Page 95 of Total Shutdown

Sawyer drops my hand and scrubs a rough palm over his jaw, his green eyes glassy, just like his son’s.

“Does this mean you’ll definitely come to Alyssa and Dom’s after dinner and spend the entire Christmas with us? We don’t even have to play board games if you don’t want.”

I wrap my arms around his waist, my mind hasn’t changed since Ezra asked me over pizza. Still, I’m intrigued by the games on offer. “Specifically, what board games are we talking about?”

His face is serious when he pulls back. “I like Jenga and Clue, but I kill it every time with Monopoly.No onecan beat me, not even Dad. Right?” He turns over his shoulder, and Sawyer shakes his head a little, trying to regroup.

“Alyssa came pretty close last year. You’re just lucky with the dice and always get Park Place or Boardwalk.”

Ezra releases me, propping his hands on his hips. “Yeah, well, that’s what all the losers say. I’ve won two years in a row now.”

Sawyer folds his arms across his chest, and Ezra spins back around to face me.

“But for real, you guys are actually together?” He points at me. “So, you’re my dad’s girlfriend?”

I nod once, that label still sparking the tingles I’ve always felt around the broody hockey captain. “Yep, that’s right.”

“Have you kissed yet?”

Sawyer immediately bursts into a coughing fit, and I blow out a single laugh.

“I think that’s enough questions for now, don’t you?” his dad replies, cocking his head toward the stairs. “Don’t you have any homework to catch up on since I know you’ve already had dinner?”

Ezra drops his shoulders, defeated. “Just some math, but it isn’t due until the day after tomorrow.”

Sawyer motions toward the staircase. “Doesn’t mean you should leave it until the final second.”

Ignoring his dad, Ezra refocuses back on me. “Does this mean you’re moving in with us? You can bring your bikes.”

I have zero idea how to respond, but I try my best. “I don’t think I’ll be moving in anytime soon.”

I flick my eyes to Sawyer for a brief second, keen on gauging his response to my statement. He gives nothing away, only shoving his hands into the pockets of his shorts.

“But I may stay over from time to time, if that’s okay with you?”

Ezra doesn’t hesitate. “Absolutely, it is. It’s real boring around here, and Dad knows nothing about bikes.” Seemingly satisfied with my answer, he makes for the stairs, taking the first few steps and then stopping, deep in thought. “I’m happy you and my dad are dating. Like I said before, I didn’t think he’d find anyone after Mom.”

When Ezra disappears out of sight, we stand a few feet apart, staring at each other.

“I didn’t know you wore glasses.” I break the silence first, walking over and pulling off his silver frames, trying them on for size.

Sawyer scratches his chest as he watches me. “You really think I was going to own up to needing reading glasses? You already think I’m old. Contacts have been my best friend, but now that I have you trapped, I’m about to reveal all my geriatric secrets.”

I bite down on my bottom lip, vision blurry since I don’t need a prescription. “I’d say keeping this secret has been your loss. They’re hot as fuck.”

He softly scoffs and steps forward, towering over me. “And you look cute as fuck in them.” In what’s rapidly becoming one of my favorite things he does, Sawyer tips my chin up to look at him. “Where the hell have you been all these years, Collins? We both needed you so much, and now that you’re here, I never want to let you go.”

He reaches down, looping his arms under my ass, and I release a high-pitched squeal, wrapping my arms around his neck.

Feeling this free to be myself is liberating, almost like I’ve been hiding the lighter girl in a cupboard somewhere, scared to let her out and risk being vulnerable.

Being vulnerable around Sawyer is no risk at all—I can feel that deep in my soul.

I lean down, his oversize glasses slipping to the end of my nose.

“And now you look like a naughty teacher, about to ream me out for being a bad boy,” Sawyer jests, although I’m ninety-nine percent sure he’s going to make me wear them later in bed.

“What were you using these for anyway?”

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