"Hold on, what? Jackson isn't even in love with Whitney?" Annabeth asks me, completely appalled. I hand her back the wine bottle and she tips it high in the air.

"Nope. He made it sound like Whitney manipulated the whole thing," I reply and Gus shakes his head at my words. None of us can believe what happened tonight. We are sitting on the haystacks in the empty barn, passing a leftover bottle of wine between us. Austin left with Ryan after Mrs. Blackwood's lesson ended and I decided to hang with Gus and Annabeth for a bit.

"So what did he expect? You to be like, oh you ain't in love with her so I guess it makes everything okay. I don't hate your guts anymore?" Gus asks while slapping his knee with his hand. I shrug, not knowing the right answer and we all just stare at the ground in disbelief.

"Does it make it worse? Knowing he really only saw Whitney as some booty? And not as like, I dunno wife material?" Annabeth asks me while handing me back the bottle.

"Yeah, I even told him it would have been easier if they were in love. That I was standing in the way of two people wanting to be happy. Now I just feel heartbroken for nothing." I whine as I swing the bottle up to my lips and then use my sleeve to wipe my mouth. I went from shocked, to angry to upset then to happy while I danced with Ryan and now, I have settled on confused.

"So did Jackson shit when Ryan told him to fuck off?" Gus asks, which causes me to let out a loud laugh.

"It was pathetic you guys, Jackson's come back was, do you know who I am? I mean come on," I joke with a face that matches Jackson's ridiculous come back, while both Annabeth and Gus laugh. "I mean Ryan has no idea who the Hemmings are or cares, so that's the dumbest thing Jackson could have said." I hand the bottle to Gus and he downs the last swig. He looks to me and asks, "So what is your deal with pretty boy Ryan? He looked like he'd knock the block off anyone that came near you tonight."

I raise one eyebrow and laugh, "I doubt that."

"You didn't see him march on outta here when Jackson followed you outside. That was a man on a mission if I'd ever seen one," Gus says tossing the empty bottle in a nearby trash bin. I look to him while processing his words. If Ryan followed Jackson out of the barn, that means he was close behind him. Which means he probably heard everything that was said.

"Well I'm glad Ryan was there. I honestly didn't know what to say to Jackson. My mind was just on overload." Annabeth leans back on her elbows and props her feet up on the haystack next to me. She puts a piece of straw in her mouth and while chewing on it says, "Ryan is a good dancer Sawyer. He was swinging you around like one of those toy tops. He is going to look mighty fine in one of those confederate uniforms on Saturday."

"What? Ryan got a war uniform for Saturday? I'm a founding family member and I got an outfit that makes me look like Colonel Sanders" Gus complains to us. I look to Annabeth and we both start howling with drunken laughter. Gus throws some dirty hay at us but we just swat it away and keep laughing.

"Lemme guess, they put Austin in one of them General's uniforms. With the fancy coat and shoes?" Gus asks.

I nod to him and answer, "And he gets a sword." Gus frowns and slaps his knee, "Them pretty boys get to have all the fun." Annabeth lays back so her gaze is to the spoke wheel as she says, "And I get to have fun with one of them pretty boys."

"Gross Annabeth, that's my brother. I don't need to hear about your oogling," I moan.

"Oh you don't want to hear about hers huh? You're just as bad with Ryan. I see the way you drool, wishin' you could have a piece," Gus replies. Annabeth pops up onto her elbows and looks to him, "Wish? Boy she had herself a piece. And I doubt one nibble is gonna satisfy her." Gus shoots his gaze over to me and I see him color in his cheeks. His look is full of disappointment and my stomach sinks, as if I did something wrong.

"You and Ryan did the dirty deed?" Gus asks me, as if there was no way that was even possible. I avoid his eyes while I reply, "Yeah." Gus snaps his mouth shut and draws his head back, like he was hoping I'd say no.

"Didn't know you guys were serious," Gus says back to me a bit quieter.

"We're not. It just kind of happened. Too much wine I guess," I say softly but Gus still avoids my eye contact. I know he's protective over me and may have some sort of flirtatious feelings toward me but I've made it clear that he's my friend and will always be just my friend. Annabeth catches my eye and she can feel Gus sucking the air out of the room. An awkward silence looms over us and I know that's our cue to leave.

"Well, I should get home. I have some things to do," I say and Annabeth nods in agreement. Gus looks over to me and replies, "Some things or some one?" I glare at him not wanting to get into it with him and then push myself up and off the haystack. I tug my cowboy boots on while Annabeth makes her way over to me. I catch her eye and with one look, she tells me things have gotten awkward in here.

When I am ready to leave, I look back to Gus.

"You know Gus, I already have the whole town judging me. I don't need you to judge me unfairly too." His gaze is still harsh and Annabeth loops her arm through mine before leading us out of the barn. After I climb into her car, I slam the car door shut and Annabeth looks to me.

"Don't let Gus get to you. He's just mad that you let Ryan up your jean skirt and not him." I roll my eyes at Annabeth and argue, "That's not fair to me. I don't see Gus like that- I never have. He can't hold that against me. He's my best friend." Annabeth starts the car and we are quiet as we make it back to my house. I can't help but think of everything that went down tonight with Jackson, Ryan and now Gus. My mind is replaying everything, but I no longer want to talk about it. I thought Annabeth would be gabbing on about Austin but she's not- and honestly, I don't want to hear her oogle my brother anymore so I don't ask.

When she turns down the road that leads up my driveway she asks, "Do you think Gus was hoping you'd make a move? After things fizzled with Jackson." I shake my head at her.

"I don't know why he would. I've never given him that impression." Annabeth scoffs at me and I look to her, "What's that about?"

"It's just, Sawyer you do kind of lead him on. You give him puppy dog eyes when you want something. He's always the one you call when you're in need. And you always flirt with him when you know he's in love with you." I slap my hands on my legs in annoyance and dispute, "I do not think Gus is in love with me. Ryan mentioned it too and I was always under the impression that he knew and understood that we were friends. Just friends," I look to her frustrated. "Up until two months ago I was engaged! And up until a week ago I hardly came out of my room or saw anybody. It's not like I broke off my engagement and put the moves on Gus." Annabeth crawls further up my driveway and lingers in the car after we reach the top. She looks to me as she says, "I know you've never seen Gus that way, but I do think he has always wished you would. Maybe just don't bring up Ryan around Gus. I think he has a hard time hearing that stuff." I look to her as I pull the handle on the door.

"Yeah, I guess. Thanks for the ride. I'll call ya tomorrow." I push her door closed and slowly trot up my steps. I am about to push the front door open, when I hear Ryan's voice coming from the side of the house.