Page 2 of The Inevitable Us

He glowers at me before releasing the door with narrowed eyes. “If you need me….”

I don’t bother answering; I just pull out of the driveway before he can stop me again and ask more questions.

Watching him in my rearview as I drive down the long driveway, I smile at what greets me in the reflection. He’s standing with his arms at his side, his shoulders rigid, and his face one of stony displeasure.

The summer before I started high school, my twin brother Rory had visited Grandpa Christopher in Texas. I’d decided to go to Florida with my parents instead. I’d made the wrong choice. I was stuck in a hotel room with my parents for three days while it rained non-stop. With nothing else to do, I borrowed a book from my mom.

It was a romance that had been turned into a movie, so I thought I’d give it a try. The book was about two soulmates trying to find their way to one another. The connection, the draw, the need to have that person in your life. It reminded me of Sawyer.

That week, forced away from Sawyer since he’d stayed behind to watch the house, I realized for the first time that he and I were meant to be. We both just hadn’t realized it yet. I need to have his eyes on me, to see his smile, hear his laugh, to have his attention for my own. One day Sawyer will look past our circumstances and realize what I already know.

I’ve done many things in my life to try to get Sawyer’s attention. Once when I was little I’d snuck off when Mom was at the store, and the nanny was preoccupied with her phone. Knowing Sawyer was on shift, I wandered outside and deliberately set off the pool alarm, waiting for him to show up. I knew he’d show up; Sawyer always did when I needed him.

I hadn’t seen him in days and missed him. He’d run toward the pool full speed, stopping in front of me, out of breath. It was the only time Sawyer ever yelled at me. The only time any of the bodyguards have dared to raise their voices at us. Brody showed up seconds later and brought me back into the house and waited inside until my mother came home while Sawyer and the nanny spoke in the next room in hushed tones.

With as much effort as I usually put into getting Sawyer’s attention, I think, for once, I have it without even trying.

Was it realistic of me to expect Sawyer to want me? He’s never told me his birthday, but I know he was twenty-two and fresh out of the Army when he came to work for Dad. According to family lore, he was the first person to hold me. His uncle, Brody, delivered Rory while Sawyer worked to warm me after my mother went into labor in a hotel room early while my father was on tour.

Regardless of whether it’s realistic or not, I want Sawyer Benson for my own, despite all the obstacles that stand between us.

IpulluptoAndrea’s house, park in the street, and text that I’m outside. I watch her climb out her bedroom window in a white skirt and white tank top with wedge heels. She closes the window behind herself and scurries down her front lawn pulling a jacket on. It’s cool outside, and her breath turns to vapor in the air as she runs toward me.

She quietly opens the passenger side door. “Go quickly before Dad wakes up!”

I drive off, laughing at her expression. She’d met her boyfriend, Chad, during one of the first frat parties of the year. One of my friends that graduated last year had pledged and had invited us to come as his guests. Chad was his fellow pledge, and Andrea decided she was enamored with him. Her parents hate him, so she sneaks out to see him.

Our friend left the fraternity, saying it wasn’t for him. Still, Andrea brings me to party after party this year to keep her company while Chad watches the door or drives home his drunken frat brothers that are in off campus housing.

It’s getting old. The smell of cheap keg beer and mysterious brightly colored liquor I know better than to drink, the loud thump of the bass for hours.

At first, it was exciting and fun, but now I just want to hang out in my pajamas on a Saturday night with Andrea and watch a movie. Instead, we’re doing whatever activity the fraternity is doing. Tonight? It’s a blackout party. With a deep sigh, already wishing I was home, I navigate my car towards the university.

“You know, we could skip one event just to keep the heat off of you with your parents,” I tell my friend, who is checking her lipstick in her compact.

“Not tonight. Tonight is some sort of philanthropy event, and the frat brothers told the pledges to make sure it’s a full house. Chad texted twice to make sure I’m bringing you,” she huffs out.

Snapping her compact closed, her lips flip into a pouty frown. “It would be nice to do something with him outside of the fraternity. I feel like the only time I see him is at these events.”

“Ask him to go hiking with us tomorrow,” I coax. She isn’t wrong. It seems as if the only time she sees Chad is when he wants to get laid or when there’s an event like this one, or both.

She gives me a quick shrug. “It doesn’t sound like his thing, but maybe he’ll go if I ask him.”

Pulling up to the party, I’m able to find parking close for once. Chad’s waiting at the door and gestures to his friend Justin with a poke of his elbow to Justin’s chest and a head nod our way. For a brief second, he looks relieved to see us. “Where’ve you been?” he bites out at Andrea.

“I had to wait until my parents were asleep,” she explains as she goes up on her tippy toes to kiss him.

I hate how Chad speaks to Andrea, and I’ve repeatedly tried to bring the topic up to her.

“Let’s go dance,” she says to him, grabbing his hand in hers, trying to bring him indoors.

“Can’t. Gotta work the door for another hour,” he clips out. “Why don’t you and Rosalie go dance together?” It’s not a question. It’s a command and one she obeys.

Dropping her eyes to the floor, she nods towards me, her voice much softer now. “Let’s go inside, Rosalie. They’re playing my song.”

Chapter two

Sawyer

---