Page 5 of Love Me Reckless

He drops the splinter into my palm.

“Ouch,” Sawyer says.

Sarah returns with a jug of water, and I manage to not pass out while Cooper cleans the wound and wraps it with gauze. “Soak it tonight in clean water and put on a new dressing.” He flashes me a collection of gauze and a tiny packet of ointment.

Telling him I don’t need his supplies is on the tip of my tongue, but I hold it back because I like his faith in me to care for myself.

“Probably best to curb the tap dancing for a few days,” Cooper says with a wink.

He packs up his kit and together, he and Sarah head inside, hands clasped. Before they disappear, Sarah laughs at something Cooper says and leans into him. He wraps his muscled arm over her shoulder and places a kiss on her temple. It’s endearing and sweet. I should quit watching.

“You okay?” Sawyer asks.

Heat rises up my neck as I realize I’m still gripping his leg. Quickly, I move my hand to my lap. “Yeah. Thank you.”

“Anytime.”

“I should probably find Birch.”

A shadow darkens Sawyer’s expression, but it’s gone just as quickly. “Why not come back with us? Pizza’s coming at six, and there’s a high chance of a brawl at some point.”

I give him a look. “A brawl? Why?”

“They’re brothers.”

“Why don’t they just talk to each other?”

He gives me a smirk, like he knows a secret. “Where’s the fun in that?”

“Tempting, but I turn into a pumpkin soon.” I drop to the grass, good foot first. The bandaged one is sore, but I can walk. Though first I need to find my shoes, lest I be seen walking barefoot.

“Kirilee,” Birch calls from the deck. He strides down the steps, my heels dangling from his index finger, my jean jacket clutched in his other hand.

“You don’t have to go with him.” Sawyer’s rich brown eyes lock with mine.

I give him a sad smile. “I do, actually.”

Sawyer tilts his head like he’s waiting for more.

“Thank you for keeping Kirilee entertained,” Birch says to Sawyer, squatting to set my heels in front of me.

“Where’d you go?” I slip into my shoes. Birch offers his arm for me to grasp, and I wish I didn’t need it. I feel weird, like my face is buzzing.

“I went looking for your shoes, of course.”

Sawyer goes totally still beside me. I risk a look from under my lashes while I strap on my shoe to see him sizing up my date the way a snake might assess an unsuspecting rodent.

“Great,” I say, purposefully slipping between Birch and Sawyer.

Birch offers me his arm and though I’m reluctant to take it, I do.

“See you,” I tellSawyer.

“Yeah.”

Birch and I walk alongside the building to the sunbaked parking lot. At the valet stand, a woman with fresh lip gloss and a high ponytail glances up. She pops a little white mint onto her tongue and gives me a smile.

“Here you go, sir,” she says to Birch, striding to our waiting car.

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