by Glines, Abbi
Shaking my head, I stifled a giggle. “No way. You tried that once, and I ended up with ten stitches in my head.”
Sawyer rubbed his hand gently over the back of my head. I’d sliced it open on a rock; I was ten and I’d panicked. When Sawyer had said, “Let go of the rope—now,” it had taken me a few seconds to obey. Those few seconds were the difference between me landing in the deep water and me landing on the edge of the shore. I never tried that swing again.
“I promise I won’t let you get hurt this time. Besides, I was like ten. I sucked at teaching people things. I’m so much better now.” He squeezed my hand and brought it to his lips before leading me out toward the lake.
Laughter and squealing traveled loud and clear across the water. At least twenty or so people were already there. It was supposed to have been the last party at the lake before everyone went off to college. I’d never been down here with more than just Sawyer, Ashton, and Beau. Girls were lying out on the pier, guys were climbing the tree to do dangerous tricks off the rope swing, and not one person had a beer in their hands. It was a miracle.
“You’re really not going to go on that rope with me?” Sawyer asked. “I’ll hold the rope; you hold me. And no flips.”
“You promise no flips?” I asked him, watching his face for any sign of a fib.
“Promise,” he assured me, reaching for the hem of my shirt and pulling it off.
He stopped and held it in his hand, staring at the bikini I’d bought only because Jewel begged me to. It wasn’t something I’d normally wear, but I figured if I was coming to Sawyer Vincent’s lake party as his date, I needed to be able to keep his attention as the other bikini-clad girls ran around. Especially Ashton. When I’d seen the red bikini she’d laid out to wear, I knew I had to step up my game.
“Uh, would you consider putting this shirt back on?” he asked me as he started to put it back over my head.
I reached up and stopped him. “No, Sawyer, stop.”
He stepped in closer and frowned down at me. “There isn’t a lot to this swimsuit, Lana.”
I glanced around and took note of all the other swimsuits girls were wearing. Mine was not even one of the skimpiest. Turning my attention back to him, I took the shirt out of his hand.
“It’s called a bikini, Sawyer. If you look around, you’ll notice a lot of them. We girls tend to wear them when we swim.” My voice dripped with sarcasm.
“I’m aware of that, Lana, but I don’t like the idea of everyone seeing so much of you. This thing barely covers up your boobs. I’m scared to see how much of your sexy ass it shows off.”
Oh. He was jealous.
“My bottom is covered.” I turned around and shimmied out of my cut-off blue jean shorts, my butt facing in his direction.
“Ah, hell,” he said with a groan, and reached out and pulled me back toward him. “Could you at least not do that little booty shaking thing with little pieces of fabric being your only cover?”
I couldn’t help it. I laughed.
“You think this is funny?” he whispered, resting his hands on my waist.
“I think it’s hilarious,” I replied, turning around to press a kiss on his pouty lips. He really was very unhappy about this bikini. “Come on, I thought we were going to do the rope swing.”
His frown deepened. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea. One of those tiny strips of material may fall off on impact.”
Rolling my eyes, I reached for his hand and pulled him toward the tree. “You’re being ridiculous, Sawyer. Come on.”
Muttering under his breath, he followed me to the tree. He went behind me, his hands on my bottom. I wasn’t sure if he was helping me up or trying to cover me up. Either way, it was cute.
Once we made our way out onto the limb, a guy I didn’t know threw the rope back toward Sawyer and I realized I might have spoken too soon. It was terrifying from up here.
“Don’t look down,” Sawyer directed as he held on to my waist and moved in front of me so he could grab the rope. He squatted down. “Steady yourself by holding on to my shoulders. Then wrap your legs around my waist.”
I studied his back and wondered if it would be that big of a deal if I just went back down the tree the dry way.
Sawyer glanced back at me. “Come on, Lana. I got this. You’ll be fine.”
I wasn’t so sure about the “fine” part, but I gave in and did as instructed.
Sawyer stood up. I wrapped my arms around his neck and closed my eyes.
