by Rachel Hanna
He was, without a doubt, one-hundred percent Southern gentleman. She’d watched him for days now, noting in her mind all of the ways that he fit the description of “chivalrous”. For instance, when they walked on the sidewalk, he would inevitably move to the outside, closest to the road. When she’d asked him why, he explained.
“Southern men are taught to protect women, and by walking on the side closest to the street, we can protect women from cars, mud being splashed… things like that.”
Laura had laughed and said, “Someone should’ve protected you from me.”
Even when she drove them places, Sawyer would open her door. When they got to the bakery in the mornings, he would open that one too. She was starting to get so used to having her door opened, that she walked right into a glass door at the local gas station when she was by herself.
“Ticket please,” she uninterested male teenager said when they finally made it to the front of the line.
Sawyer handed them the two tickets he’d bought online, unbeknownst to her. They found a suitable car and climbed in. Laura immediately searched for the seatbelt and anything else that looked like it might strap her in tightly.
“You okay?” Sawyer asked with a laugh when he saw her frantically looking for locks or chains.
“Nope.” She really wasn’t, and she had no idea why on Earth her demure, calm, level-headed mother would have wanted to ride this kind of Satan-inspired death machine.
As if on cue, Sawyer reached for her hand, as he’d done all day long. She knew it likely meant nothing romantic and was just the gesture of a friend who knew she was scared. And she appreciated it, even if every time he did it she wanted to jump on him and never let go.
Movement. There was movement. Laura fidgeted in her seat as the train of cars started lurching forward. She wanted to bolt, but there was no way out. She was going to die. This was how she was going to die. And when she arrived at the pearly gates, she was going to yell at her mother for making her die in such a stupid way.
“Oh my goshhhhh…..” she yelled as the thing catapulted them forward. Sawyer squeezed her hand ever tighter, and she wasn’t sure if he was trying to calm her down or calm himself down.
“Woooooo!” she heard people screaming, hands held in the air. No thank you. She would keep her hands to herself. One was holding on to Sawyer, but the other was firmly grasping the fiberglass death chamber she was riding in.
And then something unexpected happened. She looked at Sawyer, and he was laughing and holding up his other hand, and she started to have fun as the coaster whipped up and down and even upside down. Her cheeks hurt from smiling, and there was a distinct possibility that she had swallowed a bug, but she was having fun.
When the ride stopped, her hair was untamable and her eyes were dry, but she was alive. And she felt pride. She was proud that she’d done it, and glad it was over. Without thinking, she turned to Sawyer and hugged his neck, planting a kiss on his cheek.
“Thank you for making me do that,” she said softly as the ride attendant began unlocking her seatbelt. Sawyer’s mouth opened as if to say something, but they had to get out of the car.
She had kissed his cheek. And he’d had to pinch his own leg to interrupt the thought of just kissing her full on the lips. Of course, that might have embarrassed the adolescent, acne-faced boy who was trying to get them off the ride.
“Now what? I mean, we were dropped off by a helicopter,” Laura said with a laugh.
“Well, I thought we could kill two birds with one stone,” he said. “But that’s a little later. For now, I thought we could hang out here for a bit?”
Laura nodded. The first thing they did was buy some cotton candy. Laura was like a kid, smiling and laughing as she enjoyed the sweet treat.
“You’ve got a little right there,” Sawyer said, taking his finger and catching a stray piece of the pink treat on the corner of Laura’s mouth. Without thinking, he licked it off his finger, and Laura seemed surprised.
“So, I remember you saying that you played baseball in high school?”
“Yep. I was a pitcher,” he said proudly.
“Well, how would you feel about winning me a stuffed animal?” she asked.
“You don’t think I can do it?”
“You know what, Sawyer? I think you can do just about anything.”
His heart literally skipped a beat. That was only supposed to happen to girls, right?
“So, if I’m understanding you correctly, I’m basically a hero, right?”
She laughed. “If you can win me that giant teddy bear right there, I’ll call you my hero.” She pointed to a big brown teddy bear that would require him to knock down five stacks of cans in a row, all with one throw each. If he was honest with himself, there was no way he’d do it. But right now he just wanted to be called her hero, so maybe this would be like the times when mothers lifted cars off their kids because of an adrenaline rush. She certainly had his adrenaline pumping.
“Deal,” he said, remembering that he’d just recovered from his shoulder injury and probably shouldn’t tell the doctor he’d done this.
“Oh, wait. Your shoulder. I’m so sorry, Sawyer. I wasn’t thinking. Don’t try this…” she said, reaching out and touching his shoulder.
“I want to be your hero,” he whispered as he leaned into her ear. Before he moved away, she whispered back.
“You already are.”
“Step right up!” the guy yelled, ruining the moment completely. “You ready to play, mister?”
Laura shook her head at Sawyer.
“Yep. I want to win the pretty lady that big teddy bear right there.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Laura asked as Sawyer rubbed his shoulder after throwing three balls.
“Yes, Laura. I’m fine. Now, don’t mess up my mojo,” he said, cutting his eyes at her. He’d already knocked down the first three sets with one shot each. Only two more, and he’d have her bear.
