by K. C. Lynn
Before I can kneel down to get it, Sawyer pulls me against him, wrapping his arms around me. His warm strength has me breakin’ down.
“Thank you for standin’ up for me,” I cry into his chest.
“You don’t need to thank me, Grace. I told you, I take care of what’s mine.” He holds me close, rubbing soothing circles along my back. “You okay?”
Nodding, I step back.
“Come on. I’ll help you clean up.”
I ward him off. “No, I got it. Go on and sit down. It won’t take me long, then we’ll leave.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah.”
Once he takes a seat at the counter, I grab him a piece of today’s pie along with a cup of coffee then head over to clean up the glass.
“What’s this one called?” he asks with his mouth full.
The question brings a smile to my face. “Baby Love Pie,” I tell him, dumping the broken glass into the trash. “It’s an old recipe. My mama made it when she found out she was pregnant with me.”
Turning around, I find him staring at me with questions in his eyes.
My gaze drops to the counter, focusing on the dishcloth I hold. “My father left her when he found out she was pregnant. She told me it never mattered because she was madly in love with me. That night she created this pie and decided to call it Baby Love Pie.”
I feel him watch me, but I keep my head down and tell him something that I haven’t shared with anyone except Kayla and Julia.
“I’ve never met my father. The only reason why I came here is because he lives in Charleston. I’ve been nervous to contact him. He’s kinda a big deal, and already has a family of his own. But I finally sucked it up and sent him a letter.” My eyes lift to his and I flash him a smile. “He wants to meet me Friday night for dinner. I guess I’ve been worryin’ all this time for nothin’.”
He returns my smile, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “I’m happy for you, Cupcake.”
“Thanks.” Clearing my throat, I start gathering his dishes. “Just let me put these away and leave out some leftovers for Chuckie, then we can go.”
“Who’s Chuckie?” he asks, a frown tightening his face.
“The chocolate Lab. I haven’t seen him since the night you scared him off, but I still leave food out for him just in case.”
“How do you know that’s his name?”
“I don’t, but he looks like a Chuckie, so that’s what I call him.”
He belts out a husky laugh, the infectious sound bringing a smile to my face.
“Are you laughin’ at me, Sawyer Evans?”
“Never.”
I shake my head, knowing he’s full of it. “Just wait there. I’ll be right back.” I head into the kitchen, his laughter drifting in behind me.
The sexy bugger.
Sawyer
“Would it be okay if we drove tonight?” Grace asks softly as we walk out the front door of the diner. “That way you don’t have to walk home by yourself so late.”
What is with her always worrying about me walking alone at night?
“It’s up to you, Cupcake. I can drive if you want, but don’t choose it because you’re worried about me. I told you, I’m badass. Walking in this town late at night is the least scariest thing I’ve ever done.”
She graces me with one of her sweet smiles that always causes a shift in my chest. “If it’s all right with you, I wouldn’t mind drivin’. My feet are a little sore from pulling a double shift.”
My eyes drop to her scuffed-up white shoes, hating to think about how many hours she’s worked in them. “That’s fine, we’ll drive.”
I lead her over to my truck, opening the passenger door for her.
“What is it with you boys and high trucks? Not all of us are giants, ya know,” she says, her head craned all the way back.
Smirking, I stand behind her, my hands spanning her waist to hoist her up. Her sweet cupcake scent penetrates my senses, making my cock harden behind my zipper.
What I wouldn’t give for just a little taste, to know if she’s as sweet as she smells. I have no doubt she is.
“Um, Sawyer? You can let go now.”
I realize I still have a firm grip on her hips. My eyes lift to hers to see a blush staining her cheeks. I get the urge to rip off her dress and find out just how far that pretty pink color spreads.
However, I manage to rein myself in and fight the temptation. “Sorry about that, Cupcake. My thoughts strayed for a moment.” I grin, not the least bit apologetic, then close the door and walk around to my side.
My good mood sours as I think about the little prick who was harassing her when I walked in tonight. He’s lucky I didn’t cut his hand off. It pisses me off to think what could have happened if I hadn’t shown up when I did.
I slam my door harder than necessary, my expression hard when I look at Grace. “Where was Mac tonight? Why were you alone?”
She licks her lips nervously, wreaking havoc on my restraint. “I sent him home because he was sick and needed rest. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell him what happened. He felt guilty enough about leavin’ me.”
“You shouldn’t be alone there, Grace, especially at night.”
Her back straightens, chin lifting. “I wasn’t worried because I knew you were comin’ in soon. And I would have called Cooper if I needed to.” She pauses, softening her voice. “Please don’t tell him.”
Well shit, when she asks all soft and sweet like that I’m willing to do pretty much anything she says, which is dangerous. I should just hand over my balls to her right now.
“Fine, on one condition. If you’re ever going to be there alone at night you call me so I can be there, or have someone else with you. Got it?”
“Yes, Sexy Sawyer, sir,” she mocks, giving me a sassy salute.
Grunting, I pull away from the diner but drive really slow, wanting to spend as much time with her as possible. It’s one of the reasons I like walking with her so much.
“Tell me about your family,” she says softly, surprising me with the choice of topic.
