Page 10 of Sinful as They Come (Sinful Trilogy #1)

“I actually have to get home early. Sorry,” I lied again.

Not entirely, at least. I did feel like going home and bawling my eyes out until the pain in my chest stopped.

My eyes landed on Brodie in the doorway, his eyes stuck on his paper full of interview questions.

God, I had forgotten all about him for a moment.

“Do you have time for a quick interview?”

His eyes lit up even more. “You know I love doing that stuff. You doing the sports articles now?”

“Not my thing. You know Brodie Westbrook?”

“That Sawyer kid is his brother, right?”

“They’re cousins. Sawyer’s total opposite if that makes it appealing.”

“I’m cool with Sawyer. Lead the way.”

I directed Lucas over to a nervous looking Brodie.

I did all the introductions before I stepped aside, letting Brodie go to town with the interview.

As I leaned my back up against the brick wall, I was finally able to let out a shaky breath.

I wanted to talk to Carter. I wanted to apologize.

I wished I had brought my phone with me. It was stuck in my duffel bag.

I looked out at the empty hallway, spying just a small section of the football field.

No Carter, though. He had well and truly taken off without me.

I had to give him space, though. Maybe it was a good idea not to call him.

Maybe I could just go around to his tomorrow.

And we could spend all day watching movies and making out on the couch, and we would forget all about our fight.

That sounded like heaven.

“Thanks, Holly!” I heard Lucas call out.

Was the interview already over? Lucas gave me a wave which I slowly returned before I locked eyes with Brodie.

“Well, how was it?” I wondered.

“Not too bad. He was a lot easier to talk to than I thought.” Brodie nodded. “Guy’s pretty nice.”

“Not all football players are obnoxious future frat boys.”

“Not all of ‘em… But some are…” Brodie cleared his throat. “You heading home now?”

I realized it then. Carter was my ride home.

“Oh no.” I sighed a little too loudly.

“Sawyer can drive you home,” Brodie offered. He somehow seemed to know what trouble I was in before I even told him.

“Thanks for the offer, but there’s no way Sawyer would ever do that.” I sighed again. “That’s okay. I’ll figure something out.”

“Everyone’s probably left by now,” Brodie said as we started to walk down the hallway. “Unless you’re going to the after party?”

“No. Straight to bed for me.” I wasn’t big on parties, and after that fight with Carter, all I wanted to do was wrap myself up in a hundred blankets.

“Then let us give you a ride.”

“I live all the way on the other side of town. I don’t want to hassle you guys. And believe me when I say that Sawyer would rather die than let me into his car.”

We finally made it back outside to the cool night air after grabbing my duffel bag. My first thought was to check my phone. There was nothing from Carter, though. Not a word. Maybe he needed time.

I hugged at my arms and noted that the crowd had all left.

The cheerleading girls were all gone too.

Probably already on their way to Fran’s.

My parents were out at dinner and I didn’t want to interrupt that.

And I knew Lucas would have driven me, but again, my house was on the other side of town and he was heading off to Fran’s, anyway.

I was stranded.

“You ready to go, Brodie?” Sawyer interrupted my thoughts, his hands shoved into his pockets.

“Yeah, but we have to drive Holly home.” Brodie nodded to me.

“Fuck no,” Sawyer said at the same time as I said “No, it’s okay.”

“She’ll be stuck here all night. Come on,” tried Brodie.

“And? I’m not her fuckin’ babysitter,” snapped Sawyer.

I had to roll my eyes. It was nice of Brodie to try and help – but I knew there was no way Sawyer would ever let me in his car. “You know what? It’s fine. I’ll work it out.”

Sawyer gestured a hand at me. “See? She’s fine. Can we leave now?”

“Holly, don’t be silly.” Brodie gave me a little nudge. “Sawyer will drive you home. ‘Cause deep down, he’s a gentleman.”

A little laugh left my mouth at the word. That was the last thing Sawyer was.

“I’m gonna fuckin’ kill you.” Sawyer stared at his cousin. “If you wanna walk her home or something, then fine. But I’m leaving. In my truck. Without her.”

“Just do her this one favor,” Brodie pleaded. “I’m sure she’d help you out if it was you.”

“Would you drive me home?” Sawyer asked, looking right at me.

No, I wouldn’t. At least I didn’t think I would. Which made the whole situation even worse.

“That’s what I thought,” Sawyer said.

“Sawyer. Don’t be like that.”

“You know where she lives, right?” Sawyer asked Brodie seriously. “You know how long that drive is?”

“It’s not that far.”

“Yeah, it fucking is that far. You drag me out to this football game so you can do your little interview, and now you want me to drop off the head cheerleader like I’m a goddamn taxi driver. ”

“Come on. I’ll owe you.”

“You already owe me.”

“I’m aware.” Brodie smiled. “But what kind of friend would I be if I left her here?”

It was the first time a Westbrook had ever considered me to be a friend. Interesting… Either way, all I could do was stand back as the cousins went back and forth. My heart was still aching too much from my fight with Carter to contribute anything to the discussion, anyway.

“Okay, and? She’s not my friend.” Sawyer gestured towards me.

“But it’s so late!” Brodie kept trying. “What if a murderer picks her up?”

I rubbed my forehead at the scenario. Brodie was sweet. A bit dramatic, but sweet nonetheless. How was someone like him related to Sawyer?

“Good luck to him,” Sawyer said with a sarcastic laugh.

There was a long silence after that, though.

It seemed like the idea of a serial killer on the hunt got to Sawyer, because he let out a loud groan when both me and Brodie stayed utterly quiet.

He was looking up at the sky like he’d find something or someone up there to save him. Then he finally met my eyes.

“You really don’t have a ride home, princess?” he asked lowly.

I pressed my lips tightly together and shook my head. My cheeks were pink and not from the cold air. I was embarrassed. And I hated being embarrassed in front of him. He enjoyed it too much.

Sawyer looked at me. Then he let out a long, deep breath and stuck a cigarette in between his lips. He lit it up with ease before turning around and avoiding my gaze.

“Fine, I’ll fucking drive you home,” he grumbled. “But you’re not sitting next to me.”

I wasn’t about to fight him on that one.