by Glines, Abbi
“Thank you for the ride.”
Chapter 9
SAWYER
As soon as Lana closed the door to Ashton’s house, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and dialed Beau.
“Yeah,” he answered, on the third ring.
“I need a ticket to that concert tonight. I’m coming with you.”
Beau didn’t respond right away, but then he let out a sigh. “Little Miss Lana is gettin’ to ya, huh?”
The memory of how she felt wrapped around my waist flooded me, and I swallowed hard. “Yeah, she is.”
“Ash hooked her up with E. tonight. You know this, right?”
My blood boiled. Yes, I knew it, but I was going to stop it. Ethan wanted Lana only for the summer. He was headed to UT in the fall, and Lana was headed . . . well, I didn’t know where Lana was headed, but she was going off to college too. Yes, I wanted to make Ash jealous, but the idea of spending time with Lana was growing more and more appealing for no other reason than she made me forget. When I was with her, I wasn’t thinking about Ashton.
“She was with me today. You owe me, Beau. A helluva lot. I need to be there tonight.”
“Ash is gonna be pissed. She doesn’t trust your motives, and I’m not real sure I do either.”
“You’ve seen Lana. What’s there not to like? Why would I want her for any other reason than she’s hot as hell and available this summer? I need the distraction. I think it’ll be good for all of us.”
Beau was silent for a moment. “The concert is sold out, but Ash got Leann two tickets, and she’s driving over from the beach to go with us. Her date just bailed on her, and she’s looking for someone to take with her. She might not want to give you the ticket as her date, but I’m pretty sure she’d sell it to you.”
“I still got her number. I’ll call her. Thanks.” I didn’t wait for him to reply before I hung up and scrolled through my contacts for Leann’s name.
* * *
Ashton had initially asked us all to drive separate vehicles since Beau and I drove trucks and Ethan drove a Jeep. I didn’t like that plan because it put me alone with Leann, and Lana alone with Ethan. Not the combination I was going for. So I borrowed Mom’s Mercedes crossover. No one could argue that this wasn’t a better idea—except maybe Ethan, who hadn’t been in on the details. I’d handled it with Beau, who, in return, got Ashton to agree.
I’d started to ask Beau to take the backseat so Lana and Ethan would be closer to me, but the idea of Beau tucked away from everyone with Ashton made my chest ache. I didn’t think I could handle it. So I remained quiet as Ethan quickly took the back row, holding Lana’s hand as she stepped into the car. The ache from thinking about Ash and Beau was instantly extinguished by red-hot jealousy. Ethan’s eyes were taking in Lana’s cute little bottom; she’d barely covered up in that sundress.
“I think you just growled,” Leann whispered as she stepped past me and opened the passenger door. Jerking my gaze off Ethan as he moved in beside Lana, I went to get in. This was going to be one long-ass thirty-minute drive.
“Still scowling,” Leann teased from beside me. I shot her a glare that only caused her to giggle. “I really thought you’d never get over Ash. I’m surprised,” she said under her breath, then pulled down the mirror in front of her to peek back at Lana and Ethan.
“If it helps, I don’t think she’s that into him,” she said and then flipped the visor back up.
“Find whatever you want to listen to” was my only response to her nosy comments.
Leann clicked her tongue, grinning before leaning forward and scanning the channels.
“You know, Ethan is a good guy. He doesn’t have any ulterior motives.”
Grinding my teeth, I shook my head and shot her a warning glance.
“You used to be such a polite, nice guy, Sawyer Vincent. You’ve changed—a lot.”
I adjusted the rearview mirror so that Lana was directly in my sight. She was watching me. The angry frustration melted away when she gave me a shy smile. Winking, I glanced back at the road and decided the car would be the only place Ethan got her away from me. He sure as hell better enjoy himself.
“Is that Ash or Lana you’re checking up on?” Leann asked.
