Page 80 of Good Directions

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” I taunt, trying to evade the question.

“I would. Which is why I asked the question.”

“Don’t think you’re getting out of this so easy,” Hux comments.

“Nothing to get out of. I told you before, and I’ll tell you again. What’s between Sawyer and me is none of y’all’s business,” I tell him, relying on my original answer from Munch.

“Because you’re doing this just to win the bet.”

For fuck’s sake…

“No, this is not just about winning the bet,” I admit.

“They’re the real deal,” our father backs me up. “Wait ’til you see them together.”

Thanks, Dad. I think.

“So, it’s real. Really real…” Hux knits his brow, crossing his arms across his chest, examining me like I’m one of his trees that he’s about to chop down.

“What? You think we’re faking it like in one of Jace’s romance novels?”

Which is exactly what we’re doing. Were doing.

“It’s a popular trope for a reason,” Jace defends. “Because it happens in real life. People have a need…”

“Well, not us.”

Sorta.

A tinge of guilt gnaws at me. This is something I should be able to confide in my brothers about. Yet, somehow I can’t. Sharing anything more than what I already have feels like some sort of a betrayal. Maybe because it would mean that I’d have to admit to all sorts of other things I’ve been keeping from them.

“I’m telling you,” Auggie says, twisting to look at the group of us over his shoulder from the grill. “This Sawyer Brown is the real deal. And Hayes needs to make her an offer.”

“Hayes needs to? Or a Hayes?” Ewan clarifies.

“Either.” Our father shrugs, turning back to the burgers.

“A as in one or as in someone’s initial,” Jace pushes, that shit-eating grin somehow growing even bigger.

Fucker…

“Answer remains…”

I seriously hate all of them.

Too bad this is my game. And if they want to play…

“Ag isn’t hiring,” Gus cuts me off before I can get a word in, going into full business mode. “Not with the poor revenue from this year’s crop. I know we can’t help the hard freeze, but that doesn’t mean we need to be going and spending money that we didn’t take in either. And⁠—”

“Gus, you’re executive vice president. I’m sure you could find a way to make it work,” Auggie declares, putting an end to that.

At least outwardly. Internally, my brain is reeling, wondering if I could get away with a research and development position in my department. Something that would entice Sawyer enough to keep her here in Hickory Hills full-time. With me.

Then again, that wouldn’t be fair. My end of this deal is a letter of recommendation for the job Sawyer actually wants. Her dream job. One that she’s told me all about multiple times. Asking her to give that up might be a bit of a jackass move.

Although, if she doesn’t get it…

“What’s that look on your face?” Gus asks, nodding his chin at me. “You look like you’re up to something.”