Page 54 of Sinful as They Come
“It’s… I’m just…”I’m not ready to have sex with you, I thought.I’m not ready, I’m not ready, I’m not ready.
“Is the game on?” Brodie suddenly interrupted, a can of soda in his hand. He chugged it quickly. “You guys aren’t watching the TV, right?”
Oh, thank God for Brodie. He didn’t even realize what a lifesaver he was.
“We were in the middle of something,” Carter practically screamed at him.
“Oh.” Brodie pouted a little. “Sorry, I can—”
“Hey, is the game on or what?” Sawyer suddenly appeared behind the couch. “Did we miss it?”
And I couldn’t believe it, but I was suddenly thanking God for Sawyer’s presence too. I heard Carter audibly sigh beside me as the cousins took seats on the other couch.
My hand landed on Carter’s knee, hoping a little squeeze would be enough to show him that I was sorry our conversation got cut short. I was expecting him to push my hand away, but he wrapped an arm around my shoulder and pulled me in closer to him. He shifted so that I was practically in his lap. I couldn’t help but smile at the contact. It was good to know that he wasn’t mad at me, because his tone earlier had been getting a little worrying.
But he held me close to him and I got to lay my head on his chest while Brodie put the hockey game on. Someone was winning, but I didn’t care who, because the only noise I could really focus on was the sound of Carter’s heartbeat.
My eyes lingered to the right for a second. I could see, from the corner of my eye, Lucas and Annie working on the barbeque. By the smell of it, the food was going to be ready soon. But as my eyes trailed back over to the TV, I caught a glimpse of Sawyer.
Why was he staring at me like that?
His eyes were dark as he swigged back a bottle of beer lazily. And he didn’t even break eye contact with me. He just looked at me and I looked at him and suddenly I couldn’t even feel Carter’s arm around me anymore.The room felt empty. Empty besides Sawyer. He glimpsed at Carter for just a second, glaring away like his life depended on it before he focused back on the TV.
There was nothing to say. All I knew was that right there in Carter’s arms was where I belonged.
***
The air had quickly turned chilly, but the breeze was comforting and calm. I still had goose bumps, which was why I was sliding on my pink jacket. Tucking my hands into my pockets, my tummy felt full from the barbeque we had just had. Lucas had some hidden chef-like qualities I hadn’t known about. The guys had been the ones to down the beers, but all I had was some soda with my dinner.
Now I was sat by the fire, my eyes stuck on the gorgeous, orange flames. Things were going good despite Sawyer showing up. Why did he have to come? Brodie was fine, but hiscousin?
But… Sawyer had been surprisingly well behaved all night. He and Carter hadn’t said a word to each other. It was easier to just keep them separated. I didn’t want a fight. I didn’t even want a small argument. It was nice to just get lost in the quietness of the night and the stars that formed a blanket above us.
I had been busy staring at them when I felt someone grab my shoulders from behind. I jumped, spinning around hastily to see a grinning Annie.
“Why do you hate me?” I asked her, pressing a hand to my chest. My heart was beating wildly and would be for the next minute.
“Did I scare you?” She grinned.
“Yes. You’re the worst.”
“Hm, maybe. But it’s good to get the heart racing every now and then.” Annie sat down next to me on the log-turned-seat, her body huddling up next to mine. She rubbed her hands together, sticking them in front of the fire. “So, tonight’s been fun. It’s been so long since I’ve been in the outdoors. “I really needed a break from everything. My head hurts fromall the choreography I’ve been going over for this CalArts audition.”
I squeezed at her knee. “You’re overthinking this.”
“I’m literally dreaming about ballet at this point. Is that pathetic?” She rested her chin in her hand.
“No, it just means you want it really bad. I promise you’ll get in. You’re the best dancer on the cheer team. You’re the best dancer in the whole school.”
“My aching legs thank you. Ooh, let me show you the leotard I’m wearing for my audition.” Pushing a hand into her jacket pocket, she pulled out her phone. “Tell me if you approve or not. I’m going for understated elegance.”
“Ooh, it’s so pretty,” I whispered, eyeing the lavender leotard on the screen. “You’re gonna look so good in it.”
“Thanks. I’m picking it up next weekend, but I’m so glad we got to do something like this before we have to go back to our boring, college obsessed lives.”
“Me too. This has all gone surprisingly well.” No fights. Yet.
“Despite your best friend coming along?” Annie chuckled.