I realized I’d forgot about Ashton. My stomach knotted up. What was happening? Ash was right behind me, sitting next to Beau. I reached up and adjusted the mirror just in time to see Ash laugh and lay her head on Beau’s shoulder. The familiar ache returned. Her eyes lifted and met mine. The laughter that had been sparkling in them vanished, and a concerned sadness came over her face. I missed those eyes laughing up at me. Gripping the steering wheel harder, I focused my attention on the road instead of the girl who I’d always love and the girl who sent me into a lustful fog every time she got close.
“You might wanna adjust that mirror.” Beau’s low warning came from behind me. If only I could hate him. Because I wanted to. So badly.
Reaching up, I fixed the mirror so I couldn’t see either girl, and I turned up the song Leann had chosen: “Break Your Little Heart” by All Time Low. It was fitting.
LANA
“I’m glad you came with me tonight,” Ethan said, leaning into me a little.
I tore my eyes off the back of Sawyer’s head. “Thank you for asking me,” I replied, hoping the disappointment in my voice wasn’t obvious. When Ashton told me that Sawyer had bought Leann’s extra ticket and arranged for us all to ride together, I’d hoped it had been because of me, not her. Then he’d gotten in the car and fixed his rearview mirror so he could see me, and my heart had done a silly little flip. But within seconds he’d adjusted it so he could see Ashton instead. He hadn’t been looking at me when he winked. . . . He’d been looking at Ashton. Beau had noticed too.
Ethan glanced back up at Sawyer and sighed. “Not sure why he’s doing this,” he whispered. “Sorry, but it looks like we’re going to have to witness more of the Vincent boys’ drama tonight. Sawyer isn’t ever going to be able to let Ashton go, even though she’s obviously let him go.”
The nausea that followed his words wasn’t surprising. I’d been thinking the same thing, but hearing it from someone else was hard. I was so sure Sawyer had seen me today. I could feel his attraction to me. But then what did I know about guys and sex? I knew nothing. If any guy had his crotch pressed between a girl’s legs, he’d probably get hard. From what I’d heard about guys, they couldn’t help it.
Sighing, I slunk back in my seat and crossed my legs. My hope that tonight was about me was now gone. Ethan deserved more than me being hung up on getting Sawyer’s attention. After all, Ethan, not Sawyer, was the one paying for my meal and my ticket.
“I’ve never been to a concert before,” I told him, wanting to change the subject.
Ethan’s eyes lit up. “Really? So I’m your first,” he said, wagging his eyebrows teasingly. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“I guess you are,” I replied in the flirty tone I’d practiced at home alone in my room but had never used on an actual guy.
His eyes widened for a second, then he closed the small distance between us and slid his hand over my thigh to take my hand in his. And I let him. Because really, why shouldn’t I?
* * *
Once we arrived at the beachside restaurant, I’d had time to get over my disappointment enough to enjoy myself—somewhat. If I had to watch Sawyer moon over Ashton all night, I might end up in the bathroom with the need to hurl again. Right then, however, I was good.
“You’ll love this place. They have the best fried oyster po’ boys,” Ethan informed me as we made our way toward the steps that led up to the restaurant.
“Or you could eat them raw.” Sawyer’s voice was so close to my ear that it startled me. Jerking my attention off our destination, I turned to look at Sawyer, who had fallen into step beside me. He shot me a sexy little grin. “I’ll share my dozen with you.”
“Dozen?” I asked, still dazzled by the tantalizing smell of his cologne and the bru
sh of his fingers as he lightly grazed mine.
“Raw oysters,” he replied in a lazy drawl.
“Oh, I’ve never eaten one before. Not sure I want to.” My voice sounded breathless and affected by him. I was just weak where Sawyer was concerned.
“I’ll teach you exactly how to do it so it goes down nice and smooth.” His voice had dropped and gone husky. I wanted to fan myself, because suddenly it was very, very hot out there. The sea breeze did nothing to cool me off.
“Oh” was all I could manage as a reply.
“If she wants oysters, I’ll get them for her,” Ethan replied in an annoyed tone, reminding me that he was on my other side.
“I was just offering to share, E. No need to get testy,” Sawyer replied, not taking his eyes off me. His fingers softly tangled with mine then traced a caress up the inside of my arm. I had to clench my teeth to keep from making an embarrassing sound caused by the addicting feel of his touch.
