Page 84 of Crossed Lines

“Me too. But you’ve gotta work, and I need to get my ass over to Sawyer’s.”

“You still think dinner is a good idea?” he asks. I figured I’d see if Sawyer would be willing to have dinner with us tonight or any night, really. Just to give him an opportunity to see us together and hopefully realize that it’s not as bad as he’s making it out to be. Hopefully…

“I mean, I can’t think of any other way to talk to him, can you?”

He sighs into my neck. “No, not really.” He straightens up and gives me a kiss. “You’ll be here when I get home?”

“I will.”

He nods and grabs his lunchbox before heading to the stables for the day. I take my time getting ready and throw on a load of laundry because I’m still working through all my clothes from Italy. And then I summon all my courage and head to Sawyer’s house. Beck left me his truck, opting to ride a UTV across the ranch to the stables today since my car is still parked in the apartment complex Macy and I technically live at.

It’s a Sunday, so I had a feeling Sawyer would be home, but I’m not sure if I’m relieved or not to see his truck in the driveway. I love my brother so much, but I’m really hoping he’s going to be a little more open-minded now that he’s had a few months to get used to Beck and me.

I have a key to the house, but I decide to knock instead of walking right in.

When he opens the door, I plaster on the biggest smile I can possibly muster. “Surprise!”

My brother looks shocked, but he quickly smiles and pulls me in for a hug. “What are you doing here? I thought you weren’t coming back for a few more days.”

“That was the plan, but some things finished up early, so I moved my flight up.”

“Oh. Nice. Where are your bags? You need help getting them in?” he asks. He might be mad at me, but he’s always going to be my big brother. I’m so freaking grateful for him.

“Um, no. My things are actually at Beck’s,” I admit.

His smile falls instantly as he looks over my shoulder and realizes I drove here in Beck’s truck. “You went to Beck’s first?”

I was worried this would happen. “Yeah, because I needed to talk to him about what we are and what we’re going to do before I came here.”

“And?”

“And… I love him, Sawyer. Nothing has changed.”

He huffs a laugh and drags his hands down his face. “This is insane, you know that, right? My best friend for my entire life and my much younger sister getting together? I don’t even know how you expect me to be ok with this.”

“I know it’s going to take some getting used to, but can you at least try? For me?”

“I don’t know.”

“Come to dinner tonight at Beck’s house.”

“I don’t think I can sit in the same room with him knowing he’s disrespecting my sister.”

“Beck has been nothing but respectful to me.”

“I’m not an idiot, Wills. You’re staying at his house. I know what that implies.”

I roll my eyes even though I’m trying to be understanding here. “Ok, well, besides that. He’s your best friend. You know he’s a good man. Please just give this a chance. It would mean a lot to me.”

He stares at me for so long I’m afraid that he’s going to slam the door in my face. But finally he says, “What time should I be there?”

I jump up and wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him into a hug. “Thank you, Sawyer. You’re the best big brother ever!”

“Yeah, yeah.” He plays it off like it’s not a big deal, but when I take a step back, I can see him trying to hide his smile. Sawyer might be mad, but his duty as my big brother comes first.

“Does six-thirty work for you?” I ask.

“I’ll be there,” he agrees. “But tell him he better keep his hands off you when I’m around.”