“He completes his work in the class, and his homework is always done to a high standard.”
“That’s wonderful to hear. We make sure to help whenever we can,” Ford spoke up. Sawyer could hear the part he didn’t add though—what they were both thinking.
What the hell was going on?
“I’m sure you’re wondering why I called you here, after all that praise,” She managed a brief smile. “I gave the kids a little essay to do, and Gavin’s… well, it gave me cause for concern.”
Sawyer and Ford looked at each other, then back at Mrs. Harper.
“Concern?” Sawyer repeated.
She nodded and opened up a folder, pulling out a piece of paper. “This is an essay he wrote in class yesterday. I asked the kids to write a report about your family.” She got to her feet and walked over to them with her hand out to pass them the report. “You can go ahead and read it.”
Sawyer took it from her and looked down at it. Ford got to his feet and moved so he was standing beside Sawyer, peering over his shoulder.
I used to have a mommy and a daddy. But my mommy left because Daddy said she was sick, but my sister says she loved drugs more than she loved us. Daddy died, and no one wants my siblings and me. The social worker said Mommy is away till she’s better, but my Savie says Mommy is never coming back. I have a new brother. Sawyer is nice, and I like our new house with Ford and Grandma Barb and Grandpa Doug. We never had Grandpa and Grandma before but Savie says not to get comfortable because Sawyer will send us away.
Sawyer looked over to Ford and saw there were tears in Ford’s eyes. Sawyer was barely holding his own back. He turned back to Mrs. Harper and had to clear his suddenly choked throat before speaking. “I don’t know what to say. I—” Sawyer closed his mouth and looked at Ford helplessly.
Mrs. Harper perched on her desk. When Sawyer met her gaze, he had to look away, hating the pity he saw there.
“I don’t usually get involved with family unless I think a child is in danger. I know this isn’t the case, but this… I thought you should know. I think Gavin is struggling with the situation.”
Sawyer nodded. “I thought he was settling in.” He held up the piece of paper. “He seemed to be doing so well. How did I not see this?”
Ford’s hand on his shoulder tightened.
“His mom is in rehab for drug and alcohol abuse. His father died three months ago. I only just found out about them, our fa—” Sawyer shook his head. She didn’t need to know his life story. “My siblings came to live with me, then we… I uprooted them from the only city they knew to bring them to Amber Falls. I thought Gavin was the one who was acclimating the best.”
“You can’t blame yourself.” She leaned forward, eyes sympathy filled. “I had no idea that your father died so recently. I’m so very sorry for your loss.”
Every time someone told him sorry for his loss, he didn’t know what to say. Was it really his loss? Now was not the time to think about his own relationship with a father he never knew.
“He’s a good student, and a good boy, but I think he just needs some security.” Mrs. Harper’s voice had him focusing again.
“We’ll talk to him,” Sawyer promised. “We’ll make sure he knows we are not going anywhere.” Sawyer’s hand covered Ford’s where it rested on his shoulder.
“Thank you for bringing this to our attention.”
Mrs. Harper’s lips curved in a smile. “You’re very welcome. I love having Gavin in my class, and I’m sure once he settles, maybe makes some friends, he’ll have a better time.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Harper.” Sawyer stood and put out his hand and she took it. “May I hold onto this?” He was holding the paper in his free hand.
She nodded. “You may.”
“Have a lovely evening,” Sawyer said.
They left the room after saying their goodbyes, walking silently till they reached the car. When they stood beside it, Sawyer turned to Ford.
“Can you believe that’s what’s going through his mind? He’s so young.” Sawyer could feel tears stinging the back of his eyes.
“We’ll talk to him. He’s going to be okay. All the children are going to be okay,”
Sawyer wasn’t so sure, but he hoped Ford was right. For now, they had to decide what the next course of action would be, but first, he needed to talk to Gavin. His brother needed to know Sawyer wasn’t going anywhere, and neither was Ford, as he kept proving.
God, he loved him. Somehow, looking at his boyfriend, Sawyer felt like he could handle this.
That didn’t stop him from praying that he actually could.
13
Ford
Ford suggested Sawyer take Gavin out for dinner alone that evening, but he was promptly reminded by Sawyer that they were a unit, so he immediately agreed to be there.
After their meeting with Mrs. Harper, they needed to talk to Gavin with no prying eyes and ears around. Thankfully, his parents were all too eager to watch Callum and keep an eye on Savanna.
Ford could feel Gavin’s eyes on the back of his head all the way to the restaurant. Even though they’d reassured him everything was fine, the kid’s nerves were like a live wire riding in the car with them.
When they were finally seated at their table, Gavin blurted, “What did I do?”
Fuck, the kid looked somewhere between defiant and terrified that he was being sent to the gallows… or in this case, that they would kick him out or something.
“How about we order first and then we can talk, like we told you before.” Sawyer put a hand over Gavin’s, pulling it from his mouth where he seemed to be biting his nails like it was his last meal. “You’re
