Page 53

53

SAWYER

T he only way life could get more surreal would be if I dropped acid while wandering through a theme park.

It’s been three days since New Haven, and the world is still turning as if my adopted father didn’t die by violence. I’d probably be freaking out if it weren’t for Jamie and Ash who never leave me alone for a second.

When we’re taking a walk outside, Jamie gives me instructions. “I reckon it’s been the right amount of time now, Sauce. Tomorrow, you’ll call your grandparents to ask if they’ve heard from him and say you haven’t. You can ask their advice about whether they think you should call the police. If they’ve noticed he’s been out of touch, they may decide to do it for you, which is even better. If not, you’ll wait another day and then call the police to go by. You’ll say you’re worried because he seemed so depressed over the death of his son. It’ll plant the seed he may have disappeared because he decided to harm himself.”

It’s clever. And carefully considered. Jamie seems to sense I’m at a loss as to what to say next because he cups my cheek and strokes it reassuringly.

“Your plan sounds perfect,” I say. My eyes dart from his to the path. “Sorry for acting rattled. I promise I can handle this.”

“Listen,” he says slowly. “You’ve been brilliant altogether. From the house to the train station and ever since.”

Licking my dry lips, I shrug. “I’m trying.”

“Lean into me on this. You know how when we’re playing games in bed, you let go of trying to maintain control and just let me lead?”

“Sure.”

“Do that now.” Licking his lips, he tips his forehead until it touches mine. “I swear I’ll get you through this.”

After a shudder, I hug him. “I want us both through it.”

“I know.” He takes my face in his hands and kisses me. His tongue caresses mine slowly, tasting me.

A mouth that kisses like his is rare, and all the doubts that were eating me up dissolve.

We’ll be all right.

* * *

JAMIE

Allendale has been reported missing, and a slow-moving police investigation has started. The cops are already hypothesizing the man left town of his own free will… to lie low, for reasons they aren’t willing to share. A pedophile on the run is exactly what I want them to see him as, so that’s a win.

War is scarce around the house, which has me wondering whether his uncle ordered him to give me a wide berth. Sawyer and I carry out a normal routine to keep up appearances, which I hope is also helping her distance herself mentally from Connecticut.

Trick’s sons are both Christmastime babies, and he and the wife are having an early December birthday party for them, separate from the actual holiday week. When Trick texts to invite me, he suggests I bring Sawyer so everyone can meet her. I accept immediately. Keeping Sauce occupied and distracted is my highest priority right now.

It’s midafternoon but looks later because storm clouds are spitting down freezing rain. I call Ash to suggest she drive the three of us to Coynston for the upcoming party. As usual, she’s game for a group road trip.

Within the hour, she’s in the lot, engine idling, windows fogged from the blasting heat and the chatter between her and Sawyer. When I open the passenger door, Sawyer gets out.

I give her a quick kiss. “Sit in back with me, Sauce.”

Ash scoffs. “Am I the chauffeur?”

“You are, yeah.” Guiding Sawyer into the back, I wink at Ash.

She smirks and shakes her head. “You’re lucky you’re my favorite cousin.”

As soon as I’m settled, she backs out of the spot and swivels the wheel. Leaving the lot, the car fishtails slightly. She’s a deft hand at keeping control, but I tell her to mind the road anyway.

“No backseat driving allowed.” Ash’s hearty chuckle is shameless.

Sawyer rolls her eyes. As we turn a corner, her hand squeezes my thigh to keep from sliding.

The girls talk about school. I learn Sawyer brought two formal dresses back from Connecticut. One for the Briar Club Induction Ceremony and one for a GU holiday party.

“Did you bring the burgundy dress for the birthday party?” I ask. “Because that’s the outfit I’d like to see again.”

Sawyer clucks her tongue skeptically. “Of course not. I brought the Chanel dress and a pantsuit.”

“It’s a kids’ party,” Ash says, glancing at us in the rearview mirror like we’re insane. “I’m probably wearing jeans and a sweatshirt.”

Cocking my brow, it’s my turn to look skeptical. “A sweatshirt?”

“Well, maybe not that,” Ash concedes. “Why? Did Trick say we should dress up? He told me casual clothes.”

I shake my head. “The last birthday party he threw had fireworks and a professional photographer. I’ve been to weddings that were more low-key.”

Ash laughs, and Sawyer appears thoughtful.

“Shut up, James. I told Sawyer our family is laid back and cool. And that she doesn’t need to be nervous. Why are you making us sound so bougie?”

“That’s me exaggerating, is it? Were there staged photo areas at your ma’s party or not?” My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I slide it free.

War: Hit me back when you’re alone.

