Room 452

I protest as he pulls me from the stool. “What are you talking about? We haven’t even gotten our food yet!”

He continues to drag me away from the bar until a voice sounds behind us, and Sawyer freezes in place.

“Sawyer?” The voice asks.

Sawyer closes his eyes shut and then puts a smile on his face before he turns around. The man who must know Sawyer grins ear to ear. “No fucking way! What the fuck are you doing here?”

The man approaches, and they do some weird manly hug. I stand in the background, completely confused about what’s going on. Sawyer tells him he’s here for a work thing, and the man finally stops and looks at me. “Who’s your lady friend?”

I outstretch my hand to shake his. “Oh, we’re not friends. I’m Blake.”

His smile grows, and I continue. “Are you two friends? Because Sawyer just tried to run me out of the bar before you saw him.”

The man busts out laughing. “Motherfucker!” He shoves at Sawyer’s arm.

Sawyer glares back at me. “Brat.”

“I’m Chip.” The man nods his head at me. “How’d you get so lucky to have to spend time with this bastard?”

I groan. “Co-management.”

Chip also grimaces. “What the fuck is that?”

“Temporary.” I smile back.

“I hate you both.” Sawyer chimes in. “C’mon, let me buy you a drink.” He says as he swings his arm over Chip’s shoulder.

All three of us head back to the bar where our drinks are still sitting. A couple seconds later some mozzarella sticks show up, and I dive right in. “So how do you know Sawyer?” I ask with my mouth full of cheese.

“Classy.” Sawyer mocks.

Chip ignores him and smiles at me. “He’s my brother.”

I open my eyes wide in surprise. I look between the both of them and pause. “No offense, but you don’t really look alike.”

Chip brings his hands up to his heart. “Ouch.” He says dramatically. “The never ending struggle of being compared to a fucking god!”

I laugh harder. I like Chip. I smile at him. “Trust me, I’d fuck you way before Sawyer.” I wink playfully at him as I lean forward toward him.

Sawyer scooches forward in between us. “Foster brothers.” He clips. “We’re foster brothers.”

I lean back and stare at Sawyer’s face. It takes me a moment to realize what he said. Foster brothers means Sawyer was in the foster care system. “Oh.” My friendly tone drops.

I see Sawyer’s jaw tense, and I realize he gave away mo

re information than he wanted to. I don’t know why, but I feel the need to protect him. He obviously didn’t want anyone to know about this part of his life since he’s always kept it so secret.

I try to lighten the mood. I smile over at Chip. “Either way. I’m sure you still have lots of stories that I need to hear. Preferably the embarrassing ones.”

We spend the next hour eating, drinking, and laughing. Chip definitely delivered on those embarrassing stories, and I love the way Sawyer feels so comfortable when he’s around. It’s like he’s a whole other person. I can tell he is being more himself instead of this character he always plays.

I haven’t had this much fun in a long time, and I’m a little shocked that it is with Sawyer. Really the whole day has been surprisingly fun. Maybe I should do more vacations that aren’t with work. Take my actual friends next time though.

Sawyer excuses himself to the bathroom while we rack up another game of pool. “Don’t listen to any of his stories while I’m gone. He lies through his ass.” He says.

I laugh, but then I turn to Chip. “Spill.”

He laughs as he takes the first shot. He looks up at me as the balls slam together. “I’d rather hear about what’s going on with you and Sawyer.”