Stealing Sawyer

by Samantha Christy

  “Not soon enough,” I say. “I don’t want to give Rick another opportunity to find a reason to get rid of me.”

  “Isn’t Spencer’s birthday this week?” Rylee asks.

  “How the hell are we supposed to know?” I say.

  “Because you’re his friends,” she says, pulling out her phone to tap around on it. “Yes, it is. It’s Wednesday and he’s currently unattached, so he probably has no plans. Why don’t you guys take him out for a drink after the game?”

  “We have an early flight on Thursday,” Caden reminds us.

  “In and out by midnight?” I ask. “Would that work?”

  Caden and Brady look at each other and nod. “We could do that.”

  “Good,” Murphy says. “Take him to Taps Bar. Do you know where that is, Aspen?”

  Aspen nods.

  Murphy walks around the living room as she talks. “Show up around ten thirty, after they’ve been there for a while. Go sit at the bar and keep looking at Sawyer. Don’t wear anything too revealing, something like what you have on now is perfect. It says ‘girl next door’ in a sexy kind of way. Sawyer will ask you to join them. He’ll hit on you in his usual arrogant way and you’ll walk out with them when they leave. Boom – mission accomplished. Some of the guys will have met you and then when they see you again later, they will tease Sawyer about taking out a girl twice, but they won’t become suspicious.”

  Murphy turns to me. “Don’t do anything that would make Aspen out to be a slut. In fact, maybe you just want to ask for her number when you walk out. Don’t take her home. Caden will remind everyone about the early flight and Aspen will say she has a morning class. You’ll gawk after her when she walks away.”

  She stops talking and we all stare at her.

  “What?” Murphy asks.

  Caden laughs at her. “I think you missed your calling, Murph. You might just be a little too good at this.”

  “At what?”

  “All the deception. Is there something you’re not telling me?”

  She laughs. “As in, I was a secret agent in another life?”

  “Oh, this is going to be fun,” Rylee adds, getting into the spirit of things. “Maybe Aspen should sit and talk to Sawyer, but then reject him when he tries to take her to a hotel. Because we all know he would. Instead of going with him, however, she’ll give him her number and tell him if he ever wants a ‘nice’ girl – one who doesn’t have sex with random strangers, to call her. She’ll say it in front of everyone.”

  “Yes,” Murphy says. “That’s good. Are you guys getting all this?” She turns to look at Aspen and me.

  Aspen starts laughing. “I think I like your friends,” she says. “Please tell me we’ll get to go out with them.”

  Murphy looks at the other two women in the room and then motions to the kitchen. “Come on girls, let’s go get a real drink and come up with some good lines Aspen can feed Sawyer on Wednesday.”

  The four of us guys watch them walk away, and I know I’m not the only one who’s thinking that they just became fast friends.

  “Are you okay with this?” I ask Bass. “I guess you can come too if you’d like, but it’s probably best if you watch from a distance.”

  “Aspen is a big girl,” he says. “I know the place well. It’s safe and close to home. And I know where to find all of you if anything happens.”

  “We won’t let anything happen to her,” I say. “I give you my word.”

  “We’ll all watch out for her,” Caden says.

  Bass nods. “I appreciate that. She’s the most important person in my life.”

  Brady cocks his head and studies him. “You sure you’re just roommates?”

  “I’m sure,” he says, laughing. “That ship sailed long ago.”

  I’m not sure why, but when he says that, my jaw twitches.

  Brady looks from Bass to me and back to Bass. He laughs under his breath and says, “Rylee’s right. This is going to be a hell of a lot of fun.”

  Chapter Ten

  Aspen

  The camera closes in on Sawyer for a close-up of his slide into home. The stadium erupts in cheers when he is called safe. He gets up, brushes the dirt off his shirt and tips his helmet to the fans. They show replay after replay as the announcers talk about him adding to his record of stolen bases. They put statistics on the screen that compare him to the all-time greats of the past.

