The Vincent Boys Collection Read online

  “It doesn’t bother me. Really. I don’t care.”

  Beau snarled and slammed his fist against my locker door.

  “I care. No one talks to you that way. No one, Ash.” He turned and glowered at the packed hallway full of students. “No one!” he shouted. His hand pulled free from mine and the crowd parted as he stalked away. He was going to find Sawyer. I silently prayed he’d let him live.

  Curious eyes watched Beau retreating, then they shifted back to me. There would be no more letters on my locker. Beau was back, and I was positive he’d just terrified the entire student body.

  The small pieces of paper at my feet were all that was left from my week as a social outcast. I bent down to pick up the pieces. Two scuffed boots stopped in front of me, and Toby bent down beside me.

  “I’ll help you. I don’t think it was Beau’s intention that you clean this up.”

  I smiled at him. He’d watched everything this week happen from the sidelines without saying a word. I knew he was only helping now because he was trying to find some redeeming grace in Beau’s eyes.

  “I don’t want the janitor to have to clean it up. It isn’t her fault.”

  “He’s going to murder Sawyer if he finds out this was the least of what they’ve done to you this week.”

  I sighed, knowing he was right. If this made Beau angry, then the nail-polish graffiti and the Coke incident were going to send him into a blind rage.

  “I’m praying no one tells him.”

  Toby paused and studied me a moment. I could tell he was trying to decide if I really meant what I’d said.

  “You don’t want revenge?”

  I shook my head and stood up, both of my hands full of paper.

  “No, I don’t want revenge. If this week was what it took to help Sawyer deal with everything, then it was worth it. Beau will never see it that way, of course.”

  “He’ll end up blaming himself for leaving you here.”

  I dropped the paper into the trash can and dusted my hands off on my jeans before turning back around to face Toby.

  “He had his reasons. Both Sawyer and I know that.”

  “So you and Sawyer made up?”

  I let out a small laugh. Sawyer and I would never be completely healed. Too much bad water under the bridge.

  “As made up as we will ever get.”

  Toby nodded as if he understood.

  “And Beau?” he asked, looking unsure, as if he’d gotten too personal.

  “Beau and I are friends.” That was all he needed to know.

  Toby nodded and slipped his backpack higher up on his shoulder.

  “Sorry about this week. I should’ve said something. I kept waiting on Sawyer to step in.”

  “No worries. It’s all over now.”

  “Beau’s back,” he agreed. Then, with one last apologetic smile, he turned and walked away.

  BEAU

  I needed to hit something. I stalked toward the front doors, put both hands on them, and shoved them open hard before walking out into the parking lot. Grabbing my phone from my pocket, I finally turned it on. Apparently, Sawyer hadn’t told me everything. He had his chance to explain what he meant by Ashton having a rough week. He’d failed to tell me that she’d been ridiculed. Why hadn’t he taken those notes off her locker himself? Where had he been? Had he enjoyed seeing her treated badly? My blood boiled and I fisted my hand tightly. I was going to beat the shit out of him.

  Looking down at my phone, I had ten missed text messages. Had Ashton texted me about all this? Turning it off had been a pussy thing to do. I’d wanted to hide from everyone and everything and wallow in my pain. While Ashton had needed me, I’d been hiding. She’d dealt with it all. My chest tightened. I scrolled through my messages.

  Ashton: I love you. I’m sorry. Please come home.

  Ashton: I left a note with your mother. Have you gotten it?

  Ashton: I spoke with Sawyer today. He told me. Beau please come home. Please.

  Kyle: Hey man. Not sure where you’re at but you might want to come back. Ash needs you.

  Ethan: It ain’t pretty here. Ash is getting major shit at school. Thought you might want to know.

  Kayla: A couple pics you may want to see

  I scrolled down to see a picture of Nicole shoving Ashton’s head in her locker. Another one of Ashton sprawled out on the floor with her books being poured out of her backpack onto her head.

  My stomach rolled. I didn’t need to read anymore. I was going to kill my brother.

