Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 73817 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73817 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Before long, I’m standing around a bonfire among a modest crowd of guys and gals from the locals’ end of the island. Toby tells me there are usually a lot more people at these things, so maybe everyone is still distracted with the Pride stuff going on all over the island, or are having their own house parties. I’m drinking from a bottle of off-brand carbonated lemonade I’ve never heard of before, along with Toby and Vann by my side, who start introducing me to some of the people around the fire. It’s just like Cooper taking me down Cassanova Street; once one name is put into my head, it’s shoved right out with another name. I can’t keep anyone straight, but I smile and nod anyway, trying to be as comfortable as I can.
“Looks like you’ve got another enticing career option,” teases Toby with a nudge into my ribs, “if modeling wasn’t already on your radar.”
It wasn’t. It still isn’t. I wouldn’t dream of modeling for anyone or anything.
But still: “Yeah, I’m open to anything.”
“The local college is a great place to find oddball gigs. The art departments are always needing people. Performing arts school, too. Not to mention the science building, where they do psychology experiments and train counselors with models and actors. Do you act? I’m an actor, kinda, sorta.”
It was a pretty amazing experience, all of those college students being so fascinated with me for a moment. If my life had gone differently, I might be one of them right now, happily stressing over projects, commiserating with fellow classmates, studying for exams …
The dream of living a college life is thrilling suddenly.
It’s also a possibility I would never have considered a week ago—a possibility I was sure I’d never know.
“Vann is a student there,” Toby points out. “He can get you a foot in the door if you want, I’m pretty sure.”
“Thanks.” I take another fizzy, lemony swig from the bottle. After a minute, I realize I can’t help myself. “Hey, about that guy in that corner store restroom …”
“Who? Oh, that weirdo? Nah, it’s okay, Seany, really, you don’t have to explain.”
“I ran away from home.” I take a moment to gather myself. “I-I’m homeless.”
Toby faces me fully, all cheer fleeing his face at once, his eyes turning serious. I’m not sure whether this is him paying attention, or if he really didn’t have any idea at all.
“You …” He brings his voice down, despite likely no one else being able to hear us anyway. “You ran away from home? Really?”
“Yeah. It was a while ago. Right after New Year’s.”
Toby gasps. “You’ve been out there on your own since January?”
“Sort of. It’s a long story. I’ve been staying with Coop since the weekend. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I’ve just been taken advantage of so many times, or tricked, or let down … I never know who to trust. I’ve only recently arrived here to Dreamwood Isle a few weeks ago. I’ve been sleeping in the park or out by the east bluffs. It’s how that guy knows me,” I finally get to explain. “He’s convinced I’m trying to win myself a sugar daddy or something with Cooper, like I’m just some street rat clawing his way up by any means possible. I’m not. I just want a normal life. I’m tired of the uncertainty, the looking over my shoulder—”
Toby tackles me with a hug at once, crushing away all of my words. I stare over his shoulder at the fire, paralyzed.
“I … am so sorry, Seany. You’ve dealt … with so … so much. I am so … so … so sorry …”
I squirm a bit in his hug, then give in, letting him hold me. I don’t really know what to say.
He lets go suddenly and steps back. “Uh, sorry. I get a bit overly emotional.”
“It’s okay. It was … uh … nice, I think.”
“Really, I’m so happy you found Cooper.”
“Yeah, but …” I sigh. “That guy from the restroom—his name’s Ice, probably his street name—it’s obvious he’s been watching me, because he knows I’ve been with Coop. I don’t want him to come after Coop, or to—”
“Nah, don’t even think about that. If this Ice guy has a brain, he won’t do anything to you or Coop. Everyone on the island knows Cooper. Even the police love the guy.”
“Thanks.”
“You’ve got me and Vann to protect you. And big bar boss Cooper can protect himself and you. I won’t ask about your family or why you ran away. It isn’t my business, and believe me, I know all about dysfunctional families. I … kind of ran away from my own, but that was just for a day. My best friend Kelsey was once in a very similar situation to yours, then found herself bouncing from foster home to foster home. She was staying with us just last week, but went home to Spruce this weekend for one of her dads’ birthdays, otherwise I would have introduced you two.” He grimaces. “Sorry, I’m talking a lot. The point is, I’d never judge another person for their situation. Maybe someday we can trade stories and get to know each other better. But only in your own time. Just know that you’re safe here and among friends, okay?” He hooks an arm around my neck, pulling me close like he’s suddenly my big bro. “Here in Dreamwood, you’ll always have a family. You have us.”