  I stand here stunned, as I take in just how good Sawyer Mills really is. The way they talk about him – it’s like he’s a god. After only nine games, they are saying he’s already on track to capture another season record.

  I fall back onto my sofa, realizing the gravity of the situation. I’m going to be with this man several days a week. I’m going to move in with him in a few months. With a baseball hero. Me. How did this even happen?

  My phone vibrates with a text.

  Rylee: Are you ready for tonight?

  I smile. Rylee and Murphy have taken me under their wings. They’ve both texted me a few times since our meeting Monday night. I get the idea they think I need protection. From what I’m not sure. The notoriety? The crazy fans? Sawyer?

  Me: I think so. Are you at the game?

  Rylee: No. My son is running a fever and I didn’t want to leave him with the sitter. But I just saw Sawyer score. He’s doing great.

  Me: He is. I’m sorry to hear about your son. I hope he feels better soon.

  Rylee: Thank you. Do you remember what to say?

  Me: Yup. I had good coaches.

  Rylee: Coaches. Haha. I like it. I’ll be by my phone all night if you need me. Just go to the bathroom and call me, or you could send a quick text. We’ve got your back.

  Me: I hope I don’t have to take you up on it, but you never know. I’m kind of nervous, especially after hearing the announcers talk about him. He’s really really good. I’m way out of my league here.

  Rylee: You’ll do fine. Just act natural. And, Aspen – Sawyer’s the one who’s out of his league. You are definitely too good for him and everyone knows it.

  Me: Not Sawyer.

  Rylee: You’re probably right, he doesn’t. But don’t take it personally. His ego is bigger than his bank account. But underneath it all, he’s a good guy.

  Me: I hope you’re right. I saw a glimpse of that guy when we first met.

  Rylee: You’ll see him again. I’d bet on it. Good luck tonight. If I don’t talk to you, call me tomorrow. I want to know everything.

  Me: Won’t Brady be in the bar with me?

  Rylee: I promise you his version of tonight and your version will be miles apart. I’ll need details. Maybe we could do lunch.

  Me: I’d like that. I’ll call you tomorrow.

  Rylee: Sounds good.

  I watch the rest of the game, wishing Bass were here to keep me company. He went out with some of the guys from fire school. I’m glad he’s out living life and making friends. Real friends, not fake ones like the ones I’m making. Not ones who will be gone in six months when I’m no longer under the employ of Sawyer Mills.

  I check my makeup again before leaving. I look down at my clothes, worried that I’ve worn the wrong thing even though I followed Murphy’s recommendation. I’m not sure why I’m so nervous. This isn’t a date, it’s a business deal. I need to act like a professional. Like my life depends on it, because although it doesn’t, Denver’s just might.

  The bar is only a few blocks over, and I enjoy some people-watching on my way. Despite the late hour, the streets are well lit. And even though we live in a safe neighborhood, I don’t take my hand off the mace in my purse.

  I stand outside the bar, staring at the marquee over the door, knowing this is just the beginning. Knowing I’ll have to play this part and be someone I’m not for the better part of a year.

  “You going in?” a guy asks, trying to hold the door open for me.

  “Eventually.”

  “Well, when you do, I’d be happy to buy you a drink,” he says. “That i
s, unless you’re meeting someone here.”

  “I, uh … no, I’m not meeting someone. But I’m not sure, um … ”

  Oh, God. I’m blowing this already and I’m not even through the door.

  He holds his hand out. “I’m Conner.”

  “Aspen,” I say, shaking his hand.

  “Great name,” he says. He nods to the door. “Come on, I promise I don’t bite.”

  I search my mind for something to say when my hand touches my phone in my purse, giving me an idea. I pull my phone out. “I’m waiting for a call and it’s too loud in there.”

  “Okay, but the offer stands. Nice to meet you, Aspen.”

  “You too.”

  He goes inside, followed by a few more patrons, and I lean against the brick wall next to the door. Why did I think I could do this? I can’t even act naturally with a total stranger who has nothing to do with this.

  My phone vibrates.

  Murphy: Good luck! Call me tomorrow. I need details.

