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“It’s nothing bad, Sawyer. She’s just in shock. We received good news,” Meadow McAllister said.
He knew then exactly what news she was talking about.
“What news?” he asked.
“I-it’s the bills,” Birdie whispered. “They’re all paid.”
He looked at her parents, who both nodded and then back to Birdie.
“I thought they were going to take you time to pay off?”
“They are… were,” she said. “I don’t understand it. I-it could be a mistake.”
He took the paper she held out to him. Sawyer read the words even though he knew what they said.
“Looks legit to me. It says overpayment, and now you’re debt-free.”
“We didn’t overpay,” Birdie said, her voice was stronger now. His girl was coming back. Not his girl, but a girl… fuck.
“I think we need to take her home,” Meadow said. “She needs to lie down.”
“I don’t need to lie down, Mom. I’m fine, and I never miss a game, and I’m not starting now.”
She was cute in the oversized Lavender’s shirt and cap.Really cute, Sawyer thought.
“Birdie, look at me,” Sawyer said. He touched her chin until their eyes met. “This is good news, baby. Your debt is paid. You don’t need to work all those jobs now.”
“What’s going on?” Nina arrived.
“Birdie’s had a shock, Nina, but it’s a good one,” Meadow said.
“Well, as it turns out, I have just the thing for shocks, good or bad, in a travel mug. Move it, Birdie. You McAllister seniors too. Come on, girl.” Nina got to her feet, and Sawyer did the same. “Let’s get you something to put some color back in your cheeks and you can tell me what’s going on.”
Nina took Birdie’s hand and tugged her to her feet.
“Nina, I think she—”
She patted his cheek. “You leave the thinking to me, hot stuff, and get out there and win the game for the Lavenders.”
Sawyer wanted to hold Birdie and tell her that everything was okay now. No more working three jobs and too many hours. But he couldn’t because he’d decided that relationships weren’t for him. Decided that he wanted to sleep with her but nothing more. That one day soon he’d walk away from what they had. Why did that thought make him feel empty inside?
“Sawyer!”
He turned as Zoe called his name. “We need you.”
He shot Birdie a last look, but she was still climbing the stairs back to her seat, so he headed back to the game.
“What was that about?” Ryder asked him.
“Birdie found out.”
Ryder knew instantly what he meant.
“She was shocked,” Sawyer added, remembering her pale face and how he’d felt seeing it.
“I bet. Good.” His brother slapped him on the shoulder. “She’s free now.”
She was, but what that meant for her Sawyer had no idea because he hadn’t really taken the time to get to know Birdie McAllister anywhere but the bedroom.
