Changing Hearts Read online

  “What’s going on?” Chance demanded. “This isn’t like you.”

  Sawyer barely paused when he half turned but continued to backstep in his decided destination.

  “I’ve got this. Don’t worry about me.”

  Then he was gone, disappearing as if he’d never been there.

  I faced Chance, who just shook his head. “Something’s up.”

  “You think?” I said.

  Sawyer was the picture of perfection every time I saw him. Today, though, he looked as if he’d only woken up and come home. I’d be lying if I didn’t say the look was sexy on him. But he appeared rattled. He’d tried to cover it up with that smirk of his, but his eyes told a different story than his mouth.

  It was none of my business, but I asked anyway.

  “Have you talked to Ashton?”

  Chance glanced at me as if I were asking a rhetorical question and only shook his head.

  “I’m sorry I woke you up.”

  Then, I was alone. So much for sleep. I padded over to the kitchen area and found the refrigerator lacking in healthy breakfast options. Time for a food run, which I’d promised to do as my contribution as the newest roommate.

  The house was silent when I got back. I glanced at the stairs. With everything I needed downstairs, I had no reason to go up there and check on Sawyer. It was none of my business anyway.

  After the groceries were put away, I took a cup of yogurt to the couch. My phone buzzed in my pocket. The screen showed an incoming text from David. He wanted to go out. Part of me wanted to ignore him. He’d showed me his ass around his friends. Then again, he’d been incredibly sweet over the summer.

  Taking a leap of faith, I texted him back. I’d barely eaten two bites, but I tossed the yogurt in the trash on my way to get ready for my lunch date.

  I’d been staring in the mirror at the halter top summer dress I’d chosen. It was backless, but the flared-out skirt made my hips look a mile wide. I was about to change when the doorbell rang. I smoothed the fabric and closed my eyes for a second before exiting my room.

  Sawyer stood in the doorway, blocking my view of the person at the door.

  “Dude, I don’t remember ever inviting you here.” Sawyer’s warm as honey voice was distinctive.

  “Just let me know if Shelly’s here.”

  That would be David. He didn’t exactly sound happy. Without explanation, I’d given him Sawyer’s address so he could pick me up. I planned to tell him the whole story of how I ended up living here in person.

  “I’m here,” I called out.

  Sawyer didn’t make a move to let David in.

  Instead, he rotated his stance to glance in my direction, giving me a clear view of my boyfriend. David’s eyes landed sweetly on mine. All the reasons I’d given in to the guy with a reputation as legendary as Sawyer’s cleared all my doubts.

  “You look great,” David said.

  Worries over my choice of outfit disappeared. I gave into giddiness and did a little twirl.

  “Fuck me.”

  The curse stilled me. David hadn’t said it. I glared at Sawyer, who looked at me like I was one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

  David marched past Sawyer to take my hand in his. It had all the hallmarks of marking his territory. If any other guy had been standing in front of us, I would have snatched my hand away. I wasn’t a prize and didn’t want to be treated like one. But it was Sawyer, and something about the way his eyes ate up every inch of me made me feel vulnerable. So I held on tight to David. I needed him to anchor me before I said or did something stupid because I’d fallen for that face, that body, the guy who made girls all over campus bend to his will. I was determined not to do that again.

  “Let’s go.”

  My words may have been spoken softly, but at least they held conviction. Points for me.

  “Don’t be out too late,” Sawyer tossed out as we walked by. “The bogeyman comes out at night.”

  David jerked to a stop. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

  Sawyer didn’t back down. “If the shoe fits.”

  David made a move in Sawyer’s direction.

  I pulled the reins, not letting go of David’s hand.

  “He’s just joking with you. Don’t let him get to you.”

  Sawyer hadn’t been joking. The glare he’d given David had a razor sharp edge.

  Outside, David stopped on the sidewalk.

  “Do you want to explain why I picked you up at Cargill’s house? You have to know his rep.”

  Equal to yours, I thought. “I live here now.”

  His mouth opened and closed as he processed.

  “Look, it’s a long story. But I don’t live here with him alone. You know Chance, don’t you?”

  He nodded.

  “Well, Brie, his girlfriend and my friend, practically lives here too. I came looking for her to talk to her about my dilemma and Sawyer offered for me to stay when I had nowhere else to go.”

  His concerned expression gave me the warm fuzzies. That was the reason I’d fallen hard for the guy. There was a layer of niceness that contradicted his player rep.

  “You could have come to me. I would have helped you.”

  “And stay at your frat house? No, thank you. But I appreciate that you would have helped me out.”

  He stopped himself and didn’t say anything else. He only nodded before brushing his lips over mine. That should have been it. I should have forgotten the way Sawyer stared at me. It’d been two years. I should have forgotten the way he’d touched me. But no, as I sat in David’s car, I questioned everything I thought about Sawyer Cargill. I couldn’t shake off the jealous vibe I’d felt from him when I’d walked out the door with David.

  SEVENTEEN

  Sawyer

  The ceiling didn’t hold any answers, but I stared at it anyway. The night before was a blur. I’d woken up with my pants hooked on one ankle. The girl in the bed passed out next to me was fully dressed. I didn’t remember much of the night, but I did know she hadn’t been the one who kissed me.

