Sawyer lying about being at the game.

Her boss calling her before her shifts, demanding she come in early so he could see her.

Stone covering for her by telling me she went to the game and she wasn’t here…even though she confessed she was here.

Bianca running outside to make a phone call…most likely warning her.

For fuck’s sake, he’s old enough to be her father. Hell, maybe even her grandfather.

“You’re Sawyer’s boss.”

It’s not a question. I don’t have time for those. I’m already stepping toward the disgusting old man like a vulture descending on its prey.

He opens his mouth to speak, but doesn’t get the chance.

I wind my fist back and launch it into his face. “You sick perverted, motherfucker.”

Chapter 45

Sawyer

“Why couldn’t you meet me at the guesthouse?” Oakley questions as I walk over to his car.

“Because Cole thinks I’m at work.”

“Why?”

“Because I didn’t go to his game as me. And since you made me promise not to tell anyone, I couldn’t tell him I was Izzy, either.” I poke his chest with my finger. “Which, by the way, is a promise I’m breaking tonight when I see him.”

He pouts. “Scott’s gonna be so upset.”

“Oh, well. I feel bad, but not so bad I want to keep lying to Cole. He wanted me at the game tonight…not Izzy. I’m not hurting him again.” I shrug. “Besides, I’m sure he’ll keep his mouth shut.”

“Damn, girl.”

“What?”

“You’re really into him.”

I avert my gaze. “A little bit.” I can’t help but smile. “Okay, fine. I am. Is that such a crime?”

He pulls out a blunt and lights it. “Nah. It’s a good thing, short stack.”

Looking around the parking lot to make sure it’s empty, I whisper, “Did you bring it?”

“Yeah.” Reaching into his pocket, he tosses a bottle at me. “There’s thirty this time.”

“Thanks.”

I pop one in my mouth and take a swig from my water bottle.

He eyes me warily. “You planning on studying tonight?”

“No. Cole’s taking me on a date and I’m tired. Figured I could use a little boost.”

Plus, I don’t want to be hungry and end up eating like a pig in front of him.

Especially since I’m down twelve pounds as of today.

Oak rubs his chin, assessing me. “You told me you take those to help you study.”

“I do.”

“But you aren’t studying tonight.”

“Seriously, Oakley? It’s the first and only time I’ve ever taken one without studying right after.”

He inhales a cloud of smoke. “I’m not trying to give you shit. I just want to make sure you’re okay.”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I don’t know. Maybe because these pills have a certain side-effect that girls like you would probably enjoy a little too much. I don’t want you using this shit for the wrong reason.”

Wow, I never thought Oakley of all people would hurt me.

“Girls like me?”

His face falls. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what did you mean?”

His mouth opens and closes before he says, “People at school are assholes. Their idea of hot is a model on Instagram who photoshops her pics until she’s perfect. No one appreciates natural beauty anymore.” He holds up a hand defensively. “Not to say you’re not hot. You’ve got that cute nerdy girl thing going on that a lot of men dig. Cole being one of them.”

“You mean fat nerdy girl thing.”

“Nah, boo. You ain’t fat. You’re thick. Embrace it. People come in all different shapes and sizes and one isn’t any better than the other.”

“Says the guy who looks like he could be on a magazine cover for California surfers and has a thing for skinny blondes.”

He pats his face. “What can I say? I didn’t ask for this handsome mug. Besides, everyone has a type, you kno—”

The sound of my phone ringing cuts him off.

Why in the world is Bianca calling me?

“It’s Bianca,” I say, bringing the phone to my ear. “Hello?”

Oakley makes a cross with his fingers and mouths, “May the power of Christ compel you.”

“Hey,” Bianca says. “So, two questions.”

“Um sure. Shoot.”

“One—why the hell didn’t you tell my brother you were Izzy? And two—why did you lie about being at work?”

My stomach drops.

“Well, I promised Oakley I wouldn’t say anything to anyone because he promised Scott he wouldn’t. And I lied to Cole because I didn’t know what else to say when he asked why I wasn’t at the game. Not that it was right, I was just trying to make everyone happy.”

“Oh, well, that shit backfired.”

I freeze. “How?”

“Because he decided to visit you at work. Also, why the fuck didn’t you tell us you worked with that snake Stone DaSilva—holy shit. I have to go. Cole just punched some old dude and knocked him out cold.”

My heart jumps to my throat. “What?”

The phone line goes dead.

I look at Oakley. “I have to go. I think Cole just punched my boss.”

“Shit.” Oakley tosses his blunt. “We’ll take my car. It’s faster.”

Wasting no time, I hop in the passenger seat and he guns the engine.

“Why in the world would Cole punch my boss?”

I get he was upset about me working…but that’s insane.

“I have no idea.” Peeling out of the parking lot, he presses a button on his stereo. “Yo, Dad, it’s your number one sperm. Hit me back when you get this…Co—I mean, Calvin. Last name rhymes with Bovington—went off on a store owner and punched him.”

“Who the hell is Calvin?” I ask when he hangs up.

“I have no idea.” His voice drops to a whisper. “If I don’t use his real name, it can’t be used in court.”

He tries to dial Cole next, but it goes to voicemail. Sighing, he presses another button and calls Bianca.

She picks up after the second ring. “What part of never talk to me again don’t you understand?”

“Relax. I’m not calling for you, Satan. You’re with Cole, right?”

“Yeah, but he’s a little busy right now. What with beating up Mr. Gonzales and all—” She mutters a curse. “And now Stone.”

Oh, my God.

Oakley presses down on the gas. “Have the cops showed up?”

“Not yet.”

“Is Mr. Gonzales breathing?”

“As far as I can tell.”

My hand flies over my mouth. This is horrible.

“Then you need to get your brother the fuck out of there before Mr. Gonzales comes to and the cops show up.”

“Wow,” Bianca says. “Thank you, Captain Obvious. What the hell do you think I’ve been trying to do, jackass? Stone keeps baiting him, he won’t leave.”