Page 22 of Reconcile
“I’m not with Piper.” The words taste sour as I say them, burning my throat with the lies.
“Good.” My father takes another drink. “Keep it that way. Do whatever you need to do to keep her far away from you. You’re not good enough for her, Sawyer.”
“Gee thanks, Dad.” I stand from the table. “This has been great, but I have things to do.”
My father dismisses me, but when I turn to leave, I see I’m to be escorted out by the spawn of Satan himself, Spencer.
We get to the exit, and he grabs my arm, spinning me around to look at him. “You better heed his warning.”
“Doing Daddy’s bidding?”
“I mean it. Don’t fuck this up.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” And then I run through the conversation with my dad quickly in my head. Not Piper. Paisley.
I glare at my brother. “You’re going to, what, woo Paisley Ward so you can be some sort of fucked-up royal family?”
He releases my arm and straightens his tie. “Don’t worry about my plans, little brother. Leave a real man to do what you never could.”
I lean in close. “Trust me, Paisley isn’t any sort of challenge. I could have her on her back with one wink and a quick joke.”
“Don’t fucking touch her, Sawyer.” His eyes flash with anger, and I swear I briefly see jealousy in those eyes.
“Did you already fuck up and fall for your little assignment?”
“Don’t worry about it. Just stay away from Piper and Paisley.”
He walks away, and I stare at the back of his head, hating my brother and my father.
And knowing in my blood exactly what I’m going to do about the entire situation.
Hating that Piper is the only innocent one in the whole thing, but she’s the one who will likely be hurt the worst.
Because she has a heart where the rest of us have selfish reasons, ambition, and vengeance.
15
PIPER
I’m still reeling from Sawyer’s entrance back into my life and his threats. But I feel deep in my bones that he isn’t going anywhere this time. I know I need to deal with it.
I take a deep breath and exit my car, looking at the large beachside estate that’s now Sawyer’s residence. It looks pretty much like the houses we grew up in, but with a California beachy feel.
I’m startled when I see a pretty brunette beat me to the front door. She’s petite, and her hand is occupied with a little boy who’s humming a song happily as they approach the door.
Her eyes meet mine first, and then the little boy notices me. “Who are you?”
“Baz...” his mom shushes him and then looks up at me with some sort of recognition. “Piper?”
That’s when it clicks. “Vivienne Crenshaw?”
Her smile is bright as she sweeps her bangs that are blowing around in the breeze out of her eyes, and my eyes catch the glistening rock on her finger. “Sterling now, but yes. How are you?”
“I um...” My eyes shift around, looking at the front door and then back at Vivienne. “I’m okay.”
She gives me a knowing smile and then ruffles her son’s hair. “Well, this is Sebastian, or Baz as we call him. Sawyer is supposed to be watching him this evening, but he doesn’t appear to be home yet.”
“Shocker.” I know I sound hostile, but she doesn’t flinch. “You let him watch your child?”
