlie asks.

“There’s no cable problem. I lied.” I have no idea why I’m admitting this.

“Why?” Charlie frowns and his forehead creases. I notice how pink his lips are and how pale his skin. His eyes are bright green, matching his brother’s.

“That guest, he was kind of asking me out and I felt uncomfortable.”

The crease deepens. “Did he say anything inappropriate?”

“No. I swear. I just…I don’t have a lot of experience with guys and Jordan’s older, and…” I shudder. It’s ridiculous. The man did nothing to me except express some interest. Why am I being so weird?

“Hey,” he says, “don’t feel bad. If he can’t handle a little rejection, then he’s a jerk.”

I don’t know how to tell Charlie that he didn’t get angry, but that I’m just so socially inept that a guy asking me to go sightseeing made me panic. And seeing him shirtless. God, I’m pathetic. My heart started beating in a whole other way…a more familiar way. Sheer anxiety.

“It’s not him,” I say quietly. “It’s me. I just don’t know how to function. All those years of being alone…it’s made the most normal situation turn me into a mess.”

“A guy greeting you at the door with his shirt off isn’t exactly normal, Starlee. It’s kind of gross. Trust me, we’ve had to explain this to George like, ten times.”

I look up at that and see the quirk of a grin on his mouth.

“George isn’t intimidating.”

“No, he isn’t. He’s a complete goof-nut, but that guy knows how he’s perceived. He’s ripped. On purpose. Like the ‘roided-out kind of thing.”

“So my reaction isn’t that off base.”

“No, it’s your gut telling you to be careful. I’d listen to it.”

My gut. Instincts. I’d never had to use those before. All obstacles were removed from my life. I didn’t know the difference.

Until now.

“Thank you for saying that.” I’m still shaking—my body is visibly trembling.

“It’s something I’ve learned in gaming. Be aware of your surroundings and always trust your instincts. It’s saved my ass more than a few times.”

“Life lessons from a video game. Who knew?”

He nods. “You can learn a lot in those games.”

“I bet,” I say, running my hands down my arms. The whole situation gave me the chills.

I’m totally shocked when Charlie asks, “Can I give you a hug?”

“You’re asking?” God, I want one.

“That’s Sierra’s first rule. ‘Hands to yourself.’ Unless you ask, of course, and you really look like you need a hug.”

It’s kind of adorable that he’s asking permission and I nod, feeling bizarrely safe.

He wraps his arms around me, pulling me tight against his chest. It’s a little awkward but I realize how I’ve never been this close to someone before—someone outside my family--and I lay my cheek on Charlie’s chest and inhale the scent of detergent and feel my nerves settling down.