  Someone banged on my door.

  “Come in,” I said.

  I didn’t bother to unfold my arms from behind my head. It had to be Chance.

  “Are you coming to practice?”

  I shifted to look at him.

  “Look, no judgment. If you’ve got shit to think about, give me a heads-up. I’ll cover for you.”

  Chance, like Ash, had become like family. He always had my back, but didn’t hold punches when he thought I needed to get my shit together.

  “No, I’ll be there.”

  “If you ever want to talk—”

  “Yeah, thanks.”

  He hung there a second as if he wanted to respond with a you’re welcome. Finally, he backed out, closing the door behind him.

  Practice would be hell. The fact that I had no desire to play wasn’t the team’s fault. As if my father stood next to me, I could hear him say, Do us all a favor and don’t fail. You’ve done that once before.

  Failure was a word my father abhorred.

  I didn’t bother to suit up before going to Coach’s office.

  “Cargill, got your beauty sleep this morning?”

  “Coach—”

  “No excuses. Have you made your choice? Do you want to be here or not?”

  “I’m here.”

  “You may not need this team like some of the other guys. But this is a team. We need your one hundred percent or not at all.”

  “I’m in.”

  After practice, Chance waited for me. As we left the locker room, he asked, “Are you going to the café?”

  “Sure.”

  Not like I had anything better to do. I tried not to be affected by the distance Ash put between us. But today, like yesterday, was one of the hardest tests I had to face.

  ASHTON

  What was I doing staring up at the house like a peeping tom? If I knocked on the door and he answered, what would be my excuse? We�
��d already said everything that needed to be said. Nothing was going to change. So why was I there?

  A car parked and Shelly got out. Then David Sanders took hold of her hand. That was new. I got out, not wanting to miss my chance.

  “Can I talk to you?”

  Shelly looked shocked and stopped in her tracks, but not more than David. Everyone was always so surprised that I could speak. Did no one think that maybe I didn’t talk because there wasn’t anything worth being said?

  “David, can you give me a minute?”

  She walked over and I moved farther, putting more distance between us and David. She folded her arms.

  “What’s going on?”

  “I need a favor.”

  “Okay, cryptic much?”

  “Today is Sawyer’s birthday.”

  Her eyes popped. “He didn’t say anything.”

  “He wouldn’t and he shouldn’t be alone.”

  Puzzlement made a crinkle form on the bridge of her nose.

  “So go up there,” she challenged.

  “I can’t.”

  She didn’t back down, which I should have expected.

  “This is none of my business, but what’s going on between you two? You can tell me. I won’t judge and I can keep a secret.”

  “You’re right. It’s none of your business.”

  She closed her eyes. “Fine. One more thing and then I’ll drop it.”

  I wished she wouldn’t say more. But I needed her help.

  “Everyone can see the two of you are miserable apart.”

  I didn’t add anything to her narrative. She had no idea what I felt. When she saw I wouldn’t relent, she sighed.

  “Okay, what do you need me to do?”

  I waved a hand in the air. “There’s this thing I organized at the frat house. I need you to get him there. He’ll think it’s just another party. Once he’s in the middle of the room, everyone will say, ‘Happy Birthday.’”

  “Can’t Chance do it?”

  “I can’t get in touch with him.”

  I rolled my eyes. “He’s probably on one of those romantic dates with Brie. How am I supposed to get him there?”

  “All you have to do is ask.”

  She laughed. “He hates me.”

  “He doesn’t hate you. You shut him down.”

  “What? Wait?”

  “Ignore that. I shouldn’t have said anything. Just make something up.”

  She was still trying to put the pieces together and shook her head as if that would help. “He’s not going to listen to me.”

  “He will. And you can invite your friends. The more girls that are there, the better for Sawyer.”

  “This will never work.”

  “It will. You have everything he wants.” Shock rendered her mute. “One more thing. You can’t tell him I had anything to do with it—the party, everything.”

  EIGHTEEN

  Shelly

  When he turned and began to walk toward his car, I ran after him.

  “Ashton, wait.”

  Tragically beautiful as he was, he turned once again, giving me the full effect. There was so much hidden behind his eyes, I couldn’t stop from wanting to smooth out the frown that had formed on his face.

  “Are you okay?” I asked.

  “I’m here, aren’t I?”

  He said no more, just got in his car and drove off. David appeared next to me as Ashton’s taillights disappeared around a corner.

  “What did he want?”

  That was a loaded question. Something about the whole conversation threw me off.

  “Well?” David tried again.

  “A favor.” I shook my head as if that would crystalize something I couldn’t put my finger on. “Are you going to the Sigma party tonight?”

  “Yeah.”

  I faced him and lifted on my toes to press a quick kiss to his lips. “Okay, I’ll see you later then.”

  I drifted toward the door and David followed.

  “You don’t want me to come in?”

  Pivoting, I met his lusty grin with a smile of my own.

  “For coffee or are you trying to find out the color of my underwear?”