As I start to put my phone away, it buzzes again.

C: When you get to Coins, come see me.

A summons from C. That’s bound to be a reckoning.

Sawyer’s brows pinch together. “What’s wrong?”

Putting my arm around her shoulders, I kiss her temple. “Not a thing.”

She settles against my side, which feels right. But I realize I may have miscalculated. Trick wouldn’t do anything to scare Sawyer. That’s not his style. But his partners are hard men, and they scare people without even trying. Bringing her to the heart of C Crue territory right now might not have been the best idea after all.

* * *

SAWYER

Jamie’s cousin’s modern gray-and-white house looms above a stone enclosure. Ash puts her thumb on the security keypad. The tall gate slides open, revealing an Asian-inspired front landscape with smooth dark stone borders curving up to the front door.

We emerge from the car, and Jamie grabs the suitcases while Ash and I take the handle bags that have wrapped presents for the little boys.

The front door opens, and a pretty woman with long dark hair waves at us. She’s wearing wide-legged black trousers with a jade-colored cashmere sweater. She belongs in a J Crew ad.

“Hey,” Ash says, hurrying up to the door and raising the bags. “We need to sneak these inside.”

From behind the woman comes the sound of children playing, and a small blond head appears from around her legs.

“Too late,” the dark-haired woman says with a smile.

Seeing the boy from the picture on my dad’s computer gives me a jolt.

Spotting Ash, the boy makes an excited sound and darts around his mom’s legs, trying to get outside to us.

Ash bends down and scoops him up. “Hey, where are you going without shoes, mister?”

The boy talks excitedly while trying to get into the shopping bags.

“I missed you, Finn,” Ash says, giving him a kiss while deftly handing off the bag as she enters the house. “Wanna meet my friend?” Ash turns to the mom as I approach. “Laurel, this is my roommate, Sawyer.”

I extend a hand and marvel at the woman’s practically translucent green eyes. They’re like sea glass.

“Hi, Sawyer. Really nice to meet you. Come on in.” She opens a front closet and sets the bags with the presents inside and then hangs our coats.

The adorable brown-haired brother stands at the end of the hall, watching us.

“Hi, Sean,” Ash says, walking toward him. “What are you doing?” She bends so she can hug him.

“Want cookies?” Sean asks.

“Definitely.” Ash gives him a kiss and lets the squirming Finn escape her arms. “Did you help Chef Chris make them?”

“Yep,” Finn says, darting away.

“Come on.” Sean takes Ash’s hand to guide her. “Three flavors.”

“Hi, Jamie,” Laurel says, giving him a one-sided embrace since he’s got the luggage. “You can put your bags up in the guest rooms and then come through to the kitchen.”

“Grand. Sawyer, go ahead with Laurelyn. I’ll be right there.” He heads down the hallway and breaks right.

Laurel offers me a warm smile as we go through stunning rooms to an open kitchen with bright white walls, stone counters and glossy navy cabinets. There’s a thirty-something guy with a blue bandana tied around his forehead who appears to be the chef. He’s manning a panini grill.

On the island, there’s a spread of veggies and hummus, cheese, crackers, and mustards, and a three-tier serving stand of cookies.

“Ash texted that you hadn’t eaten yet. We’re making paninis.”

“I’ll take ham and cheddar,” Ash says as Sean outlines the cookie flavors, and Finn demands a chocolate chip one, calling it a chip.

“No more right now. You’ve had enough cookies,” Laurel says, shaking her head at Finn.

“I want.” The little boy tugs on her pant leg. “Chip.”

Then Ash’s brother Scott comes in wearing faded Levis and a gray t-shirt. He hugs Ash, then gives her a suspicious look. “Roads are bad. How’d you make such good time?”

“I’m an excellent driver,” she says in a robotic voice that causes him to roll his eyes with a chuckle.

He extends a hand to me. “Hey, Sawyer, nice to see you.”

I shake the hand as his younger son pulls on his pant leg.

“Dada, chip cookie.” His little fist opens and closes. “I need one. No, two.” He points up at the counter. “Two chips.”

Scott’s shrewd eyes shift from the little boy’s hopeful face to his wife’s. “How many has he had?”

“Too many,” she says mildly. “I already said no.”

Finn stamps his foot. “Yes! Chip-cookie!”

In a cheerful voice that draws everyone’s attention, Ash says, “Oh my gosh! You know what I need, guys? I need to know what your animals are up to. Have they been getting along or are they fighting?”

“Fighting!” Finn announces. “Dray jail now.”

“Really? Draco the dragon’s in jail?” She scoops him up. “I’d better go and see. Dragons have wings, you know. He could be escaping right this minute because no one’s watching. Let’s go check.”

