“Tradition, for one. Legacy. Doing the ‘right’ thing, at the ‘right’ time. According to his dad, that is.”
I still wasn’t getting it. Carter, realizing my plight, let out a long sigh.
“Sawyer was born into a very powerful family,” he said. “But he rejected his wealth. He took off at the age of seventeen, and never looked back.
I couldn’t believe it. “Sawyer has money?”
“No. Hisfatherhas money,” Carter corrected me. “Old money. When his son rejected him, he cut him off from his inheritance, which Sawyer was more than fine with. He never wanted it to begin with, and since then, he’s never looked back.”
“Never?”
“Practically, yes. He hasn’t seen either of his brothers since the split, but that was more on them than him. They were too afraid of losing favor. They took their father’s side.”
“You mean they took the money’s side.”
“Exactly.”
My stomach rolled a little. “That’s shitty.”
“It is,” Carter agreed. “But Sawyer’s mother has always been amazing. She still loves him, and he loves her back. He even visits her at the house sometimes, when his father isn’t there.”
I took it all in, digesting everything. The scenario didn’t make sense to me; maybe because my parents had loved me so much, growing up. We’d drifted quickly once they moved away, to create an all-new life with friends in Florida. But I couldn’t imagine having to sneak past my father, just to see my mom.
“He brings her things when he goes,” Carter added. “Little trinkets, from all the places he’s visited.” He let out a laugh. “A little corny, I know, but—”
“It’s not corny!” I countered. “That’s the sweetest thing I ever heard.”
Carter’s smile was as warm as his sleepy brown eyes. Each time he blinked them, it got slower and slower.
“Long day?” I chuckled.
He nodded, so I swept my arms around him. I brought him in, all the way close, until his stubbled face rested between my warm, naked breasts. I wanted to squeeze him into my body. To wrap my legs just so tightly around him, we’d melt together.
Within the minute, we were both fast asleep.
~ 50 ~
HAYDEN
“And that’s how it’s going to work?” asked Carter. “It’s just that simple?”
I leaned back into Sawyer, who in turn leaned back into the couch. We’d both gotten home early, and were several hours deep into some serious binge-watching. Turns out we both loved true crime shows. Especially the ones involving real camera footage.
“Why shouldn’t it be simple?” I countered. “I mean, do youwantto make it complicated?”
Carter’s fist made a hissing sound as he twisted open a beer. He handed it to me, then did another one.
“No,” he shrugged. “Simple’s great.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
He chuckled. “The problem is Bodie. You know how he is. Everything is laid out, preplanned, regimented. He’s gonna want some sort of a schedule.”
I nearly spit out my first sip of beer. “Schedule? Really?”
“I mean sure,” Carter shrugged. “You’re going to be a girlfriend to all three of us, right?”
My God, just hearing those words from his mouth! My stomach went queasy just thinking about it.
