Starlee's Heart (The Wayward Sons 1)

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.

“You want some pie?” he asks. It’s forced, but he’s trying. God, that’s all we want. Sierra will be proud.