Chapter 34
Val
Well, fuck.
Sitting behind Scotty’s Honda in Mom’s driveway, I send Sawyer a quick text that he might as well come here.
At least then we’d be a unified front?
Maybe Mom hasn’t told my brother yet?
Not like I really care what he thinks, but I know how close he is with Sawyer.
After taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, I climb the two small steps onto the porch and go inside.
“Oh! You’re back! I was just saying I didn’t know if you would be.” Mom beams at me from the kitchen.
Then she glances worriedly behind me at the door. “Alone?”
Scotty’s brow knots into a scowl from the couch.
“He’ll be here soon.” I wave idly, stripping off my coat.
“So all better?” Her eyes widen as the corner of her mouth pulls up.
“Yea, Mom. I fixed it.” I’m not going to say I spanked Sawyer until he came.
That’s when I notice the tiny dribble of it on the knee of my jeans.
God, I want to do it again. I had no idea we’d both enjoy it so much.
“It’s true?” my brother grumbles. “Gross.”
I stop and turn towards him from the counter. “Shut the hell up, Scott. You’re practically brothers.”
“Val—” Mom starts to cut in.
His face clouds and he leans onto his knees. “Yea, we are. Which is why it’s weird that you’re creeping on him. Sawyer deserves better than you.”
I cross my arms to keep from clawing at him. “What the shit does that mean?”
He knows I’ve been through hell. Don’t I get the right to be happy, too?
“You own a bar. And you’re bossy as fuck. He always talked about how much he hated never having a choice in what he gets to do at the ranch. You really think he wants you to tell him what to do all the time?” His nose wrinkles, a habit I’m sure he’s picked up from Sawyer through the years.
“He’s a grown-ass man, Scott. Just like you are now, even if you’re not acting like it,” I bite back. “And I can assure you, he knows what he wants.”
Me.
I can still hear the groan of Sawyer’s admission.
Then his knock makes Scott and both freeze.
“Come in,” Mom calls out from behind me.
Sawyer steps in quickly, then pauses, glancing between me and my brother. “I didn’t think you were gonna be able to make it down from campus?”
“I wanted it to be a surprise. But, holy shit, did I get one in return.” Scott scowls at Sawyer. “Really, dude?” His arm violently jerks between pointing at me, then pointing towards Sawyer. “This is what I come back to?”
“Just stop.” Mom limps past me to welcome Sawyer with open arms. “Please, ignore my other children. You’re the only one I like right now.” Her soft laughter seems to lighten the oppressive weight in the air.
“Smells good in here, Mrs. Martin.” Sawyer gives me an apologetic look over the top of her head. “I’m sorry about the hassle.”
“Don’t be silly. It makes me feel a little better knowing now. That way when Val decides to be a pain in the ass again, I can spank her for you.” Mom smiles up at him, then moves back towards the kitchen with a chuckle.
Sawyer nearly chokes on a laugh. “Thank you for watching out for me.”
“How’s it feel to be the favorite?” Scott sighs, leaning against the cushions.
Sawyer shrugs. “Nothing new around here.” He carries his lopsided smile into the living room, dropping onto the other end of the couch from Scott.
“Well, shit,” Scott mutters, punching him lightly in the arm. “Since you’re here, wanna go boot up the X-box?”
Sawyer glances up at me. “For a little while. I have somewhere to be later.”
“How long you got?” Scotty rises, heading towards his room.
That mischievous glint in his pale blue eyes stokes a fire deep in my belly. “An hour and five minutes.” He stands with a smirk, following Scotty towards the hall.
But he pauses next to me, resting his palm on my hip to drop his lips against my ear. “If the promise still stands?” he whispers.
“You bet your ass it does.” I give him a quick tap on the back pocket of his jeans before he disappears.