“Oh, I do. But she still finds a way in.”
“Hey now! You’re the one who gave me a key,” Sawyer said as she walked towards me. “Hello there, handsome!”
“You must be Sawyer,” Peyton said.
“The one and only. And you must be Peyton? Of course you are. You look like her twin. Man, I bet you are one fine piece of work. And so adorable! No wonder why Scarlett adores you, mister. Now, I think I have a new man to dream about tonight, because I never thought her brother would look like you. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
My poor brother turned beet red, ducking his head as Sawyer rambled on. I had never seen him so shy, and I found it highly amusing. Dominic must have thought the same, as he started laughing.
“Sorry,” I said to the two on the screen.
“No wonder you don’t want to come home,” Dominic said, trying to get his laughter under control.
“Oh, you so don’t want her to come home,” Sawyer said, turning her sweet evil smile towards him. “Just because she talks about you way more than any normal human ever should, you have a lot of work to get back onto her good side, buddy.”
“What did I do?”
“Ignored her, duh.”
“I haven’t been.”
“Dom, I’d shut your mouth,” Peyton hissed.
“But I haven’t. I’ve just been busy.”
“All right, listen here, buddy,” Sawyer said. I knew it wouldn’t do any good to try to stop her from saying what was going through her mind. “She’s trying, trying to prove to not only herself but all of you, that she’s getting better with her demons. Yet no one is giving her more than a moment of their time. The way she’s talked about all of you, it’s like you can’t live without her, and right now, I don’t understand how that’s possible when you won’t give her time to talk to you.
“She reached out, and no one answered. Why? Are you guys scared that she won’t return to you how you remember? Because I’d happy to keep her all to myself. She’s overcome a lot of shit, like I have, and she needs support from more than me. And trust me, she won’t think twice about not returning if you keep this crap up.”
“That’s not—" Dominic started.
“Oh, I’m not done,” Sawyer huffed. “My girl here is strong, stronger than any of you ever gave her credit for. Do not ever underestimate the power of will she holds. I’ll be happy to string you both up by your balls if you even think of hurting her in any way. Got it?”
“I think I’m in love,” Peyton said quietly before blushing.
“Got it,” Dominic gulped.
“Good. Now, I’m going to steal my girl to go for our daily jog. You two need to figure out where your priorities lie.”
I started to protest as Sawyer ended the call, but she simply raised a brow at me, daring me to contradict her.
“You didn’t have to be so harsh about it.”
“Yeah, I did. You would never say that to them, and we both know it was getting to you. Making them open their eyes to how they’re treating you is a need, dear. They still see you with the same eyes as before. They’re afraid of breaking you. And you are beginning to be unbreakable.”
I gave her a smile. I knew it wouldn’t take much to break the work I’d put into myself. Yes, I was stronger and would continue to be by each day that passed, but my heart and soul were still fragile.
“Come on, we got some work to do,” Sawyer said, pulling me up. “And more than just a makeover. I know you’re hurt by their actions, but you’re better than that. We got this.Youare above them with how far you’ve come. Don’t let them get you down, because they are so not worth it. Even if you do like Dominic more than you ever try to let on.”
“How?”
“Scarlett, I have two eyes. You two are meant to be together, but only when the time is right.”
“And when will that be?”
“When he gets his head out of his ass.”
I barked out a laugh, covering my mouth instantly.
