The Vincent Boys 02 - The Vincent Brothers

frown deepened, “I don’t know if that’s a good idea. One of those tiny strips of material may fall off on impact.”
    Rolling my eyes, I reached for his hand and pulled him toward the tree, “You’re being ridiculous, Sawyer. Come on.”
    Muttering under his breath, he followed me to the tree. He went up behind me with his hands on my bottom. I wasn’t sure if he was helping me up or trying to cover me up. Either way, it was cute.
    Once we made our way out onto the limb and a guy I didn’t know threw the rope back toward Sawyer, I realized I may have spoken too soon. This was terrifying from up here.
    “Don’t look down,” Sawyer directed as he held onto my waist and moved in front of me so he could grab the rope. He squatted down, “Steady yourself by holding onto my shoulders then wrap your legs around my waist.”
    I studied his back and wondered if it would be that big of a deal if I just went back down the tree the dry way.
    Sawyer glanced back at me. “Come on, Lana. I got this. You’ll be fine.”
    I wasn’t so sure about the “fine” part but I gave in and did as instructed.
    Sawyer stood up and I wrapped my arms around his neck and closed my eyes.
    “Take one of your arms and put it under my arm. If you do it this way you’re going to choke me to death,” he informed me with an amused tone.
    I hadn’t thought of that. I guess that might be a bad idea. I gripped his shoulder tightly with one hand while sliding the other one under his arm. I stretched both arms until I could clench my hands, tightening my hold on Sawyer’s body
    “Perfect. Now hold on baby, ‘cause here we go,” and we were airborne on his last word.
    I opened my eyes just in time to see him let go of the rope and closed them back again, squealing as we plummeted toward the water.
    The lake water wasn’t as cold as I’d expected when we dropped down into it. I was extremely grateful. I released Sawyer and kicked my legs, pushing my way back toward the surface. It was then that I noticed my bottoms had slipped down underneath my butt. Reaching down and tugging them up, I was glad Sawyer wouldn’t know he’d been partially right about my swimsuit coming off during impact.
    Sawyer’s head emerged a few seconds after mine and he was grinning like an idiot.
    “What?” I asked
    He winked and reached over and pulled me up against him. “I can see real good under this water,” he murmured and understanding dawned on me.
    I slapped him on the arm and he laughed then dropped a quick kiss on my lips.
    “Wanna go again?” he asked with a smirk.

Chapter Nineteen

    Sawyer
    After a week of dates with Lana—either at my house, at the field party, or at Hank’s it was time I took her somewhere nice. She never complained and was open to anything I suggested. Even the other day when I’d asked if she’d wanted to go with me to pick out stuff for my dorm room she’d gone with me happily. Granted, I had to rein her in on her decorating ideas. I was a guy and our curtains and quilts didn’t need to match. I just needed something dark enough to block out the sun on mornings I might actually get to sleep in.
    Today, I’d decided to surprise her with a trip to New Orleans. It was a two-hour drive from Grove. The only info I’d given her was that she needed to wear a sundress and comfortable shoes. The restaurant I was taking her to that night was too nice for shorts and required a little bit of a dressier look. We’d be doing a good amount of walking the streets too. As much as I loved her legs in heels, I didn’t figure she’d thank me for not warning her about the walking.
    I couldn’t think of a time I’d been this anxious to see someone. She’d fallen asleep in my arms last night and I’d had to sneak out the window in Ashton’s room that Beau had used many times when we were kids.
    I pressed the button on the garage door opener and started to back out when my eyes landed on Ashton standing in front of her Jetta, directly behind me. Opening my truck door, I stepped out and walked out to where she was standing.
    Tears were streaming down her face and her shoulders were shaking with loud sobs. What the hell?
    “Ash, what’s wrong? Is Lana okay?” My heart constricted. Why else would Ash be in my driveway crying like someone was dead? God, please tell me Lana was okay. I’d just left her in her bed a few hours ago. She’d been fine.
    “Ash, tell me what’s wrong now .” I felt my throat tighten up and I