The First Twenty

by Jennifer Lavoie

  Some of the Scavengers had stepped forward, offering to help as a way of apology, and with Nixie as their go-between, Old Joe agreed that they could have limited access to the settlement while they helped repair the damage. And once the work was completed, they’d discuss long-term arrangements.

  Peyton sat on the windowsill of the tower, watching everyone work below her. In the wake of Graham’s death, Old Joe had ordered her to take time off from her guard duties. She’d protested, but there was no arguing with the old man. So there she sat.

  Ryan had been taken away. Again, another thing she wasn’t allowed to be involved with. Old Joe worried she would kill him, and he was probably right. Scary to think about how much she’d thought of taking another’s life in the last few days. A creak on the steps alerted her to another’s presence, and she turned to find Nixie watching her, looking radiant in the dress Avery had given her, the same one she’d worn that night at Graham’s for dinner. She smiled and held out an arm. Nixie quickly crossed the floor and leaned into her, stretching up for a kiss.

  And I was ready to send her away. I must be crazy.

  “Are you coming?” she asked, propping her chin on Peyton’s shoulder as she turned to look back out the window. People were working in the abandoned building across the way, converting it to new apartments for the Scavengers who would be joining the Mill once the trial period was over. One of them spotted her and waved before ducking back inside.

  “Yeah.”

  “Dr. Easton said Ranger is doing fine, and he can have visitors now. She said he’s been complaining since he woke up. He hates being confined.”

  “This must be torture for him, then.”

  “I’m sure it is.”

  Peyton slid from her perch and slipped her fingers through Nixie’s, tightening her grip. Nixie returned the squeeze and she smiled. She wasn’t going to let Nixie out of her sight again.

  The heavy door to the medical wing was shut, but that didn’t stop the loud voices within. Peyton raised an eyebrow and looked down at Nixie who rolled her eyes. “Oh, boy.”

  “Hey!” Jasper called, jogging down the hall to catch up. “Is he allowed visitors yet?”

  “We were just going to see him.” Peyton opened the door and let the three of them in. Dr. Easton stood in one doorway, arguing loudly with the occupant.

  She turned to them and threw up her hands. “I can’t do anything with this one,” she muttered. “He’s all yours. Just keep him in bed. I had to tie a strap to his legs. The sedative should kick in eventually. You should get a few minutes. I need to check on Avery and baby Graham.”

  “This has to be against your doctor’s code or something!” Ranger protested. Nixie stifled a laugh behind her hand and Peyton followed her into the room with Jasper at her heels. “Nix, help me get this off.”

  “I think you have to stay in bed. Doctor’s orders.”

  “This is inhumane,” he moaned, tugging at the strap across his legs. The buckle had been placed on the side of the bed closest to his injured arm so he wouldn’t be able to reach it.

  “I’m sure she’d take it off if you stayed where you were supposed to,” Peyton said. She propped herself up on the counter as Nixie sat in the chair by the bed. The man sighed and dropped his head onto the pillow.

  “How are you feeling?” Nixie asked.

  “I’ve been better,” he said softly. He looked at his bandaged arm and Peyton followed his gaze. Not only was it wrapped in cloth, but the arm had been bound against his body to keep it still. “Dr. Easton says I probably won’t be able to use my arm again.” His voice broke a little as he said it, and he cleared his throat. “Not much, at least. Won’t be much of a help around here.”

  “You saved my life,” Peyton said with conviction. “It doesn’t matter what you can or can’t do. You have a place here.”

  Jasper hadn’t said a word, but he moved closer to the head of the bed. “You’re lucky. If it had hit more to the left it would have pierced your heart.”

  “It should have,” Ranger argued, tilting his head back to look at Jasper. “I would have deserved it after what I did to Peyton’s father, but I guess this is the punishment I get for—”

  His words were cut off as Jasper leaned down and pressed a kiss to his lips, silencing him. Nixie and Peyton looked to each other, stunned, and turned back as Jasper broke the kiss.

  Ranger didn’t say a word and Jasper grinned triumphantly. “It works! I’ve been wanting to try that out,” Jasper crowed.

  “You’re an idiot.” Peyton shook her head and reached out to take Nixie’s hand.

