“Your parents?” he asked.
I let out a loud breath and shook my head.
“I have to go,” I said. “I don't know why I'm even talking to you. I'm guessing I haven't come up in your conversations either?”
“It was easier that way,” he answered.
“What?” I asked.
“I'll let you get your son home,” he said. Then he turned and walked around his truck to his door.
“I'll see you the next time you breeze through town,” I yelled out for him to hear me.
I couldn't see him. The damn truck was too big.
“Oh, I'm here to stay, Gracie,” he yelled back.
Then he got in his truck and was gone. There I was, standing outside of my car, watching until I could no longer see his tail lights, looking ridiculous.
The whole ride home, I thought about him. Was he really back, I wondered? He couldn't be, I told myself. It wasn't possible. He was in the service. I didn't know much, but I knew he had to sign for four years at a time. It wasn't even eleven years, so he had time left. He was probably home on leave. I was sure that was it. He had to have been messing with me. That seemed to be his thing.
I got Noah in bed and hurried to our spare room that was still housing boxes I had yet to open. When I found the one I needed, I grabbed my freshman yearbook and flipped to the page with Sawyer's senior picture. He looked so different at the dance. I began comparing everything about the new him to the old one. His eyes were the same, but that was it. Where he was fit before, he'd turned huge. He even looked taller than before. His hair was much shorter, which I assumed was from being in the military. He had at least one tattoo that I could see peeking out from under his sleeve. He even held himself different. Before, he stood relaxed and calm. The man I'd just seen an hour before stood stiff and defensive. There was not a single thing relaxed about him. The only exception had been when he was outside, sitting on the brick. That man was letting his guard down.
I ran my fingers over the picture of Sawyer with the heart drawn around it. Then I closed the book and put it back into the box. When I pushed the lid down over the box, I told myself that I needed to avoid him and everything that had to do with him. I'd moved back home to raise my son where I'd grown up and to fix my relationship with my parents. I didn't need distractions.
As I got into bed and pulled the covers up to my neck, something told me I hadn't seen the last of Sawyer.
Chapter 8
Grace
There he was, standing against the same bike I'd ridden on the back of, one time, in high school. He'd just gotten it and offered to take me on one ride, just like he had his sister. I jumped at the chance. He was a senior, and I was only a freshman. Not to mention the huge crush I'd had on him since he'd punched that mean boy in the nose for me. I'd never forget that ride. It probably meant nothing to him, but to me, it was one of the most important days of my life. The ride lasted an hour, but we'd made a stop halfway through. It was our turnaround point. I'll never forget the park or the exact spot we stopped. I got off the bike to stretch my legs and look at the water flowing down a stream. He got off too, but I didn't realize he was standing behind me. When I turned around, I ran into his chest, and before I could fall back, he grabbed me and pulled me forward. Our mouths were right there, so close to touching. Without a word, he closed the tiny gap, and our lips connected. His hand moved to the back of my head, and my mouth opened for him. His tongue dove into my mouth, and I thought I was dreaming. The feeling of our tongues moving together had butterflies fluttering in my stomach. The same words from that day popped into my mind, but instead of keeping them there, I said them.
“I love you.”
When he pulled back from the kiss, I opened my eyes, only it wasn't the Sawyer I'd fallen in love with. It was the new Sawyer, the asshole from the dance.
I shot up and looked around. I was in bed, and my room was completely dark. My hand went to my chest, and I could feel my heart beating faster than it had in a long time. I looked over at the clock on my nightstand. It was almost time to get Noah up, and I had a feeling there was no going back to sleep for me.
I made myself a cup of coffee and sat down at my kitchen table. My mind went back to that day. It was the only time I'd ever gotten on the back of a motorcycle. I'm not sure I would have done that with anyone else. He was my best friend's big brother. While he could be a real jerk, I trusted him. That was my first kiss. I didn't tell him that, and I never mentioned it to Julia either. She thought my first kiss came from some boy that was visiting his grandma for the summer that year. That kiss was the moment I fell in love with Sawyer. When we got back, my dad was waiting in their driveway for me. I got grounded for a month for that ride, but it was totally worth it.
My parents didn't like boys, but they couldn't stand Sawyer. They always said he was trouble, but I never believed them, not until he broke my heart.
He never mentioned that kiss, and neither did I. When I'd see him at school, he'd smile, but he'd keep right on going. I never expected him to profess his love for me, but I was hoping for something. What I got was nothing. He was the same guy he'd always been. I'd see him hanging with the guys. He'd go to football, basketball, and baseball games, and he'd always be surrounded by girls and guys. I'd be there with Julia, and we'd always sit with the freshman. He'd always be with the seniors. I looked for him every single time, and some of those times he'd look over, but he never said anything.
My alarm began beeping, pulling me from my thoughts. I hurried into my room to turn it off. Then I quickly got ready for my day.
“He's the same guy he always was, Grace,” I said, as I looked in the mirror at myself. “Do not let him fool you.”
