Starlee's Turn (The Wayward Sons 2)
Dexter snorts. “Because she was the biggest partier ever in high school. She knew all the tricks to get out of the house. Sleeping over with a friend. Going camping. School trip.”
“Oh. Okay. I didn’t know that.”
“Stories about Sierra are legendary at the Academy,” George says.
“She straightened up quick when she bought the Wayward Sun.” Dexter studies the road ahead. “And took me in.”
“She’s an awesome sister,” I say.
“Yep. And a total buzzkill. Good thing I know how to ignore her and have a good time anyway.” He smiles at me wickedly and the boys laugh in the backseat.
It’s been a long time since we’ve all been in the car at the same time. It reminds me of the summer, taking short day trips in the area. Dexter cranks the music, the drive is fast. One of the best things about this area is there’s never any traffic.
“Where’s Claire’s house?” I ask once we pass through town.
“Out on the lake,” Dexter says. He’s driving down dark, winding roads. I never have a clue where I am around here—the sky and landscape are so vast and seem to go on forever. But Dex does know his way around and lights shine in the distance and soon he’s parking behind a long string of other cars on the side of the road.
A flutter of nerves washes over me as I get out of the car and I linger on the side of the road.
“You okay?” George asks. The boys circle around.
“Just nervous. I’ve never done anything like this before.”
“Like what?”
“Like walk into a room full of students I don’t know and pretend like I know how to not be an awkward weirdo.”
George throws his arm around me and squeezes. “You’re not an awkward weirdo. You’re adorable. And have just as much right to be at that party as anyone else.”
“Claire did invite me.”
“Yep. And Claire’s a tough nut to crack. She must like you.”
“Why?”
“Why what?” asks Jake.
“Does she like me?”
“Babe,” Jake says, throwing his arm around my shoulder. “I know you’ve got some hang-ups, but tonight, leave them out here. Go inside. Knock this one off the list. If for some reason you want to go, let us know. We’ve got your back.”
“You’re right.”
“I know.”
“And super egotistical,” I add.
“That’s the truth,” Charlie mutters.
Jake runs at him and that starts a game of tag that lasts all the way down the driveway. By the time I finally reach them, the music is loud and there are dozens of students roaming around. Following my boys’ lead, I prepare to take this one off my list.
The party really is like everything I’ve seen on TV and read in books.
Teenagers are such a cliché.
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nbsp; There’s a keg on the back deck and a vat of some kind of punch in the kitchen. Red Solo cups are discarded on every surface and held in every hand. Beer pong has over taken the dining room table, some kind of card game on the living room coffee table, and couples make out against every surface.