Walker grabbed Leo’s arm. “Like Major said, we’ll be working together to build you your own bed.”
Leo’s big chest hitched. We surrounded him in a group hug as he broke down again. “Seriously, I hate all of you,” he said through big, gulping sobs.
None of us believed that for a second.
Once we were all composed again, we set about making dinner. Just before we sat down to a feast of spaghetti and meatballs, we got a notification that there were people at the entrance.
Ginger grinned at Leo, punched his arm, and said, “Follow me.”
We watched from the kitchen as Leo and Ginger went up to the front gate and let in a truck with “Wild Heart Ranch” painted on the side.
“Is that Lovett?” Walker whispered as we watched the truck roll up to the chow house.
“Yep,” Major whispered back.
“Holy shit. Are they making their move?” I asked.
Major nodded. “In a way. They still want to wait until Leo’s out of school, but they also know that Leo’s a special guy.”
Lovett parked the truck in front of us and hopped out. I spied subtle makeup and soft pink nail polish along with their ranch-chic outfit: well-worn Wranglers, a silver-and-turquoise belt buckle, beat-up cowboy boots, a white T-shirt, and a pretty straw cowboy hat, which they removed when Leo walked up to them.
Walker nodded appreciatively. “Look at Lovett, playing the long game.”
Leo’s cheeks went red as Lovett opened the door to the truck and handed him a pair of overnight bags. The two teens who stepped out looked like a lot of the kids who came in from Wild Heart: underweight, frightened, and more than a little traumatized. But they were wearing new clothes and shoes, new everything. The adults stepped aside as the Lupe kids joined the newcomers, introducing themselves and offering handshakes—or hugs if both parties felt comfortable.
“We’re about to sit down to eat,” Ginger said with a smile. “Have y’all eaten? There’s plenty.”
Lovett’s eyes slid to Leo. “We’d love to join you.”
Stealing one of Leo’s moves, the Lost Boys colluded to ensure Leo and Lovett were seated next to each other. Lovett was a little taller and wider than Walker, yet they looked petite next to Leo.
Lovett, it seemed, wasn’t the only one with a decent amount of game. Leo spent the dinner being a complete gentleman: using his napkin, not speaking with his mouth full, and passing the plates that Lovett couldn’t reach. Playing it cool, he leaned over and whispered something into Lovett’s ear that had them throwing back their head with laughter.
By the time we dug into the peach cobbler Ren had dropped off earlier in the day, Lovett and Leo were holding court, telling stories, one-upping each other in front of the new kids. When Leo walked Lovett out to the truck at the end of the evening, he kept a respectful distance, but we all saw the mutual chemistry.
As the Wild Heart truck disappeared down the road, Leo started toward the bunkhouse on autopilot.
“Hey, Leo,” Major said, hooking a thumb toward his own truck. “Home’s this way.”
Leo stopped in his tracks and swallowed hard. He turned to Ginger, and we all caught the tear tracking down his cheek. “Oh, fuck,” he said quietly.
She smiled, her eyes bright but sad. “My sentiments exactly, big guy.”
“Thank you so much,” he said, pulling her into a massive hug. “You changed my life.”
“Ditto, kid.”
Not gonna lie, we were all misty by the end of it.
Major smacked my shoulder. “This is why we do it.”
“Long live the Lost Boys,” I said.
“Long live the Lost Boys,” he called back.
* * *
Walker held my hand as we made our way up my front porch steps.