“Take one of your arms and put it under mine. If you do it this way, you’re going to choke me to death,” he instructed with an amused tone.
I hadn’t thought of that. I guessed that it might be a bad idea. I gripped his shoulder tightly with one hand as I slid the other one under his arm. I stretched both my arms until I could clench my hands and tighten my hold on Sawyer’s body.
“Perfect. Now hold on, baby, ’cause here we go.” On his last word, we were airborne.
I opened my eyes just in time to see him let go of the rope, and I closed them back again, squealing as we plummeted toward the water.
The lake water wasn’t as cold as I’d expected when we dropped down into it. I was extremely grateful. I released Sawyer and kicked my legs, pushing my way back toward the surface. It was then that I noticed my bottoms had slipped down underneath my butt. Reaching down and tugging them up, I was glad Sawyer wouldn’t know he’d been partially right about my swimsuit coming off during impact.
Sawyer’s head emerged a few seconds after mine, and he was grinning like an idiot.
“What?” I asked.
He winked as he reached over and pulled me up against him. “I can see real good under this water,” he murmured, and understanding dawned on me.
I slapped him on the arm. He laughed, then dropped a quick kiss on my lips.
“Wanna go again?” he asked with a smirk.
Chapter 18
SAWYER
After a week of dates with Lana—either at my house, at the field party, or at Hank’s—it was time I took her somewhere nice. She never complained and was open to anything I suggested. Even the other day, when I’d asked if she’d wanted to go with me to pick out stuff for my dorm room, she’d happily gone with me. Granted, I had to rein her in on her decorating ideas. I was a guy, and my curtains and quilts didn’t need to match. I just needed something dark enough to block out the sun on mornings I might actually get to sleep in.
That day I’d decided to surprise her with a trip to New Orleans. It was a two-hour drive from Grove. The only info I’d given her was that she needed to wear a sundress and comfortable shoes. The restaurant I was taking her to that night was too nice for shorts and required a little bit of a dressier look. We’d be doing a good amount of walking the streets, too. As much as I loved her legs in heels, I didn’t figure she’d thank me for not warning her about the walking.
I couldn’t think of a time I’d been this anxious to see someone. She’d fallen asleep in my arms last night, and I’d had to sneak out the window in Ashton’s room that Beau had used many times when we were kids.
I pressed the button on the garage door opener and started to back out when my eyes landed on Ashton standing in front of her Jetta directly behind me. Opening my truck door, I stepped out and walked out to where she was standing.
Tears were streaming down her face and her shoulders were shaking with loud sobs. What the hell?
“Ash, what’s wrong? Is Lana okay?” My heart constricted. Why else would Ash be in my driveway crying like someone was dead? God, please tell me Lana is okay. I’d just left her in her bed a few hours ago. She’d been fine.
“Ash, tell me what’s wrong now.” I felt my throat tighten up, and I resisted the urge to grab her shoulders and shake her. I needed her to speak.
“Lana is fine.” She sobbed, and I took a deep gulp of air as my panic eased off. This wasn’t about Lana. I could calm down.
“Thank God,” I said breathlessly.
>
“It’s Beau—He . . . He . . . ” She burst into tears again.
“Is Beau okay?” I asked, and she shoved Beau’s cell phone into my hands.
“Just read that text,” she said, wailing.
Read what text? Shaking my head, I looked down at Beau’s phone. The text that had Ashton all upset was already opened on the screen.
Sugar: Hey sexy. I had a blast dancing with you last week. And you owe me one more game of pool. That was an unfair game, and you know it. You distracted me. So you find another night away from that ball and chain of yours and get your gorgeous ass back to the bar next weekend when I’m back in town. XOXO.
I lifted my eyes to meet Ashton’s red swollen ones, and all I could think about was exactly how I was going to murder my brother.
LANA
Sawyer: I can’t make it. Not sure if you’ve talked to Ash, but Beau cheated on her and she needs me. I’ve got to go beat his sorry ass and then see what I can do to calm her down. She was outside on my driveway this morning bawling her eyes out.
