The Princess And The Criminal

28

SAWYER (HIGH SCHOOL FLASHBACK)

I huffed and shifted in my seat. The old music room was dark and dusk prickled my nose but I wasn't bothered.

I plucked a string, my guitar rang beautifully in the empty room. It sucked that the electricity to the room had been cut but I was glad to have the room to myself.

Sometimes I could get lost in music. Strumming my guitar till even my callouses hurt.

I paused when the door creaked open, the frown on my face faded when I heard her beautiful voice.

"Sawyer?"

I decided to be quiet to mess with her.

"Sawyer. This place creeps me out, where the hell are you?"

"Pretty ladies shouldn't cuss." I chuckled.

She let out a sigh of relief and walked over slowly to me. Even in the dim lighting, she looked like an angel. I had sworn to myself that I would never lose her that day.

(FLASHBACK END)

"You stop, or you and I are done."

I blinked at her. Why had I just remembered that day? There was nothing particularly important about it, to be honest...

Actually... I had promised to never lose her that day.

I had already lost her once. And here I was about to repeat that mistake.

A tear leaked from my eye and her fierce expression softened.

"I'm sorry." I choked out. "I've been an idiot."

She sagged with a sigh. "Sawyer-"

"No, don't do that. I was a bad girlfriend. I'm being a bad girlfriend. Please don't feel bad for me."

Noah bit her lip. "I understand why you're doing it."

"It doesn't excuse this Noah." I shook my head. I felt like my senses were being slapped back into me. "I'm sorry, you're right."

I stripped and climbed slowly into bed.

"How's your leg?"

Noah smiled softly at me. "I start physical therapy next week."

I smiled with my heart in my throat. Forcing my tears away. "After your session do you wanna go see Morgan and Forrest's new house?"

Noah tilted her head. "What about your sessions?"

I sighed. "I booked them. I just haven't been going."

"Saw-"

"I know. I'm sorry."

"You're walking on a tightrope Sawyer."

I smiled softly. "I'm going to get back on stable ground."

—-----------------------------------------------------------------------

"Came back to your senses I see," Forrest grunted while dropping a box of clothes.

I sighed and rubbed my neck. "She gave me a very clear ultimatum. Snapped me right back."

Forrest chugged some Gatorade before responding to me. "I'm glad she grew a spine. Her parents made her so wishy-washy."

I swallowed at the mention of her parents. I had therapy the next day and was pretty nervous about it.

Marley was keeping me updated about their search. They had spotted him in Prigairy so at least I could breathe a little easier. Not only was Prigairy too small for him to hide properly, but he was also several miles away from Noah.

Of course the possibility of him sending people after her was there, but Marley had several men watching her. It was hard, but I was trying to trust him more. He was making strides and having a mafia boss as an ally didn't seem like a bad idea.

"I'm trying to be the best for both of us."

Forrest sighed and gripped my shoulder. "You have always been headstrong and defensive of the people you love. Prison had turned the defensive meter up to the max. I believe in you. Channel your headstrong character and be the best version of yourself ever."

I chuckled. "You're really fired up. Thanks, Forrest."

"What are big brothers for?"

—----------------------------------------------------------------

"So Sawyer, how did your day go?"

I fidgeted in my seat across the skinny man who was now my therapist.

"It was good."

"Define good for me please." He smiled and wrote down.

I swallowed, a little nervous. "Uh... wasn't too hot, kinda quiet. The people I care about are safe."

He hummed. "Did you have good days in prison?"

"Uh... yeah."

"Please describe a general good day in prison for me."

I scratched my head. "Uh... quiet, no one trying to stab me." I chuckled awkwardly.

"Quiet... Are you a big fan of quiet?"

"Uh yeah, I guess?"

"You guess?"

I shifted. "Uh yeah. It's not that great but it's cool."

He hummed...

—------------------------------------------------

"How was it?"

Noah smiled while unpacking our groceries.

I scratched my head. "Weird, uncomfortable."

Noah tilted her head.

I sighed and kissed her softly. "Wasn't bad, just new."

Noah hummed and deepened the kiss.

I chuckled and pulled back. "Bad girl. You know I'll hurt you."

She pouted. "Then be gentle. I'm horny Sawyer."

I laughed and took the grocery bag from her. "Calm down babe."

"I'm going to drain you dry when I recover."

I smirked. "Can't wait."

I'M A BAD PROMISE KEEPER BTW.