  * * *

  I punched Sawyer’s number into my phone and waited while it rang.

  “Hello.” The cautious tone in his voice told me he knew I’d just found out.

  “Meet me on the field, now,” I growled.

  “You know,” he replied in a weary tone.

  “Yeah, you stupid fuck, I know.”

  I ended the call and shoved my phone into my pocket before heading down to the field. I hadn’t wanted to hit Sawyer last time. I’d just wanted to block his blows. But now, it was all I could think about.

  When he stepped onto the field and walked toward me I glared at him waiting until he was close enough. The urge to charge him was overwhelming. The fury of what had been done to her was making it impossible for me to think clearly.

  “Did it make you feel better seeing her suffer?” I called out as he drew closer.

  He didn’t respond. He didn’t need to. We both knew it had. He’d let her suffer because he was hurt.

  “Now I’m about to make myself feel better, you stupid selfish shit,” I informed him in a calm cold voice.

  “Go ahead, Beau, hit me.”

  I didn’t need another invitation.

  ASHTON

  I stood outside the cafeteria studying the double doors. Beau had appeared in literature class today, but he’d sat across the room from me and had not once glanced my way. I know because I watched him the entire hour and a half. Sawyer didn’t show up to physics. There were no notes on my locker, and I’d gone all morning without a snide comment or someone sticking their foot out to trip me in the aisles in class. Only a few people actually spoke to me. It was as if they weren’t sure how to treat me yet. Beau was ignoring me. It was impossible to miss. At some point everyone was going to relax and one brave soul was going to test the waters. I really didn’t want it to happen during lunch. My lunch was packed and the library was upstairs, empty.

  “You coming in?”

  I turned to see Kayla standing beside me, her hand on the door. My heart rate picked up, and I decided no. I wasn’t ready to face the crowd inside. I shook my head. “I don’t think so.”

  “Why? No one is going to harm a hair on your head after Beau’s performance this morning.”

  I wasn’t ready to bank on that.

  “What’s wrong?” Beau’s voice startled me, and I spun around to see him standing behind me with a territorial gleam in his eyes.

  “N-nothing,” I stuttered, and quickly stepped around him.

  His hand reached out and grabbed my arm gently but firmly enough that I was forced to stop.

  “Where are you going? The cafeteria is this way.”

  “The library. Ever since Nicole poured a Coke over her head during lunch she’s been hiding out in the library to eat her food.” The utter delight in Kayla’s voice as she told on Nicole was obvious. I knew she wasn’t telling Beau for my sake. She was telling him so he’d react. The fire that ignited in his eyes put a huge smile on Kayla’s face before she twirled around and headed inside the cafeteria.

  “You’re not hiding in the damn library, Ash. If anyone even looks at you wrong, I’ll fix them.” Beau was staring down at me for the first time since this morning. I soaked up the little shred of attention. I was pathetic.

  “Okay,” I replied. Telling him no was impossible.

  He reached around me and pushed the door open. “Let’s go.”

  I walked in ahead of him and the entire room fell silent. This might
possibly be worse than the laughing and snickers.

  “Do you need anything from the line?” Beau asked, taking my elbow. I shook my head, scanning the crowd for any sign of Sawyer.

  “Where’s Sawyer?” I whispered when I didn’t see him anywhere.

  “At home. He has a concussion.” I froze and stared up at him.

  “What?” I asked horrified.

  Beau’s frown deepened. “He shouldn’t have let them harass you. It was his mistake. He knows that . . . now.”

  “Beau,” I said, jerking my elbow out of his grasp. This was why I couldn’t have what I wanted. Because of me, Beau had given his cousin—no, his brother, a concussion. I couldn’t let this keep happening. “Why would you do that? Is he okay?”

  “He’s fine. You can go check on him after school.” He paused and clenched his jaw. “No, I take that back. You need to stay away from him. I’m not sure I can handle you worrying over him right now. I need time.”

  “Beau, I—”

  “Go sit with Kayla. She’s motioning you over. You’re safe, Ash.”