  I smile at the text. I really like Murphy and Rylee. Despite the fact that I’m a hired actor, they are treating me like a friend.

  Me: Thanks. Going in now.

  I tuck my phone away, take a deep breath, and open the door.

  The place is dark and not as loud as I thought it would be. I guess that’s because it’s Wednesday night. There are a few big-screen televisions in the corner and several groups of people sitting in booths. The bar is a large square in the center of the room and I immediately spot Sawyer among a group of guys at one end. I walk to the opposite side of the bar and find an open seat.

  “What can I get you?” the bartender asks.

  “A glass of the house Chard,” I say.

  “Coming right up,” she says.

  I laugh inwardly, because I realize out of habit I ordered the house wine. I ordered the cheap stuff despite the fifty-thousand dollars that showed up in my bank account the other day. But old habits die hard. And, besides, the money is not for me. It’s for Denver. It’s for Juilliard. It’s so the two of us can have the future we always planned.

  I pull out my wallet when the bartender puts my wine in front of me. She holds up a hand to stop me. “Don’t bother, Dark and Dangerous across the bar took care of it.”

  Here we go.

  I look up, prepared to nod and smile at Sawyer to thank him for the drink, but when I do, my stomach flips over. It’s not Sawyer who is toasting me with a raise of his glass, it’s Conner, the guy I met outside. The guy sitting right next to the man I’m supposed to ‘meet’ tonight.

  I know the smile on my face is awkward. I look from Conner to Sawyer and see Sawyer shaking his head. He’s pissed that someone beat him to the punch. We lock eyes for a half-second, both of us trying to figure out how to get out of this.

  I see Caden and Brady among his group of friends. Brady gives me a reassuring nod.

  I make some idle conversation with a few ladies sitting at the bar next to me. They obviously know who the guys are as they are planning which one each of them will go home with. I roll my eyes, but then I think maybe I can use this to my advantage.

  “Do you think you could help a girl out?” I ask them.

  One of them shrugs. “What do you mean?”

  “The guy across the bar, the one with the red shirt on, he sent me a drink. But I’m not interested. I don’t want to hurt his feelings. I’ll buy your next round if you’ll … distract him for me.”

  They look at me like I’m crazy. “Don’t you know who that is?” one asks.

  “Don’t know, don’t care,” I say nonchalantly.

  The redhead loosens a button on her blouse, showing more cleavage than she already was. “No problem. We’re good at distraction. And the guy’s name is Conner. The one sitting next to him is Sawyer,” she says in disgust. “Then there’s Spencer, Brady, Caden, and – who’s that other one, Carly?”

  “Benham,” Carly says. “He’s a rookie.”

  “Right. Benham.”

  “You seem to know them pretty well,” I say.

  “Just the one. Sawyer,” she says. “I know him very well. Well, his body anyway. We hooked up once. He’s an asshole. Left before I woke up. Didn’t leave a note or anything – just a catered breakfast. I hear he does that for all his girls.”

  “He does?” I ask in disgust.

  “Yeah. He’s the one-hit-wonder,” Carly says.

  I almost spit out my sip of wine. “That’s what you call him?”

  The redhead nods. “He never sleeps with anyone more than once.”

  “What about you?” I ask Carly. “Have you been with him?”

  “Not yet,” she says, rising off her barstool. “But there’s no time like the present.”

  Oh, crap. I realize a bit too late that by sending them over to Conner, I’m sending them over to Sawyer.

  “Why would you want to sleep with him knowing what he will do?”

  We all look over at him to see him watching us.

  “Who wouldn’t want to sleep with that?” she says. “I mean, look at him. And he’s got to pick someone sometime, right? Why not me? Maybe he’ll knock me up.”

  “Oh, my God, you can only hope,” the redhead says. “Could you imagine?”

  The girls squeal giddily.

  I want to stick my finger down my throat.

  “Have the drinks sent over to us,” Carly says. “That way, they’ll think other guys are interested.”

