Page 47 of Power Play

“Yeah, she’s really the only family I have,” Max tells me.

How is that possible?

“No siblings?” I ask, unable to hold myself back.

“I mean, I have an older sister, but honestly, she’s a real piece of work. Always making one bad choice after another, so we don’t really talk,” Max says the light in his eyes dimming and his jaw clenching. It’s a mix of emotions but I can tell he’s both angry and hurt.

It feels like a hit to my gut. It would be one thing if they were close and had a good relationship, but to know they aren’t even a part apart of each other’s lives really makes it sting a little more that I kicked Sawyer out. Using her brother as an excuse doesn’t really work if they don’t even consider each other siblings.

But then again, that doesn’t change the Rory factor.

“Sorry to hear that.”

“All good, man. She’ll come to her senses eventually. Or she won’t and she’ll be a deadbeat all her life. But hey, it was good talking to you. I gotta go this way,” Max points the opposite direction I’m heading. “I’ll see you at practice tomorrow.”

“Sounds good. See you then,” I say with a wave.

I continue walking towards my car, unable to stop thinking about what Max said. Don’t get me wrong, I know I’m doing this because of Rory, but it was so much easier to also blame who her brother is for ending things the way I did. And what the hell did he mean calling her a deadbeat? She works harder than almost anyone I know, all while going to school. It doesn’t seem like she’s a deadbeat to me...

It makes me wonder what he knows that I don’t.

But I can’t think about that as I drive home to the only girl in my heart—well besides my mama—Rory.

14

SAWYER

“What time are you off tonight?” Cassie shouts from her room.

“I’m off at six from the daycare, but I have to work eight to two in the morning at Atlantis. Why?” I yell back from my bathroom. I woke up late today, so I’m trying to throw myself together as quickly as possible so I can head to my first class before work.

To say I haven’t been sleeping well would be an understatement. Last night I didn’t fall asleep until almost four a.m., and my first class starts at eight. Coffee will be essential today if I want any chance of staying upright.

Ever since Rex kicked me out of his house, it’s all I can think about, especially since I spend almost every day with Rory. She’s the happiest little girl now that we’ve started doing ballet a couple times a week. I can see that she’s finally opening up to me. She’s been telling me more about her family, especially her ‘Auntie Lala,’ whom she obviously adores.

Of course, I also get to hear everything about her daddy because this little girl is obsessed with her daddy. Which shouldn’t come as a surprise though; I’d be obsessed with the man too. He seems to dote on his little girl, and if what happened over the weekend is any indication, he’s just as obsessed with her.

I hear Cassie slowly make her way down the hall to my room. She must’ve been yelling at me from her bed.

“I wanted to go grab some drinks this evening and wanted to check when you’d be free. Maybe we can go out later this weekend with everyone?” she asks.

“Maybe... I’m not sure that’s the best idea for me to go out with you guys again. I don’t really want to see Rex right now.”

“Oh, I understand. Don’t worry about that. I was thinking just the girls going out for some drinks. That way we could find you a new dick to bounce on. Besides, Trevor mentioned that they were busy with hockey most of the weekend anyways,” she explains.

“Cassie, I really don’t want to find someone to sleep with. I’m busy enough as it is. I don’t need to add that to my plate. Especially not after last weekend went as shitty as it did.”

“Oh, please, girl. We all need some good dick in our lives. Besides, it’ll help you get over Rex,” she says, raising her eyebrows.

“There’s nothing to get over. It was a one-night stand,” I shrug.

“Lie to yourself all you want, but we all saw that tension building. I wouldn’t really call that a one-night stand. Admit it or don’t, but you two were starting to develop... something. If you don’t feel like going out to find someone new, have you considered texting him? Maybe reaching out to see what the fuck happened?” she suggests.

“Absolutely not. He made it very clear that he doesn’t want anything to do with me, let alone taking it further.”

“Sawyer, you owe it to yourself to at least try to be happy. I know your family has done a number on you, but you’re so closed off from building any sort of relationship outside of us, of course. It just makes me sad watching you go through this,” Cassie says.

“Cassie, I am happy. I really am. I’m working, I’m in school about to finish my degree this year, and then hopefully I’ll be able to open up the studio I’ve been dreaming about.”

---