Mr. Berkshire (Book 1 in the For Better Or Worst Trilogy)

Chapter 23

     Ice cold water sprays in every direction, earning squeals from the old and new Miss Belle contestants. The sun kisses our wet skin, reminding us that the familiar Georgia heat is not too far away. The girls, including myself, are wearing our best bikinis, some paired with shorts, and the guys strut around in only a pair of beach shorts. Giant sponge in hand, I scrub at the hood of my neighbor's car. 

     "Having fun?" Jackson asks from across the car, adding extra soapy suds to the windshield. 

     "Oh, you know it." I respond, sarcastically. A hint of a playful smile at the corner of my lips makes an appearance as I bury my sponge in a bucket of soap and water. 

     "Do you remember the fundraiser from our year?" 

     "Who could forget that terribly raw chicken and way too sweet apple pie? Didn't your date puke on you?" A small giggle escapes my lips as I replay the scene of that day. The guys and girls had to make their very own picnic basket and whoever paid the most for their basket won a date with that guy or girl. Apple pie does not look as good coming back up as it did going down. 

     "Ruined my best suit." He adds, causing us both to laugh. Trading my sponge in for a hand towel, I dry the car from front to back. "Our first date is still the best date i've ever had." Mid drying, I stop to meet his apprehensive gaze. 

     "Compared to vomit, I didn't have much competition. So, thanks." I return to drying the car, too lost in my thoughts to notice that Jackson has gone silent. 

     "Hey, Sawyer." I lose my train of thought and return my gaze to the hose holding, blond degenerate who I once considered my best friend. A devilish grin and mischievous gaze is enough warning of the evil sneak attack he has in mind. 

     "Don't you dare, Jackson Earl Barnett!" I shout, waving my index finger in his direction. For a second, it looks like he's considering his possible demise if he does decide to go along with the attack. Just as i'm starting to relax, Jackson lifts the hose and allows the water to spray me. Squealing, I rush around the parked car in a panic, attempting to avoid the water and the maniac controlling it. "Jackson!"

     "I'm gonna get you!" He yells, swinging the hose like a wild man. Thinking I might have found his blind spot, I run around the car only to be swept in his arms half a second later. "Gotcha!" Water is forced in my face as I try to swipe the hose away. Suddenly it's an all out war between girls and boys. Water is shooting every which way as everyone screams and shouts. No one is safe. 

     Finally, I escape from Jackson's hold and make a run for the water bucket. Once I have the bucket in hand, he and I circle one another, waiting for who would be brave enough to make the next move. Each of us jerk froward, daring each other to make the first move. In the blink of an eye, I throw myself forward with the bucket in hand, allowing the water to fly all over Jackson. A new look of determination in his eyes and a wild hose in hand, my ex throws himself towards me. 

**********

     Four hours later and the cars are slowly beginning to disperse. More than half the town arrived for the event, a car wash and a piece of pie while they wait. These are the kinds of things that bring this town together. Events such as this one brings families and friends to one place to share a sweet memory that they can reminisce on for years to come. There are just some things that you can only get in small towns. One at a time the cars are leaving the parking lot, promising to return tomorrow for another piece of Mrs. Higgs famous pies. We wave them goodbye, thanking them for their contributions. Slowly, we begin to pack the supplies away until we see an expensive looking black car drive in. 

     "Sawyer, sweetie, could you get that one please? Tell them we're all out of apple pie, but we still have one or two pieces of pecan." Mrs. Higgs asks as she's packing the supplies. Most of the girls and guys are already heading out, leaving me as the only option. Nodding, I walk across the parking lot with a bucket in one hand and a towel in the other. Before reaching the car, the door opens and reveals the tall, dark, and handsome driver. 

     "Roman?" Frozen in place, I watch him shut the door behind him and make his ways towards me. "What are you doing here?" I ask him once he's close enough. The question comes out a lot more accusatory than I intend, but I surely can't mask my shock of seeing the city bachelor billionaire in the small southern town of Maywood. 

     "Is that how you welcome your friends?" He raises his brow, eyeing me as if it isn't odd that he's in my hometown. In his black suit and fancy car, he sticks out like a sore thumb. 

     "Friends? Last time I checked you were my boss and I was your employee. We are individuals who strictly speak when it comes to business. And if you hadn't noticed, i'm on vacation." The words tumble from my mouth. Bitterness is thick in my words. No filter. Somehow this Sawyer always finds a way out in the presence of Roman Berkshire. I'm not sure if it's a good or bad thing, but around this man I can say how I feel. My entire life I watch everything I say, bite my tongue, think twice before I speak, but with Roman, I feel this sense of freedom. 

     "You know that's not what I meant." His jaw is ticking, a familiar sign that his frustrations are growing. Good. 

     "Do I? Because that's what you said." Before he can say another word, I walk to his car. "Mrs. Higgs has the can of donations if you're feeling especially giving today." 

     "Sawyer-" He starts. 

     "Why did you come here, Mr. Berkshire?" I cut him off. His name leaves my lips in the same way a curse word would, full of venom. I know I don't have any reason to be upset with him. He can't control how he feels about me, but it doesn't soothe the embarrassment that burns in the pits of my stomach. A second later, Mrs. Higgs makes a reappearance with the can in hand. Looking between the two of us, she smiles. 

     "Who's this, hun?" She asks, clearly missing or ignoring the tension between us. 

     "No one." I quickly answer, not daring to look away from the man. A long silent moment passes, neither of us bothering to speak. Finally, Roman reaches into his pocket and retrieves a hundred dollar bill which he tucks away in the can. 

     "I'm not going anywhere, Sawyer. You'll be seeing me again." With that, he climbs into his car and drives off, leaving me to dodge Mrs. Higgs over curious gaze. 

Why do you think Roman is in town?

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