by Abbi Glines
Sawyer’s head emerged a few seconds after mine and he was grinning like an idiot.
“What?” I asked
He winked and 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 and he laughed then dropped a quick kiss on my lips.
“Wanna go again?” he asked with a smirk.
Chapter Nineteen
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 gone with me happily. Granted, I had to rein her in on her decorating ideas. I was a guy and our 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.
Today, 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 was 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 breathed.
“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 wailed.
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 onto 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 you but I’ll pay you.”
“Uh, okay—”
“I need a ride to the beach.”
~*~
Ethan pulled into the parking lot at the condos where Jewel was staying. Her car was parked over to the left side of the building so I knew I’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 it 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 that 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.”
“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 it,” 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 bag. “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.”
“Awww, 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 was in his Jeep and 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. 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 Twenty
Sawyer
Banging 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 glaring at me as if he had reason to be mad.
I shoved past him and slammed 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 growled, 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 asswipe. Haven’t you learned by now that when you CHEAT you get CAUGHT! Dammit, 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. Not sure what he was trying to do here. 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.
Sinking down onto the steps, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and texted Ash.
Me: It isn’t what it looks like. Beau is on his way over. Listen to him. Just so happens Aunt Honey has a younger sister, her name is Sugar. Tell Lana to get ready I’m on my way there to get her.
Ashton: Oh no. I made a mess of things. I’m so sorry Sawyer.
Me: Not that big of a deal. It got straightened out pretty fast. Watch for Beau. He sped out of here for your house like there was a fire.
Ashton: Okay
I decided against sending Lana a text. I had a feeling I was probably in trouble because of the last text I’d sent. It didn’t explain things well but I was in a hurry to find Beau and get Ashton calmed down. Showing up and explaining was the best idea.
Beau met me at the door of Ashton’s house when I got there. The serious expression on his face surprised me. Surely, he’d been able to clear things up with Ashton. Didn’t she believe him? “Hey, things okay?” I asked, walking up the steps.
“That depends on you,” Beau replied.
“What?”
“Ash is upset but not with me. She’s upset with herself. Running to you when she thought I’d cheated on her was her first reaction. It has always been the three of us. She didn’t think about going to anyone else. She just figured you would know how to fix it. You always did fix the messes we managed to get into. I’m warning you now that if you so much as blame, raise your voice or even look at her wrong when you walk in that house and hear what she has to tell you, that I will take you down. She got upset. She acted on instinct. What happened as a repercussion isn’t her fault.”
“What in the hell are you getting at Beau?” I asked, starting to feel anxious as I pushed past him and into the house. Ashton was standing in the kitchen with swollen red eyes and chewing on her bottom lip.
“What’s wrong with the two of you?” I asked in confusion. “I’m just here for Lana. Whatever other problems y’all have, I’m out. Fix them yourselves.”
“Ohnoohnoohno,” Ashton started muttering. Her worried eyes lifted to look at Beau for help.
“Just give it to him, Ash,” Beau encouraged gently.
“Give me what?” I demanded. Then my eyes noticed the piece of paper dangling from her right hand.
I walked over to her and snatched the paper out of her grasp. Perfectly scripted handwriting covered the page in what appeared to be a letter. Dropping my eyes to the bottom of the page Lana’s signature stood out at me and my heart stopped beating. Nononononono, please God no, I begged silently as I began reading.
Ashton,
Let me begin by saying, thank you. I needed an escape this summer from the craziness that is my life. You helped make that possible. I needed to talk about my dad and how I felt and you were there for me. No one has ever been there for me before. Knowing someone cared was more precious to me than you could have ever imagined.
But, I made the mistake of opening my heart up to someone who clearly could never feel the same about me. I knew Sawyer loved you. I’ve known it since we were kids. I thought maybe just getting his attention for a short time would be enough. It wasn’t.
I’ve grown up with two parents who never once thought about me in the choices they made. My emotions weren’t something they concerned themselves with and maybe that is my fault because I didn’t speak up. I just pushed the hurt and anger deep inside me. I wanted to be strong because I knew they were weak. I’m tired of being strong. I’m tired of being second best. I need someone to love me.
Staying in Grove isn’t a possible option for me. I let myself hope for too much. I’ve been broken too many times. I can’t stay somewhere near... someone who will eventually destroy me.
Please tell your parents thank you for me. I’m sorry I didn’t stick around for goodbyes and explanations but I think you understand why I
had to go. You had the right Vincent boy all along. Don’t take him for granted this time. He loves you in a way that I hope to one day inspire in someone. He would give up the world for you. When you have someone that special, that incredible who loves you, don’t let it go. This is your second chance to treasure what you’ve had all your life. Sawyer was always the Vincent boy worth fighting for. He’s the special one.
Love,
Lana
“She doesn’t say where she went? Did she go home? How did she get there?” I was going to throw up. Tears stung my eyes and I swallowed the lump in my throat. I didn’t have time to cry like a damn baby. I needed to find Lana, NOW.
Folding the paper neatly, I stuck it in my pocket and pulled out my phone.
Her phone went straight to voice mail. Shit.
“Did you try calling her? Have you called her mom?” I asked Ashton while trying her number again.
“Don’t raise your voice at her. I know you’re upset but remember my warning. And for the record you’re not all that damn special. Just throwing that out there.”
I didn’t give a rat’s ass about Beau’s warning. I needed to find Lana. “I’m not raising my voice. I need to find Lana,” I yelled, glaring at him as I slammed my fist against the brick fireplace. The pain wasn’t enough to numb the agony in my chest.
“Sawyer, stop! You’re bleeding. Beau, do something,” Ashton’s worried voice sounded like it was coming down a tunnel.
“WHERE IS SHE?” I roared, beating my fist against the wall trying to stop the tears blurring my vision. I had to find her. She needed me. Oh God, she needed me.
Pressing both my palms flat against the brick, I dropped my head and let the tears roll freely. I’d lost her. I couldn’t lose her. She was so broken and I didn’t even know. I wanted to find her dumbass father and beat his face in until the ache inside me, from her words in that letter, eased. How could they overlook her? How could anyone overlook her?
