The Vincent Boys 01 - The Vincent Boys

didn’t look at him as I turned and headed toward the fifty-yard line to grab the gloves I’d taken off earlier.
    “I was a little more focused today,” I replied, jogging out to grab my gloves. Sawyer followed me. I needed some distance from him. Today he’d pushed me a little too far with his affection toward Ashton. He of course didn’t know that.
    “I’d started to get worried about you. The last few practices you have seemed off. But today you seemed to find your sweet spot.”
    A week ago his comment would have made me feel guilty. But after having to endure him kissing and touching Ashton daily, my guilty conscience was being replaced by rage. Why the hell should he get to have it all? Our entire lives he’d had it all but I’d never cared. Never wanted or asked him for anything. Now he had the one thing I wanted more than air and he didn’t even know her. The girl he loved didn’t exist.
    “Guess I just got rusty this summer,” I mumbled.
    “Well, you’re back. Looked great out there,” Sawyer grinned.
    His phone beeped and I forced myself to look away as he checked his text. I hated knowing it was probably Ashton texting him. I hated how badly I wanted to know what she said to him. Did she tell him she loved him? Did she send him little texts asking him to meet her places? Did she make those sexy little moans—STOP IT. I had to stop thinking about them together as a couple.
    “Hey, Beau, you and Ash got kind of close this summer. I mean she unloaded on you the other day about her stress at home and she no longer gets that pinched look on her face when I mention your name. Which is a good thing. I’m glad the two people who mean the most to me finally remembered they were once friends.”
    How did I respond to this? I just nodded.
    “Would you, uh, mind doing me a favor? I mean, if you and Nic don’t have anything going on tonight. It’s just I told Ashton I’d take her out to get something to eat and maybe a movie. You know, to get her out of the house and away from the crazy family members. But Dad just texted me and he needs me to go with him to meet with a friend of his who’s in town for the evening and has connections at the University athletic department. It’s important and Dad has worked really hard to set this meeting up. But I don’t want to let Ash down either. Could you take her out for me? If you aren’t already doing something with Nic. Because we both know how she feels about Nic. I don’t want to throw her into a situation that makes her uncomfortable.”
    Did he really just ask me to take Ash out tonight? Was he insane? He didn’t deserve her. Any guy who would blow her off for something his daddy wanted shouldn’t get to have her.
    “Sure,” I replied, hearing the clipped tone in my voice. Stupid-ass cousin of mine had no clue what he was asking for. I was already headed for hell, I might as well enjoy the ride.
    “Great, thanks man. Her favorite place to eat is the Seafood Shack. Just meet us there at six. I can grab a drink and spend a few minutes with you guys until I have to head out and meet Dad.”
    She hated the fried shrimp at the Seafood Shack and their sweet tea always tasted bitter. It was Sawyer’s favorite place and she had no doubt agreed with him it was the best place to eat in town. He didn’t know her at all.
    “Since I’m agreeing to help out let’s do this my way. I hate the Seafood Shack. I’m sure Princess Ashton won’t mind slumming it at Hank’s. The burgers there are better than anything the Seafood Shack has and she really needs to taste their sweet tea.”
    Sawyer frowned a moment then nodded. “Okay, Ash’s agreeable. I’m sure she’ll be fine with Hank’s. I’ve taken her there a couple times but I think she might agree with you on the burgers. I remember her scarfing one down.”
    With bacon and cheese on a toasted bun. She even makes these cute little sounds of pleasure as she eats one. One of the many things I can’t believe he doesn’t know about her.
    The familiar smell of grease and burgers met me at the door as I stepped inside Hank’s. The red-checkered formica tables were already filling up. I nodded at Hank as I passed the grill and made my way to the back. There were more secluded booths in the back. I didn’t want the whole place watching our every move. If I was going to have Ashton to myself, I wanted to enjoy it without a freaking audience.
    I went ahead and ordered Ash’s tea and the cheese dip