Ethan opened the door and pulled me over closer to him, then placed his hand on my lower back to direct me inside the restaurant. He was putting himself between me and Sawyer, which only made me feel guilty. I’d all but melted into a puddle at Sawyer’s feet while on a date with Ethan.
“I’ve got to go to the little girl’s room. Come with me, Lana,” Leann said as she grabbed my arm and led me back to the restroom and away from the rest of the group.
* * *
The moment the door closed behind me, Leann spun around. “Whoa, girl. Do you need me to splash some cold water on your face? After witnessing that I think I may need to cool off.”
Letting out a moan, I covered my face with my hands. Great, everyone had noticed. Why did Sawyer do this to me? I was at his beck and call. It was ridiculous. He was using me to make Ashton jealous, and I was falling right into his arms. Ugh!
“I’m sorry,” I finally said, my hands covering my mouth.
Leann chuckled. “Sorry for what? You haven’t done anything. Sawyer Vincent is hot, Lana. He has never, and I mean never, unleashed what I just witnessed on anyone ever. Not even Ashton. I can’t believe I just saw him like that. I mean the boy was always so polite and respectful. He was never sexy. I mean like sexy. I didn’t know he had it in him. But damn, I swear I need to throw some ice down my shirt. I’ve always thought he was beautiful, but he couldn’t compete with Beau in sex appeal because he was so . . . good. But wow oh wow, was he dripping with it just now. I’d have jumped in his arms if he’d done that to me, and I have a boyfriend.”
I dropped my hands and let Leann’s words sink in.
“Think about it. Did you ever see him touch or look at Ashton in a way that insinuated he wanted to get her alone? Nope, you didn’t. Because it never happened. He acted like she was a nun and he was the priest. But with you just now”—Leann waved her hand toward me and grinned wickedly—“he was hot.”
“Really?” I asked incredulously.
“Yes, really! Question is: What’re you doing with Ethan? Because he’s a good guy. I don’t want to see him hurt, and he seems to really like you.”
Shaking my head, I walked over to the sink. “I don’t know, I mean I don’t like him that way or anything. He’s just a nice guy, and he seems interested in me, and I thought . . . ” I trailed off. Ethan was her friend, and I wasn’t sure being honest about why I’d said okay to a date with Ethan was a good idea.
“You thought Sawyer would get jealous. I already figured that out. We’re females, Lana. It happens when a god like Sawyer Vincent unleashes his power on us. Just let Ethan down easy. Don’t hurt him, okay?”
I nodded and lifted my gaze to stare at my reflection in the mirror. Who was that girl looking back at me? Did I even know her anymore? Not only did she look different, she was acting completely different.
“I won’t hurt him. I’ll make sure he understands, and I won’t ignore him for Sawyer tonight either.”
Leann nodded. “Good.”
The door opened behind me, and Ashton walked in, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth as she looked from Leann to me.
“I had to run some interference, but I think everything is smoothed out now,” Leann informed Ashton as she walked tentatively into the restroom.
“Oh, okay.” She studied me a moment. “Are you all right?”
“Yes. I’m good.”
“Sawyer is different with her, Ash,” Leann said bluntly.
“I know. I’ve noticed.”
“I think it’s more than he even realizes.”
Ashton looked at Leann and a small smile touched her lips. “You think?”
Leann nodded. “Yep.”
Ashton reached for my hand and squeezed it. “Come on. Let’s get back out there before one of them says the wrong thing and all hell breaks loose.”
Chapter 10
SAWYER
“What the hell was that?” Ethan demanded as soon as Ashton was out of hearing distance.
“Ash going to the restroom,” I drawled in a bored tone.
Ethan started to stand up and snarled at me.
“Sit down,” Beau barked, and Ethan lowered himself back into his chair. “You know what he means, Sawyer.”
“He knows I like Lana. Hell, he was with us all day on the boat. She was with me. Me. She wants to be with me. You can see it all over her face. Not my fault he asked her out and she was too nice to turn him down.”
