Page 72 of Sinful as They Come
Westbrook creates a lot of pieces like this. It’s the kind of art that makes you feel like you’re right there, getting lost in endless hills and an afternoon sun that never ends. He captures nature at its best: an unstoppable force that’s always there to bring you comfort.
Britton High has a lot of artists - but Westbrook often takes the cake as our best and brightest. His works captures the true beauty of nature, of a world that can often feel so far away these days with our busy lives. But Westbrook goes against the grain and gives audiences what they truly want. We feel the force of his work: whether he’s painting an endless blue sky or a quiet, untouched farm at the corner of the earth. It’s safe to say that he knows what he’s doing when he gets a paint brush in his hand, and that art class at Britton High is only the beginning for him.
The future is bright for Sawyer Westbrook. Just like his paintings.
I couldn’t help it when I smiled. It was a wide smile that I should have had some fucking self-control over. But I had never heard anyone say something so damn nice about my art. It was the nicest thing anyone had said about me fuckingever. I had been expecting something bitter on Holly’s part. She hated me so much that I thought I’d be able to feel it through her words.
But no. It was the opposite. Not many people had showed me compassion in my lifetime. I had wound after wound that hadn’t quite healed and probably never would. I was used to being seen as nothing as trailer park trash – as some liked to put it.
But Holly had written about me like I was a real artist. Like she believed in me, like she thought I could get somewhere. And I already had a sale thanks to her. Six hundred bucks. It was a week’s work for some people. But that was my rent and food money right there.
I read the article again and my smile didn’t go away. Jesus, how the hell did Holly Sutton have the power to make me grin without her even being in the same room as me? There was a stupid, fluttering feeling in my chest that I quickly pushed away as I forced myself to my feet.
It was just an article. Just some stupid words. She probably wrote nice shit about everyone. I quickly flicked through the other pages and tookin the other articles she had written. Maybe I was too cocky for my own good, but I could have sworn Holly had reserved her sweetest words for me and my art.
I heard the front door slam open and I knew instantly that it was my dad. I shut my eyes and sighed; the moment had been quickly ruined.
“You home?” he grumbled.
“Yeah!” I called out to him. “What do you want?”
“Nothing. Was just hoping you weren’t fucking here!”
“Asshole,” I muttered.
I carefully ripped the article about me out of The Chronicle and folded it up as neatly as I could. Then I yanked the metal box from under my bed and flipped open the lid. I laid the piece of paper in there carefully – right next to the photo of my mom. If Brodie ever found out what I had done, I’d deny it. But until then… I’d keep that bright yellow piece of paper right there with my other precious things.
Chapter 23
HOLLY
“Look, it’ll be fun. I promise. Stop looking at me like that.” Carter gripped the steering wheel of his car tighter.
“We were supposed to have a night out,” I said with a sigh. “Just me and you and not...” My eyes landed on Lucas’ house. Even from inside Carter’s car I could hear the music blasting. The long series of cars parked out the front let me know practically everyone from school was going to be there.
“Maybe we’ll grab something to eat after.” Carter rolled his eyes.
“I’m not really dressed for a party.” I looked down, eyeing the pink floral dress I had chosen for me and Carter’s date night. It was just past my knees, the material soft against my skin.
“You look hot. Come on. Everyone’s in there already.”
Carter got out of the car before I had the chance to protest. Holding back a sigh, I left the vehicle and quickly followed behind my boyfriend. He seemed like he was moving as fast as he could into Lucas’ house. He pushed open the front door and the blasting music quickly hurt my ears. And my brain. Parties weren’t really my thing. Carter knew that.
“I’m gonna find some of the guys!” Carter leaned down to my ear.
“But—"
“I’ll be back in a minute!”
With that, Carter disappeared into the too big group of tipsy dancers. Some people appeared to be full blown drunk. I sighed, figuring I would just make my way into the backyard. Maybe I could get some fresh air atleast.
It was a little quieter out there. The night air was cold so it seemed like most people were trying to avoid that. Scanning the crowd, I sighed in relief when I saw a dancing Annie.
“Hey!” she called out when I was next to her. “Wait, I thought you had that date with Carter tonight. Weren’t you guys going to dinner?”
Rolling my eyes, I nodded at her. “Yeah. But he really wanted to go to this party, so now we’re here. I bought a new dress for tonight. He didn’t even notice. That sounds so dumb, but I just wanted to spend the night with him.”
“Aw, Holly.” Annie wrapped an around me. “That doesn’t sound dumb. I’m sorry he did that.”
