Page 100 of Saints & Sailors

Danny stepped up first to shake hands with Scott, and then Jack and Ian followed.

“Nice to meet you,” Scott said. He stole a glance my way. “Any friend of Saylor’s is always welcome.”

A huge sigh of relief passed through my lips and I relaxed, my shoulders lowering as I looked to Danny with a small smile.

Quickly we all developed a system; Scott and Jack were on grill duty, while Ian, Danny, and I gathered all the other items and set up on Scott’s back patio. The smell of charcoal and smoke filled the air as Scott set up his speakers, making me anticipate the food.

“No way that music room is real,” Ian said as he stood in the doorway in shock.

Scott was humble, giving a small smile. “It’s sort of a hobby of mine.”

“Nice.” Ian grinned. “You play everything?”

“Every piece.” Now Scott spoke with pride. He’d earned it, too. I was still waiting to hear him sing, something he seemed shy about.

“Sweet.” Ian settled down at the patio table.

Danny set a bowl of potato salad out on top as Jack came from the grill with the first tray of hot dogs. They were perfect, not too burnt with immaculate sear marks.

I didn’t hesitate to pluck one up. The boys liked their hot dogs covered in the works; me, I was a plain jane. Although somedays I didn’t mind mustard.

“Dreux coming through?” Scott asked me as he popped the lid on a bottle of beer.

Dreux. I wanted him to get to know Danny and the others, but not at the expense of getting him in trouble with Chucky or Angela.

Still, I grabbed my phone and shot him a text just in case.

Me

Scott has plenty of burgers and hot dogs here if you want to stop by

Dreux

Thanks. I’ll grab something when I get off

Dreux

Everything good?

Me

Yes! Scott is being super chill. They’re actually tag teaming the grill

Dreux

See! Nothing to worry about, Billie Eilish

A smile took over my face.

Stupid. Hot. Freckled-faced boy.

“Hey, Saylor?” Danny was standing and staring my way. He tipped his head to the side. “Can we talk?”

I put my phone down and stood and dusted myself off before following Danny over to the fence that separated Scott’s yard from his other neighbor’s.

Danny looked back at the table before focusing down at me. “You good here?”

After everything, it wasn’t even a lie to admit I liked it here. That I was accustomed to the little routine set up of school, work, and building friendships with the girls. And now this thing with Dreux. “Yeah. It was a rough start. I got in a little trouble staying out with my other friend Bonham, but now, I think things are settled.”