Reaching up, I fixed the mirror so that I couldn’t see either girl and turned up the song Leann had chosen, Break Your Little Heart by All Time Low. It was fitting.
Lana
“I’m glad you came with me tonight,” Ethan said, leaning into me a little.
I tore my eyes off the back of Sawyer’s head. “Thank you for asking me,” I replied, hoping the disappointment in my voice wasn’t obvious. When Ashton told me that Sawyer had bought Leann’s extra ticket and arranged for us all to ride together, I’d hoped it had been because of me, not her. Then he’d gotten in the car and fixed his rearview mirror so he could see me and my heart had done a silly little flip. But within seconds he’d adjusted it so he could see Ashton instead. He hadn’t been looking at me when he winked... he’d been looking at Ashton. Beau had noticed too.
Ethan glanced back up at Sawyer and sighed, “Not sure why he’s doing this. Sorry but it looks like we’re going to have to witness more of the Vincent boys’ drama tonight. Sawyer isn’t ever going to be able to let Ashton go, even though she’s obviously let him go.”
The nausea that followed his words wasn’t surprising. I’d been thinking the same thing but hearing it from someone else was hard. I was so sure Sawyer had seen me today. I could feel his attraction to me. But then what did I know about guys and sex? I knew nothing. If any guy had his crotch pressed between a girl’s legs he’d probably get hard. From what I’d heard about guys, they couldn’t help it.
Sighing, I slunk back in my seat and crossed my legs. My hopes that tonight was about me were now gone. Ethan deserved more than me being hung up on getting Sawyer’s attention. After all, Ethan, not Sawyer, was the one paying for my meal and my ticket.
“I’ve never been to a concert before,” I told him wanting to change the subject.
Ethan’s eyes lit up, “Really? So, I’m your first,” he said wagging his eyebrows teasingly. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“I guess you are,” I replied in a flirty tone I’d practiced at home alone in my room but never on an actual guy.
His eyes widened for a second then he closed the small distance between us and slid his hand over my thigh to take my hand in his. And I let him. Because really, why shouldn’t I?
Once we arrived at the beachside restaurant, I’d had time to get over my disappointment enough to enjoy myself, somewhat. If I had to watch Sawyer moon over Ashton all night I might end up in the bathroom with the need to hurl again. Right now, however, I was good.
“You’ll love this place. They have the best fried oyster po’boys,” Ethan informed me as we made our way toward the steps that led up to the restaurant.
“Or you could eat them raw,” Sawyer’s voice was so close to my ear it startled me. Jerking my attention off our destination, I turned to look at Sawyer who had fallen into step beside me. He shot me a sexy little grin, “I’ll share my dozen with you.”
“Dozen?” I asked, still dazzled by the tantalizing smell of his cologne and brush of his fingers as he lightly grazed mine.
“Raw oysters,” he replied in a lazy drawl.
“Oh, I’ve never eaten one before. Not sure I want to,” my voice sounded all breathless and affected by him. I was just weak where Sawyer was concerned.
“I’ll teach you exactly how to do it so it goes down nice and smooth,” his voice had dropped and gone husky. I wanted to fan myself because suddenly it was very, very hot out here. The sea breeze did nothing to cool me off.
“Oh,” was all I could manage as a reply.
“If she wants oysters, I’ll get them for her,” Ethan replied in an annoyed tone, reminding me that he was on the other side of me.
“I was just offering to share, E. No need to get testy,” Sawyer replied, not taking his eyes off me. His fingers softly tangled with mine then traced a caress up the inside of my arm. I had to clench my teeth to keep from making an embarrassing sound caused by the delicious feel of his touch.
Ethan opened the door and pulled me over closer to him then placed his hand on my lower back to direct me inside the restaurant before him. He was putting himself between me and Sawyer. Which only made me feel guilty. I’d all but melted into a puddle at Sawyer’s feet while on a date with Ethan.
“I’ve got to go to the little girl’s room. Come with me Lana,” Leann said as she grabbed my arm and led me back to the restroom and away from the rest of the group.
The moment the door closed behind me, Leann spun around, “Whoa, girl. Do you need me to splash some cold water on your face? After witnessing that I think I may need to cool off.”
Letting out a moan, I covered my face with my hands. Great, everyone had noticed. Why did Sawyer do this to me? I was at his beck and call. It was ridiculous. He wanted to make Ashton jealous with me and I was falling right into his arms. UGH!
“I’m sorry,” I finally said through my hands.
Leann chuckled, “Sorry for what? You haven’t done anything. Sawyer Vincent is hot, Lana. He has never, and I mean never, unleashed what I just witnessed on anyone ever. Not even Ashton. I can’t believe I just saw him like that. I mean the boy was always so polite and respectful. He was never sexy. I mean like sex—y. I didn’t know he had it in him. But damn, I swear I need to throw some ice down my shirt. I’ve always thought he was beautiful but he couldn’t compete with Beau in sex appeal because he was so... good. But wow-oh-wow, was he dripping with it just now. I’d have jumped in his arms if he’d done that to me and I have a boyfriend.”
I dropped my hands and let Leann’s words sink in.
“Think about it. Did you ever see him touch or look at Ashton in a way that insinuated he wanted to get her alone? Nope, you didn’t. Because it never happened. He acted like she was a nun and he was the priest. But with you just now,” Leann waved her hand toward me and grinned wickedly, “he was HOT.”
“Really?” I asked incredulously.
“Yes, really! Question is... what’re you doing with Ethan? Because he’s a good guy. I don’t want to see him hurt and he seems to really like you.”
Shaking my head, I walked over to the sink. “I don’t know, I mean I don’t like him that way or anything. He’s just a nice guy and he seems interested in me and I thought—” I trailed off. Ethan was her friend and I wasn’t sure being honest about why I’d said okay to a date with Ethan was a good idea.