Page 38 of Never and Always
“I would, Nick, but I would never be so cruel as to take you away from the little woman.” Sawyer started to laugh when he saw Nick’s look ofsurprise.
“What little woman?” Nick shrugged raising hishands.
“Oh please, you’re going to ask me that? Me? We had each other’s backs in wartime, man. That means we know each other. But if you want me to spell it out I will.Mia. Don’t tell me you aren’t sweet onher.”
Nick was about to protest but stopped himself and instead brought his hand up to his face, pressing his hand against his cheek as he thought about how shit the situationwas.
“And it looks like I just hit a nerve,” Sawyer noted, straightening up. He changed his light-hearted, jovial manner and now looked at Nick concerned. “What’s up,bro?”
“A lot, but maybe it’s best not to talk about it. If no one talks about a problem it eventuallydisappears.”
“Does it? I thought it festers into something else until it blows up.” Sawyerchuckled.
Nick sighed. He couldn’t argue because that’s how he felt, like he’d blowup.
“I like her and I shouldn’t,” Nickreasoned.
Sawyer frowned and blinked several times, not seeming to understand. “Is she seeingsomeone?”
“No.”
“Are you seeing someone you haven’t told meabout?”
“No.”
“This isn’t really making much sense to me, Nick. Why shouldn’t you like her? She’s hot,man.”
“I know.” He nodded and smirked. “I’ve known her for as long as I’ve knownGlenn.”
Nick knew that Sawyer got on okay with Glenn when they all met up as a group, but they would never hang out together. Sawyer had never said it in so many words, but Nick got the feeling that he didn’t like Glenn toomuch.
“Of course. That’s a whole lot of years. Nothing ever happened between youtwo?”
“No.”
“Seriously, not even a kiss?” Sawyersmiled.
“No, it just felt like I was always so much older than her. Eight years older can be very significant when you’ve known someone for thatlong.”
“Until it’s like you’re the same age.” Sawyer raised his brows. “You never even thought to make a move on her when she was twenty and you were twenty-eight? I wouldhave.”
“I thought about it and nearly did. But then herbig brotherwarned meaway.”
“Glenn?” Sawyer asked indisbelief.
Nick filled him in quickly on what was happening. He just had to get it all off his chest. It felt good to talk, and to talk to someone who knew him. He used to think that was Glenn but clearly itwasn’t.
“That is messed up. You’re the best guy I know.” Sawyernodded.
“Would you let me date your sister?” Nick raised hisbrows.
Sawyer nodded without any thought to the question. “I would most definitely, if she was single.” He laughed. “I’ve seen all sides to you, man. You’re a good person. Glenn should know that. He’s known you a lot longer than I have. I get that he wasn’t in the Marines with you, but he should know what kind of person youare.”
“I appreciate that, but to Glenn I’m a womanizing playboy who will take advantage of his vulnerablesister.”
“That’s out of line, man,” Sawyer stated, shaking hishead.
“It’s what he thinks, and I feel like I have to respect hiswishes.”