  I watch them wiggle their asses and toss back their hair as they make their way around the bar. I order their drinks and then I sit back and watch what happens.

  The redhead goes up next to Conner while Carly tries to get Sawyer’s attention. He ignores her, but she’s persistent. He calls one of his friends over and whispers something to him and then the friend strikes up a conversation with Carly.

  Sawyer looks at me and shakes his head laughing. This is not how either of us planned for this to go.

  He holds up a finger, asking me to wait for something. Then he turns to watch Conner and the redhead as they talk, laugh and eye-fuck each other. After a few minutes, Sawyer leans in and asks him something. Conner nods before he pulls the redhead even closer.

  Sawyer calls the bartender over and motions to me. He’s sending me a drink.

  The bartender laughs, putting another glass in front of me. “I don’t know what game you’re playing here, but it’s working.”

  I smile and raise my glass, locking eyes with Sawyer. He smiles and toasts me back.

  He excuses himself and heads to the bathroom. I want to follow him, but I think maybe that would be too obvious, so I stay put. A minute later, I feel warmth behind me and the hair on my arms stands on end.

  “Hi,” a deep smooth voice says into my ear.

  I spin around.

  “I’m Sawyer Mills,” he says, offering me his hand. “Nice to meet you, uh?”

  “Aspen,” I say, laughing. “Aspen Andrews.”

  I take his hand, liking a little too much how it feels in mine. “Great game today.”

  He takes a step back and stares at me. “You watched it?”

  “I may have caught a minute or two,” I lie.

  He gives me that sexy smug smile of his before he nods to his friends across the bar. “Would you care to join us?”

  I narrow my eyes at him. “Wouldn’t that be awkward?”

  “Having a drink with me and my friends is what we’d planned.”

  “No, not that,” I say. “I mean with that girl over there.”

  “What about her?”

  “You’ve been with her.”

  He looks across the bar, studying both girls. “Which one?”

  My jaw drops. “Oh, my God. You don’t even know?” I reach around and grab my wine, taking a healthy drink. “Just how many girls have you been with?”

  He shrugs. “Enough that I need to hire you so I can save my job.”

  I shake my head in disgust. Then I finish my wine and pick up the other one. �
�Fine. Let’s go save your job.” I plant a smile on my face as we walk around the bar. “It was the redhead,” I whisper to him on the way over.

  “Good to know.”

  Sawyer has me sit on the bar stool he was using, then he introduces me to the group.

  “Nice to meet you again, Aspen,” Conner says.

  I don’t miss the fact that the redhead drapes herself possessively over him. “I thought you weren’t into this,” she says.

  I give her an innocent shrug and then greet the rest of the guys.

  Brady and Caden greet me as if they’ve never met me.

  None of the other guys seem suspicious about me being here. I breathe a sigh of relief. I can’t believe we pulled it off.

  I feel Sawyer’s arm come around me and I stiffen. My eyes close briefly at the feeling. I have to remind myself he’s playing a part. I take another sip of wine.

  Sawyer orders another round of drinks for everyone.

  I have to pace myself. I took a muscle relaxant earlier because my fingers were cramping up again. Nature of the business. Playing piano for hours on end does not come without a price. And alcohol and my new muscle relaxants do not mix.

  I let the third glass of wine sit untouched on the bar as we all joke around and laugh and enjoy the evening. I realize I’m having a lot of fun with him and his friends. Even with Carly and the redhead here, I’m having a good time. Plus, they pretty much have stayed busy shoving their tongues down the throats of their conquests.

  Just before midnight, Caden signals Sawyer and Sawyer nods.

  “We should call it a night, guys,” Caden says. “We’re leaving for San Diego tomorrow.”

  The guys all open their wallets and throw cash on the bar. I’m sure there is more than enough money to cover all the drinks. In fact, I’ll bet the bartender just made a killing in tips.

  We walk out of the bar as a group. Sawyer puts his arm around me and gives me a squeeze. “Aspen,” he says a bit too boisterously. “Care to join me? There’s a great hotel just down the street.”