I smile. “There’s no but…there’s just…what about the other guys? You know I’ve been seeing them too, and I know we never defined anything but we kind of agreed things were fluid, but I’m not exactly a fluid person—or I don’t think I am. Maybe I am? Or maybe I am and you aren’t.” I inhale and then exhale loudly. “Did I ruin everything for everyone?”
“First of all, there’s no you. We made a decision last night and you’re right. We should probably figure out how to go forward.”
“Are they going to be mad?”
He shrugs. “Jealous, maybe. They may have a few words for me.”
“Like what?”
“Making sure I didn’t take advantage of the situation—that was something we agreed on when all this started.”
“You guys talked about it?”
“Sure. Actually, we had a whole conversation about it, coming back from the social worker last time.”
“And…”
“And that’s between us.” He kisses my hand. “But we all made an agreement that we want you in our lives. You make us better people, Starlee.”
I think for a minute. “Is that normal? Like, for guys to want to share?”
“We’re not normal. You should have realized that a while ago.” He pulls me close and lifts up his arm, tugging at his sleeve to reveal the tattoo inked in his skin.
“Do you know what this says?”
“Not exactly. I know you all have one.”
He rests it across my knees and I read the script: Family Don’t End With Blood
I run my fingers down the words. “Is it from the show?”
“Yep, you just aren’t there yet.” He wraps his arms around me. “We got these about a year after we moved in with Sierra—as a birthday gift. We made a decision that day that we’re family. All of us, regardless of what our blood says. What it also means is we don’t operate like everyone else. We’re close. Strong. United. All we have is one another.” He places a long, sweet kiss on my neck. “Until you showed up and rocked our world.”
“I’m not sure I know how to navigate something like that. I’ve never even had friends before. What if I’m a complete failure.”
“At being a girlfriend? We can help you with that, and frankly, it’s too late. We’ve claimed you. There’s no going back.”
He wraps his arms around me and holds me tight and it dawns on me that despite giving a part of myself away last night, I don’t feel a loss. No, it’s quite the opposite. I feel a gain. I feel strong and resilient unlike ever before, and that’s just from feeling the love from one Wayward Son. I can’t imagine what it’ll be like with the others, and I can’t wait to find out.
Dexter drives on the way back, both our nerves much less frayed than the day before. He spoke with Sierra on the phone. Charlie had to get stitches but otherwise is okay. Jordan got picked up by the police and arrested for assault and public intoxication.
“When we get back I’m going to talk to Leelee about staying for my senior year and if she says yes—”
“She’ll say yes,” Dexter says.
“If she says yes,” I continue, “I’ll talk to my mom.”
He smiles at me from the driver’s seat. “That would be really great.”
“I haven’t been to public school in years.”
“We’ll get you through it.”
“There’s so much I want to stick around for. I can keep tutoring Jake. I can catch up on Supernatural and finally join in family night. Charlie can finally help me figure out Fortnite…” A thought pops in my head. “I can go to Jake’s football games!”
“Or you can sneak under the bleachers with me at those games—keep me warm.”
“You’re so bad.”