Starlee's Hope (The Wayward Sons 4)

“What are you talking about, Dr. Evil?” she asks.

“My mother. I should have known there was reason for her to stick around and help the guys. She’s just here to get her nose in my college decision.”

Claire finds a couple of seats in the classroom and drops her backpack on the floor. I sit next to her. We’re the first ones here.

“It’s pretty standard to have some parental input about college,” Claire says. “My dad is all over it. It seems a little extreme to offer to foster four orphans just to bug you.”

“Maybe,” I mutter. “I wouldn’t put it past her.”

Other students come in the classroom, including Charlie and Jake. Charlie takes the seat next to mine. He rejoined the club, thank goodness, no one else can figure out how to do all the tech. Jake is just here because I need a ride home and it gives us an excuse to hang out.

It was Claire’s idea to have the Valentine’s dance at the community center. She’s active there, participating in a LBGTQ group that meets there weekly. There’s also an afterschool program for kids that need a safe place to play and help with homework, as well as a few other activities and groups run out of the center.

We divide into sub-committees; decorations, music, food and drinks. I considered volunteering for the refreshment committee but that came to a harsh end when Dexter gave me the look of death and showed me his still-dyed fingertips when I suggested maybe he could help with the treats.

“I can make cupcakes,” Christina volunteered. Jake gro

aned from his seat behind me and when I look back, a knowing look passes between him and Claire. Had she poisoned him at one point?

Margaret doesn’t seem to notice and smiles gratefully. “Thanks Christina. Let me know if you need any help. I’m glad to pitch in.”

“I’m planning on getting there early to decorate with balloons and streamers,” I say, making a few notes.

“Do you need any help?”

“No.” I glance at Jake and Charlie. “I’m good.”

“I bet you are,” Christina mutters under her breath.

I raise my eyebrows but she doesn’t look at me. She’s been pretty quiet since she vouched for us on New Year’s Eve. Honestly, other than a few snarky comments it seems like the fire has left her. It’s a sad state of affairs for a mean girl.

“Charlie, you’re going to set up the sound system?”

He pushes up his glasses and nods. “Yeah, I’ll get it all together and preload music into the computer with popular music.”

“Make sure it’s appropriate,” Margaret says with a stern look. She’s such a perfectionist. “The director at the center was very specific about that.”

“Radio format only,” Charlie says. “Got it.”

Margaret continues on, way past the time needed to go over everything. “Remember,” she says as we’re all trying to flee the room, “we have permission to leave school after lunch since we’re working on a service project. Don’t try to use this as an excuse to sneak off and mess around. We’ve got a lot of work to do before the kids show up.”

“She’s a slave driver,” Jake says, following me out of the building. “I don’t know how you do this all the time.”

“It’s community service, Jake, we do it to help people,” I say, knowing he’s just being a pain. He’d had to stay late to make up test corrections, otherwise he’d be back home already.

“I give enough back to this community by helping them win football games.” He winks and gives me a cheeky grin. God, he’s gorgeous and could get away with murder if he tried.

“Such a philanthropist.”

He narrows his eyes at me and then looks at Charlie. “Is that a bad word?”

Charlie laughs and shakes his head, walking past Jake.

“I’ll see you later,” he says to me.

“Where are you going?” Jake asks.

“I told Claire I’d help her with a few things for the dance. We’re going to hit the library, then she’ll drive me back to Lee Vines.”