“Oh, please,” Sawyer muttered just loud enough for Ford to hear him.
He called bullshit on that if only because his father had left the kids in his care, someone the man had abandoned and never met. Or even tried to meet.
“She’s going to leave right after we eat,” Ford whispered, his hand on Sawyer’s back. “Until then… let’s try and play nice.”
Sawyer didn’t trust Cynthia as far as he could throw her, but he was hoping for the best, and everything in him screamed that would be when she left. He’d left a message for Madison letting her know Cynthia had showed up, but he wasn’t sure what the next step was.
“Dinner is ready.” Ford spoke up, breaking the fraught silence that had ensued.
Thankfully, Ford’s mom had stopped by earlier with dinner while he was out. They’d told her she didn’t have to keep cooking for them, but she insisted. Tonight’s fair was baked chicken thighs with mashed potatoes and green beans. Callum’s favorite. At least they thought it was.
Sawyer was happy she came when she did and that Ford had remembered to send a message for them not to return for Callum’s birthday party since it was now on hold or things would have been even more awkward.
They filed out of the kitchen to the formal dining table. Sawyer knew Ford had picked that one for a reason. The small one was just for them. The five of them.
Everyone took their seat, with him at the head of the table, Ford next to him on the right, and Savie to the left. Gavin sat beside Ford, and Callum was in a high chair separating Cynthia from Savanna.
The dinner couldn’t have been any more awkward. Savanna spoke only when spoken to, but she’d reverted back to her quiet self even though the past few weeks had seen her become more open.
Sawyer tried not to scream, “Shut up,” as Cynthia spoke.
“When I’m out of the hospital.” She looked at Savanna, but his sister didn’t look up. “…I’m going to take you all to Disneyland. Wouldn’t you like that?”
“That will be amazing!” Gavin cheered. “Can Sawyer and Ford come?”.
She looked at them and smiled, but there was something in her eyes that Sawyer didn’t trust.
He just stared at her. It was a weird “who blinks first” game, but he had a more intimidating gaze and he held firm until she finally backed down, looking away and nodding.
“Of course! It wouldn’t be any fun if they weren’t there.”
Sawyer had to bite back the words, namely where she planned on getting the money for that. He’d gotten a file on her, and he knew she was broke. To stop any drama happening, he stayed quiet. He met Ford’s gaze, and Ford’s hand lowered and went to his thigh, squeezing. Ford’s smile was forced, but he kept quiet as well.
When dinner was over, Sawyer felt a relief wash over him. It was time for her to leave, and they could get on with their life.
“Sawyer…” Gavin came up to him as he helped Ford put the leftovers away.
“Yes, honey?” Sawyer turned around.
“Can, Mommy pleeeeease stay the night? It’s so late, and she will definitely leave tomorrow. It’s super late, and Daddy used to say it’s not safe to be out late.”
Sawyer froze. Fuck, he would bet Cynthia had put Gavin up to it.
Savanna was standing behind Gavin with an unreadable expression and didn’t say a word. Sawyer didn’t want to put her on the spot to counter Gavin’s pleas and use her as an excuse to kick her mother out.
When he looked at Ford, his eyes were wide, and Sawyer didn’t need him to speak to know he was screaming “no!”
When he turned back to Savanna and Gavin, he saw they were holding hands.
Fuck, well, now he couldn’t exactly say no. He was treading a fine line at the moment of continuing to build the relationship he had been building with his siblings or destroying all by one action. Damn he resented the hell out of Cynthia for putting him in this position.
“Please, Sawyer. She has nowhere to go tonight!” Gavin shot him puppy-dog eyes.
He looked over at Ford, whose lips were pressed down in a thin line. Sawyer wasn’t even sure his boyfriend was breathing.
Callum’s baby yammering let Sawyer know when Cynthia entered the kitchen.
Sawyer wanted to wipe that triumphant look in her eyes and slight smirk on her lips right off. He should have never let her in. Sawyer knew she couldn’t be trusted.
From the corner of his eyes, though, Sawyer could see Gavin and Savanna frozen in place. Even Savanna, who’d barely spoken to the woman, looked like she was pleading with her eyes.
“She can spend the night, but first thing tomorrow morning… she has got to go back to New York and get back to rehab.” He didn’t bother sugar coating it that time. “I have already called the social worker and informed her your mom is here.” He held her gaze as he dropped that piece of news. “I am sure she will let the necessary people know since they were already called about your absence.”
Sawyer swore her lips tightened at his words, but she smiled wider as Gavin ran back and wrapped his arms around her waist.
He looked over to Ford, who just shook his head but still plastered a smile on his face. “Since Ford is going to take Callum up to bed, how about I show you to the guest house.” There was no way in hell that this woman would be sleeping in his home.
Cynthia looked between them, and Sawyer swore she would hold on to the baby, but then Callum began squirming and letting out little whimpers, trying to get down.
“Ford.” The toddler looked to be five seconds from jumping out of his mother’s arms.
Cynthia’s face took on a moment of irritation when Callum spoke that one
