Dolphin Tale 4

Chapter [6]

Sawyer sat on the edge of the pool, watching Hope chase Winter around. He smiled at the younger dolphin's antics and sighed. If only he had a carefree life like Winter and Hope. 

It had been a week since Sawyer had made that visit to Lacie's house. It had been a week since Sawyer had first discovered his true feelings for Lacie. It had been a week since Sawyer had found out about Lacie's true feelings towards himself. He still remembered her words as though they had only been spoken yesterday.

I fell for you ages ago, Sawyer.

A lump sat in his throat. Phoebe had gotten word that the Hasketts would be back the following week. This meant that Saywer had one week to decide. One week to make a decision that could potentially change his life. One week to decide between two equally gorgeous girls.

Hazel or Lacie?

***

"Sawyer, can I talk to you for a minute?"

Sawyer turned to face Phoebe. "I'm sorry, Phoebe, I'm busy right now. Maybe later?"

"It's about Hazel."

Sawyer closed his eyes. "Right. Can we go somewhere more private, please?" he asked, opening his eyes and looking at the number of people milling around apprehensively.

Phoebe nodded. "Dr. Clay's office. Let's go."

Sawyer sighed and reluctantly followed Phoebe into the office. He shut the door behind them and leaned against it, his arms folded. "So, what did you want to say?"

"Hazel's coming back in a week, Sawyer."

Sawyer nodded slowly. "Yeah, I know that."

"What's going on between you and Lacie?"

"Nothing," Sawyer said quickly. "We're just friends. We're just really good friends."

Phoebe sighed. "Don't deny it, Sawyer. Denying the truth will only make things worse. Do you, or do you not have feelings for Lacie Armstrong?"

Sawyer turned to stare out of the window. "That is none of your business, Phoebe," he said curtly. "My relationships with people are none of your concern."

Phoebe stood up abruptly and walked over to Sawyer. "They are."

Sawyer turned to stare at Phoebe defiantly. "How are they your business? Your love life is none of my business, so why is my love life your business?"

"Because I care."

"So I don't care? Is that what you're trying to say?"

"I care about you. I care about Hazel. I care about all of you. You're like a family to me. I can't bear to see you like this. I can't bear to see you so confused. I don't want to have to see Hazel looking so heartbroken and dejected. I care about all of you."

Sawyer sighed. "There's nothing going on between Lacie and I."

Phoebe folded her arms. "So I won't find you two sitting together tonight at the restaurant next door?"

Sawyer ran a hand through his hair, his mouth hanging open. 'How did you manage to find that out?"

Phoebe shrugged. "Lacie manages to make word spread like wildfire. You're lucky she only told Kat and I of word would have gotten to the press. You wouldn't want that, would you?"

Sawyer stared at Phoebe in shock. "I told her— No, I wouldn't. What do you want me to do?"

"Choose."

Sawyer continued to stare at Phoebe. "Choose between Lacie and Hazel? That's almost impossible."

Phoebe shrugged indifferently. "Choose."