Ethan let out a frustrated sigh. He knew I was right. “You’re still hung up on Ash—” he cut himself off when Beau turned his angry glare his way.
“No, I’m not hung up on Ash. She’s moved on, and I’m trying to do the same thing. But you’re stepping in my way.”
“Do you have to flirt with her on my date? Could you at least let me enjoy tonight with her?”
Shaking my head, I picked up the Coke the waitress had placed in front of me. “And let her think I don’t care she’s with you? No can do. She needs to know what I want.”
Beau cleared his throat and stood up. “Hey, baby.” He pulled the chair out beside him for Ashton to sit in as she walked toward the table.
I turned my head to watch as Lana walked up to the table, shifting her eyes from me to Ethan. I’d strategically taken the spot at the end of the table when Ethan had sat down, leaving the spot next to the end open for Lana.
“I’m guessing that seat isn’t for me,” Leann said in an amused tone under her breath as she passed me to go sit on the other side of Ashton.
Lana pulled her chair out and sat down, putting herself equidistant from Ethan and me. Sliding my chair over, I closed the distance between us until my thigh was resting against hers.
“Hey,” I said quietly as she peeked at me through the curtain of her hair. I reached up and tucked the silky locks, which were blocking my view, behind her ear. “There. That’s better.”
Her posture tensed.
“You gonna eat those oysters with me?” I asked, leaning down to look at her menu instead of opening mine.
“Oh, I-I, uh,” she stammered, and Leann let out a loud sigh.
“Tone that down a little bit would ya? The girl is so rattled she can’t even talk.”
I didn’t take my eyes off Lana. “Am I making you nervous?”
Lana lifted her eyes to meet my gaze. A small, apologetic smile touched her lips. The pale pink lip gloss she was wearing made them appear even plumper than normal. I leaned in and caught a small whiff of the raspberry scent.
“A little,” she replied softly.
She was on a date with Ethan, and I was making it very hard for her to be comfortable. The guilt that came with that knowledge stopped me from leaning in and taking a small nibble of those raspberry-flavored lips.
“I’m sorry. I’ll stop,” I said softly enough so that only she could hear me. I heard Ashton’s voice in the background as she talked to the others, attempting to draw the attention away from Lana and me.
“Thank you,” she replied, and then turned her gaze back to the menu in front of h
er. Sliding my chair to a proper distance, I refused to look back at her as I ordered my food and carried on a conversation with everyone. I did my best not to let my gaze linger on her or lower my voice when I spoke directly to her. I even managed to eat a meal while I watched Beau kiss Ashton’s hand, bare shoulder, and temple whenever he had the chance.
* * *
“That’s the Sawyer I remember. I wondered where you’d run off to,” Leann whispered as she walked beside me to the stadium seating at the Wharf. Ash and Beau led the way, and Ethan and Lana were behind us. I didn’t turn around and check on them. I wasn’t sure I could handle it if I caught them touching in any way.
“What do you mean?” I asked, only because I needed a distraction.
“Hot-and-bothered Sawyer is a new one. I’ve never seen you treat a girl like you could eat her up if given the chance. It was . . . interesting.”
“You think Lana has me hot and bothered?”
Leann let out a cackle. “I know Lana has you hot and bothered. If the girl was to crook her finger your way, you’d have her pressed up against the first hard surface you could find.”
I slowed my pace and glanced down at Leann. “What?”
“Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about. You want that girl. Sweet, prim, and proper Lana went and got all sexy, and she’s getting under your skin. You never did that with Ash. Not once did I see you look at her like you wanted her. She was your trophy or possession, and you were real proud of her, but she didn’t make your body simmer.”
Clenching my jaw, I glared down at Leann. “You have no idea what you’re talking about. I loved Ashton like crazy. She was my world. I planned my future around her. She was never a trophy or possession. Just because I didn’t treat her like a piece of hot ass didn’t mean she wasn’t my reason for living. I respected her. I’d never treat her with anything less than respect. I’m not in danger of falling in love with someone like Lana. She’s a distraction. Sure, I treat her differently; she is different, but she’s just for fun.”
