Wordlessly, I let Jamie usher me back to the gaming room.
"Don't tell anyone what you just saw," he says in a hard tone, pulling me to a halt just outside the door.
"You don't have to threaten me. I'm not an asshole," I bite out, pulling my hand back harshly, stepping inside the room without waiting for his response.
I play another few rounds with Bennett to calm my frayed nerves, and he manages to beat me the whole time. It may have something to do with the fact that my mind is currently preoccupied. It's still replaying the scene back in the kitchen.
What the hell happened to the woman I used to know? It seems like she went on a downward spiral.
If I remember correctly, Richard Holloway—Parker's dad—left town with his secretary a couple years ago. It was quite the scandal all over Holy Oaks.
I guess I don't have to wonder anymore.
As much as I'm tempted to get confirmation from the guys, I know they will never say a thing. They've probably been aware the whole time and just decided to keep quiet about it. Jamie's reaction proved that.
I probably shouldn't think about it, anyway. Whatever is going on in his home is his business, not mine. And I should respect that.
CHAPTER 11
Sawyer
After paying for gas inside the store, I step outside and head back to my car to fill my tank.
While the gas pumps, a red sports car pulls up in front of the gas station. Then a girl steps out, slamming the door then kicking it before the car peels away.
"Screw you, asshole! We're done! Do you hear me? We're done!" she screams after it before whirling around and running a hand through her short dark hair.
That's when I finally recognize her. It's Aria, Parker's sister.
Is the driver of the red car the same guy I saw her with at the party?
Putting the nozzle back on the pump, I approach her.
"Great. Now, I have no ride home," she grumbles then takes her phone out of her pocket.
"Aria."
Startled, she glances my way and gives a tight smile. "Sawyer, hey."
"Do you need a ride?" I ask. "I can drive you home."
I have nowhere else to go, anyway. I'm already on my way home from school.
She breathes a sigh of relief. "That'll be great, thank you."
"What happened there?" I can't help asking on the drive over to her house.
"Michael was being a complete jerk. I've had it with him so we broke up," she huffs. "I'm just not entirely sure he's aware of that. Boys suck, but you probably already know that, huh?"
My hands tighten around the steering wheel. Yes, I know that well enough.
"Not my brothers though, especially Parker. They're the best. And I say that without any bias."
The best? Perhaps Ethan. I'm not so sure about Parker. That guy runs hot and cold. One moment he's being nice, the next he's acting like a jerk. Like the last time I was in his house, he made me a sandwich only to order me to leave the kitchen five minutes later. I never know what I'll get with him.
I can't tell his sister that though. So I simply nod and smile.
"But can you do me a favor?"
"Sure," I tell her. "What is it?"
"Can you not tell Parker about what happened at the gas station? Michael is already on his shit list."
I give her a sideways glance. "What does it matter though? You're already broken up. But don't worry, I won't tell him anything."
"I just don't want any trouble. That's all." Aria averts her gaze and looks out the window. Because the truth is, she doesn't want him getting hurt despite their breakup.
I can relate to that, too.
"Your secret is safe with me," I assure her.
She gives me a grateful smile before returning her gaze outside the car.
A few minutes later, I pull up in front of her driveway.
Aria starts to unbuckle her seatbelt. "Thank you for the ride, Sawyer."
"Sure," I say distractedly, my eyes drifting over to the front door. "Um, Aria? Is that your mom?"
Dianne—who looks just as bedraggled as the last time I saw her—is standing on their front porch, glancing around as if searching for something.
Aria freezes. "What is she doing outside?" Then she scrambles out of the car in the next second.
Turning off the engine, I climb out and follow her.
"Mom, you're not sneaking out again, are you?"
Dianne blinks in confusion before smiling at her daughter. "Oh Aria, sweetie, there you are. Can you drive me to the store? I ran out of wine." Registering my presence, she turns her loopy smile at me. "Emmett's daughter. You're here again. Samantha, right?"
"Sawyer," I correct her.
"Right. Sawyer," she slurs, nodding. "My apologies, dear. I'm a little forgetful these days."
"Come on, Mom. Let's get you back inside," Aria says, putting a hand at the small of Dianne's back.
"But, sweetie, I need a drink." She sways, causing her and Aria to stumble.
I’m quick to grab her other arm before they fall over.
Aria gives me a grateful look and, together we usher Dianne inside the house.
"Aria? What happened?" Parker is heading for us, his brows creased with concern.
"We just saw her standing outside," Aria says.
That’s when he turns to me, the look on his face telling me he didn't realize until now that I was here. "What are you doing here?"
"I saw your sister walking home so I gave her a ride," I lie.
He narrows his eyes at Aria. "Why were you walking home?"
She sighs impatiently. "It doesn't matter. Just help us with Mom."
Wordlessly, he takes Dianne from her. "Go on ahead and run her bath. She needs to—"
"Mom!" We all glance up to see Ethan on top of the grand staircase. He practically runs down to go to us. "What happened to her? Mom, are you okay?"
Dianne gives her youngest son the same smile she flashes at me outside. "Mommy's great, sweetie. She just needs to buy some wine." Whipping her head to
