I let out a yelp and jumped when a loud knock came against my passenger side window. When I turned toward the noise, Julia was standing there laughing hysterically. I hit the button to unlock the door, as I rolled my eyes.
“Not a word,” I said, as she got into the car and closed her door.
When I turned my attention back to the garage, Sawyer was standing up looking in our direction. I put the car in reverse and hit the gas, needing to get out of there as quickly as possible. I threw the car in drive, and just as I took off, Julia opened her mouth, but I cut her off before she could speak.
“Don't say it,” I said. “If it has anything to do with your brother, don't bother. I just want to have a Sawyer free afternoon.”
“Whatever you say,” she said, as she tried to hide her laughter. “I think it's kind of cute.”
“Not a single thing about that man is cute,” I snapped out. “Now, where are we headed?”
Just like that, the subject of Sawyer was over.
We had an amazing time at lunch and never even made it to one store. Of course, we tipped the waitress a large amount to make up for the fact that we'd held her table hostage for hours, but it was totally worth it. Being with my best friend again was something I didn't realize I'd needed as badly as I had. We'd had so much to catch up on. So much had changed for both of us, but so much had stayed the same too. We truly had picked up right back where we'd left off after high school, and it felt amazing.
“You want to bring Noah over tonight for dinner?” Julia asked, as we headed back to her house.
“I don't know,” I answered, knowing it wasn't a good idea.
“Come on,” she said, and when I didn't answer, she added. “He won't be there. He has plans.”
“Okay,” I said, as I sat wondering who exactly his plans were with.
“You want to just pick the kids up together?” she asked.
“We might as well,” I replied, as I turned toward their school instead of her house. “You really do live close to the school.”
“I do,” she said. “Sawyer told me about the scolding you were ready to give him that day about taking Ava on his bike. It made me laugh.”
“I bet,” I said, as I shook my head. “He sure got a good laugh out of playing with me.”
When we got to the school and walked up the sidewalk, both kids came running out together, and Noah's face dropped when he noticed it was just the two of us. That right there told me he was already counting way too much on Sawyer. That face was definitely something I didn't want to see when Sawyer decided to move, and we all knew it would happen eventually, at least I did.
“Can we play?” Ava asked, pulling Noah along beside her.
“Sure,” both Julia and I answered at the same time.
“You want to sit on the bench?” Julia asked, and I thought about Sawyer's words when I'd asked him the same thing.
“No,” I answered. “Lets go stand by the fence and watch them.”
“You sound like my brother,” she said, as she let out a laugh.
“No talk of him,” I said.
“He who shall not be named,” she said, as she laughed again.
“shut up!” I barked out, as I shot her a dirty look.
Without a word, she burst out in laughter, and so did I.
When we got back to Julia's house, the kids were tired but having so much fun being together. They ran off to play in Ava's room, and I went to sit in the living room, waiting for Julia to place an order for delivery. Yes, another treat, but it was worth it. I had no intention of making it a regular thing though. I knew I needed to keep on my schedule with my finances just as much as my schooling.
I was lost in thought about my finances and jumped when I heard a noise. Just as I looked up, Sawyer came around the corner, and my heart felt like it stopped. His dark hair was wet and dripping down his chest, all the way to the towel that was barely holding on to his waist.
“Sorry,” he said, as he smiled. “I didn't realize we had company. I just came out here to grab my phone.”
He leaned over toward me and grabbed the phone that had been sitting on the table, right next to where I'd place mine, in front of me. I hadn't even noticed it there before.
“Well,” he said, as he stood back up, “I guess I'll go get dressed.”
He turned around and walked out of the room, leaving me and my wet panties behind. Damn that man.
“I placed the order,” Julia said, as she walked into the room. “I hope I got enough food.”
“I'm sure you did,” I said, just as my phone dinged with Sawyer's special ding.
I grabbed it before Julia could look down and see his name on the screen, and I read his text.
Sawyer: Don't think I didn't notice you eye fucking me.
I let out a gasp and hoped with everything in me that Julia had missed it, but she hadn't.
“You okay?” she asked.
“Yeah,” I answered. “I'm fine. It was nothing.”
Without replying, I set my phone back where it was, but I left it flipped on its front.
“Where's your bathroom?” I asked.
“Oh, it's just down the hall,” she answered, pointing me in the right direction.
“Thank you,” I said. “I'll be right back.”
I hurried down the hall to the bathroom and quickly walked in, closing the door behind me.
“Shit!” I whispered, as I looked into the mirror at myself. “Get it together, woman. He's just a man. He's nothing special. Look at him. He's going out. Let his ass go. Ignore him.”
I took a deep breath in and let it out. Then I did it again and again until I felt just a bit better. Then I walked to the door, opened it, walked out, and slammed into what felt like a brick wall. Two hands quickly grabbed my arms before I fell backward. I tried to pull away, but he held me tight.
“How was your day?” he asked.