Watching him was riveting to her. The way his face was so focus and determined. The way his back muscles tightened up and slid underneath the soft gray fabric of his t-shirt. The way his jeans were tight in all the right places, and she could see the muscle in his upper thighs.
“Bam!” the carny yelled when Sawyer knocked down the fourth set of cans.
Laura clapped her hands together and grinned. “You’re so good!”
Sawyer smiled. “I’m going to get you that bear.” His Southern drawl and deep voice made her legs feel wobbly, so she stabilized herself on the pole that was holding up the overhang over the game area.
And with that, he turned and released the final ball from his hand, smashing the last stack of cans and sending one reeling so far that it bonked the carny right on the head.
“Yay! I’m so proud of you!” Laura shouted as she hugged him tightly around the neck. She could feel him stabilizing himself so as not to fall, so she started to pull away but he reached around and grabbed her waist tightly, his face buried in the crook of her neck. The feel of his mouth on her skin sent another hot flash throughout her body.
“You’re worth it,” he whispered, his lips against her ear now. She pulled back a bit and went to kiss him on the cheek, but instead he turned his head unexpectedly and she ended up brushing his lips with hers.
And it was heaven. Just for a moment, his lips were touching her lips and everything was right in the world. She wanted to stay there, but the shock of it caused them both to stop and pull back for a moment, and that was just enough time for the carny to push the giant teddy bear between them.
“Congrats, man! I’ve never seen anybody slay this game like that!” he said. The guy had blond dreadlocks and more tattoos than Laura thought was possible, but his accent was that of a California surfer. “Hey… Aren’t you Sawyer Griffin?”
Laura watched as Sawyer quickly pulled his baseball cap down further and nervously shuffled his feet.
“You are Sawyer Griffin!” the guy said before Sawyer c
ould answer. “Man, I heard you play in Nashville about two years ago…”
“Really? Cool. Listen, I’m kind of in a hurry here, but thanks so much for the game.” Sawyer quickly - well, as quickly as an air cast would allow - whisked Laura away from the game booth. She was now carrying the bear, which was about half her size.
“What was that about?”
“Oh, he probably saw me in a club or something. I told you I’ve been trying to make it in Nashville for a long time now.”
She stopped and waited for him to notice.
“What?” he said, turning around.
“I wasn’t referring to the fact that he noticed you. I mean why did you seem so nervous about it?”
Sawyer sighed and took a step toward her. “Look, I don’t want to have to explain that I’m a big, fat failure to the guy, okay?”
She tilted her head and looked up at him. “You definitely aren’t a failure to me, Sawyer Griffin. You’re my hero,” she said, raising the bear up beside her face and smiling.
And with that, she rose up onto her tiptoes and kissed him on that dimple she’d been staring at for so many days.
The afternoon sun started to tuck itself away behind the orange and yellow streaks of the sky, and Sawyer couldn’t remember a time he’d been more at ease. Peaceful. Calm. Serene.
As they walked out of the amusement park, she turned and looked at him. “You’re not a failure, you know.”
“Oh really?”
“You’re a true musical genius, Sawyer. And if Nashville can’t see it, then I don’t ever want to go there.”
“Boycotting Nashville?” he asked with a smile.
“If I need to,” she said. “So where are we going now? Because I have this gigantic bear that needs a ride.”
“Well, that is a bit of a problem,” he said, scrunching up his nose.
“Why?”
“Because our ride doesn’t really have room for him.” Sawyer pointed a few feet over to a motorcycle that was parked next to a light pole.
“What?” Laura’s eyes were wide. “Come on, Sawyer. I’m all for taking risks, but you can’t drive that thing with a boot on your foot.”
“You’re right. I can’t. But you can.”
“What? Are you insane? I can’t drive a motorcycle! I can barely ride a bike!”
“Well, now, that’s just sad. One thing at a time. Once I’m all healed up, I’d be glad to take you for a ride.” He winked at her.
“Ew. Don’t be that guy,” she said, laughing.
“You’re right. Sorry. Anyway, back to our little problem here. I’m going to need you to drive this thing. I’ve done it a million times, so I’ll tell you what to do.”
Laura stared at him for a moment and then sighed. “Fine. But what do we do about my new friend here?”
“I can get some rope to tie him down behind me…” Sawyer started looking around for a source of rope, which made Laura laugh.
“Well, unless there’s a rope fairy, I don’t think that’s a viable option.”
“We don’t need to ride far to get to our next destination.”
“You mean there’s more?” she asked. “I’m a little scared.”
“Let’s just call another cab. I don’t want you to lose Mr. Bear here,” Sawyer said, pulling out his cell phone. Laura looked to her side and then turned back to Sawyer, grinning.
“Would it hurt your feelings if I gave him away?”
“But you love him.”
“I do, and I’ll never forget you winning him for me. But look.” She pointed to a little girl, maybe eight or nine years old, who was in a wheelchair. Her family had just finished trying to win her something, and Laura had seen them earlier in the park. She noticed them leaving empty handed.