  “Should we leave the two of you alone?” Nixie teased.

  Jasper had his fingers in Ranger’s short hair, and he grinned widely. “Not that much would get accomplished. Dr. Easton would kill me.”

  Ranger’s eyes drooped and he yawned. “That feels nice,” he murmured before whatever sedative the doctor had given him kicked in.

  “Magic fingers,” Jasper whispered, holding up his free hand and wiggling the digits.

  The outer door banged open and Dr. Easton yelled, “For the love of—Static! Will you please be careful? This is a medical ward, not some party house!”

  “Sorry! So sorry!” Static practically ran into the room, ignoring everyone’s attempts to slow him down and keep him quiet.

  “Static, what the hell is your problem?” Peyton pushed off the counter and grabbed his shirt collar, ready to haul him out of the room, but he broke free of her grasp and held out the radio in his hands.

  “I got it to work!” He pushed the medical equipment aside and set it down carefully. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you, and Willow said Jasper was headed here, so I figured you’d be here, too. I had to show you, before everyone else. Because you helped me. But I did it.”

  “Wha—?” Ranger tried to speak but Jasper hushed him while Peyton tried to get Static to lower his voice. It was no use.

  “Listen!” he cried as he switched the radio on.

  Nothing happened. Peyton sighed.

  “Static—”

  A faint, scratchy sound came out of the speakers, and Static turned the volume up.

  Peyton could hear it clearly now. “It works.”

  “Told you it would.”

  “What does it mean?” she asked.

  Static started to explain, but before he could get far, a voice interrupted them.

  If you…hear…not alone.

  Everyone stared at the radio, mouths open in shock.

  “It’s someone’s talking,” Peyton whispered. Static hushed her and she listened. He fiddled with one of the dials just a little, carefully nudging it with a steady hand.

  The voice returned.

  If you can hear us, you’re not alone. This is Maverick from Farmington, Connecticut. CB radio channel two.

  “Maverick,” Jasper whispered, glancing at Static. “Can it be…?” Static stared at him, mouth open.

  Peyton turned and they all looked at each other, silent as the voice droned on in the background, giving more information. Static recovered from his shock, found a discarded pencil, and scribbled furiously on the rough counter. Finally he turned, his eyes wide.

  “It’s true. There are others out there. Maverick’s out there.” He let the words settle over the room before adding, “We can reconnect.”

  Peyton glanced down at her hands enjoined with Nixie’s and smiled. They’d come a long way since that day Nixie fell into the river, and the future stood before them with endless possibilities. Tugging her girl closer, Peyton wrapped an arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head. Nixie looked up, her cool blue eyes crinkled at the corners with delight. “Some of us already have.”

  About the Author

  While growing up, Jennifer Lavoie wanted to be a writer or a teacher and briefly debated a career in marine biology. The only problem with that was her fear of deep water. Starting during a holiday season as temporary help, she worked in a bookstore for six years an
d made it all the way up to assistant manager before she left to take a job teaching. Jennifer has her bachelor’s degree in secondary English education and found her first teaching job working with middle school students. Along with another teacher and a handful of students, Jennifer started the first Gay-Straight Alliance at the school. She has since moved to another school, but is still active in student clubs and enjoys pairing students with books that make them love to read. Jennifer lives in Connecticut with her cat, Scout.

  Soliloquy Titles From Bold Strokes Books

  The First Twenty by Jennifer Lavoie. Peyton is out for revenge after her father is murdered by Scavengers, but after meeting Nixie, she’s torn between helping the girl she loves and the community that raised her. (978-1-62639-414-8)

  Taking the Stand by Juliann Rich. There’s a time for justice, then there’s a time for taking the stand. And Jonathan Cooper knows exactly what time it is. (978-1-62639-408-7)

  Fifty Yards and Holding by David-Matthew Barnes. The discovery of a secret relationship between Riley Brewer, the star of the high school baseball team, and Victor Alvarez, the leader of a violent street gang, escalates into a preventable tragedy. (978-1-62639-081-2)

  Dark Rites by Jeremy Jordan King. When friends start experimenting with dark magic to gain power, Margarite must embrace her natural gifts to save them. (978-1-62639-245-8)

