“Probably working on making baby number one,” Cash said with a chuckle.
Phoenix grunted. “Don’t even go there, dude. I can only imagine what a spawn of those two would look like. The baby would come out with a mirror in one hand and a cheese dog in the other.”
Everyone laughed, and the atmosphere between the two boys lifted slightly.
And then the sound of glass smashing grabbed our attention.
Courtney Swan was on the other side of the pool, looking her usual bowlegged self. Goodness knows how she made the cheer squad at school; I’d always thought her posture was poor. That’s what happened when you spent too much time on your knees. I forced the image of her sucking Phoenix’s cock in the bathroom at school out of my mind.
She was drunk and being propped up by two college guys. They must have knocked a beer bottle off the table as they passed. A member of staff was already on the ground picking up the pieces by the poolside.
I fixed my posture, pretending not to be worried. If Nix went to her aid, I’d be pissed.
“We need to do something about that,” Hudson said with a nod.
“What’s going on?” I pushed to my feet at the sound of Reed’s voice.
“Where the fuck have you been?” Nix huffed.
“I’ve been on call with Micah. Why? You missed me?” Reed replied, pinching the big man’s cheek.
Phoenix tugged his face away, not in the mood. “We need to get Courtney home,” he grunted.
Jumping in to transfer the focus off Courtney, I asked. “What did Micah say? Everything OK in the big apple?”
“Yeah. He’s still trying to coax me into accepting that QB Scholarship in New Brunswick,” Reed replied, cracking his neck from side to side. Reed had turned down various football scholarships from Hunter University in New Jersey. It was only an hour and a half away from Micha, and the brothers missed each other. Their facilities were superior to those at Epic Heights, but we all knew what was holding Reed back: a leggy, tanned individual with black hair and cunning gray eyes. “He says I’m going to end up living in a cardboard box behind Wendy’s if I stay here.”
“Dude has a point,” Cash added.
“Save it for the car, Reed. We need to deal with Courtney,” Phoenix said.
I felt a jet of adrenaline at the thought of Phoenix taking Courtney home. A drunk Courtney who would be up for anything and all over him. My stupid comment about how Nix was free to screw whoever he wanted, but not in our house, was swimming through my thoughts.
“But she lives on the other side of town. Can’t Michael and Cash take her?” I suggested moving towards where the guys stood, planning Courtney’s rescue. You could tell from their body language that the boys with her didn’t have the best intentions. I gritted my teeth and inhaled a deep breath.
“Sorry, man. No can do. My mother would flip if she pukes in the car,” Michael explained.
“It’s fine, we’re on it. Let’s do this,” Reed said to Phoenix.
“We’ll see you guys back at the house,” Nix said, his eyes lingering on mine. “Look after my hoodie, Baby Sawyer.” I knew it was one of his favorites. I gavehim a tight-lipped nod. He knew I didn’t want him anywhere near Courtney after that night at the house. If he didn’t come back with Reed, I would burn his hoodie; fear of fire be damned.
“What about Storm?” I shouted as they started to walk away.
“I put her to bed earlier. She’s fine.” Reed called over his shoulder.
I watched as the boys approached the threesome on the other side of the pool. Courtney’s eyes lit up when they landed on Phoenix. The college boys instantly backed off, clearly shitting bricks at the size of both Sawyer Brothers.
As Phoenix lifted her into his arms, I almost lost it, but Cash appeared at my side.
“Sorry about earlier,” he said. I turned to face him, averting my eyes from Phoenix. Why couldn’t Reed have carried her? And now I was angry all over again. I knew I should be thankful that Phoenix was doing the right thing and saving a girl from who knew what, but I wasn’t. Selfish of me, I know.
I released a sigh of frustration as I looked up into Cash’s Ken doll features. He was the first boy to show interest in me, and why not embrace that? “It’s fine. It wasn’t your fault. Phoenix was acting like a dick.”
The others were saying their goodbyes and preparing to leave.
“Well, I got the vibe that there’s more than something brotherly going on between you two. If that’s the case, it’s fine. But if not…” he trailed off.
I took a deep breath, not sure how to respond. I was so confused. Phoenix’s behavior was probably all about bragging rights and his need to control me.
