“It will. Have faith,” he patted my shoulder and walked out of the room.
I stepped out of the room and found Waylon sitting on the top of the steps right outside his bedroom door. Depending on how long he sat there, he probably heard everything. I sat down on the step next to him.
“This was all mom?” He peeked at me from the side. It was more of a statement than a question.
“Yeah, buddy, it was. She took everything of value that we had.” I rubbed small circles on his back. “I can’t say this enough Waylon, but I’m sorry. I know that I screwed up everything. I should never have let her come back here. You probably won’t understand this, but I missed her. Not the mom that did the shitty things to you. Not her. I missed the mom we used to have when Dad was alive. The one who loved us.” I tried to explain. “I thought that after all of that time that maybe she’d changed. But I was wrong. Since she left and I took over caring for you, I’ve felt lost. I feel like I can’t do anything right and that I’m failing with you. I shouldn’t be responsible for your life, but I want to be. That’s the thing. I love you so much. I’m so selfish, because despite how bad I suck at being the stand-in-dad. I don’t want anyone else doing it but me.”
“You don’t suck at it Travis. If you ask me, we both have done a shitty job.” Waylon said.
Out of instinct, I smacked the back of his head. “Watch your mouth.”
“Hey,” he grumbled.
“Sorry,” I said.
“Travis,” he spoke and waited for me to respond.
“Yeah,” I replied.
“I don’t want to live here anymore. I can’t sleep here in this house another day. Too many bad things have happened here. Please don’t make me.” He pleaded. What was I supposed to say to that?
I sighed heavily.
“Okay, I’ll figure something out. Why don’t you get some things together, and I’ll see if you can stay at Andy’s for a couple of days, until I figure something out.” The house was paid for so I could always sell it, but then where would we go?
“Thanks Travis. I do love you, and I’m sorry about running off.”
“I deserved it. I promise not to give that woman another ounce of energy. I’m going to call the police and press charges. I won’t rest until she’s behind bars.” I meant it. She’d never hurt us again if I had anything to do with it.
“Okay,” Waylon agreed. “I’m gonna get my stuff ready.”
“Alright, I’ll call Andy’s parents now.”
He stood from the stairs and walked into his room. I first called Andy’s parents and then the police. It was going to be a long night.
###
It was after 8 p.m. before the cops left. They took some things down to the station for fingerprints. I told them I was positive it was her, but without evidence they couldn’t arrest her. Who the hell knew where she was anyway? I didn’t tell them about the incident with Waylon, I was sure that would be enough to bring her in, but I didn’t want to make that decision without talking to Waylon first. After the last officer had left, I decided to clean up. The place was a disaster.
The more cleaning I did, the more pissed off it made me. All kinds of things were broken, and shit was thrown everywhere. It felt like such an invasion of privacy, even if it was my own mother. She didn’t do this alone.
My phone ringing from the table snapped me out of it. I slammed down the broom and ran over to answer it.
“What!” I yelled into the phone.
“Hello to you too,” Dane said from the other end.
“Sorry, it’s been a shitty day.” I opened the refrigerator and grabbed a beer. Not my usual choice, but that night I needed it.
“So I’ve heard,” Dane said. “Jake told me.”
Great.
“Are you alright man?” He asked me. I honestly had no fucking clue if I was or not.
“I don’t know. Waylon doesn’t even want to stay here anymore. I have to figure out what to do. I can sell the place, but he can’t stay at Andy’s for months. I don’t know.” I ran my fingers through my hair.
“Do you need my help? I can come by. We can talk or whatever.” Dane suggested.
“I’m okay. I just need some time to clear my head. I’ll figure something out. Thanks though.”
“You got it. If you need me just call.”
“I will, see ya later Man.” I said as I hung up the phone. Jake knew. Dane knew. How long before Sawyer knew?
I killed my beer and went back to cleaning. Had to get this house in good shape if I was going to sell it.
