“He started taking self-defense lessons from Sean, and that has helped a lot. I’ve gone a few times, but it’s not really my thing. But I think it’d be great for you, Scarlett.”
“Only if you do it,” I said, looking at her.
“That I will pass on. Thank you very much.”
“Come on. I don’t want to be in a room with a man by myself. You have to go.” I grabbed her arm gently, begging. The idea of being able to fight, even a little bit, was the most appealing thing to me. There were only a few certain people I could be in a room alone with, and a stranger was definitely not one of them.
“Fine,” Sawyer sighed, like it was the end of the world.
“I just hope I don’t get in over my head,” I muttered.
A couple of hours later, I made my way to the kitchen, finding Wyatt attempting to make food. I stood against the counter, my arms across my chest as I watched him mumble about where I had everything in my kitchen and the lack of easy foods to pop in the oven.
“You know, there’s a bunch of places to eat outside this apartment,” I said. At my voice, he spun around.
“I have orders.”
“Well then, go hungry.”
“Then I’ll be even more of a grump,” he said, turning back around and searching for food.
“Then order take-in, Wyatt. I haven’t had much food in here the past week, so you’re gonna be a bit out of luck right now.”
“Doesn’t Ace have someone to bring you things?”
“Yes, but only when I call them. I haven’t called, since I was planning to go to the store with your sister and Miles after we ate lunch. But someone changed those plans on me.”
“Don’t look at me. I didn’t do anything.” He held his palms face-up in surrender.
“I didn’t say you did,” I said. “I’ll text the gal to bring my groceries later today.”
“My sister’s attitude has rubbed off on you,” he said, eyeing me. “Not sure if that’s a good thing or bad.”
“I hope a good thing. She’s a bit hard-headed, though.”
“That she is,” he agreed. “I think you’re good for her more than she is to you. She needs someone to keep her head on straight.”
“Oh, I can promise I’m not that type of person. She just wants me to tag along for the ride.”
“Oh dear,” Sawyer said, walking up behind me. “You are both so wrong. I am my own person and no one will change that. I’m just here to be a friend.”
“Which you need some of,” Wyatt said, winking at me. “You couldn’t have picked better ones.”
“But isn’t she sooo much better than my last group?” Sawyer asked way too sweetly as she leaned in to place her chin on my shoulder.
“Yes, but now I have to be worried you’re the bad influence here, dear sister.”
“Nah,” she said, stepping away. “She’s good for me. We’re going to start doing some lessons to keep us both safe. Figured that’d make you happy.”
“I’ve been after you to do that for years,” Wyatt said. “Not like you’ll ever take my advice on anything.”
“You know I don’t like following orders.”
“I didn’t order you to do anything,” he huffed. “I only said it’d be good for you and you shot it down, along with a bunch of other stuff.”
“Hey, I went to therapy!” She made it sound like it was a near death choice.
“Because you had no other choice when the police caught you with that group of kids you thought it was okay to hang out with! You tried to steal a car with them! While they were on a drug run!”
“Key word: tried. I didn’t end up doing it.”
“But you had to seek counselling,” he countered, “or do jail time.”
“Better than going to jail, so it was still a win for me. And Dr. Mayes is amazing.”
“Yeah, I don’t care much for her either,” he grumbled.
“How did you three meet?” Wyatt asked.
“Well, we ran into each other in the hallway,” Sawyer said. “And I met Miles at group. He’s a sweet boy. And we just kind of all clicked.”
“Hmm.”
“Figured you’d have something to say about that?”
“Nope,” he said. “I think you three make a good group. The most sane of your choices so far in life.”
“You were worried about the two of us, weren’t ya?” Sawyer asked, taking a seat on the countertop.
“A bit. But I’m not the only one worried about Scarlett.”
“And I’m doing just fine here.”
“I can see that,” Wyatt said, a smile lighting his eyes. “The issue should be taken care of by tomorrow morning.”
“Do you know the guy who’s looking for me?”
“I have a name and picture. Other than that, nothing. All I know is that he’s to track you down and report back to Alan. We got intel that proves we’re on the right path, but so is Alan.”
“He’s too scared to come out himself.”
“Oh no, he isn’t. Surprisingly, he’s been really careful to not do something stupid and give himself away. I know he’s lurking in the shadows somewhere. We just can’t put our finger on where he is, or when he’ll pop up. I’m thinking he may have assistance. But no one is agreeing with me.”
“Kay,” I said slowly.
“If not, then you’ll have to go back to Ace for a bit.”
“Over my dead body,” Sawyer hissed.
“It’s fine,” I said, laying a hand on her arm. “It won’t be the first time, nor will it be the last.”
“You shouldn’t have to be moved every time there’s a little threat.” She directed the statement to her brother.
“I have a session here in about an hour. And then group tonight, and I’m not going to miss it,” I said.
“I think you should stay in,” Wyatt hinted.
I raised my eyebrow, knowing he wouldn’t do anything to keep me here. Now, if he divulged a bit more information on who exactly was out there searching for me, and why, then I wouldn’t put up a fight to go.
Wyatt pinched the bridge of his nose and breathed in deeply.
“Fine. I’ll have to tag along.”
“Okay,” I shrugged.
“No,” Sawyer said. “You won’t tag along.”
“Yes, I will. Or you won’t be going either, little sister.”
“Just let him. He will see how important group is. And maybe he’ll learn something for once,” I said to her.
“Oh, he’ll learn more than he’ll ever want. I can promise that,” she said, stomping out of my apartment. A moment later, I heard her slam her door to her place.
“She’s not a huge fan of me dropping in. She always acts like this, and this is calm,” he said, waving his hand towards his sister.
“I want this type of bickering with my brother. Actually,” I said, rethinking that, “I don’t. I just want a sibling relationship where his movements aren’t thought out or I don’t freak out because he touches me when I’m not expecting it. But that’s with anyone.”