“But it seems like you’re fine.” Sawyer’s brow lifts at Quinn, and Allie wrinkles her nose. God, please let it be from suspicion and not from actually seeing something. No little sister should have to see her brother like that.
“Uh, yeah. I’m alright, but I don’t really feel like going back in there.”
“Wyatt might be a little disappointed. I think he was hoping to take you home,” Allie says, gaze narrowing slightly as her eyes flick to mine.
“I can take her back to the ranch,” I cut in, despite the look on Sawyer’s face that says she’s thinking about cutting off one of my favorite parts.
I’m not leaving Quinn alone in a car with either of them. She doesn’t need their interrogation right now. And I’m sure as hell not letting Wyatt drive her home.
Quinn elbows me in the ribs, but her lips twitch.
Allie’s eyes bounce from me to Sawyer to Quinn. “Whatever you want to do, Quinn.”
“Uh, yeah. Tripp can take me back. That’s fine.”
“Tripp, can I talk to you for a minute?Alone,“ Sawyer snaps.
Damn it.
I might be more scared of whatshe’sgonna do to me than I am of Wes. Sawyer is delicate—not like a flower, but like a grenade. When she blows, she takes down everyone in her path, and right now, I’m the one she’s aiming for.
“Sure,” I mutter, leaning in to whisper to Quinn. “If I’m not back in ten minutes, call 9-1-1.”
She finally cracks a smile, and I follow Sawyer’s quick footsteps to where she’s parked on the other side of the lot.
“What’s up?” I ask.
Sawyer plants herself in front of me, arms crossed tightly over her chest.
“Don’t play dumb with me. What’s going on with you two?”
I run my fingers through my hair, mussing it, and shrug. I’m pleading the Fifth.
“Don’t give me that shit. I should have known something was going on sooner. You two are always watching each other from across the room like a couple of stupid teenagers. Wes is gonna flip out.”
“You can’t tell Wes,” I bite out.
Her eyes narrow at me, lips thinning. “Why the hell not?”
“Because I— She— We haven’t decided what this is yet,” I stutter.
She shakes her head at me in disappointment. “I can’t believe you’re fucking your best friend’s little sister behind his back.”
“It wasn’t my idea, Sawyer,” I grit out.
Her lips purse as she considers. “I’m supposed to believe that Quinn came on to you?”
I throw my hands up in frustration. My reputation precedes me, and there’s no use trying to get her to believe me. It doesn’t make a damn bit of difference, anyway.
“Jesus Christ. Believe me. Don’t believe me. I don’t give a fuck. Just don’t tell Wes yet,” I say, my tone ending on a pleading note.
“Well, you’d better figure it out soon, because I’m not keeping this secret from him forever.”
I huff out an annoyed breath. “Yeah, okay. I’ll talk to her.”
She shoots me a glare sharp enough to cut glass. “I don’t need to warn you not to hurt her, do I?”
I shake my head. “You know I care about her.”
