You'll Never Lose Me (Never 4)

“That guy sitting by the back wall, he’s a tough old cookie and he won’t like you getting up too close and personal,” I say and I don’t miss the way his eyes wander over to Sawyer who sends a shark-like grin our way.

“So... portraits,” he fumbles over his words as he looks longingly towards his mate, oh yeah he’ll definitely think twice next time we have to partner up.

OKAY, I’ll admit it, Scott is a riot when he isn’t flirting or hanging with Callum.

“I don’t believe you, in fact I will never believe a single word you say again,” I say as I sit down on the grass and he folds himself down next to me. Lanky shit.

“It’s true, I was up in the air being pulled along by a speedboat and my parachute buggered right up. They had to land me in the water, I nearly died. Your lack of faith wounds me Henleigh, this could damage our friendship,” he says with an exaggerated sigh and I can’t help but do a facepalm.

“What friendship, you really need to stop inventing shit,” I say utterly deadpan and he clutches at his chest, instantly reminding me of Elijah. These two would get on like a house on fire.

“Yo muscle man, sort her out will ya. She’s going to give me a complex,” he shouts to Sawyer and I can tell his finding all of this amusing with the way his lips turn up. He's even watching me just a little less intensely than he was when we first set out for our joint assignment.

“If she hasn’t given you one already, then you’re made of tougher stuff than most. Henleigh lives off sarcasm and disbelief, good luck,” that’s all he says but it still makes me crack up, he isn’t wrong.

“He’s not your fella is he?” Scott asks, and the moment is ruined, six words and I’m back to wishing I didn’t have to partner up.

“No he isn’t,

” my voice is monotone and even Sawyer picks up on it as he subtly moves closer in case he’s needed.

His job is to keep me safe from Dante, not horny teens, guess he didn’t get the memo.

“Well in that case I’ll give you this,” he slips me a piece of paper with a friendly smile on his face and all I want to do is slap his hand away.

He’s honestly giving me his number right now, is he for real? I stand up and throw the paper in his face.

“Save it, I’m not interested. This is why I don’t talk to anyone, you had to go and ruin a surprisingly good morning by hitting on me didn’t you? Fuck this, I’m going home,” he jumps up and grabs my wrist and Sawyer has him pinned up against a tree in a Nano second.

My skin is crawling and I want to go home, at the same time I want to slap him across the face and make it clear not to touch someone without their goddamn permission. I don’t care how innocent it was, sometimes the most innocent of actions can be the most hurtful or dangerous.

“Hey, I didn’t mean anything by it. Please call your muscle off and let me explain,” his words don’t mean anything to me, but he doesn’t sound scared if anything he sounds... sorry.

“Let him go Sawyer,” I say with a shaky voice, I didn’t have a full on flashback this time but it’s still left me coiled tighter than a spring in a car’s suspension system. Even my analogies are being affected by my guys.

“As you wish little lady, but I think I’ll stay with you for the time being,” not going to argue with him, not this time anyway.

“Start talking,” I bite out, folding my arms across my chest and staring him down.

“I’m gay,” I did not see that one coming. Jaw meet floor.

“I’m a hopeless flirt and I will flirt with anyone but I only go for guys, I was just inquiring in case he did,” he tilts his head in Sawyer’s direction and his face is creasing up on silent laughter.

“Then what was with the number?”

“I was having fun with you, it was an olive branch of a bloody friendship lady. Nothing more and the offer still stands, I get the feeling you could use a few friends. With the way your man moved when I laid a hand on you, I’d say you’ve had your fair share of enemies already,” he’s perceptive and he’s right. It would be nice to have a few more friends, if only I wasn’t full of suspicion regarding everyone I come across.

“I still need to get a few pictures of you, if you’re willing to still help me that is.” He’s giving me the damn puppy eyes and bloody hell, he can really pull the look off.

I’m going to agree, I did just overreact in a big way and he hasn’t been scared off so what more can I do but nod my head in agreement.

“Come on then my little gobshite, time to get your pose on,” he’s laughing and holding his arm out for me to link with.

Maybe I could do it, link arms with some guy. I won’t know if I don’t try and I’m never going to stop trying.

My heart is racing a mile a minute as I thread my arm through his and I can’t miss the proud smile on Sawyer’s face when I don’t instantly pull away. I guess I’m growing as a person, Halle-fucking-lujah.

TWO WEEKS HAVE ALREADY PASSED and Scott has worked his way into my small circle of friends. The problem is, although I’m intelligent I don’t always think things through and issues tend to arise.