Free Siren's Song by Heather McCollum

lot more than the basic interpretation. But right now, I have too much deep stuff going on to want to excavate Luke’s messed-up childhood.
    â€œWell,” I say, “I love my mom. A lot. She’s actually pretty cool.” When she’s not hysterical . “I miss her.”
    â€œShe sings,” he says and takes a sip of water. “I Googled her.”
    â€œOh.” Awkward. It feels…invasive. Or is that just because I’m worried that, two miles away, there could be a secret room in my best friend’s house, covered in pictures of me and my family?
    â€œYou sing, too.”
    â€œYou searched for me?” I snap.
    He smiles wryly. “No. Taylin told me. She says you’re…” he looks at the ceiling as if remembering Taylin’s exact word, “…mesmerizing.”
    Wow. Taylin Banes said I was mesmerizing. “Yeah, I inherited my mother’s vocal cords.”
    â€œI heard a little the day I moved in.”
    â€œI remember,” I say dryly.
    He’s still smiling. “I believe I apologized for being rude.”
    Does he think I hold grudges? Do I? I shrug. “You did.” Mica whines at the back door, giving me something to do. I let her out.
    â€œI’d better go,” he says, setting the glass on the counter. “My mom’s kind of a nut about getting to bed on time on a school night. It’s crazy how early we have to get up for school here. The bell in Boston didn’t ring until 8:30.”
    â€œCock-a-doodle-doo,” I say with a little roll of my eyes.
    A real smile replaces the haunted look in his eyes. I smile back. It’s impossible not to when Luke turns on his full grin, the type that reaches his deep-water eyes. Like an ocean under a storm. He walks to my front door and I follow.
    â€œSo…” I hesitate. I don’t often go out on a limb, and I feel my blush ignite. “Interested, huh?”
    We’re standing on the dark porch. I inhale his clean, soapy scent, with maybe a tinge of some sexy body spray. Or is that just his pheromones? Can you smell pheromones?
    I feel the fabric of his shorts brush my thighs. His chest presses against mine and I suddenly feel just how tall he is. He must be six foot. I look up, feeling wobbly. His strong hand goes around my back to steady me, keeping me close. He brushes hair back from my ear and breathes slowly along the waves there. My heart pounds. I feel twinges running through me like an electric current. His fingers comb all the way down through my long hair, gently untangling the few snarls along the way.
    â€œYeah,” he whispers, and goose bumps run along that side of my body. “Definitely interested.”
    My breath comes out in a staggered pant as I feel his lips touch my neck, feather-soft. My legs almost buckle when I feel the bare trace of kisses along my jaw, as if he’s exploring, savoring.
    I feel his nose skimming along my pulse. “Mmmm… lilacs.”
    My hands clasp his powerful shoulders so I don’t fall down, although, somehow, I know Luke will catch me if I do. His lips touch the corner of my mouth and I nearly embarrass myself by moaning. I’m melting. And then his lips move across mine.
    Tires crunch at the edge of the driveway and my eyes snap open. Luke is instantly next to me, his arm still in place, my anchor. Headlights slice the night open like a lightsaber.
    â€œMy dad.” What would Dad think of me standing in the dark with a boy?
    â€œMost definitely interested,” he whispers against my temple. I feel the pressure of his hand fade. He’s gone. The darkness swallows his form as he jogs across the road toward his house.
    My mouth is gaping. Oh, God!
    â€œJulietta?” Dad asks. “What are you doing out here?”
    â€œUm…” I turn toward Dad. “Just thought I heard something.”
    Dad chuckles. He almost sounds like his old self. “Turning on the light