Secrets of a Southern Belle

Chapter 20

"Sawyer is okay, Gigi," I turned to her.

"I know he is," she gave me a warm smile. "Come, let's get to bed. It's late."

She patted my thigh and offered her hand to pull me up from the couch. Before walking down the hallway, I gave my grandma a kiss on the cheek and told her goodnight. If it weren't for her, I don't think I could get through this. Gigi is my rock.

After I finally was able to shut my eyes, I instantly fell into a deep slumber and dreamt that my family was whole again.

I woke up the next morning to someone knocking on the front door. Quickly, I tied my messy hair up into a ponytail and made my way to the front door where Sawyer, my mom, and Gigi were standing. When I walked around my mom, who was blocking my sight of who was at the door, I saw Jason Dixon and Rhett. My eyes widened at their company, and I immediately looked to Sawyer. He must have noticed my confusion because he gave me an assuring nod.

My mom cleared her throat, "What are you doin' here?"

A mixture of surprise and confusion settled on her pale features. Jason looked uncomfortable as he fiddled with his keys in his hand.

"Well, I..uh.. heard about your job, and I wanted to give you our condolences."

"You came here to apologize about me losin' my job?" She asked wearily.

"Yes, ma'am," Jason agreed. "But, we are also here because I know that you need a new one. I happen to own a decent mechanic business on the outskirts of Darling and am in the market for a new receptionist, someone to answer calls and dispatch workers to people who are broken down."

Immediately, my mom shook her head and started to shut the door, "I'm sorry, but no. Thanks for comin' over."

Sawyer stopped the door with his hand and opened it wider. Him and our mom were now in a staring contest, silently challenging each other.

"Mom, listen to what he has to say," Sawyer insisted while glancing between her and our guests.

Instead of saying something, she just stood in silence, looking up at the ceiling.

"Oh, for Christ's sake, Cat. Get off of your high horse and give it a chance. What's it gonna hurt?" Gigi scolded her while rolling her eyes.

A frustrated sigh left my mom's lips, which means she was caving. She doesn't like to be called out or told what to do, especially in front of people.

"Fine, I'll give it a shot," she accepted in a not-too-happy tone.

Jason Dixon gave my mom a charming smile.

"Great! If you want, you can start on Monday. We open at eight. Sawyer can give you directions."

In response, she hummed and gave him a fake smile before leaving the room and slamming her bedroom door. Everyone just looked at each other awkwardly.

"Well, I think that went pretty well," Jason laughed and then looked at Sawyer. "Ready?"

Before my brother could answer, I butted in, "Where are you goin'?"

"You mean where are we goin'," Sawyer corrected me.

I looked between him and the Dixons to see if he was serious. I never pictured them inviting me anywhere. It was like me knowing their secret brought down this barrier we had between us, and there's a whole new part of them I never seen before. Briefly, I glance at Rhett and notice the small smirk on his lips.

Bewildered, I asked, "Uh..where are we goin'?"

Now I was curious because of the sneaky-looking smiles on their faces. Gigi also looked curious by the way one of her eyebrows rose.

"Its a surprise," Sawyer smiles cheekily.

I couldn't help but smile too because he was acting like his old self.

"Yeah, so let's get goin', darlin'," Rhett teased me and walked outside to the truck.

That was the second time he has called me that, and both times it has sent shivers down my spine. Jason followed him and so did my brother, which left me alone with Gigi.

"Darlin'?" She mouthed to me with humor clear in her twinkling eyes.

"Shut up," I whispered as I held up a finger to her and went to my room to get ready.

Surprisingly, I managed to get ready in ten minutes and made my way to the waiting boys. They weren't alone. Parker, Owen, Sawyer and that guy I didn't know sat in the bed of the truck while Jason and Rhett sat in the cab. Jason motioned me to sit in the back seat. When I opened the door, my dad was sitting on the opposite side with a sheepish look on his face. A grin automatically lit up on my face, and for the first time in a long time, I was genuinely happy.