  He turned and left me standing there watching him retreat to the far side of the cafeteria.

  Chapter 27

  ASHTON

  I figured what Beau didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him. I’d sat in my room for hours, debating over going to check on Sawyer. Finally my conscience got the best of me, and I’d driven over here. Facing his mother wasn’t high up on my list of things I wanted to do this year or possibly ever. I passed by his driveway and turned down the dirt road leading down to the hole.

  Once I got back there, I parked the car and sent Sawyer a text letting him know I’d come to check on him. If he wanted to see me, he would. While I waited, I figured I would go enjoy our favorite childhood spot one last time.

  Climbing up a tree wasn’t as easy as it used to be, but then our favorite limb wasn’t as high as it used to be. It just took one small boost from the tree trunk to get myself securely on the limb I’d shared with the Vincent boys during our childhood.

  “Impressive. You made it look easy.” Sawyer’s voice surprised me. I glanced over to see him leaning against a nearby tree. His dark curls danced in the breeze, reminding me of the times I use to watch with fascination as they did that exact same thing. I loved burying my fingers in his thick hair and wrapping his curls around my fingers. He really was beautiful.

  “I was already here when you sent the text,” he replied with an amused grin. My expression must have shown my confusion.

  “Oh,” I replied.

  “To what do I owe this visit?” he asked, standing up and walking over to stand beside my legs. He barely had to look up to meet my gaze.

  “I wanted to check on you. Beau said you had a concussion.”

  Sawyer chuckled and skipped a rock he’d been holding in his hand across the water. “He tell you how I got the concussion?”

  “Yes,” I answered him, feeling guilty.

  “I deserved it. I was shitty to you all week.”

  Had Sawyer just cursed? “Um.” I didn’t know what to say. He was right; he had been, but he didn’t deserve to be beat up by his brother over it.

  “I shouldn’t have let them do those things to you. Honestly, Beau beating the crap out of me was a relief. I’d been beating myself up. Having someone physically beat me was a nice release.”

  “What?” I asked.

  Sawyer turned his blue eyes back up toward me.

  “Ash, you were my girl for years. But before that, we were friends. The best of friends. I should have never let one snag in the road cause me to turn on you like I did. It was wrong. You took all the blame for something that wasn’t entirely your fault. It was Beau’s and it was mine.”

  “Yours? How?”

  “I knew Beau loved you. I’d seen the way he looked at you. I also knew you loved him more than you loved me. You two had a secret bond I didn’t get to be a part of. I was jealous. Beau was my cousin and you were the prettiest girl I’d ever seen. I wanted you for myself. So I asked you out, never once going to Beau first. Never once asking him how he felt about it. You accepted, and just like magic I broke up the bond you two shared. You guys never talked anymore. There were no more late-night roof talks and no more bailing y’all out of trouble. Beau was my cousin and you were my girlfriend. It was as if your friendship had never been. I was selfish and ignored the guilt until it went away. Only the times I saw him watching you with that pained, needy expression did the guilt stir in my gut. It was mixed with fear. Fear you’d see what I’d done and go to him. Fear I’d lose you.”

  I reached down and ran my hand over his hair. “I loved you, too. I wanted to be good enough for you. I wanted to be the good girl you deserved.”

  “Ash, you were perfect just the way you were. I was the one who let you change. I liked the change. It’s one of the many reasons I feared I’d lose you. Deep down I knew one day that free spirit you’d quenched would fight to be released. It happened. And the fact it happened with Beau doesn’t surprise me in the least.”

  “I’m sorry, Sawyer. I never meant to hurt you. I made a mess of things. You aren’t going to have to watch Beau and me together. I’m stepping out of both of your lives. You can get back what was lost.”

  Sawyer reached up and grabbed my hand. “Don’t do that, Ash. He needs you.”

  “No, it’s what he wants too. Today he hardly acknowledged me. He only spoke to me when he was making a point to everyone else that I was to be left alone.”

