“It’s also just appropriate behavior for young people,” Leelee adds, giving her stamp of confirmation. The boys may argue with Sierra but they won’t cross my grandmother.
“I don’t want anyone to get in trouble,” I say. “Your foster license is too important and I have no problem with the rules.” I really don’t. It’s way more freedom than I had at home with my mother. And a few rules probably wouldn’t hurt to keep us in check. My heart and body want way more than I’m ready for. I get it.
“Come on,” Sierra says, gesturing for the boys to get up. “Starlee looks like she’s about to pass out.”
“We’ll pick you up in the morning,” Dexter says on his way out the door. “Out front.”
“Thanks.”
Yeah. I want to kiss him goodnight. I want to kiss them all goodnight, but I’m not pushing my luck. Not yet.
“Thank you for cooperating with all that,” Leelee says as she locks the door. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a teenager living here full time—and even then, I didn’t have a houseful of boys next door to contend with.”
“You let me move in here with you with no notice, I’m grateful for everything you do. I can tolerate a few rules.”
She pats me on the shoulder and chuckles. “Your mother would have thrown a fit.”
“Really?”
“Stubborn then, just like she is now.” She flips off the lights and we both head into our bedrooms.
Once again, I’m surprised to consider how different my mother is now from how she used to be. I clean off my bed and go to my window, closing the curtains. I look out to the second floor where I saw Jake for the first time and spot their lamp-lit windows, just happy to know I’m close.
I snuggle into my bed and slowly realize that maybe I’m not so different from my mother, except in one way. She ran away from this place and I ran towards it.
14
Jake
Since Starlee left and football started, I’ve cut back on my morning trips to our sunrise rock, but I set my alarm for just before dawn. I regret it the instant I hear the blaring sound, but then I remember why and quickly dress in warm clothes and take the chance, heading out to the sidewalk between our properties.
She may not come. She’s probably still asleep. Things have changed. A million thoughts run through my mind, so loud and questioning that when I do hear the footsteps on the pavement, I jump, startled.
“Hey,” she says. “Thought I may find you here.”
“I took a chance. I knew you’d wake up early.” She’s bundled up like it’s winter; thick hoodie and long pants—sneakers on her feet. There’s a book in her hands. My heart cracks, loving this girl.
“I’m glad.”
“We don’t have as much time because I’ve got morning conditioning and have to drive George into town, but I think we can catch the sunrise.”
“That’s all I wanted.”
My heart, still hammering from being surprised, thrums louder, harder just being near her.
We step into the street and I don’t hold back, taking her hand in mine. I’ve wanted to touch her for months now and suddenly she’s here.
We don’t speak on the way to the lookout, but I can’t stop looking at her in the street light. Her nose is red from the cool air and when we get to the overlook, I help her up the rock before climbing up after her.
Shoulder to shoulder, we sit.
“Dexter said something happened with your mom on your birthday?”
“Final straw—broke the camel’s back and all that.”
“I’ve missed your accent.”
“I’ve missed your face.”