Page 97 of Saints & Sailors

As school let out Friday afternoon and we were heading down the hall, we argued over what song I should cover next. He’d uploaded my “Just for Fun” cover and had gotten a couple thousand views with dozens of comments praising it. Some even threw out suggestions they wanted to hear next.

I sent my mother the video and she’d called me in tears saying she was proud of me. Scott had hugged me and said, “That’s my girl.”

I guess I could sing.

If only Dreux and I could come to an agreement on Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” or “Silver Springs.” I loved both—Stevie Nicks was a fucking goddess I discovered the more I listened to Fleetwood.

“Why not both?” I tossed out as an attempt for compromise.

The smirk on Dreux’s face told me that may have been his plan all along.

I pushed through the exit doors and stepped outside, half tempted to argue some more.

“You know⁠—”

“Saylor!”

Someone distinctively male shouted my name, drawing my attention away from Dreux.

Scanning the parking lot, I came up empty, with no one standing out. Another look around and I spotted him.

At the curb, standing in front of Ian’s older brother’s shitty van, was Danny. Flanking either side of him was Jack and Ian.

My boys.

Tears rushed to my eyes and I didn’t hesitate to take off for them. I ran over and threw my arms around Danny, instantly burying my face into his familiar chest when he embraced me back, going and resting his chin on my head.

It had been too long.

“God, I missed you.” Danny groaned as he hugged me close and tight.

“I thought you hated me,” I let out, unable to keep my voice from cracking.

Danny tugged me closer. “Never.” He reeled back, holding me at arm’s length, looking me in the eye. “Your mom is scary as shit when she’s pissed.”

I paused. Unsure I’d heard him right.

“What?” In all my seventeen years, I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen my mother angry before.

Ian and Jack came closer, each giving me a hug.

“After the accident, she got all of us alone and threatened us,” Danny explained further. “She said if she ever saw any of us near you again, she’d call the police.”

Ian shivered. “That is one woman you don’t want to piss off.”

“But we missed you,” Jack added. “We never would’ve cut you off cold turkey. You’re a sister to us, Say.”

My heart throbbed at their words. They hadn’t abandoned me. More people hadn’t walked away.

Jack stood before me with a faded scar near his brow. No doubt his wound from my reckless choice.

“I’m so sorry, Jack. I could’ve killed us or ruined your life,” I said before throwing my arms around him next.

He nearly crushed me in his arms as he hugged me close. “We both were fucked up that night, but we made it.”

If barely.

“I’m so sorry,” I repeated.