  Sawyer let out a sad laugh. “He won’t last long. He’s never been able to ignore you. Not even when he knew I was watching him. Right now he’s dealing with a lot. And he’s dealing with it alone. Don’t push him away.”

  I jumped down from the branch and hugged Sawyer. “Thank you. Your acceptance means the world to me. But right now he needs you. You’re his brother. I’ll just be a hindrance to you two dealing with everything.”

  Sawyer reached out and twirled a strand of my hair around his finger. “Even if I was wrong to take you without a thought to Beau’s feelings, I can’t make myself regret it. I’ve had three amazing years with you, Ash.”

  I didn’t know what to say. I’d had good times too, but I did regret choosing the wrong Vincent boy. He gave me one last sad smile, then dropped my hair and walked away.

  BEAU

  Sawyer wasn’t walking back to the four-wheeler he’d driven out there. He was headed straight for me. I should’ve known he’d felt me watching them. I didn’t step out of the shadows. Instead I waited on him to join me in the darkness. Away from Ashton’s view. My body was strung tight as a cord. When she’d hugged him, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to keep from jerking him off her and hurling him into the damn lake if he so much as got close to her mouth.

  “Did you see and hear enough?” Sawyer asked, coming up beside me to turn around and look back at Ashton. She was no longer watching Sawyer’s retreat. She turned back to the water. The breeze played with her long blond hair, making my hands itch to go run my fingers through it.

  “Yes,” I replied, hating that he was as mesmerized by her as I was.

  “She’s all yours now, bro. We’ve found our closure.”

  I hadn’t needed his blessing, but I knew Ashton had.

  “From the moment I held her, she became mine. I’m sorry I did this to you, but you never really loved the real Ashton. I do.”

  Sawyer nodded his head. “I know.”

  “I’ll do whatever I have to in order to be worthy of her. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted.”

  “Don’t change for her. She made that mistake with me. She fell in love with you just the way you are. Just be you, Beau. Just be you.”

  She loved me. Hearing those words sent a shiver of pleasure over me. I’d finally won my girl.

  “She had Mr. Perfect, and she wanted me instead. Doesn’t make any sense,” I said, grinning over at Sawyer.

  He chuckled. “There’s no accounting for taste.” He elbowed me in
the ribs. “Go get her, man. She’s convinced she has to step out of our lives so we can fix our relationship. Her heart’s breaking. I could see it in her eyes. She is ready to sacrifice her happiness in order to do what she thinks is best for you. Go put the girl out of her misery.”

  Step out of my life. Like hell.

  I slapped Sawyer on the back and headed out to set her straight. But first I was going to feast on those full lips of hers that were all puckered up in a frown.

  ASHTON

  Two arms wrapped around me. “God, you smell so damn good.” Beau’s voice was muffled in my neck. His warm breath sent chill bumps up my arms.

  “Beau?” I croaked out.

  “Mmhmm,” he replied, kissing my neck and nibbling on my earlobe. I tilted my head to the side, giving him better access when I should have been trying to stop him. But with his warmth surrounding me and his hands moving up my sides, I decided I didn’t care at the moment.

  “What?” I managed to get out as his hands teased the lower portion of my bra strap. He was overwhelming me. I couldn’t get my thoughts together.

  “I love you, Ash,” he whispered in my ear, and kissed a trail from my ear to my shoulder blade.

  “Uh,” I squeaked out. His thumbs brushed the underside of my breast and my knees started to buckle. It had been so long since he’d touched me.

  “Easy, baby,” he murmured, pulling me back against his chest as he leaned against the tree that held our special limb. His leg settled between my thighs and I trembled.

  “I’m not letting you go. You’re mine, Ash. I can’t live without you.” His voice was low and fierce as he held me tightly.

  “But, Sawyer—”

  “Sawyer is okay with this. I’ve spoken to him. He and I are working things out. But, Ash, I can’t continue to want you from a distance. To love you and not have you. I’d end up in jail if anyone tried to touch you, and God forbid you tried to date someone.”

  I turned around in his arms and laid my hands against his hard chest. I loved his chest. Especially when it was bare.