29. Sawyer
Sawyer
I walk around my place, fluffing pillows and ensuring things are neat.
“What the hell are you doing?” My brother looks at me as I step back through the living area, where he’s watching an action film.
“Just triple-checking.” I make my way down the hallway to the bedroom I’ve prepared.
Flicking on the light, the bunk beds are fully dressed, the bookcase filled with books, and a wardrobe stocked with clothes, in case they forgot something.
Signed Mets jerseys are framed on the walls and games are stacked in the corner.
“Triple-checking what?” Sutton sits up from the sofa, watching me like I’ve lost my mind. Maybe I have. I’ve never put in this much effort before.
“I’m taking her out tonight. The kids will stay here with you.” I know my brother well enough to know that if I need anything from him, I need to spring it on him at the last minute; otherwise, he loses interest in that task pretty quickly.
“Kids?” He stands and walks quickly down the hallway after me.
“Yeah, Noah and Kevin.” I smile, thinking about the joy on their faces over a few caps and jerseys. They were all overwhelmed. It cost me next to nothing to do, and it’ll be a core memory for all of us.
“She has kids? Is that what the fucking bunk beds are about?” He checked out the place today after his late-night arrival last night.
“Yes, she has kids. And I need you to watch them tonight while I take her out.” I step into my room, the large space spotless, with clothes for her in the wardrobe, the bathroom sparkling.
I wonder if I should fill the bath when we get home later, knowing that the small one she has at the farm wouldn’t be big enough for her to fully relax in.
He’s looking at me like I’ve grown two heads when I turn around. “Do I look like a fucking babysitter?”
“Where the fuck else have you got to go?” I push past him back to the front of the house. She should be here any minute, and my nerves about having everything perfect for her are thrashing through my body.
“Good point,” Sutton relents, just like I knew he would. He’s excellent with kids, because kids love his movies. While they’re action films with some violence, kids tend to gravitate to them.
“What do I do with them?”
“Kevin loves baseball and movies, so maybe a movie night? I got popcorn and snacks, and the kitchen is stocked.” I see car lights coming up the drive, and I run my hands through my hair.
I smile then, thinking of the boys and how the minute I said I wanted to take their mom out so someone else could cook for her, they were on board.
“Fucking hell, they must have one hot mom. You look like you’re about to break through your skin with nerves.” He eyes me suspiciously, holding back a laugh.
“She never leaves the farm. The fact that she’s coming out tonight is a big deal.”
“One look at me, and she’ll realize she picked the wrong brother,” he teases, and I roll my eyes at him. Just as the doorbell rings.
“Just behave.” I sigh, knowing it’s futile as he stands tall and proud, waiting to greet them all the minute they walk in the fucking door. “Idiot,” I mumble, but I’m too excited to see them to care.
“Hey.” I open the door and see three pairs of wide eyes looking back at me.
“Hey, sorry, we’re a bit late. Noah wanted to grab his monster spray,” Annabelle rushes out, and I grin, shaking my head.
“You’re right on time. It’s okay.” I press a kiss to her forehead before picking up Noah. “No monsters here, buddy.”
I turn and walk toward my brother. He’s looking at me like I’m crazy all over again, as his eyes flick to Noah in my arms and back to me.
“Who are you and what the hell have you done with my brother?”
I ignore his comment.
“This is Sutton. Sutton, this is Annabelle, Kevin, and Noah,” I say, putting Noah down.
“Hi, Sutton, great to meet you. Thanks for watching the boys for us.” Annabelle smiles warmly.
“No problem. Anytime.” Thank God he’s on his best behavior now.
I look at Kevin, who’s looking at Sutton, wide-eyed, like he’s seeing a superhero.
“You’re the guy with the monsters…” Kevin says in awe, obviously aware of Sutton’s movies, and I laugh, as does Annabelle, while Sutton puts his hands on his hips and puffs out his chest.
“That’s me.”
“Monsters! No monsters!” Noah shouts, and before I know what’s happening, Noah has his monster spray in his hands and starts squirting Sutton.
“What the fu—” Sutton’s pristine white t-shirt gets covered in blue and green glitter as his hands shield his face from the water spray that’s now coating him.
“Oh, Noah. No!” Annabelle panics, trying to get him to stop.
“This is Gucci!” Sutton wails, and I step in.
“Here, Noah, let me have a go.” I grab the spray bottle from his little hands.
“Take that, you monster maniac.” I spray my brother all over, his white top now saturated, and he looks at me with revenge in his eyes.
“Oh my God…” I hear Annabelle start to laugh, the sound pure magic to my ears.
“Kevin, jump on him!” I yell, and pride swirls in my chest at seeing him spring into action, clearly on team Sawyer as he jumps on my brother, Sutton going down onto the floor, both the boys on top of him.
“I am a monster! I’m the tickle monster!” Sutton wiggles his fingers, and the two boys scream in laughter. Meanwhile, I continue to spray him in the face like only a brother can.
Annabelle is still laughing, her love for her boys shining in her eyes before her gaze comes to me and doesn’t falter. But I do. I stop spraying, attention zoning in on her as the three kids on the floor continue wriggling around, her sons trying to hold Sutton down.
She smiles. “Who knew my monster spray would be so entertaining.”
I take that moment to really look her over.
Her hair is free, flowing down her back in natural waves.
Her blue eyes sparkle, her light makeup perfect to highlight her features.
Her short white dress skims over her curves, ending just above her knees, and her feet are covered in knee-high brown cowboy boots.
She looks like every country boy's dream girl, yet she’s all mine.
“Maybe a new product line for Gertie’s…” I suggest, chuckling, and she gives my chest a playful smack. My business mind never really switches off.
Sutton gets to his feet as Kevin and Noah calm down. “Alright, you got the monsters out of me, little dudes. Let’s get these two out the door and pick a movie, then go into the kitchen and eat all of Sawyer's food.”
He’ll hand me my ass at some point for this.
“Thanks, Sutton,” I say as the kids kiss their mom goodbye and run into my kitchen, where I know they will find cupboards full of food I ordered just for them.
“You got the look of love on your face, Sawyer. Haven’t seen that since Becca Langer… or Mandy…” he whispers.
My heart beats a little faster at that observation, knowing he’s spotted the feeling I’ve been nervous to name. He eyes me, before his gaze flicks to Annabelle, then back to me.
“Go. Enjoy. I’ll run the kids around, so they fall asleep and don’t wake until morning. Oh, and Sawyer…” He starts to walk to the kitchen, Annabelle still telling the boys to mind their manners and do as Sutton asks.
“Yeah?” I ask.
“Looks like she has the same look on her face as you do.” He nods to me, and I swallow roughly, hoping he’s right.