“Preston?”
“Fine too. They’ve planted some wildflowers at the cottage, and now they’re building some type of contraption on their dining table.”
I chuckle, already feeling a little better. “What is it?”
“Some solar thermal something-or-other. I have no idea, and it all just looks like junk to me,” he grumbles good-naturedly.
My smile is wide. Fuck, I love her.
Then something hits me. “Wait. So, you’ve been over? You’ll be followed, Sawyer.” My voice is demanding as panic swirls. Jackson looks up at me in the rearview mirror.
“I took your little path. That’s very cute, by the way,” he teases me like this isn’t a fucking nightmare.
“I can’t do it,” I say quietly, my usual unflappable facade breaking down.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, I can’t do it. I can’t be away from her. Not like this.” Heart racing, I look out the window, the familiar LA streets flying by. All I want to do is teleport to her.
“Shall I give her a message? I know you guys can’t really talk, but you’ll be here in a few days. Tanner and Connor have been busy organizing everything for the launch. It’s their biggest yet, thanks to you.”
I rub my eyes. At least something good is coming out of all this bullshit.
“Let’s fly Mom in early. Let’s do a Thanksgiving dinner. For the family,” I tell him, just thinking about it now. I could use some quality family time after everything that’s been going on..
“Thanksgiving dinner?” Sawyer sounds surprised. We’ve never really celebrated the holidays much before. Mainly because it was just the three of us growing up, and as we got older, my brother and I were on opposite sides of the country.
“Well, we both have a bigger family now. Whispers is our home.”
He huffs a laugh. “Annabelle and the boys will love that. So will Mom,” he adds, sounding genuinely happy about it.
“You get Mom there. And tell Charlotte…” I pause, knowing a message from Sawyer isn’t going to be enough. “Tell her I’ll be home soon.” I end the call and lock eyes with Jackson, who’s still flicking his gaze from me in the rearview to the road ahead.
“Change of plans?”
“Ready to go to Whispers?” I ask him with a quirked eyebrow.
A grin pulls at his lips. “Sure am.”
“Let’s get to the jet. I’ve got a turkey to cook.”
He takes a turn, moving us in the direction of the small airport where my jet sits. One quick call to my pilot, and we’re leaving LA behind.
For good.
42
Charlotte
I bite my lip as I look over my latest project.
“I’m bored,” Preston says, for what feels like the twentieth time today. It’s almost dark. The days here while holed up at the cottage drag on longer than any other. Nights without Sutton are even worse. But I need to remain hidden. I can’t be seen. I need to keep my brother safe.
“Well, this might be ready to test tomorrow.” I offer him a smile, and he looks over it. The mesh of old copper pipes and black tubing are designed to absorb the heat, creating solar heating of sorts.
“Can’t we just go to the library?” he whines, and I can’t help but chuckle. He never whines. It’s actually a normal reaction for a child. The fact that Preston is even doing it is testament to how far he’s come. No longer the introverted boy who was locked up and too scared to say and do anything. Too fearful to show his emotions. Now, he’s comfortable expressing himself, and for that, I’m thankful.
“You know we can’t. Let’s just wait for Sutton to come back.” My heart is heavy. I miss him. I’ve never really connected to someone like I have with Sutton. Male or female. Best friends for me were like boyfriends—usually only after my connections, my social presence. Most of which, I shunned. As I got older, I understood that people weren’t genuine; they didn’t like me for me.