I reread the text message from Sawyer for the third time before I finally put my phone down. I don’t know what surprised me more: Beau cheating on Ash or Sawyer dropping me to fix her problems. He could have at least called me. Maybe asked for my help with Ash. He’d done neither, because this was what he’d been waiting on. All this time, I was just a fill-in while he waited. Beau served Ashton up to him on a silver platter, and I wasn’t stupid enough to think I stood a chance of holding on to him. He loved her. He just liked me. I was the summer fling. She was the girl he wanted to spend forever with.
Picking my phone back up, I found Jewel’s number and pressed send.
“It’s about time you called me. How’s it going with Mr. Hot and Sexy?”
“It’s not. I need to leave. Can I come there?”
“Uh-oh. That doesn’t sound good. Of course, you can come here. Do I need to come get you? Because it could be like tonight before I get there. I have plans with this fabulously hot lifeguard. He has the best ass I’ve ever seen. His hair is a little long, but I can overlook that.”
“No, I’ll get a ride. I’ll see you in a few hours. Thanks, Jewel.”
“No problemo, chica. See ya soon.”
I hung up the phone and dialed one more number.
“Hello?” The cautious tone in Ethan’s voice told me he knew who was calling.
“Hey, Ethan. It’s Lana, and I have a huge favor to ask, but I’ll pay you.”
“Uh, okay—”
“I need a ride to the beach.”
* * *
Ethan pulled into the parking lot near the condos where Jewel was staying. Her car was parked over to the left side of the building, so I knew we’d found the right place.
“I know you said you didn’t want to talk about it, but I need to know something, Lana. Sawyer is going to lose it when he finds out you’re gone, and he’s my friend.”
Cringing at the predicament I’d put Ethan in, I reached into my purse and pulled out five twenty dollar bills and handed them to him.
“I don’t want your money. Just some kind of explanation.”
“Beau and Ash are no longer, and Sawyer is busy comforting her and helping her nurse her broken heart. That’s all you need to know.”
Ethan frowned. “Are you sure about that? I can’t think of any female who could ever turn Beau Vincent’s head from Ash. He’s been in love with her since we were kids.”
“Well, believe it. Guess he got his fill and moved on. Luckily, she has the other Vincent boy in love with her to pick up the pieces. If she is smart, she’ll grab hold of Sawyer and not let go. His love for her is unbreakable and unconditional.”
All that I had thought was special about us was just a fantasy. I’d been an easy distraction. The fact that I’d been so available to him made me feel like a fool. How stupid could one person be? Had I really let myself believe I meant something to him? Yes, I had. I’d have never done any of those things with him. I’d never have let him touch me, if I’d realized I was just the stand-in.
“I’ve seen you and Sawyer at the field and out in town. He seemed completely over Ash to me. He watched you with such a predatory gleam in his eyes; I was scared to speak to you.”
My heart broke a little more, and I forced the pain away. I would not do this. Sawyer Vincent would not break me. I was stronger than this. “Well, looks can be deceiving. I don’t want to talk about this, Ethan. Please, just take the money so I don’t have to feel guilty about asking you to drive me all the way out here after how things went down with you and me. I hate I was so blinded by Sawyer that I didn’t give you a chance. I learned a lesson.”
Ethan took the money I was thrusting at him. “I’ll accept it if that’s what is going to make you feel better, but I don’t want to take the money.”
I leaned over and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you for being there for me when I needed someone. You have no idea how rare that is for me.”
I reached for the door handle and jumped down out of his Jeep. Reaching into the back, I started to grab my luggage when Ethan reached over me and picked up both suitcases. “I got them,” he said before turning and heading for the condos.
“Which floor?” he asked as he stopped beside the elevators.
I followed behind him, carrying my cosmetics and toiletries bags. “Bottom, that one right there.” I pointed to unit 103 just as the door swung open and Jewel stepped outside, squealing.
“You’re here! You’re here! Oh, and you brought one of the cuties from Wings with you.”
