W SARAH To call or not to call. That is the question. One I’ve asked myself a million times over since what? 5pm. I stare down at the phone in my right hand again, at the open group chat displayed on the screen. I created it after the brothers and I got together. Makes it easier to communicate with all three of them at once. I bite down on the polished nail of my index finger for the fifth time. How do I type this? Rain check? What would I say? I’ll be crazy to use Julian as an excuse. Malachi would absolutely lose his shit. And he won’t be the only one. What can I do? Perhaps I can let them know Kevin planned it all. They’ll understand, won't they? They’re his best friends. Surely, they know how he gets sometimes. Still, what if this creates more animosity between them? I shake my head in disapproval, a tired sigh leaving my lips. My eyes dart away from the text bar to the top of my screen where the time is displayed. It’s six pm on the dot. Either the brothers or Julian would be here in an hour. They’ll be on their way soon. I have to make a decision, and fast. I pull myself up from the couch and begin to walk around the living room, to my study, and back to the living room again. Walking helps me think. And it works like magic this time. I’ve made a decision; to call Julian and cancel. If Kevin throws a fit, I’ll tell him I came down with a stomach ache. My smile stretches across my lips. I hurry over to the couch and pick up my phone. It doesn’t take me long to find Julian’s number in my contact list. “Wheeew. This should be easy.” But my door bell decides to ring. Rather, someone decides to come at that particular minute. Kevin, no doubt. He’s proven to have impeccable timing—and I mean the total opposite—these days. I place my right hand on my stomach, ready to put on my award winning act, as I walk towards the door. My shoulders slump in disappointment. That is, of course, before my face twists into a frown. Julian clutches the bouquet in his right hand as his smile slowly fades. For some reason, the sight of me in denim shorts and a tank top appalls him. His mouth pulls into a deep, pained frown. “You’re not ready yet?” He asks. I step out of the door and fold my arms across my chest, flashing him a scowl of my own. “What are you doing here? You’re like an hour early. I haven’t even taken a shower.” It’s rude to make a lady feel like she’s late. Very rude. His brows furrow. “What are you talking about? Kevin asked me to be here by six,” he pauses and looks down at the watch on his left wrist. I fight the urge to roll my eyes. You know what? I don’t. I DO roll my eyes. “I’m right on time if you ask me. Kevin…” The sound of my brother’s name from his mouth makes me want to scream. Kevin. Kevin. Kevin. When did he begin to make the rules that now govern my life? “…I had to leave work very early for this and you’re not even…” “About my brother,” I cut him mid sentence. “Do you think you can leave him out of whatever it is you’re planning? We’re not in the 90s, Julian. You do not have to kiss my brother’s ass.” Julian’s eyes narrow on me. He looks at me like I’m crazy. “Once again, Sarah. What are you actually talking about?” I raise my right brow in query.Is he really going to fake ignorance? Julian scoffs. “Kevin asked me to come here.” Wait. What? “He said you felt sorry about the way our last date ended and wanted to make it up to me. But you were too embarrassed to…” A bitter laugh rips from my throat. Trust me, nothing about anything he’s just said is funny. I have to force laughter from the pit of my chest. It’s all I can do from shutting the door on his face, calling Kevin, and screaming…no, cursing at him. “What? Me? Embarrassed? And you believed him?” Confused blue eyes study my stance as he speaks. “I mean…I did think it was odd. Admitting to being embarrassed is completely unlike you. Yes. Then again, he has no reason to lie, and…” “For fuck’s sake, Julian!” The scream finally frees itself from my throat, echoing through as much of my usually quiet street as it can. My fingers dig into my hair. It takes all the self control I can muster not to pull it out one handful after another. “He’s trying to set us up!” “And that’s such a bad thing because?” For a brief second, I’m speechless. I can only blink as many times as I need to see the man in front of me clearly. He’s not joking. He’s not fucking joking. “Gosh, Julian,” I fling my hands up in frustration. “Are you dumb? Can’t you see the fucking writing on the wall? I’m in love, and it’s not with you!” He swallows hard. My words have hit. Finally, he’ll understand, and we can both put an end to this… “Feelings can change, Sarah. I just need a chance to…” “Are you fucking serious?” “They’re not good for you.” “And you are?” I stare him down. “Is that why you showed up at their office to harass them?” His eyes widen. “Ha…harass? I didn’t…listen, I can explain everything to you, okay? If you just let me…” “No.” I cut in. “I don’t want to hear anything from you right now, and I’m this close…” I pinch the air. “…this close to never wanting to hear anything from you again.” Malachi’s theory suddenly starts to make a lot of sense. Only a deranged man would hear a woman say she’s in love with someone else and think he can change her mind. By doing what? Do I confront him about it? If he’s the stalker, he needs to know that I do not find it flattering in the least. I shake my head, pushing the thought away. It can’t be. He’s crazy, but not that crazy. Not that evil. I rush into the house, grab my keys, close my door behind me and lock it with my finger print. I don’t think twice before brushing past Julian. “Sarah, where are you going? We’re supposed to be…” “In your fucking dreams, Julian Cross.” And I say this without turning to him. “I’m going for a long drive.” Now, I look at him. If not for any reason, but to emphasize how much I mean the words that are about to come out of my mouth. “Do not follow me.” Fortunately, he still has two listening ears on his head. I climb into my car and start the engine. I’m out of my driveway before it all starts to come together in my head. I need to see the brothers. Kevin definitely knows something. That’s the only thing that can explain why he’s setting me up. Where has he been all evening? The thought alone makes my heart race. I take in deep breaths, in and out, to stop myself from panicking. I have to stay calm and figure out a way to handle this. Perhaps I should call them? With my right hand on my steering wheel, I press my left against my left and right pockets. Shit. I left my phone on the damned couch. I’m halfway down the lonely stretch to the brothers’ estate when a sharp hiss cuts through my quiet thoughts. Thick, gray plumes curl up from the edges of my car. It grows so quick, my pulse spikes. I yank the wheel to the side and brake hard, gravel crunching under the wheels of my car. Something in the air feels heavier the moment I step out. The heat from my engine hits in the face immediately. “Shit…” I pop the bonnet and a rush of hot smoke surges out, stinging my eyes and clawing at my throat. I cough, wave a hand in front of my face, trying to see inside, but it’s useless. I can’t make sense of a singular thing I’m looking at. “It was fine just this evening.” A harsh flood of light blooms behind me, flooding the dark. My chest loosens with relief, and my tense shoulders suddenly relax. Headlights. And they’re too bright to belong to just one car. I look behind me to find a truck approaching me at slow speed. This road only leads to the HawkThorne estate, the truck must be heading there as well. Perhaps construction? I don’t know. I’m just grateful I do not have to walk the rest of the journey. I step into the middle of the road, waving my arms high, calling out, desperate to make them see me. The engine’s growl grows louder, closer, until it’s nearly on top of me. The glare swallows my vision, blinding me, forcing me to turn my face away before my eyes can sting any worse. The truck halts just feet from where I stand. Through the haze of headlights, I can’t make out the driver’s face, just the dark curve of a cap that covers his features. The door creaks open, and I hear heavy boots against the gravel. Every inch of hair on my skin stands erect. I couldn’t see him at first, but now… What is he doing here? Luke HawkThorne pulls off his cap, and flashes me a smile. “Fancy seeing you here, Sarah Wellspring.”