Page 22 of Saints & Sailors

For a split second, I almost felt bad for Scott, but then I didn’t care.

This was the same guy who abandoned me my whole life, and then decided to step in when my stepfather was throwing a fit.

I unbuckled my seat belt. “Thanks for the ride, I’ll be sure to pass the dinner invite along to Scott. I’ll see you at school tomorrow, Cameron.”

She got out of the car as well to hop up front, only, she reached out and pulled me into a hug first.

“Welcome to town, Saylor. We’re all very happy to have you here,” Cameron told me.

I didn’t even need to judge the smile on her face to know she meant it. It didn’t take long to know that this was just the type of person Cameron was.

“Before you go, let’s exchange numbers!” Cameron’s eyes brightened with her suggestion.

For some reason, right away, she liked me. There was something about this girl that was so obliviously cute, naïve, and innocent.

We traded cell numbers before she got back in her car and rode off with her father.

I fished out my set of keys for the house Scott had given me the night before as I made my way for our front walk.

“Saylor!”

Across from me I caught Dreux jogging over from where he’d just gotten out of the SUV with who appeared to be his mother.

Not this guy again.

“Fuck off!” I snapped as I was determined to get into the house.

Dreux caught my wrist, stopping me. His hand was hot to the touch. Burning me in place.

Around his toffee-colored throat was a gold chain necklace. He even wore a matching chain on his wrist.

As I took in Dreux’s face, I slipped and wondered if he ever got so wasted he passed out, and if someone ever took advantage and played connect the dots with his freckles.

But I knew this type of scenario would never happen to Dreux. He reeked of good behavior.

Mr. Golden Boy was a pure heartthrob. Something straight from a Disney teen show.

His full lips pressed into a hard line as his jaw ticked. “Look, I’m sorry about earlier. It’s not my way to act like that.”

“Dreux, get in this house.” Next door his mother had her arms folded as she glared at me with attitude.

No wonder he was a good kid, with a mother like that, where was the opportunity for mayhem?

Still, though, he ignored his mother’s command as he peered at me and our staring contest continued.

His eyes were dark voids of mystery, and the longer he looked at me, the more agitated I became. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking, and while I would normally not give a fuck, something about this kid and his silent observing pissed me off.

“Mom’s calling,” I said as I shoved my key into the door and pushed it open. “Don’t keep her waiting.”

Dreux shook his head, opening his mouth to say something, but then he didn’t. He turned and walked away.

I didn’t give it another thought before heading inside and kicking off my shoes.

With the house to myself, I was free to do whatever I wanted.

So I explored.

I tossed my bag to the floor and sauntered into Scott’s living room. The fireplace was also a mantel with two bookcases on either side. On one side Scott held an impressive vinyl collection, and a record player.