“You’ve got to sleep, Callum.”
Sawyer was not above pleading as he got to rocking him some more. He closed his eyes and all he could see was Gavin in tears, his cries still echoing in Sawyer’s mind. It tore at his heart. He and Ford were doing the divide and conquer thing. Ford was with Gavin since his brother didn’t want to see him. The crying had stopped, but somehow, the silence was worse.
Savanna had locked herself in her room. The last time he’d checked, she was in bed with headphones on staring at the ceiling. Sawyer imagined everything going through her mind, and he felt powerless.
He heaved a sigh. It was the soundtrack of his day thus far. When he looked down, Callum was dozing off, so he stood up from the couch and walked out of the living room and headed for Callum’s bedroom. He tried putting Callum down, but the kid woke up crying again. Sawyer groaned, but started the rocking motion all over again. “It’s alright, I’m here.”
He moved towards the wingback glider and lowered himself into it, leaning back and closing his eyes.
“Need a hand?” The sound of Ford’s voice had him opening his eyes slowly.
Ford brushed a kiss over his lips. Gosh, he didn’t know what he would do without this man.
When he stepped back, Sawyer could see how exhaustion written all over Ford’s face.
“He won’t settle down he’s so worked up.” Sawyer raked a hand through his hair, “He might be little, but I swear he knows what happened.”
“Cynthia really...” Ford gestured searching for a word.
Sawyer looked down at Callum, his eyes half-closed. Yeah, he knew what Ford meant. Cynthia had done a number on her children, blowing into their lives again like a storm and then gone just as fast after her disruptive antics. He looked up at Ford. “Did Gavin finally go to sleep?”
“Not exactly,” Ford said. “He’s taking it hard. He thinks we threw his mom out of the house when all she wanted to do was be with them.”
“He’s too young to understand,” Sawyer said. “The worst thing was for him to see her taken out of the house in cuffs.”
Ford nodded. “Savanna came in and is trying to explain things to him, without… you know.”
“What?” Sawyer grimaced. “Without letting him know she was willing to sell them to the highest bidder? Savanna should not have to deal with this. She’s so young.” He felt a headache building behind his eyes. “I wish she hadn’t heard what Cynthia said. I know what it feels like knowing a parent doesn’t want you.”
Callum was snuggled up in Sawyer’s lap, sucking on his thumb. Sawyer looked up at Ford and smiled. He got up from the rocking chair and walked over to the crib, then slowly lowered Callum down, hoping the little guy didn’t wake up.
Ford covered him with his little duvet and let out a sigh of relief when Callum remained asleep.
They slowly backed out of the room. Sawyer groaned and rested his head on Ford’s shoulder.
“Come on, let’s go to our room.” Ford rubbed his hand up and down Sawyer’s back.
Sawyer nodded. “Give me a moment.” He stood up straight, then walked over to Gavin’s room and heard voices—Savanna’s mostly, trying to calm Gavin down. It warmed Sawyer’s heart. At least Gavin had his sister.
Ford waited outside their door and put his hand out, and Sawyer walked past Callum’s room to theirs and took it, then Ford led him into their room, shutting the door behind him. He shuffled over and sat down on the bed.
“This has been a long morning already.” He couldn’t help the yawn that escaped.
“It’s not even ten yet.” Ford pointed out as he sat beside him.
“Tell me about it.” Sawyer reached out and took Ford’s hand. Sawyer licked his lips before meeting Ford’s gaze. “I’m sorry, Ford.”
Ford’s brow furrowed, and he tilted his head to the side. “Sorry? For what?”
“Everything,” Sawyer replied. “Letting her stay. I should have held my ground after dinner and made her leave.” He shook his head. “None of this would have happened.”
Ford shrugged. “That may have just delayed this. We don’t know,” he said. “Either way, the kids would have been just as upset.” Ford patted his thigh. “We’re going to get through this, babe. I promise.”
Sawyer nodded. God, he hoped Ford was right. Ford rested his head on Sawyer’s shoulder, and they just sat there.
He wasn’t sure how long they remained like that, and he might have dozed off because a knock on their door had him jerking upright.
“Come in!” Sawyer called and raised his hand to cover his yawn.
Savanna entered the room and shut the door, but didn’t come in any further. She shot him a faltering smile. “Gavin’s asleep...” She shrugged. “Probably for the rest of the day.”
Sawyer made a mental note to call the school and let them know the kids wouldn’t be in. He should have done it earlier, but he’d been so busy comforting Callum and trying to get him back to sleep, it had slipped his mind.
“I don’t blame him,” Sawyer said. He smiled at Savie. “Thanks for helping out.”
Savie shrugged. “I think that should be my line.” Her lips curved, but the smile was sad. “Gavin will come around, I promise.” She looked down at her feet, and he waited. “I’m glad he didn’t hear what she said.”
“I’m sorry you did, Savanna.” Sawyer wanted to pull her in for a hug, but he wasn’t sure it would be welcome.
She was quiet for a moment, and Sawyer searched for what to say, but thankfully she spoke up, sparing them both from awkward silence. “You were going to pay her money so she would leave.”
He looked at Ford before explaining what had really been going on
“Um… well…” Sawyer cleared his throat. “Actually, I only told your mother that so she wouldn’t try to leave with one or all of