“Fine,” I answered, as my eyes traveled up and then down his body.
He looked amazing in a new flannel that was rolled up to his elbows. His jeans looked new too. Then there was the amazing smell coming from his skin. Before I could get sucked into my thoughts about who he was going out with or where he was going, I pulled back hard enough that he let go of my arms.
“It looks like you'll be having fun tonight,” I said, as I reached forward and pushed him aside just enough to walk by. “Maybe you can take her to your spot.”
“It's my spot now?” he asked. “Jealous?”
“Never,” I snapped out. “Have a great night.”
Before he could speak, I walked away. There was no way I wanted to hear whatever cocky comment he was about to spew out next. No way at all.
Our food came, and the four of us ate. The whole time we laughed along with the kids. I saw Sawyer walk by and out the door, but I didn't look his way. As far as he needed to know, I didn't care. I didn't. That was what I kept telling myself over and over again.
As soon as dinner was done, the kids got on a dancing kick, so the four of us danced. We had a great time, but in the back of my mind, all I wanted to do was to kick Sawyer's ass. He was pissing me off, and if I didn't watch out, he was going to hurt my little boy.
Two hours later, the kids had finally stopped dancing and were both lying on the floor, not moving a muscle.
“Anyone want pizza,” we heard his booming voice, as the front door swung open.
“I do,” Ava yelled out, as she suddenly found the energy to get to her feet.
“Me too,” Noah yelled out, getting up right behind her.
“We already ate,” I snapped out, still irritated with the giant asshole holding the large box from the expensive pizza place.
“Back so soon?” Julia asked, as she headed toward the kitchen, following the man with the pizza.
“The guys are boring,” he answered. “I knew better, but you pushed me to go.”
“You need to get out and have fun,” she said.
“I'm fine right here
,” he said.
“You missed all the dancing, Uncle Sawyer,” Ava said, as she pulled on the end of his flannel.
“See,” Sawyer said, as he looked down at the kids and then back at his sister, “I missed the dancing. What have you done?”
“Shut up!” Julia said, as she walked over to get plates.
Noah started to dance, and Ava looked at him and shook her head.
“You're doing it wrong,” she said, folding her arms over her chest.
“Am not,” Noah said, as he continued to move.
“You are,” she snapped out, with sass in her tone.
“Listen, Princess Ava,” Noah snapped back.
“Do not call me that,” she yelled, and then she was gone, running toward her room.
“I'll get her,” Sawyer said, as I looked down at Noah,
“That was not nice,” I said.
“Uncle Sawyer calls her that,” he said. “It's funny.”
“Noah,” I said sternly.
“Sorry,” he said.
“I'll be right back,” I told him, as I headed toward where Ava and Sawyer had gone.
When I got to her door, I heard him speak and stopped.
“He didn't mean it,” Sawyer said.
“You know I don't like that name,” she said. “It hurts my feelings. It was mean.”
“It was,” Sawyer said, as he let out a sigh, “but you know what?”
“What?” she asked.
“When a boy does that, it means he likes you,” Sawyer said.
“No!” she said.
“It's true!” he said. “There was this girl I used to like. When I called her Gracie, I knew it made her mad, so guess what I did?”
“What?” she asked, totally sucked into what he was saying.
“I called her Gracie all the time, just so she'd get all upset and flustered,” he confessed.
“That's not nice,” she said, almost scolding him.
“I know, but it's a boy thing,” he said.
“Boys are mean,” she replied.
“Sometimes we are,” he said, and I could hear the humor in his tone. “Come on! Let's not keep your friend waiting.”
Before they came out, I turned around and took off down the hallway.
Sawyer got one thing right. Boys were mean, but they were also confusing, very confusing.
Chapter 18
Sawyer
I hadn't planned to let her know I'd caught her on my social media, but I couldn't help myself when I'd blurted it out that day. The woman's attitude pushed my buttons sometimes, often causing me to react in ways I normally wouldn't.
After pizza, I sat back and watched as my sister and her best friend laughed with each other and their kids. Then they all got up and started dancing. The only thing I could do was smile. Every single one of them deserved to be happy. They truly did.
Before the kids could pull me into their silliness, I got up quietly and went to my room. There was just something about the moment that felt private, and I wasn't sure I belonged.
I turned on my television to try to pass the time so I wouldn't cave in and run back out to where they were. It wasn't my place. They'd had an evening planned, and I hadn't been invited into it.
When I heard Grace and Noah leave, I knew my sister would show up at my door, and I was right. I thought about ignoring her knock, but I couldn't do it. She hadn't done anything to deserve it.
“Come in,” I said, wanting to get the line of questioning over with.
“How was it?” she asked. “What brought you back so early?”
“It wasn't for me,” I answered her honestly.
“Come on,” she said, “I know you like hanging out with your friends.”
“It's not the same anymore,” I replied.
“Talk to me, Sawyer,” she said.
