Starlee's Home (The Wayward Sons 3)

“I did come over here though to talk to you,” she says, directing her attention at Sierra. “Do you have a minute?”

Sierra’s shoulders tense but she nods. “Sure. We can go next door.”

“Great.” Mrs. Jones says with a sigh. Sierra walks around the counter, gesturing for her to follow. Mrs. Jones turns to me and says, “Nice to see you again, Dexter.”

I nod and watch them walk out the door. I hear voices outside on the porch and a few moments later Jake walks in and quickly shuts the door.

“Dude, that was—”

“I know, Starlee’s mom.”

“What’s she doing here?” There’s no doubt about the look of concern on his face.

“I don’t know,” I say, walking back in the kitchen. He follows. “She wanted to talk to Sierra. Alone.”

“Is that bad?” he asks.

I shake my head. “I have no idea.”

36

Starlee

Mom wants to go to the café for lunch, and that’s when the subject of New Year's Eve comes up before I can address it.

“Tom invited me to dinner tonight,” Leelee says, sneaking a peek over her shoulder at the man. “I can cancel since you’re just getting into town, Star—”

“Absolutely not,” Mom says. “Don’t change your plans for me. I’m not a guest. Tom is lovely, you should definitely spend the evening with him.”

She winks and waves across the café at him and he gives a hesitant wave back.

“If only we were all so lucky to find such a handsome man right next door.” She laughs. “Of course, Starlee has, too. I guess maybe I’m the on

e that needs to figure it out.” She looks at me. “What are your plans for tonight?”

“I, uh…” As far as I knew, Leelee hadn’t told Mom about my grounding.

It was fair if she did, but she cuts in and says, “Aren’t you going to the Woolly Drop with your friends?”

I blink, trying to figure out the change in attitude, but decide not to argue. “Yes, that’s the plan.”

“Right!” Mom says. “I’d forgotten. Yes. Go.”

Wait, what?

“You think I should go?” My “old” mom would have died before letting me go to something like this, especially without an adult around.

“I do. It’s great fun. Pretty low key in that it’s mostly families from the resorts and stuff. I trust that you won’t drink or do anything stupid, right?”

“Right,” I say, reeling from such a normal conversation. A twinge of guilt builds in my stomach and I actually feel bad leaving her alone. “What are you going to do?

“Probably go to bed around eight since I’m fighting this dreadful jet lag.” She touches the dark circles under her eyes. Sleep would probably help, especially if she plans on going in to talk to the police in a few days.

“Rest up,” Leelee says in agreement. “That way you can start your new year off right.”

A few moments later I excuse myself for the bathroom and text the guys.

S: I’m in for tonight!