“I have two younger sisters, both are a real pain in the ass, but I love them. My mom does a lot of charity work. She’s pretty amazing, but of course you already know that because she had me.”
She rolls her eyes, her soft laugh filling the truck. “What about your dad?”
My smirk slips. “He owns a construction business. We were close when I was growing up, but we don’t see eye to eye anymore. He wasn’t all that happy when I joined the Navy,” I tell her, the bitterness tasting sour on my tongue.
“Because he was worried about you?” she asks quietly.
I grunt. “No. It’s because I was a really good hockey player. I had scouts coming out to my games by the time I was thirteen; my dad had big dreams of me making it in the NHL. When he found out I picked the Navy instead I crushed his dreams.”
“I’m sorry.”
I shrug, not really wanting to discuss it anymore.
“I didn’t dwell over not having a father, but there were times I often found myself thinking about him,” she starts quietly, her eyes trained ahead. “When I was about six years old, Mama and I were invited to a weddin’. There was another girl there who was my age. She and her dad were really close. He had propped her up on his feet and danced with her all night long. I watched them with envy and to this day I still think about that moment, wishing I knew what that felt like.”
The wistful note to her voice has an ache building in my chest. It pushes me to ask the one question I’ve been wanting to know. “Can I ask you something, Cupcake?”
“Sure.”
I glance over at her, hoping I don’t overstep. “How did your mom die?”
She flinches, as if I just slapped her.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.”
“No, it’s okay. I’ll tell you.”
My breath stalls, dread coiling in my gut as I wait for her to speak again.
; “She was raped and murdered.” The words are barely above a whisper but I hear them loud and clear, the information rocking me to my core.
Julia said it was bad, but jesus…
“We were supposed to drive to the state fair a few hours away for a pie bakin’ contest,” she tells me. “But when I got home from cheer practice, I found two men in our home and they were hurtin’ her. I almost suffered the same fate, but managed to escape for a few brief minutes to call 9-1-1. It was minutes that cost my mother her life.”
The sorrow in her voice is one that I can’t even begin to understand.
“Turns out her death was part of an initiation into a gang for them. We were just the random house that got chosen, no rhyme or reason. If it wouldn’t have been for the tattoo I saw, on the guy’s wrist when he hit me, they probably would have never been caught.”
Hearing someone struck her makes me fucking violent. “Where are they now?” I need to know, because if they’re still alive I’m going to hunt them down and kill them.
“One is still in prison, the other was murdered while awaiting trial.”
They both should be dead and burning in hell.
“I’m sorry, Grace.”
She peers over at me, the devastation in her eyes restricting my chest. “She was my best friend. We had plans to conquer the world with our pies. When they took her life they took mine too, in more ways than one. But as hard as it is, I know that life goes on and I need to be grateful for what I do have. Which is amazing friends and Mac… I’m not sure where I would be if it weren’t for him.”
She deserves more, so much more than the hand she’s been dealt.
Too soon I’m pulling into her driveway but the last thing I want to do is let her go.
“So there you have it. My very sad and pathetic life, you’re welcome for the depressing story,” she tries to lighten the moment, playing it off as a joke but there’s nothing funny about any of this.
“You’re not pathetic, Grace. Far from it. You have a right to feel hurt.”
She swallows thickly, tears glistening in her eyes. “If I let myself feel the full strength of my pain, it will kill me.”
The admission hits me like a powerful blow to the chest, sucking all the air out of my lungs.
She reaches for the door, tossing me a look over her shoulder. “Thank you for the ride. Text me when you get home so I know you made it safely.”
“You just want me to text you so you can dream about me again,” I joke, hoping to elicit even a small smile from her before she goes.
I get my wish, her pretty lips lifting at the corners. “Goodbye, Sexy Sawyer.” She hops out of my truck, her handing resting on the door.
“Hey, Grace,” I call before she can close it.
“Yeah?”
“Can I ask you one more question?”
She hesitates for only a second before nodding. “Go ahead.”
“Who did you live with after your mother?”
I didn’t think it was possible to see a greater pain enter her eyes but I was wrong and it makes me regret asking the question.
Her throat bobs, face paling. “With the devil himself.”
I tense, remaining locked in a stare with her. I have no idea what the hell that means and the last thing I want to do is ask her, not tonight.
She closes my truck door, leaving me with a knife twisting in my chest and vengeance burning in my veins.
Grace
Julia, Kayla, and I sit in Julia’s kitchen as I relay last night’s events, telling them all about the altercation with those jerks and the way Sawyer lost it on them. “I’ve never seen him like that before. I’m tellin’ ya, Julia, he could have given Jaxson a run for his money in the temper department.”
“He should have cut the little pervert’s hand off,” Kayla seethes.
I’m surprised he didn’t. In that moment, I saw murder in his eyes. He was capable of anything.
“I’m glad Sawyer showed up when he did,” Julia says, concern edging her voice. “I’ve never seen that side of him, it’s hard to picture.”
“It’s hard to picture what?” Jaxson walks in, inserting himself into the conversation. He plants a kiss on Julia’s forehead, resting his hand on her stomach.