I dropped Noah off at school and then headed to the grocery store. It was what I'd done each Friday morning since school had started. That way we could stay in all weekend if we wanted too. It was Valentine's Day, and I was making spaghetti, Noah's favorite. I was looking down at the list on my phone and realized I'd forgotten the bread he loved so much, so I turned my cart around, rounded the corner, and with a loud bam, ran right into someone else's.
“Damn!” I whispered to myself, before beginning my apology. “I'm so sorry. I have my list on my phone and.”
“And weren't watching where you were going,” the deep, rough voice said sternly, cutting me off. “Who's not paying attention now?”
“Shit!” I muttered.
My eyes traveled from the huge boots, up the jean covered legs, over the sexy leather jacket, and continued up until my eyes connected with the same dark, gorgeous ones I'd looked into the night before.
“Nice to see you again, Gracie,” he said, with a cocky smirk on his face.
When I didn't respond, he continued.
“Speechless for the second day in a row. I'm impressed. I don't remember you ever having a problem coming up with something to say. Not to mention the fact that you're checking me out.”
“Sawyer,” I growled out.
“What?” he asked innocently. “You were.”
“I was not,” I said, as I turned my cart and moved to go by him.
He reached his big hand out and grabbed the end of my cart, stopping me from moving forward or backward.
“You were checking me out last night too,” he said. “Before you knew who I was, of course.”
“Like you knew,” I snapped.
“I did,” he said confidently.
“Did not,” I said, like a five-year-old.
“Did,” he replied, in the same way.
“When?” I asked, as my hand went to my hip.
“When you looked up and our eyes connected, I knew exactly who you were,” he answered.
“Well,” I said, not believing him, “I guess I haven't changed as much as you.”
“What's that supposed to mean?” he asked.
“Nothing,” I said. “Sorry I bumped into you.”
“Bumped,” he said, as he let out a laugh. “You tried t
o run me down.”
“I have to go,” I said, as I tried to pull my cart from his grip.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“Home,” I answered.
“Your parents' house,” he said, fishing for information.
“I have my own house,” I said.
“What are you going to do at home?” he asked.
“Put the groceries away,” I said, as I motioned to my cart.
“Oh yeah,” he said. “That sounds exciting.”
“That's my life,” I said, faking a smile.
“I asked my sister about you last night,” he said.
“Why is that?” I asked.
“I wanted to see what she had to say. You were right.”
“Really?” I asked.
“Yes,” he answered. “She said you haven't talked in years. When I asked her why the two of you stopped talking, she said you pulled away. She thought it was because she had gotten pregnant.”
“Did you think I was lying?” I asked, totally ignoring most of what he had to say.
“I just couldn't believe it,” he said. “You two were so damn close. You practically lived at our house.”
“I did,” I said.
“She didn't even know you were back,” he said.
“Probably not,” I said. “It's been a year, and I haven't crossed paths with her yet.”
“Your kids go to the same school,” he said, with a shocked look on his face.
“Congrats to you for figuring that out,” I said, and moved to pull my cart from his damn grip again.
He held tight and narrowed his eyes at me.
“She didn't even know you'd actually gotten married,” he said.
“What part of haven't talked to each other in years are you finding so hard to grasp?” I asked, feeling a huge need to get away from him.
“Even I,” he began but stopped himself. “You two should talk.”
“I don't know about that,” I said.
“Your kids seem to like each other,” he said.
“I'm not the same person I used to be,” I said, ignoring his comment about our kids.
“You're still just as cocky,” he said with a smirk.
“You seem to bring that out in me,” I said.
“I doubt any of us are the same,” he said. “It's been a long time.”
“Over ten years,” I said, before mumbling. “You were the one that left.”
“What?” he asked.
“I need to get home,” I said, as I gave the cart a huge jerk, and he let go, causing it to slam into the shelf next to me. “I'd like to get there before I have to turn around and leave again.”
“Go right ahead,” he said, as he pushed his buggy, that I was just noticing was empty, out of my way.
I got my last item and hurried to the register. He was just starting his shopping, so I was pretty sure I could get out of there without running into him again. I paid the cashier and wished her a Happy Valentine's Day. Then I made my way out to my car, loaded my groceries into the back, got in, leaned my head back, closed my eyes, and let out a loud breath.
When I opened my eyes again and looked over toward the store, I saw him. He was sitting on his bike, with his helmet on his lap, watching me.
“Would you go away,” I said, even though he couldn't hear me.
I backed out of the parking spot and turned onto the street that would take me away from him. When I got to the light at the corner, I felt a tiny bit of relief. Then I pulled away from the light, and that relief disappeared the second I heard the bike. I looked in my mirror, and there he was, right behind me. When I turned my car onto one of the side streets, I thought he would keep going, but he didn't. Instead, he turned down the same street I had. That was when I decided to mess with him. I drove around the block, ending up in the same spot. He was still there, so I did it again. When we'd just finished our third round, he pulled his bike up next to me. I shook my head and rolled down my window.
“I can do this all damn day,” he said. “I've got nowhere to be, but I'm pretty sure I saw some ice cream in your cart back there.”