“Good to see you again, Jewel,” Ethan said politely, setting my luggage down outside the door and stepping back to let me pass.
“You too, uh—”
“Ethan. His name is Ethan.”
“That’s right.” She snapped her fingers like it had been on the tip of her tongue.
“Well, Ethan, you want to come inside? We’re having a party tonight. You’re welcome to stay and crash.”
Ethan glanced from Jewel to me and then shook his head. “Nah, I need to head out. I have plans tonight but thanks.”
“Aw, phooey.” Jewel pouted—it was so obviously fake. I wasn’t sure why she attempted it, unless, of course, she thought it looked believable.
“Take care of yourself, Lana,” Ethan said with a concerned expression.
“You too, Ethan. Thanks again.” He nodded and headed back toward his Jeep.
* * *
Once he had gotten in his Jeep and had pulled out of the parking lot, Jewel grabbed my arm and tugged on it. “Come inside. Tell me all about Grove while I fix myself a sandwich.”
I picked up my luggage and carried it inside. “Which room do you want me in?”
“Down the hall. It’s the third door on the left. You have the best view of the ocean from that room. But don’t lie on the bed yet. We need to strip that bed and wash the quilt and sheets. God only knows who’s used that room during one of our parties.”
Cringing, I made a mental note to go buy some Clorox spray and wipe the place down.
Chapter 19
SAWYER
As I banged on the door to Beau’s trailer, I mentally cursed him. He’d had to have Ashton so damn bad he snatched her away from me, and for what? He’d lost her within seven months. How stupid could one man be?
“What the hell Sawyer?” Beau demanded as he opened the door and glared at me as if he had a reason to be mad.
I shoved past him and threw his phone down on the beat-up coffee table where I’d once sat and played Go Fish at two o’clock in the morning with Beau while waiting on his mom to get home from work.
“You better have a real good reason for this, Saw,” he said with a growl, slamming the door behind him.
“Ash had your phone,” I replied.
Beau looked down at his cell phone on the table and back to me. “So?”
The lack of concern was my first hint that we had a big misunderstanding on our hands.
“You got a text . . . from a girl,” I continued, and waited for him to look worried or guilty or something.
He continued to look confused. The innocence of his lost expression told me all I needed to know. Beau hadn’t cheated on Ash. Thank God. Maybe it wasn’t too late for Lana and me to get to New Orleans today after all.
I picked up the phone and handed it to him. “Read the text from Sugar.”
Then, as if a light went off, Beau’s eyes widened, and my moment of relief was replaced by disbelief.
“Sugar texted me? And Ash read it?”
“Yes, you stupid ass-wipe. Haven’t you learned by now that when you cheat you get caught? Damn it, Beau, how could you do this? She loves you. She’s a complete mess. I found her on my carport bawling her eyes out this morning.”
Beau’s face went pale, and he grabbed a pair of discarded jeans, jerked them on, and turned to run out the door.
I followed him. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Where is she, Saw? Where’s Ash?” he yelled as he ran to his truck.
“I’m not telling you where she is. You’ve destroyed her, Beau.”
Beau stopped and stalked back toward me with an angry snarl on his face. “Sugar is my fucking aunt. My mother’s baby sister. Now tell me where my girl is before I beat the shit out of you.” His voice had gone from a cold menace to a roar.
“Since when do you have an aunt named Sugar? Aunt Honey’s younger sister’s name is Janet!” I yelled back. I wasn’t sure what he was trying to do. I was his brother for crying out loud. I knew his family tree.
“Yeah, well, my mama’s name is Paula, but that ain’t the name she goes by, now is it?”
“Janet goes by Sugar?” I asked with relief.
“Yes! Now where the hell is my girl?”
I was pretty sure we’d woken up the entire trailer park. “She’s at home. Go,” I replied, and Beau turned and ran to his truck. It roared to life and he spun out of the driveway. I just hoped he didn’t run over anyone on his way to her house because I was willing to bet he wasn’t going to stop if he did.