Page 9

9

SAWYER

A sh and I sit on couches in the lounge, hanging before dinner. We’re both on our phones, but she’s the only one of us who’s having fun. I’m keeping tags on Briar Club socials.

One of the women from the club posts a picture of members of the rowing team near an indoor pool. The caption is when swim team is away row team can play. #gurow

In the shot’s background, Jamie seems to have just climbed out of the pool because water streams down his perfect form. Jesus, he’s beautiful .

Wait, does this mean he’s on the rowing team? Because then, my family would not object to him in any way. Rowing crew is the only sport they care about. When my brother made the GU team, they threw a party.

After the pool photo, the girl posts a carousel of pics that includes a group at Bruno’s Tavern. In one of them, Clare Duffy’s making a duck face. I scour the pics for another glimpse of Jamie, but I’m disappointed to find he’s not in them.

Next in my feed, Clare posts an image, which is something she rarely does. The vibe from her socials is that she’s too busy to attend to them much. Her pic is an off kilter shot of her Briar Club cuff bracelet that has briar roses with their thorns etched into the gold. The caption is hate when would be briars think they can get away with things. i love proving them wrong.

I reread the words, my body stiffening. Is she talking about me?

Trying not to freak out from a fit of paranoia, I scan the tavern images again. I’m hunting for any prospective Briar Club inductees that might be nearby. I’m praying some other girl pissed Clare off.

After rising from the couch, I start to pace.

“What’s wrong, Seesaw?”

“What?” My movements are jerky as I turn toward Ash.

“You’re looking pale. What’s up?”

I rub the pinched skin between my brows, trying to drag myself back from the edge of panic. “I think Clare Duffy from the Briar Club might have it out for me now, which?—”

The world fades as my eyes unfocus from my intense concentration. Clare and Jamie were together. If so, did he mention I’d been at his place this morning and imply I’m making a run at him?

Because I’m not paying attention as I pace, my leg bangs against the edge of a low table, making me stumble. Fuck. Catching myself before I land on my knees, I have to release my phone, which clatters across the tabletop.

“Whoa!” Ash shoots to her feet and grabs my arm to steady me.

“I’m okay,” I say, focusing on Ash’s concerned face.

Her grip is surprisingly strong as she pulls me to the couch. “Sit, Seesaw.”

Dropping onto the cushions with a thwap , I touch my forehead. I’m surprised it’s not covered in sweat.

As if on cue, I get a text from Clare. She wants to know who I’ve been discussing private club business with.

Sucking on my lower lip, I try to decide how to respond. What I’d really like to do is talk to her face to face. Maybe I could smooth things over before she decides to destroy my chances.

I look over at Ash. “More Clare Duffy trouble.”

“Fuck’s sake.” Ash scowls. “What now?”

When I don’t answer, she cocks her head. “Why do you want to be in that club anyway? Sounds like a pretentious drag.”

“It’s a really big deal to my family. My mom and grandmother were members.” I lick my lips, picking up steam. “Becoming a Briar is critical for me. It’s not just that I need to prove something to the older members of my family—which I very much do because my grandparents expect it and they decide—” I bite off my words, hands shaking. Ash doesn’t need to know everything. “It’s also my last connection to my mom,” I whisper.

Tears burn in my eyes as I try to blink them away. “She used to put her beautiful vintage Briar Club bracelet on my wrist when I was little and tell me about how she’d had big dreams and made them come true. She said I would do the same.” I swallow. “My older brother is the one everyone else pins their hopes on, but my mom believed in me. Completely .” My breath stutters out of me. “In the beginning, I had some problems and she’s the only reason I’ve made it this far. I don’t want to call my getting into the club her dying wish, but… I need to do this.”

Ash’s face takes on a determined expression. “Okay, understood.”

“Look, I want to go to Bruno’s Tavern to talk to Clare before she says something she can’t take back and ruins my chances for good. Can you drive me?”

“Shit, I’ve got a video call with my brother to talk about my mom’s birthday in half an hour. We could go right after.”

“I can’t wait.” I shoot to my feet and Ash follows. “I don’t know how long she’ll be there. Plus, she could be trash-talking me right now.” The last words explode from my lungs like I’m trumpeting them.

Ash’s eyes widen to saucers, then she gives me a tight side hug. “It’s okay. Calm down. Can you drive a stick?”

My brows rise. Ash’s car is her baby and she barely knows me. “I can, but… Are you sure?”

