Page 28 of Unravel Me

I look back at Sawyer, my mother’s voice raging in my head, telling me not to leave with him. The boy who was so sure our lives were meant to be spent together. The boy who would have done anything to keep me. The look written all over his face confirms he knows the battle raging inside my head. Like he’s waiting for me to choose.

I nod before I climb on the motorcycle behind him, keeping my hands pressed against my thighs, unsure what to do with them. Sawyer reaches back and grabs my wrists, pulling my stomach and chest flush against his back, wrapping my hands around his waist.

“Feet on the pegs, sit still, lean with me. Got it, baby?”

“I think so.”

“Hold on tight,” he says right before starting it up. The rumble of the engine vibrates through me and he slowly pulls us out of the long driveway before increasing our speed. I instinctually lean in closer and grip harder around his stomach. Fuck, he feels so toned everywhere. He mumbles something that sounds like “that’s my girl,” but I can’t be sure over the noise from thebike and wind. I watch the trees speed by, listen to the rumble of the bike, and lay my head on his back, completely lost in the moment.

I don’t even know how much time passes as we ride to his house. Who knew being on the back of a motorcycle would feel so freeing?

We arrive on the other side of town and take a long dirt road until we reach a beautiful log cabin. Sawyer removes the helmet from me as Reid is jogging down the steps of Sawyer’s porch.

I should have guessed. Traitor.

“Ivy . . .” he says as he continues to walk toward me.

Sawyer steps between us.

“Why the fuck are you still here?”

Reid approaches Sawyer and I take a nervous step back. Sawyer is a big guy, but Reid is massive. When I said Hulk, I fucking meant it.

“I know you have shit to talk about and work through, but I’m not okay with hurting her. So get the fuck out of my way, Sawyer, and let me apologize.”

Sawyer makes a guttural sound and I decide to step around them both before this escalates.

“Sawyer, it’s okay.” I place my hand on his chest over his leather jacket and he covers it with his own, holding it to him but never taking his eyes off Reid.

“Ivy. Heard you met Reid already. My asshole best friend.”

That stuns me a bit. Clearly they were close enough for Reid to be standing outside of his house, but best friends? The asshole must have run right over here to tell him. The sting of betrayal that I wasn’t owed by a stranger who showed me kindness is a painful misplaced ache. I turn to face Reid, my back to Sawyer.

“Best friend, huh? So I never stood a chance at hiding out here. Fucking figures,” I say to Reid, that misplaced hurt feeling a whole lot like rage right now. “Did you know? The whole time.Did you know who I was, who I really was and who I used to be to him?”

“Ivy. Please . . .”

“Answer her,” Sawyer says through gritted teeth.

“I didn’t at first. But after you said your name, it clicked. Yes. I know more about you than just that you inherited that house. I had to tell him. Please believe me, I’m sorry, sweetheart.”

“What the fuck did you just call her? Sweetheart? Is there more you’re keeping from me?”

Sawyer spins on Reid and I quickly shuffle to stay between them.

“STOP! Fucking stop! I don’t give a shit. About any of this. Please, Sawyer, just let me go to bed and tomorrow I will figure everything else out. On my own. So both of you, just please. Shut. Up!” I scream.

Both men freeze and look at me. Their faces mirroring each other, a mix of sympathy, concern, and anguish.

“You’re right. Let’s get inside,” Sawyer says.

“I’m so sorry, Ivy.” Reid’s voice is laced with regret and hurt.

“Show me where I’m sleeping, please. I just want to go to bed and deal with this mess later.”

“I’ll head home. I know you’ve got this, I just wanted to apologize. Let me know if you need anything, yeah? I’m sorry again, Ivy. Truly.”

“Yeah. Sure,” I say.

---