  Driving Lessons by Annameekee Hesik. Dive into Abbey Brooks’s sophomore year as she attempts to figure out the amazing, but sometimes complicated, life of a you-know-who girl at Gila High School. (978-1-62639-228-1)

  Asher’s Shot by Elizabeth Wheeler. Asher Price’s candid photographs capture the truth, but when his success requires exposing an enemy, Asher discovers his only shot at happiness involves revealing secrets of his own. (978-1-62639-229-8)

  The Melody of Light by M.L. Rice. After surviving abuse and loss, will Riley Gordon be able to navigate her first year of college and accept true love and family? (78-1-62639-219-9)

  Maxine Wore Black by Nora Olsen. Jayla will do anything for Maxine, the girl of her dreams, but after becoming ensnared in Maxine’s dark secrets, she’ll have to choose between love and her own life. (978-1-62639-208-3)

  Bottled Up Secret by Brian McNamara. When Brendan Madden befriends his gorgeous, athletic classmate, Mark, it doesn’t take long for Brendan to fall head over heels for him—but will Mark reciprocate the feelings? (978-1-62639-209-0)

  Searching for Grace by Juliann Rich. First it’s a rumor. Then it’s a fact. And then it’s on. (978-1-62639-196-3)

  Dark Tide by Greg Herren. A summer working as a lifeguard at a hotel on the Gulf Coast seems like a dream job…until Ricky Hackworth realizes the town is shielding some very dark—and deadly—secrets. (978-1-62639-197-0)

  Everything Changes by Samantha Hale. Raven Walker’s world is turned upside down the moment Morgan O’Shea walks into her life. (978-1-62639-303-5)

  Tristant and Elijah by Jennifer Lavoie. After Elijah finds a scandalous letter belonging to Tristant’s great-uncle, the boys set out to discover the secret Uncle Glenn kept hidden his entire life and end up discovering who they are in the process. (978-1-62639-075-1)

  Caught in the Crossfire by Juliann Rich. Two boys at Bible camp; one forbidden love. (978-1-62639-070-6)

  Frenemy of the People by Nora Olsen. Clarissa and Lexie have despised each other for as long as they can remember, but when they both find themselves helping an unlikely contender for homecoming queen, they are catapulted into an unexpected romance. (978-1-62639-063-8)

  The Balance by Neal Wooten. Love and survival come together in the distant future as Piri and Niko face off against the worst factions of mankind’s evolution. (978-1-62639-055-3)

  The Unwanted by Jeffrey Ricker. Jamie Thomas is plunged into danger when he discovers his mother is an Amazon who needs his help to save the tribe from a vengeful god. (978-1-62639-048-5)

  Because of Her by KE Payne. When Tabby Morton is forced to move to London, she’s convinced her life will never be the same again. But the beautiful and intriguing Eden Palmer is about to show her that this time, change is most definitely for the better. (978-1-62639-049-2)

  The Seventh Pleiade by Andrew J. Peters. When Atlantis is besieged by violent storms, tremors, and a barbarian army, it will be up to a young gay prince to find a way for the kingdom’s survival. (978-1-60282-960-2)

  Asher’s Fault by Elizabeth Wheeler. Fourteen-year-old Asher Price sees the world in black and white, much like the photos he takes, but when his little brother drowns at the same moment Asher experiences his first same-sex kiss, he can no longer hide behind the lens of his camera and eventually discovers he isn’t the only one with a secret. (978-1-60282-982-4)

  Meeting Chance by Jennifer Lavoie. When man’s best friend turns on Aaron Cassidy, the teen keeps his distance until fate puts Chance in his hands. (978-1-60282-952-7)

  Lake Thirteen by Greg Herren. A visit to an old cemetery seems like fun to a group of five teenagers, who soon learn that sometimes it’s best to leave old ghosts alone. (978-1-60282-894-0)

  The Road to Her by KE Payne. Sparks fly when actress Holly Croft, star of UK soap Portobello Road, meets her new on-screen love interest, the enigmatic and sexy Elise Manford. (978-1-60282-887-2)

  Swans & Klons by Nora Olsen. In a future world where there are no males, sixteen-year-old Rubric and her girlfriend Salmon Jo must fight to survive when everything they believed in turns out to be a lie. (978-1-60282-874-2)