Sawyerlooked up to see Travis leaning casually against one of the wood posts thatsupported the small covered area in front of Moonshiners.
“Gohome,” Gage instructed Sawyer when he joined them a second later.
Whatthe fuck did the guy think he was going to do? He fumbled with his key fob inhis pocket, making his way over to his car. Trying to unlock his car, Sawyercould hardly hit the button on the remote because his hands were still shaking.
“That’swhere I’m headed,” Sawyer assured him.
“Don’tmake me come bail you out of jail,” Travis threatened.
Sawyerhoped it didn’t come to that, but he wasn’t sure how much longer he could keepeverything inside. He hated the bullshit that people spouted. He fucking hatedthat he lived in a town where so many people were closed-minded assholes whodidn’t have the decency to keep their opinions to themselves.
Hefucking hated it.
“Hey.”
Thesound of Ethan’s voice broke through the red haze that was quickly creepingback in. Sawyer turned to face him. “Hey.”
Ittook a moment to realize that Travis and Gage were now gone, but Ethan wasn’tthe only person standing close by. He glanced over and noticed Beau Bennett,his hands in his pockets as he stared back at him.
“Thanks,”Ethan said quietly, his arms crossed over his chest.
“Forwhat? Making an ass of myself? Letting that fucker get to me?”
Ethangrinned, it was barely visible, but Sawyer saw it. “No, for giving a shit.”
“Weall give a shit,” Sawyer assured him. “If they knew, they’d have done the samething.”
“Iknow. That’s what I worry about.”
Sawyernodded, understanding. He glanced over at Beau and then back at Ethan. Was thatthe reason Reardon had mouthed off? Was there something going on with these twothat Sawyer hadn’t noticed?
Asthough Ethan knew what he was thinking, his younger brother glanced over atBeau and then back to Sawyer.
“It’sall good,” Ethan said softly. “Don’t let them get to you.”
“Easyfor you to say,” Sawyer said snidely, noticing the anger that pierced Ethan’sface. “Shit. Sorry.”
Amoment of silence lingered between them before Ethan finally turned and walkedaway, Beau not far behind. Both men went to their separate vehicles, but Sawyerknew that when he passed Ethan’s house in a bit, they’d both be parked outfront.
Forsome reason, that eased some of the tension in his chest. Sawyer liked Beau,although… Beau was gay? He’d had no idea. And how the hell had he missed that?
“Beau,”Sawyer called out as the big man passed by the front of his car. When Beauturned back, Sawyer met his gaze, “Keep an eye on him for me, would ya?”
“Absolutely.”
Sawyernodded his appreciation and then climbed into his car. When he reached for thesteering wheel, pain shot through his hand. He glanced down and noticed theknuckles on his right hand were bleeding. Yep, it’d been a while since he’dthrown a punch, but damn it had felt good. Shit, if it hadn’t been for Travisand Gage, he’d have managed to release years’ worth of frustration on Jimmy’sfucked up face.
Strange.A part of him wished for the opportunity to present itself again. But astronger part prayed that it didn’t. Sawyer knew without a doubt if Jimmy didanything to hurt Ethan again, the loser would prefer the wrath of God over whatSawyer would do to him.
Chapter Twenty Two
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Hadit required more than fifteen minutes to get home from Moonshiners, Ethanwasn’t sure he would’ve made it. He was a jumble of emotions. Anger and hatewere amongst the most prevalent that slid through his veins like sludge.
Addthat to the mixture of adrenaline and lust, and he was a complete fucking mess.Between Sawyer standing up for him and Beau gearing up to do battle, he washardly able to contain all of the fury that raged war inside of him.
Allof this… because of him. He was the reason for the hate and the anger, thebitterness and the nasty fucking words. Didn’t matter that his oldest brotherwas bisexual, it all seemed to be centered on him.
