Chaos and Control(83)

“I’m happy you’re happy,” Bennie says.

I throw my arms around her and plant a kiss on her cheek. “Good. Be happy. And get some rest. I’ll see you in the morning.”

I head downstairs to the store and hang out with Preston as he locks up.

“I need a shower. Maybe two,” he says.

“Hmm. I like you dirty.”

He flips the sign to read closed and gives me a look over his shoulder. “I bet you do.”

“Any plans tonight?”

“Nope. After my two showers, I was thinking of working in the shop.”

“And then get dirty and sweaty again?”

“Yeah. Showers galore.” He drops a kiss on my lips and one on my nose.

“It’s Saturday and I only get two?”

Preston shrugs like it’s no big deal and looks me over. “I like that shirt.”

“Thanks.” I do a spin for him, and his hands grab my hips and pull me back against his chest. One hand holds me in place while the other trails up my side and around the curve of my breast.

“I can’t wait to take it off of you,” he says in my ear, his voice raspy and thick.

“I’ve created a monster.”

“I can’t get enough of you, Wren. You’re my best medicine.”

“Hmm. Maybe I should skip work tonight.” I don’t know if this is because of my fear of Dylan or my need for Preston. I raise my arm and grab the back of his neck, bringing his lips down to mine. That familiar fire races through my body, and I don’t care why I need him. I just know that I do. As usual, he slows down and pulls away after placing twelve kisses on my lips.

Preston smacks me on the ass and pushes me toward the door. “Didn’t I see Sawyer drop by earlier?”

“Yes. He let me know that Dylan was released from jail yesterday. So, we don’t know where he is now.”

“Shit,” Preston says. His hand squeezes mine. “You’ll have to be more careful. I’ll give you a ride to work.”

I nod. Preston pulls his keys from his pocket and motions toward the back door.

The Haystack is already hopping when I get there. Coach welcomes me with an appreciative glance before throwing me my apron.

“Good to see you, Wren. Sawyer’s asking for you.”

I stash my bag behind the bar, tie my apron on, and saunter over to Sawyer, Angela, and the rest of his sheep.

“Wren! There you are!” Sawyer’s eyes are glassy, and he’s wearing a permanent grin. It’s six o’clock, and he’s already buzzed. “We need you to settle a bet.”

“Hey, Angela Louise,” I offer, swatting at her ponytail.

“Just Angela, Wren.”

“Where’s the fun in that?” I say before looking back to Sawyer. “What bet?”

“Okay. Summer before senior year. Did I or did I not climb that huge oak tree and jump into Lake Loveless?”

I throw back my head and laugh, picturing it so clearly. “Definitely yes.”

“I told you!” Sawyer shouts, standing up and pointing to his friends. They all laugh.

“We picked the lock and stole a bottle of whiskey from his dad’s liquor cabinet. We were so drunk. I’m not sure who had the idea, but next thing I knew, Sawyer was naked in the tree.”

“Naked?” Angela asks. She chuckles and looks up at me. “Talk slowly, I’m trying to picture this.”

“I don’t remember being naked,” he says, sinking back into his chair.

“Anyway, he climbed up to the highest branch he could reach and jumped in. However, he failed to realize that when you’re at the top of a tree, there are lots of branches below you.”

“Stupid whiskey,” Sawyer mumbles.

“It looked like a pinball machine as he bounced off limbs all the way down before splashing into the water.” The whole group is laughing now while Sawyer frowns into his drink. “Got a black eye and two shots to the nuts.”

“That’s what that black eye was from? You told me you got into a fight with some Franklin kid!” the tall blond guy says.

“Fight? Sawyer doesn’t fight. You guys know he can smooth talk his way out of any situation,” I point out.

“This is true,” Angela agrees.

“Aww. Not you, too?” he says to Angela. He gives her a sweet kiss on the cheek and his perfect smile.

“Do you guys need any drinks? I’ve got to get to work.”

“No,” Sawyer says, pouting. “You can go now.”

I leave them to check on the rest of the tables. The crowd keeps me busy, and before I know it, it’s midnight. Sawyer and his friends get up and head toward the door.

“Yeah! Let’s go!” the tall guy yells while the girls cheer him on.

“What’s up?” I ask Angela, giving her a hug good-bye.

“Apparently we’re headed to Lake Loveless to try a little tree jumping.”

I let out a loud guffaw and rest my hand on my stomach. “And that is the law enforcement protecting our town? Good luck with that.”

The group moves past me and trickles out the door as Sawyer leans in. I can tell he’s sobered up considerably. The smell of his cologne is familiar, but it doesn’t stir anything in me like it used to.