“Nothing to talk about,” came my answer. “The bar isn't a place I should be, and being friends with them is different now.”
“You need to get out,” she said, with concern in her eyes.
“I will,” I said, “ when I'm ready. Is it so bad that I'm enjoying my time with you and Ava?”
“No,” she answered.
“Why don't you go out for a night?” I asked, as I narrowed my eyes at her. “You know I'll be here with Ava. Shouldn't you get out too?”
“Not the point,” she said, as she turned to walk out of my room. “We were talking about you and that stick that's been up your ass lately.”
“Got a lot I'm dealing with, Julia,” I said. “I'm fine.”
“I'm here if you need to talk,” she replied, as she looked at me as if she felt bad for me.
“I've got it,” I said, as I looked toward the door. “It's all good.”
She mumbled something about men and how manly they have to be on her way out the door, and I was relieved when I heard it click shut behind her. She had enough problems of her own. There was no way I needed to add anything else to her plate. Mine were for me to deal with, and that was how it was going to stay.
Once I knew enough time had passed for Grace to get home and for her and Noah to get in the house, I sent her a text.
Me: You home?
Gracie: Talk about a stalker.
Me: Are you home?
Gracie: YES!
Me: Goodnight!
Gracie: That was easy.
Really, I thought? Was she seriously poking the bear? I would have thought she'd have been happy with that.
Me: Did you want me to keep texting? If I do, I'm just going to talk about how sexy you are when you shake your ass. Then I'm going to talk about how good it would feel to have you shaking that ass as you ride my cock. Then I'm going to know you're touching yourself while thinking about me. Then I'm going to have to take a shower, and I don't even need one. So, do you want me to keep texting? I'm getting hard just thinking about it.
Her response was exactly as I expected.
Gracie: Goodnight!
Me: That was easy.
When she sent me that same damn picture of her middle finger, I snapped a picture my hand wrapped around my hard-as-steel cock through my jeans and sent it to her. No reply came, and I couldn't help but laugh. Then I headed to the damn shower anyway. Guess that one blew up in my face.
Chapter 19
Grace
Once Noah was tucked into bed, I locked up the house and headed to my room. The next day would be busy, and I needed sleep to make it through a whole day of classes.
When I couldn't fall asleep, I picked up my phone and pulled up my messages, and staring back at me was his picture. The one of his hand wrapped around his package. I stared at it for like ten minutes, the whole time thinking about seeing that very same thing without those damn jeans in the way. Just thinking about it had my tongue moving across my lips.
“Snap out of it,” I said, scolding myself, as I shook my head.
Then I thought about the words between him and his sister after he'd walked in with pizza. Was he really just out with the guys? If so, why did he come right back home? I decided to reply to his last message, but only because I wanted more information. Of course, my first response had to be about what he'd sent or he would have thought I cared. And I couldn't have him thinking that.
Me: How was the shower?
I laughed just typing it out, but then he replied, and my laughter stopped.
Sawyer: Not bad. It would have been so much better if I'd had you in there, naked, wrapped around my cock. I'd have bounced you up and down so hard against that wall that your back would have felt it. But don't worry. I would have kept my hand behind your head so that when it fell back as you cried out my name, you wouldn't have hurt it. How'd you like my picture?
Asshole, I thought, as I seriously clenched my thighs together just thinking about my back against his shower wall.
There was no way I could let him believe his picture did anything to me.
Me: It was okay. If I'm being honest, your jeans were in the way. Why didn't
you stay out tonight?
Sawyer: Good to know. I didn't feel like it. The bar scene isn't really my thing now.
How could that be, I wondered?
Me: Why not?
Sawyer: It's just not.
Me: Wow! It seems not long ago it was the perfect place for you to pick up bitches.
Sawyer: Bitches? That's not very nice, Gracie. Exactly how far back did you go on my social media anyway?
The man could piss me off in just a few words, and he knew it.
Me: Far enough to see that you got around.
I could see the dots of him typing and wasn't about to read whatever snarky thing he'd say next, so I sent another message.
Me: What number did that make me exactly?
The dots stopped for a moment. Then they began again, and I couldn't wait for his sarcastic reply, but it didn't come. Something else did.
Sawyer: Do not ever put yourself in the same category as them again. Do I make myself clear? They will never be you.
When I didn't answer, he sent another message.
Sawyer: Goodnight! Have a good day in class.
I stared at those two messages for a long time. Then, just as I went to set my phone down on my nightstand, feeling bad for making him react the way he did, it dinged again. When I opened the text that said “I wouldn't want my jeans in the way,” my eyes widened and a heat like no other filled me. Attached to the text was a picture of his cock, very naked and extremely hard, with his hand wrapped around it. Not only could I see every sexy detail, but I could also see the way his abs clenched. He was stroking himself.
I couldn't take it another second. My tongue darted out across my lips just thinking about tasting that little bead of liquid hanging from his tip. It was a picture of perfection.
A Forever Love, Part 2 Page 8