As she hurries from the room carrying his little brother, Sean jumps off the step stool he’s standing on and rushes out after her.

I drift toward the doorway, unable to keep from smiling. It’s been a long time since I’ve been around small children. I’m drawn to the sounds of their excitement, instantly feeling lighter and happier than I have in days.

Scott pulls a pair of Guinnesses from the fridge. “Sawyer, what’ll you take to drink?” He pushes the door open wider for me to choose from a deep shelf of beverages.

Jamie enters and extends his hand, which Scott shakes. Nodding toward the beers, he says, “I’ll pour, shall I?”

Scott’s eyes narrow. “Meaning what?”

Jamie’s lips twitch into a small smirk. “Meaning, half head and overflowing last time, and I’d rather not risk it.”

“Fuck off,” Scott says. “That was four in the morning with Ash banging my chair.”

“Right, sure.” Jamie slides an empty Guinness glass towards himself. “How about to each his own?”

Laurel chuckles, and Scott turns his scowl on her. “Whose side are you on?”

Ash saunters back in and spots the pints as Scott sets them on the counter. “Oh, good, Guinness. Can I pour?”

“No,” the men say in unison.

That causes all of us to laugh, including Ash. “I’m an excellent bartender,” she says in the robotic voice from earlier.

“What’s this now?” Jamie opens his can.

“Rain Man. Old movie,” Scott says dryly while scrutinizing the way Jamie tilts his glass.

As Jamie pours, he slowly decreases the angle of the glass so it’s upright by the time it’s full. There’s a perfect layer of foam on top. “That’s all right, that is.” With the devil in his eyes, he glances at Ash. “Ash, love, you best stand next to your brother while he gives it a go. That way, if things go awry, he can blame you for knocking his arm.”

Scott cocks a brow. “This is what comes of letting the poor relations come to stay. Shit manners from start to finish.”

Grinning, Ash pokes Scott’s arm as he pours.

Brows rising, Scott stops and sets the beer down to stare at her. “Are you kidding?”

“I am,” she says, throwing her arms around his neck.

“Get off,” he says with mock disgust. “After all I’ve done? To hell with you.”

With a laugh and a kiss, she finally lets go. “Yay, my panini’s ready.”

Scott returns to pouring his Guinness. In the end, it doesn’t overflow, but the thick foam must not be right because Scott slides the glass to Ash. “That’s yours.”

“Awesome,” she says, taking the glass and her dish to the table.

“If you need more practice, mate, your wife and my girlfriend still need one.” Jamie takes a swig from his glass. “What do you reckon? Make it best of four?”

Scott tips his head back and laughs.

I can’t stop smiling, and the warm sensation in my chest at hearing Jamie call me his girlfriend eats me up. This is just what I need to forget about all the Allendale drama.

Jamie’s phone buzzes, and he checks it. Rising, he takes another drink from his glass before setting it in front of me. “Have some, Sauce.” To Scott, he says, “I need to step out.”

“Yeah, go. Good riddance.” Scott takes another Guinness from the fridge.

Glancing at me, Jamie gestures toward the chef. “I’ll take two of whatever he’s making.” His tone is light, but there’s a subtle pinch between his brows that makes me wonder what’s up.

As Jamie exits, the boys come barreling past him and run to Ash’s chair.

“He’s out!” Finn grabs her arm and tries to drag her from her seat.

She swallows her bite of food and nods. “Don’t worry. We’ll capture him. But I bet he’s gonna be hiding somewhere sneaky.”

At these words, Sean, who’s near the doorway, turns and trots off.

She lifts Finn, who’s still trying to pull her from the chair, onto her lap. “You want a bite of this panini, Finn? It’s so good.”

“No pih-nee-oh. You come, Nash!”

“Hey, Finn,” Scott says in a stern voice. “No yelling.”

Finn’s outrage turns to consternation. As if the world has gone insane for not realizing the urgency of the dragon situation he’s got going on. He leans forward and announces, “Dray got free!”

Scott finishes his pour, which looks perfect to me. “He’s gonna be the only one if you land in time-out.”

Ash winks at me. “It’s a dragon emergency.”

With a smile, I say, “So I understand.”

After taking a drink, Scott nods and says to me, “The little one inherited patience from his aunt Ash. Which is to say, none at all.”

“Pot, kettle, Scotty. Pot. Kettle .” Ash kisses the head of the squirming toddler before setting him on the floor. “Go help Seany, Finn. I’ll be right there.”

Outside, Jamie passes by the windows. My smile fades. He seems to be texting someone, and from his grim expression, something is wrong.