Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
"It really is me. It’s my own shit."
"Your own shit? So it has nothing to do with me?"
I should have known he wouldn't let it go. "To a degree, I suppose, but it shouldn't be on you." I shrug one shoulder, not wanting to say more.
Sawyer pulls around to the back of City Hall where the loading area is located. A number of people are already here getting set up for tonight. I go to unclip my seatbelt, but Sawyer covers my hand with his to stop me.
“I hate when you pull away from me.” Sawyer's brows furrow together, and his expression turns sullen. I'm not accustomed to seeing Sawyer this way. He always has a smile or a quick smartass comment, ready to spar with me.
“We’re not kids anymore, Sawyer.”
“Trust me. I know we’re not kids.” His eyes meet mine, and I can see there’s no playfulness to them.
“It changes things.”
“Why?”
“Seriously?” I blink at him. How can he not see it?
"Yes, seriously!” He’s pissed and trying to hide it, but it’s bleeding through. “Cut me some slack here."
"You're bringing this up now?” We've been this way for over a decade, and he’s choosing today to lay it out?
"Better late than never," he quips back.
"That's the thing, Sawyer, it is too late." It hurts my own chest admitting that to him.
Sawyer and I can never be what I once wanted when I was a young girl. He’s always been the only one for me, but clearly it wasn’t the same for him. If we tried to be together now, I think I’d always feel like I was some kind of consolation prize.
"It's not. You and I—”
"Are what? Friends?” I say, looking him in the eyes. “We fight constantly. I'm starting to wonder if you're a masochist."
"Only for you." He’s not smiling, and his tone is far from playful.
"No." I shake my head. "That's just it, Sawyer. Nothing about you is only for me, and it hasn’t been that way in a long time."
"Lane,” he says, and there’s an ache in his voice. “You’re—"
A knock on the window has Sawyer pulling back to see who it is. While he’s distracted, I quickly hop out of his truck. I hear him mutter a curse before I shut the door behind me.
“Is this it?” Evie hurries over toward me, her heels clicking loudly on the concrete. She has been putting this auction together for as long as I can remember. “Been dying to see what you made for us.” She gives me a bright smile. “Joshua!” Her smile drops instantly. “You drop that, and I swear I’ll tan your ass.”
“I got it,” he shouts back, but his hold on the giant glass vase tightens.
Evie rolls her eyes. “He's about as useful as a steering wheel on a mule.”
I snort. Evie always has a way with words. They will either cut you or make you laugh. I open the tailgate of the truck while Sawyer is caught in conversation with Evie’s husband.
“Oh, beautiful.” Evie runs her hand across the top. “You do incredible work.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks. “Thanks.”
“Might have to bid on this myself.” Evie leans in closer. “The hubs said I can’t bid on Sawyer. Even if it’s for a good cause.”
It’s harder than it should be to force out a laugh.
"Sawyer Logan! Is that you?!" I hear a girl squeal excitedly, and we all turn.
If it isn’t the blast from the past, Carly Rose. What the fuck? I thought she left for the big city with a modeling career on the rise. Is this what they mean by manifesting because she’s the last person I want to see. And damn it, she's as beautiful as ever.
Chapter Six
SAWYER
A woman comes rushing in my direction, so I step to the side. When she pops up in front of me again, I glance around to see if she’s talking to someone else.
“Sawyer, it’s me.” She blinks, and her eyelashes are so long they look uncomfortable. I’m worried she’s doing permanent damage to her vision as she stares with a smile that is borderline threatening.
“Um, hi?” I say while looking over the top of her head to Lane. She’s pretending to talk to Mrs. Evie about the china cabinet, but I don’t miss the way her eyes dart in my direction.
“Sawyer, stop playing.” The woman in front of me slaps me on the arm, and I take a step back and grab the place she hit. “It’s me, Carly Rose.”
“Nice to meet you?” Not knowing her seems to make her madder.
“I’m Carly Rose.” She holds her hands out like I’m not seeing her clearly, and I shrug a shoulder.
“I’m Sawyer Logan?” Again, she’s annoyed I don’t know her, and I watch her lips press together tightly before she takes a step in my direction.
“Well, you should remember me.” This time she raises her chin in the air all hoity-toity. “I was your first girlfriend.”