“You’re a special person, Laura Bennett.”
Laura walked over to the family. “Hi. I was wondering if you could help me with something?”
“With what?” the little girl asked.
“Well, my friend here won me this wonderfully large bear, but we’re riding on that motorcycle. This poor guy won’t fit on there with us.”
The little girl’s eyes lit up when Laura handed the stuffed animal over. “Really? I can keep him?”
“You’d be doing me a huge favor if you would,” Laura said with a smile.
“Does he have a name?” the little girl asked.
Sawyer suddenly piped in. “His name is Sweetcakes.”
The little girl grinned from ear to ear as her parents wheeled her to their car. Before Laura could turn around, Sawyer wrapped his arms around her from behind and whispered in her ear. “Now, you’re my hero.”
Sawyer couldn’t believe he’d talked her into riding the motorcycle, but there she stood - ready and willing to try it. They had to go about twenty miles or so before their next destination, so he thought she could do it.
“Okay, safety first,” he said, pulling the helmets off the back and helping Laura get hers on before putting on his own. Laura had a backpack, and he was able to store it in a compartment on the back. “And gloves,” he said, handing them to her. She slipped them on, and he had to admit it was a sexy thing to watch.
“Next?”
“Okay, so this is the clutch here. And this is your foot peg. This right here is the shifter…” he started. After going over all of the parts and pieces, and showing her how to start the bike, she climbed on. Just seeing her sitting on the bike with those black leather gloves did things to him that he hoped she didn’t notice.
“What’s this again?” she asked, a bit of nervousness apparent in her voice.
“That’s your front break lever, and this is the throttle right here,” he said, leaning forward enough that he could smell her perfume, and that was doing things to him. “You… um… get most of your breaking capabilities from your front brakes… in case you didn’t know.”
“Yeah, Sawyer. I totally knew that,” she said with a sarcastic smile.
“Right. Yeah. So, okay. Let’s give it a try,” he said, climbing on the bike behind her. He stabilized them before telling her to put the kickstand up. Sawyer reached around and started the bike until it was idling. “Ready?”
“I don’t want to hurt you,” she said, worried that she would wreck the bike.
“I trust you, Laura.”
“Well, I’m glad one of us does,” she said with a shaky laugh.
Chapter 11
Laura couldn’t believe the day she’d had so far. Now, as she sped down the highway on a motorcycle at sunset, she felt like she was in a dream.
For the first few miles, she’d been terrified. But with Sawyer giving her commands in her ear, she had managed to not kill or maim either one of them yet.
Traffic was light since it was Sunday, and the view of the ocean as they breezed down the highway was breathtaking. But more than that, the feel of Sawyer holding on to her from behind was something she never wanted to forget.
His hands were strong, and his grip on her was firm. He trusted her, literally with his life. He believed in her. He had shown her in so many different ways that she was capable of doing anything she set her mind to. And now she wanted to do it all.
“Turn here,” he said as they approached a parking lot. She slowly turned in and came to a stop, being careful to put down the kickstand so they didn’t topple over.
“What is this place?”
“Well, hopefully it’s our next ride, if all went according to plan,” he said with a sly smile.
“What about the bike?”
“Someone will be along to pick it up shortly.”
“Oh my gosh!” Laura said. “Your crutch. We left it back at the amusement park…”
Sawyer laughed. “Are you just now noticing that?”
Laura shrugged her shoulders. “In my defense, I was trying to not kill us at the time.”
“When I learned I was a hero, I dropped that crutch like a bad habit,” he said, leaning against a wooden support near a small dock at the
water’s edge. “Kind of regretting that now, though. My leg is pretty stiff.”
“Here. Sit down for a minute,” Laura said, helping him down onto a tall tree stump that was at the edge of the parking lot. “Does this help?” she asked as she rubbed the top of his leg carefully.
Sawyer looked away and sighed. “More than you know.”
At first, she thought he was being “that guy” again, but he seemed to truly be trying to restrain himself. She continued rubbing his leg until he suddenly stood up and almost lost his balance in the process.
“What are you doing, crazy man?” she said.
“Look, I don’t know how else to say this, but if you don’t stop rubbing my leg like that then I might not be able to stop myself from…”
“From what?” she asked softly, looking up at him. His eyes connected with hers.
“From this,” he said, pulling her as close as he could and kissing her hard on the mouth. His kiss was intense, almost frantic, but then it softened and became the most sensual thing she’d ever felt in her life. His tongue found hers, and they fit together perfectly, like her lips had been made to dance with his.
His hands held her head in place, his fingers weaving in and out of her hair until they came around and held her cheeks. He pulled back and looked at her, breathless and laughing.
“I’m so sorry, Laura. I shouldn’t have assumed… But I couldn’t help it… But that’s no excuse…”
“Sawyer?”
“Yeah?”
“Shut up,” she said before pulling him back toward her and kissing him until the sun officially went down.
Sawyer leaned against the railing of the small dock, completely aware that time had gotten away from him. The night wasn’t supposed to end with an hour’s worth of making out in the middle of nowhere without a ride home, but it did, and it was perfect.