“Yep. I’ve got you.” She grabs my hand and pushes her keys into my palm.

With a rush of emotions, I throw my arms around her, hugging her in a way I haven’t hugged anyone in years. “Thank you so much.”

“If you can, try to be chill when you talk to the bitch. A shark who smells blood in the water just wants to feed more. Be calm, okay? And maybe imply—lightly and with a friendly smile—that you have powerful friends who will not take it well if she fucks with you. That should buy some time.”

Blinking, I open and close my mouth. I’m about to say I’m not sure I’m good enough to bluff Clare who’s a poker player, but then I stiffen my spine. I will be convincing because I have to be. “Right.”

“Good. You’ve got this.”

I nod as she squeezes my arms in support, making me want to hug her all over again. Then, she turns me toward the doors and gives me a small push.

Once I’ve zipped my coat to my chin, I hustle out to the parking lot.

Even in the low light, the Camaro’s gorgeous bright red paint gleams. The thick white racing stripes on the hood are blocky and retro and seem to be trying to push me toward ballsy confidence as I get behind the wheel.

“I’ve got this.” I whisper the words over and over like a mantra.

It’s a quick drive to the tavern, but the parking lot is full. When I see someone pulling out, I pause in the aisle to take their place. Then I recognize the elegant, eggshell-colored sedan and its driver. Clare Duffy is leaving.

Fuck, I’m too late .

In an instant, I backtrack on my thinking. At least she’s not inside cutting me down to other Briars. And I haven’t gotten any texts telling me I’ve been removed from consideration, so that’s a decent sign I hope.

I’d really like to know what’s going on.

I scrutinize the area, looking for the black SUV from Jamie’s place. Not finding it, I press my lips into a thin line.

After I park, I head inside. But I don’t spot anyone I know in the tavern and head out just as quickly.

Now what?

Go after Clare? No, because she lives in the Briar Club house, and I don’t want people asking why I’m showing up to request an emergency meeting.

Instead, I send a text, asking if I can speak with her.

Clare ignores me. As time ticks by, I grow more agitated.

Maybe the best person for me to talk to isn’t Clare. Jamie was with these people tonight. He not only knows what he and Clare discussed, he probably overheard whatever she said to the others.

Pulling out of Bruno’s parking lot, I exhale a breath I’ve been holding.

I’m going to see him.

* * *

JAMIE

My belief that my evening activities are set is short-lived. When I arrive at the house, Ashling’s Camaro is parked in the lot. And worse, as I pull up beside it, I see it isn’t Ash in the driver’s seat.

For fuck’s sake. Sawyer, the stuff of wet dreams, climbs out of the Camaro just as I throw open my door.

As I round the hood, she eyes me the way one would a dangerous animal. “Hello, Jamie.”

“Cranberry Sauce,” I say in acknowledgment, knowing my tone needs to get much rougher. We can’t have an innocent college girl turning up on the property without warning. Too many secrets here need keeping.

She rolls her eyes at the nickname, some of the wariness leaving her.

Not good.

I harden my voice. “What do you want?”

The harsher tone registers, and her expression falters. “I, uh…” Her eyes focus on the take-out bag in my hand. “You’re about to have dinner.” She steps back toward the Camaro. “I didn’t intend to interrupt.”

“Get to the point.” Again, the hardness.

Her shoulders slump. “I would’ve sent a text, but I don’t have your number. I didn’t want to ask Ash for it.”

“But you asked for her car?” I can’t help but scoff. “I guarantee she guards that Camaro more fiercely than my mobile number.” My brow cocks. “Is she dead? Because I can’t see how you pried the keys from her hands, otherwise.”

An uncertain smile plays on her lips. “Ash took pity on me.”

I wait her out.

Sawyer swallows but keeps her tone even. “I wondered if I could talk to you about something?” She glances at the food again. “Maybe not now. Later tonight?” Her determination is ironclad. I’ll give her that.

My body clocks the way the wind is whipping the magenta hair around her face. She’s a gorgeous one all right.

Drawing in a breath, I peer at the house. Downstairs is a safe zone these days. Since we use it less, we moved the weapons upstairs. War won’t be keen on an unexpected visitor, but I prefer to get this meeting over, so there’s a clean end to things and I can warn her to never show without warning again.

“Come inside with me.”

“Are you sure?”

“When I give a girl an order, I’m always sure.”