The Princess And The Criminal

10

SAWYER

Shepherd's game was raving. Several students from the college were present to show their support. A friendly game before the league began.

Dad had taken a taxi, saying he was afraid of suffocating if he rode in Betsy.

We cheered loudly, all covered in the colours of Shepherd's team. Even when they missed a play, we would cheer loudly, confusing the people beside us into cheering as well.

Shepherd was awesome. He was going places with his talent.

Noah had said she was going to come watch the game with Viper. A detail I hadn't mentioned to my family.

Shepherd was quite young when our parents got divorced so he has no specific grudges against Viper. He is the only one of us who still calls her mom.

And like thinking about them spawned them, Noah and Viper approached us just as the third quarter began. There was a blonde lean guy walking beside Noah, all smiles while Noah spoke to him.

I clenched my jaw and breathed. I had always been jealous of the men—and in the past—boys Noah's parents sent her on dates with. I had a very easy time hiding my jealously because I never saw them. I guess during the five years away they had changed the styles of the dates.

My step brother, Jo brightened up when he spotted me. He was trailing behind the three, a dejected look on his face.

"Sawyer!"

I removed my eyes from Noah and her date and smiled at Jo.

Sure the kid was weird and definitely had a crush on Viper but he was harmless, and a bit cute. He was still as skinny as ever. His blonde hair had grown longer and was in a small low ponytail, little pieces of his hair floating around his face.

"Hey kid." I slapped my hand against his outstretched one.

"Woah, Shepherd mentioned you were bigger but man."

I chuckled. He had always followed me around like I was some kind of hero. Beaming whenever I congratulated him or played with him and shepherd.

"Come sit, we can hit the ice cream after the game."

He wrinkled his nose. "I'm not thirteen anymore."

I smirked. "So you don't want the ice cream?"

Jo coloured. "Of course I do."

I smiled and threw my hand across his shoulder.

"Viper." Dad's smile straightened at Viper as she and Noah, together with her date—they were still talking—sat in the seats in front of us.

"Bailey." She responded not even sparing him a glance.

"Boys."

My brothers ignored her.

"Oh you're too funny."

My eye twitched as I looked at Noah's date. He was laughing at something Noah had said with his hand covering his mouth. Noah was smiling at him.

Forrest eyed me and plastered a huge smile on his face. "Noah! It's been a minute."

Noah frowned and turned to face us, her expression brightening when she saw me before frowning again and looking at Forrest.

"I saw you last night."

Caesar smiled and eyed Forrest.

"We did yeah."

Noah just looked confused.

Everyone was quiet, in awkward silence before Shepherd scored a touchdown and we got up to cheer.

Even Jo—who was a bit confused at first—joined the hollering my brother's and I were engaged in.

When we settled down Jo moved to sit by Viper and Noah took his place.

"Hey." She smiled.

I smiled back as warmth spread through my chest. "Hey... Mc Donald's tonight?"

Her smile widened. "Yeah."

Her head remained on my shoulder for the rest of the game. I slid my hand around her waist and sat through the last quarter. Not standing to cheer with my brother's.

Shepherd run to us with a huge smile on his face, dirt on his shirt and cheeks.

"Was I awesome?"

"No doubt!" We all cheered.

"To Mc Donald's it is." Walker cheered.

"I'll hitch a taxi." Noah date winked at her and I felt my jaw tighten.

"Oh nonsense. Come with me." Viper smiled as she walked to her car.

"Well.. I'm taking a taxi." Dad smiled walking to the curb.

"Come back here." Hunter chuckled as he dragged Dad back to Betsy.

Before we knew it everyone was gone and Noah and I were blinking at their retreating vehicles.

I wanted to ask about her date. And why he didn't want to ride with her, but I had a tendency to not ask questions. I trusted Noah. And I knew deep down that she was mine at the end of the day. He was just some fleeting date.

But as we entered Noah's tiny car, I had to ask.

"I didn't know Viper spoke to your dates."

Noah blinked, surprised. To be honest even I was surprised myself, but I wouldn't take the question back. Even in high school I never asked about her dates. I knew about them cause they had been happening since she was in sophomore year, before we got together in senior year so I just waited till she was comfortable enough to tell me about them. I had never actually mentioned them or commented on them before though.

Noah cleared her throat and started the car. "Oh.. he's technically not a date. He's the prince of Prigairy. My parents want me to show him around."

I nodded, the uncertainty clearing a bit. "You're friends?" I couldn't help the hard edge my speech came with.

Noah gave me a sideways glance and smirked. "Are you jealous?"

I frowned as heat travelled up my face. "O—f course not."

Noah giggled as she turned into the street Mc Donald's was on. "You have nothing to be worried about baby. He's gay."

I nodded. "Right but that doesn't matter cause I'm not jealous."

Noah parked beside Betsy and gave me a quick peck. "Of course not. But just in case you are—"

"—which I'm not."

"—which you're not." Noah chuckled. "It's always you. Now, tomorrow and forever."

I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face at her words.

We kissed slowly. Her small hands holding my face, while I gripped her nape.

"Let's go inside before I rip your clothes off." I whispered against her lips. She giggled and retracted from me, opening the car door.

The celebratory lunch was amazing. A few people sent us glares for the noise we were making. Viper and Dad ignored each other for the sake of peace and Mama Imelda and Old Mason joined us during a few breaks they could find.

"Where's Morgan?" Walker asked, elbowing Forrest.

"With her Parent's. She's about to pop so her mom wants her close."

I gave Noah stern looks to encourage her to finish the meal in front of her, but I didn't overdo it considering we had a date that evening.

There was only so much she could stomach in a day, I wasn't going to push her too much or she would vomit.

The prince, I had come to learn was called Cedrick was giving Caesar googo eyes, and Caesar was giving them right back. That was great for them, but it completely calmed my irrational jealousy down so I could focus my time on being with Noah instead of glaring at the prince.