My heart pinches with envy. What I wouldn’t give for someone to look at me like that one day.
“We’re talking about Sawyer,” Julia says then proceeds to tell him about my eventful night.
Jaxson’s eyes shift to me, a scowl forming on his face. “Why were you there by yourself so late?”
Of course he would react just like Sawyer.
“I sent Mac home early because he was sick. I knew Sawyer was going to be there soon, so I didn’t worry.”
“Grace says he got so angry he could have given you a run for your money,” Julia tells him, a smile twitching her lips.
Jaxson grunts. “I believe it. The only difference between us is it takes more to push him to that point.”
“See? I told you, it was crazy.”
Kayla chuckles. “We believe you.”
Jaxson dips his head, giving his wife another kiss but this time on the lips. “I’m heading to the gym. I’ll be back in a couple of hours.” He glances up at Kayla and me. “Will you guys stay with her?”
“I don’t need a babysitter, Jax, they can leave whenever they want. I’ll be fine.”
He shoots her a hard look, clearly not agreeing.
“Grace and I plan to be here for a while,” Kayla says, reassuring him.
“Good. Then I’ll see you girls later.” He heads out the door, leaving us in silence.
“Lord that man can be overbearing,” Julia grumbles but it lacks heat.
Kayla shrugs. “What else is new? He’s always been that way.”
“Yeah, but he’s gotten worse since Wyatt.”
Silence stretches between us as we think about the awful event that happened a few months ago.
Kayla breaks up the heavy moment, changing the topic of conversation. “Okay, enough stalling, Grace. What is going on with you and Sawyer?”
“Nothin’ is going on with us. He started walkin’ me home at night. Said he wanted to get to know me better, since we are both close with Jaxson and Julia.”
“He’s lying. He likes you.”
“I agree,” Julia says, backing her up.
I shrug. “I’m not so sure about that, but I’ve enjoyed getting to know him. There’s more to him than just his striking good looks.”
“No shit?” Kayla blurts out, making us all chuckle but I sober quickly, my heart warming when I think about just how amazing he has been.
“Yeah, he can be really sweet. He’s been good to me; has said some awfully nice things.” I pause for a moment before confessing, “I told him what happened to my mother and confided in him about my dad.”
“Really?” Both girls blurt at the same time, their surprise evident.
“Yeah. He’s really easy to talk to.”
“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. I’ve always known there’s more to Sawyer than his charm and insane good looks,” Julia says. “He was amazing to me when Jaxson exploded about the baby…” She trails off, sadness entering her eyes. “Did he tell you about the time the three of them were held captive?”
I stiffen. “No. They were?”
She nods. “I don’t know much of the story, and to be honest, I don’t want to. Jaxson bears some horrendous scars from it. I imagine both Sawyer and Cade have the same ones.”
My heart plummets at the thought of someone hurting Sawyer…or any of them for that matter.
A gloomy silence settles over us once again until I decide to drop another bombshell on them. “I contacted my father.”
Both of their eyes snap to mine, mouths parting in surprise.
“I sent him a letter last week because I was too scared of being rejected in person. But his assistant called me yesterday; he wants to meet me for dinner tomorrow night. His driver is picking me u
p at seven.”
“That’s great,” Julia says, sharing in my excitement.
Kayla, on the other hand, seems nervous. “Grace, you know I’m happy for you. But…have you thought about if it doesn’t turn out the way you want it to? I’m sure it will, but I think you should be prepared, just in case. I don’t want you to get hurt. Otherwise I’ll have to bust heads and no one wants to see that, especially my husband.”
I understand where she’s coming from. “I have thought about it but I always come up with the same conclusion. Why would he meet with me if he didn’t want some kind of relationship? You’d think he just wouldn’t respond.”
“You’re right,” she says. “I’m sure it will be great. I’m really happy for you.”
“Thanks.” Smiling, I revert my attention back to Julia. “Would it be all right if I borrowed one of your dresses again? This restaurant seems pretty fancy and I really want to make a good impression.” I’d ask Kayla but I’m closer to Julia’s size.
“Of course you can, but know matter what, Grace, dress or no dress, you’ll make a good impression.”
“Damn straight,” Kayla adds.
My heart warms at their kind words. They are seriously the bestest friends I’ve ever had.
“All right, enough of this sappy shit,” Kayla says, “let’s move on to a more fun topic, like getting Sawyer to give Grace her first big O.”
I groan, embarrassed with her not-so-subtle topic change.
“Wait, hold that thought,” she says, lifting her hand. “First, I want to know, how have you not masturbated after reading the shit that you do? Because that book you lent me was seriously hot.”
Heat invades my cheeks as I think about the romance novel I let her borrow. It is definitely one of the steamier ones I own.
“You have got to give me more of it. Even Coop wants to thank you. I attacked the shit out of him every time I picked the damn thing up.”
“This sounds juicy, Grace,” Julia says, intrigued. “Maybe I need to borrow it.”
“You are more than welcome to. It’s a great story.”
“It’s more than great. It’s damn hot. Believe me, Grace, we need to get Sawyer going on this. The real thing is so much better than reading about it.”