  He leaned down and whispered next to my lips. “Both,” he said before kissing me.

  Next thing I knew, I was caged in between the door and him. I hadn’t yet let him seal the deal. Despite what people thought of me, I’d only ever slept with three guys. All had been mistakes. I didn’t want another one.

  The door opened just as David’s other hand slid up my back. I stumbled backward into a solid and bare chest. My backless dress confirmed that I was skin to skin with…

  “Cargill,” David said.

  “Sanders.” Sawyer didn’t remove his hand from my hip, where he’d tried to steady me from falling backward.

  David moved to step inside.

  “We’ll take it from here.”

  Sawyer closed the door in David’s face. Gaping up and over my shoulder at him, I moved out of his hold and reopened the door.

  “Sorry about that, but I’ll see you later,” I said, putting emphasis on the later part.

  He feigned a smile for me. I could tell he wanted to throttle Sawyer.

  “Please,” I added.

  Finally, he nodded and left. I closed the door to find Sawyer towering over me.

  “What the hell was that all about?”

  “I don’t like that guy.”

  “You…” Pigheaded asshole came to mind, but I remembered I needed to get him to the frat house. Picking a fight with him wouldn’t help that cause.

  His brow lifted as he waited for me to finish my statement.

  “You don’t have to like him,” I said rationally. “If this is going to be a problem, maybe I should move.”

  He sighed. “Shit, I’m sorry. It’s your life.”

  When he walked away, I couldn’t help but admire his backside. The guy had a killer body. His shorts hung low on his waist, where his defined back muscles led to dimple marks around his covered ass.

  “Hey.” That got his attention. Not only did he stop, but he faced me. My gaze was immediately drawn to the curved muscles on either side that angled toward his…Get a grip, Shelly. I didn’t even realize I’d licked my lips until his grin shot up. I rolled my eyes. “What are you doing tonight?”

  “I could do you if you want me to.”

  I pinched my forehead. “Okay, I left myself open for that one.”

  “Wide enough for me to slide in there.”

  “Damnit, Sawyer.”

  He shrugged, totally unapologetic.

  “Does everything have to be about sex with you?”

  “Sex is great, especially with the right person.”

  I tried very hard not to remember how true that statement was. My body, on the other hand, had other ideas. I had to stand straighter and press my legs together to stop my involuntary reaction to memories of a long time past. Then there was the reality check that none of the other two guys I’d slept with lived up to Sawyer’s spectacular performance.

  “Remembering something?” he asked all smug like. “One night with me would be unforgettable.”

  I narrowed my eyes at him.

  “You are so full of shit. One night with you and I’d need antibiotics to ward off the slut disease.”

  “Damn, that’s what you think of me.”

  I glanced at the ceiling. “No, look, I’m sorry. That was wrong.”

  “Don’t take it back. At least you’re being honest. And here’s some truth from me. I don’t know what David does for you. But he can’t be doing it right if you think enjoying fucking means you’re a slut.”

  I rubbed my temple as he went upstairs. Great, I’d fucked that up. I checked my phone for the time. I still had most of the hour to get him there. I’d give him some time to forgive me before I tried again.

  Meanwhile, I texted the girls, including Brie, letting them know about the party. Mia was quick to respond with a thumbs-up e
moji. Some of our other friends were in too. I hadn’t heard back from Brie when I couldn’t wait anymore.

  Slowly, I walked upstairs, getting a strange vibe. I’d been up there before. And that was the problem. I remembered his room was to the left. It took a second before I willed myself to knock on the door.

  “Come in.”

  On the other side, I found him lying with his legs hanging off the side, feet touching the ground. He was still shirtless, damn him.

  “What now?”

  “Um.” I decided to go with a version of the truth. “Ashton needs you.”

  He glared at me.

  “I’m serious. I think you need to go.”

  My suggestion that Ashton might be in some trouble worked. He shot up in bed.

  “What the hell happened?”

  My phone vibrated in my hand. I glanced at it to see that Brie and Chance were on their way.

  I shrugged. “I got a text. It sounded urgent.”

  Okay, partially true.

  He stood and snatched a shirt from a drawer.

  “Shouldn’t you put on jeans or something?”

  “Why?”

  “Just in case?”

  In case of what I didn’t know. Good thing he didn’t ask. Only he dropped said shorts right in front of me. Luckily, he was wearing boxer briefs. That didn’t hide the very large imprint drawing my gaze. I glanced away while he tugged jeans on. It was unlike him not to comment that my face was a lovely shade of red if the heat in my cheeks was any indication. Only when I checked on his progress, he looked genuinely worried, making me feel terrible for lying.

  He stuffed his wallet in his back pocket and took his keys from the top of the chest. When he breezed by me, I shivered. Just a simple brush of his skin against mine was like static electricity.

  “Wait up,” I said, running after him.

  He was halfway down the stairs before I got there.

  “You don’t need to come. I’ll handle it.”

  There was just something in the way he said it. All our friends assumed something was going on between them. I’d always felt it on Ashton’s part. This was the first time I got a hint that maybe Sawyer felt it too.