The Vincent Brothers (The Vincent Boys #2)(31)

“Ash and Lana had a few things that wouldn’t fit in their backpacks. Shut up and strap it down,” Sawyer replied and turned back to look at me with a cocky grin.

“Kayla tried this and I made her take it back inside,” Toby complained.

“Ain’t our fault you’re a sucky boyfriend Toby, now strap the duffel down,” Beau said in an annoyed tone as he walked around from the backside of the Suburban.

I made my way over to the SUV to get in and stopped because I wasn’t sure if I should assume I was riding in the front with Sawyer. I searched the yard for Ashton but it was still dark out and the front porch light only lit up part of the yard.

“So, you’re Sawyer’s new girl?” an unfamiliar voice asked from behind me. I spun around to see a petite girl with a headful of pale blonde hair that sticking out in wild ringlets everywhere. Her eyes were a bright blue. So startling that they had to be contacts. She had a golden tan that didn’t match up with the pale color of her hair, at all. But she was really pretty.

“Um, yes, well no. We’re just friends,” I replied.

She rolled her eyes, “You aren’t just friends. Sawyer doesn’t kiss his friends. If he did, I’d be lined up waiting for my turn. I’ve been his friend since kindergarten and not once has he kissed me.”

“Oh,” was the only response I had for her. It was too early and I hadn’t finished my coffee yet. My verbal skills were lacking.

“I’m Heidi. Kayla is one of my best friends. We cheered together all four years of high school. Jake and I have an on again off again thing going. Right now, it’s on,” she winked at me and took a sip from her thermos.

“You getting in? I think Jake and I are going to take the back,” she paused and looked around, “unless Beau and Ash are taking it. Don’t think I’m up for the Beau Vincent love marathon the whole way.”

“Are four people sitting in the back? Won’t that be crowded?”

Heidi frowned as if this just dawned on her. “Oh, I guess we can’t all sit in pairs.”

Now, I really wasn’t sure where I should sit. Sawyer came up beside me and opened the passenger side door. “You’re sitting up here with me. If I have to drive the whole way, I at least deserve to have you to entertain me.”

That answered my question.

Heidi tilted her head back to look at Toby and Jake strapping things down on top of the Suburban. “So, how are we sitting? I’m ready to get in and I don’t know where to sit.”

“Ash and I are in the back. Someone will have to ride back there with us if we’re all going to fit,” Beau informed her as he opened the door and helped Ash inside.

“Jake you’re in the back beside Beau. Heidi can sit with Kayla and me in the middle,” Toby piped up.

“Why do I have to get stuck in the back by Beau? Why can’t you?” Jake snapped.

“Because Kayla is my girlfriend. Heidi is your f**kbuddy,” Toby replied, jumping down and checking the straps one more time with a hard tug.

“Hey! Don’t call me that!” Heidi yelled.

Toby shrugged, “Sorry Heidi, I call ‘em like I see ‘em. If the two of you ever make it exclusive, I’ll be sure to change my opinion.”

“What I can’t believe is you just said f**k in the pastor’s yard,” Jake smirked as he walked around the corner of the vehicle toward us.

Sawyer leaned down and whispered in my ear, “They’re going to argue about this for a few more minutes. Go ahead and get in.”

He held my hand and helped me up. I loved how he made me feel special when he did little things like that. “I’ll stop by a Starbucks and get you some more coffee as soon as we get out of Grove,” he promised before closing the door.

Sawyer

Lana was holding her fresh cup of coffee close to her nose smelling it at her leisure. I’d decided to drive through Mobile just so we could find a Starbucks. She was much more awake and alert than when she’d staggered out of the house earlier in a sleepy haze. I’d wanted to cuddle her up and take her back to bed but that wasn’t something I could act on. She’d drawn a line with us physically and I was trying to stay behind that line. But the more time we spent together made it harder and harder.

“Why is it Starbucks coffee just smells better than anything you can make at home?” She asked, cutting her eyes over in my direction with a flirty bat of her eyelashes. If it weren’t for the fact I already knew the girl had no clue how to flirt, I’d think it was on purpose. The more I got to know her the more I realized that she really had no idea how tempting she was.

“It’s a head game. They do an excellent job of marketing,” I replied, reaching for my cup and taking a long swig before setting it back in the cup holder.

“Hmmm... I don’t know. I’ve tried buying the Starbucks brand at the grocery store and making it at home but it doesn’t smell the same.”

I started to reply but Jake yelled out, “There’s not enough room in this backseat for me and Beau. We’re cramped up. Heidi and I need to switch spots.”

“Just stick Ash in your lap Beau and scoot over,” I replied, glancing over at Lana who was staring at me with a surprised look in her eyes. Winking, I reached for her hand.

“What is it?” I asked