“What do you want?” I asked.
“To talk,” he said.
“You were never interested in talking before. Actually, before yesterday, you didn't even know I existed. Why start now?” I asked.
“Your wrong about that,” he said. “We're going to talk.”
“Well, sir, let me drop everything so you can say whatever it is that you have to say after all this time,” I said sarcastically.
“Sounds good to me,” he said in a stern tone. “Now get your ass home before you run out of gas.”
I narrowed my eyes at him but didn't move.
“It won't be that hard to find out where you live,” he said. “You're wasting your time.”
“Ugh!” I let out, as I rolled my window up and took off. “Who the fuck does he think he is? I'll pretend to listen to what he has to say. Then I'll send him on his way. I don't have time for this shit, especially not from him.”
Chapter 9
Sawyer
She pulled away from me like I was on fire, and I couldn't help but laugh. That cocky mouth of hers had gotten so much worse over the years.
After seeing Grace at the dance, I couldn't stop thinking about her. I hadn't asked my sister about her since not long after I'd left. I got the information I needed from a friend for the most part. It was easier that way. I'd also only been home a month, and most of that was spent with my niece hanging from my leg.
When I hadn't been able to sleep for most of the night, I knew I had to ask my sister. She hadn't mentioned Grace once, and I had to know. Sure enough, she said they hadn't talked in years. That was when I knew I had to see her again. I already lost enough sleep over shit I'd seen while I was gone. The last thing I needed was her adding to my already long list of issues.
I volunteered to drop my niece off at school, and my sister jumped at the offer. Grace was dropping her son off as well. Then she headed to the store, and so did I.
I felt like a teenager, watching her from the next aisle. I heard her mumbling to herself about forgetting something, as she looked down at her phone and turned the corner. That was my chance, and I took it. I went the same way she did, only she was coming right toward me, not once looking up. I could have moved over, but what would have been the fun in that, especially with the way things happened the night before. She got away from me the first moment I let her and quickly finished her shopping. I'd never seen her move so fast trying to get out of the place. I put my empty cart back and waited out on my bike. She saw me. Then she took off again.
I followed her, thinking she'd go straight home. Then we drove around an entire block. When she circled the same block for the third time, I knew she was fucking with me. When I realized she planned to continue the game, I couldn't decide if I should see how long she'd last or confront her. Seeing the way she'd acted since I ran into her the night before, I was pretty sure she had it in her to continue until all of her cold food had turned warm, so I pulled up next to her and let her know it was all a waste of her time. When she pulled away without turning back around the same corner, I felt a tiny bit of victory and couldn't help but smile.
She pulled into a driveway I'd driven by more than once in the month since I'd gotten back. She'd been there the whole time, and I hadn't even known. It was a cute but small house with a bit of a yard. The place definitely needed some work, but she'd done a good job keeping it maintained.
I parked my bike right behind her car, got off, and set my helmet on the seat. When I looked up, I could see her checking me out. There was no way she could deny it, but she would.
“See something you want?” I asked, as I reached down and adjusted myself.
She rolled her eyes before bringing them up to meet mine. The blush on her cheeks was more than enough to give her away.
“I wouldn't want that if it was the last one on Earth,” she said, as she t
urned toward the back of her car and opened the trunk.
Then I walked over to the back of her car and reached in to grab a few of her grocery bags. I was being nice, right? Not if you asked her. She went all I can take of myself on me, but I ignored it and headed up the porch steps to her front door.
“I said I could do it,” she snapped, as she walked up next to me and unlocked her door. “I don't need any help.”
“I heard you,” I said. “Been doing it for over a year yourself and all that.”
She swung her front door open, and I followed her in.
“What do you think you're doing?” she barked out.
“Bringing your shit in,” I said, in an aggravated tone. The woman was something else.
“You can't just walk into my house,” she said.
“Looks like I just did,” I said, as I walked right by her and put the bags on her table. “You need to find a new way of thanking someone for their help. Yours kind of sucks.”
“I didn't ask for your help,” she said, in a confused tone.
“Doesn't matter,” I replied, as I looked around me.
She didn't have a lot of stuff, but the place was clean. She'd definitely improved on that since high school.
“I'm going to get the rest of your bags,” I said, as I headed back toward her front door. “Don't pull any shit on me.”
A slight smirk crossed her face. Her wheels were turning. There was no way I could miss it.
“I'm serious, Grace,” I said sternly. “It wouldn't be smart on your part. I don't think you'd like the scene the neighbors would see if you did.”
Then I walked out the door, not missing the word asshole fly through the air behind me.
“What do you want?” she asked, as I walked back into her house and set the bags on her table.
“To talk,” I answered, as I began pulling stuff out of the bags.
She reached over and snatched the stuff out of my hands.
“Why?” she asked.
“I just do,” I answered, as I pulled out more stuff and walked around her and into the kitchen.
“Stop grabbing my stuff and walking through my house like you belong here,” she snapped. “You need to stop.”
A Forever Love Page 3