The Vincent Boys 01 - The Vincent Boys

she loved. When Sawyer had texted me to tell me they were on their way I’d been surprised. Although I’d agreed to this I hadn’t really thought Ashton would. The fact she’d gone along with this had put me in a very good mood.

    Ashton
    “There he is in the back,” Sawyer said, taking my hand and leading me to the back of Hank’s. My heart sped up at the thought of being back in the secluded booth alone with Beau.
    “Hey man, sorry we’re late. I had to drop some flowers off at the nursing home,” Sawyer explained. He motioned for me to go in first. I scooted toward the wall and he slid in beside me. Beau slid a glass of sweet tea toward me.
    “I haven’t been here long. I went ahead and got mine and Ash’s drinks but I didn’t order for you. I wasn’t sure what you wanted,” Beau said.
    My favorite cheese dip sat in front of him and he moved it over toward me as well. “Go ahead and help yourself. I’ve had all of this I want.”
    My cheeks became warm remembering the last night we’d shared this cheese dip. It’d been on the way home from our day at the beach.
    “I’m good, but thanks. I only have a few minutes then I’ve got to go meet Dad,” Sawyer said.
    Beau glanced at me briefly then turned his attention back to Sawyer.
    “Good luck with your meeting.”
    “Thanks, I’m pumped about it. I hate I’m having to leave my girl but this could be important to my future. I appreciate you hanging out with her tonight.”
    “Well, you owe me one. Actually you owe me a few. I also took Ash as my spirit girl today. Someone else was going to get her if I didn’t and I figured you wouldn’t want that.”
    He sounded as if he was doing Sawyer some big favor. I wasn’t a child who needed to be babysat. I didn’t come tonight because I couldn’t bear to be at home. I’d come because I wanted to be with Beau.
    “Just let me know when you want to collect the favors. And thanks for picking Ash. I know you could’ve picked someone else who would’ve made you happier but I appreciate you having my back.” Sawyer sounded like Beau hanging out with me and having me as a spirit girl was some huge sacrifice. It took all my will power to keep from telling them both to go to hell and storming out of the restaurant.
    “I’ll be sure to call them in when I need them,” Beau said with a grin on his face I suddenly wanted to slap off.
    “Alright, I need to head out,” Sawyer said, leaning down to kiss me. I turned my face and glared at the wall behind him, causing his lips to land on my cheek.
    “And I’ll try not to be too difficult for your cousin,” I said with unmistakable anger laced in my voice. Sawyer frowned from my tone. I faked a smile I knew he would believe. That seemed to be enough for him. He nodded and headed out. I waited until the door closed behind him before I turned back around to glower at Beau.
    “I’m not some kid who needs pacifying. I can take care of myself. As soon as he’s had time to leave the parking lot I’m going to start walking home.”
    Beau sat there grinning at me as if I’d just told him he’d won a million dollars.
    “God, how I’ve missed that,” he said.
    “What?”
    “Seeing the real you. You almost unleashed it right here in front of him. I could see the confusion on his face when you let that sexy snarl loose in your voice. Damn, it was hot.”
    I sat there staring at him, completely confused. Had he made me angry on purpose?
    “Are you telling me you baited me? You tried to get me to snap in front of him?” I asked, trying hard to control my temper.
    “Ah, and there it comes again, but this time Mr. Perfect isn’t here so I’m going to get to see it all full force.”
    Tears stung my eyes. I’d imagined tonight so much differently. Getting to be alone with Beau and having Sawyer know about it and be okay with it had sounded like a dream come true. Instead, Beau decides to treat me like some kind of enjoyable sideshow.
    “I’m not here for entertainment purposes, Beau. I agreed to this tonight because foolishly I wanted to spend the evening with you. I miss you. And I thought . . . I thought you agreed to it because you missed me too.”
    A lump formed in my throat and I grabbed my purse. I needed to get out before I made an idiot of myself and started crying. I was an emotional wreck. I couldn’t take Beau hurting me. It was just too much.
    “Ash, wait.” Beau’s words caused me to pause but I didn’t glance back. I would