TWENTY SEVEN
Sawyer
Finally, home. Nearly four days in the hospital, was too many. I missed home, and my bed. Wren called to tell me that she couldn’t be here to see me home, but everyone else was there. At least it looked that way with all the cars in the driveway. Wren still hadn’t told Dane about the baby. Well, I didn’t know that for sure, but he hadn’t mentioned it and his mood was too good. I was afraid that she might never tell him. In which case, I’d have to be the bearer of bad news. Oh joy.
Travis came to the hospital to drive me home. He had insisted.
It felt too good to be true, when I walked inside the house. Travis carried my bags and the whole gang was hanging out on the couch. Even Waylon.
“Hey Pickle,” Uncle Jake came in for a hug and kiss.
Travis gave me a funny glare from the corner of his eyes. “Don’t ask?” I pointed my finger at him.
He held his hands up in mock surrender.
“I hope one of you cooked some food in this joint. I can’t take another day of hospital food.” I shivered at the thought.
Everyone looked at one another. Had they really not thought anything about feeding me? Jerk-wads.
“I got this.” Dane reached for and pulled the cellphone from his back pocket. “Quick, what’s the number to Papa John’s?” I had to laugh at him. At least he was trying.
Travis still stood in the doorway with my bag. “I need to change can you bring my bag to my bedroom?” I asked and he followed.
We walked down the hall and into my bedroom. He hadn’t said anything about what happened at his house. He didn’t even know that I knew. I wanted him to come to me, but it’d been days, so it was time I said something.
“Stay in here with me. I want to talk to you.” I shut the door behind us.
“We can’t get frisky babe. You just got out of the hospital.” He playfully joked, lightly pinching my side.
“Oh, shut up.” I punched him. “And I’ll have you know, I am just fine. If I wanted to get frisky, then we’d damn well get frisky.” I tried to sound serious, but he busted out laughing.
“Come here you.” He pulled me down beside him on the bed. He laid back and I rested my head on his chest. I felt most comfortable in his arms. He softly rubbed my head, nearly sending me to sleep when I had something very important to talk to him about.
I turned around so that I could face him instead, but still resting my arm across him. “We need to talk.” I let out a deep breath. This wasn’t going to be easy to say.
“I’m listening.” He continued rubbing my head. His voice was relaxed and calm. His eyes were closed. Time to go in for it.
“Dane told me what happened.” His hand stopped moving, but his eyes remained closed. “I want you guys to come and stay with me. Move in.” I said it fast like I was ripping off a Band-Aid.
“No,” he looked at me with his serious face.
“Why?” I countered.
“We just started dating. We can’t come and stay with you and be mooches. It wouldn’t be right. Even if it was just me, I don’t think I could. But it’s not just me. It’s Waylon too.”
“You’re not mooches. I want you here. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t ask.” I reached up and touched his cheek. “Waylon can’t stay at Andy’s forever. Even if it’s only temporary, I want you both here with me. I already had Dane and Jake make Waylon a room. He’ll have a desk, his own T.V., and an Xbo
x.” I tried reasoning, but he wasn’t buying it.
“It wouldn’t be right.”
“Why? Before the two of us got together, you were always a part of this family. My parents would want you here with me.”
“It’s not the same, Sawyer.” He became even more defensive. “We barely know one another.”
“You are not serious.” I rolled my eyes. “You better come up with a better excuse then that. We’ve known each other our whole lives. Maybe not sexually,” I winked. “But I love you, and I always have. I want you here. Waylon will love it here. I know it.”
He sighed.
“Stop trying to fight it. Just say yes.” I half smiled and scooted my face closer to his.
“What about me?” He asked.
“What about you?” My tone was sarcastic.
“Are you making a room for me too?” He put his hands on my face and pulled me toward him. I felt my breath catch and I closed my eyes. The light touch of his lips to mine sent shivers down my body. His touch was like having a thousand magnets on my body that pulled me to him with such force it was nearly painful. I couldn’t get enough.
“I figured you’d move in here with me.” I kissed him softly again.
“Sounds like you have this all figured out.” His lips turned up in the sexiest smile I had ever seen. Ugh, new underwear needed.
“I do.”
“Okay then, we’re all yours.” He responded.
“You mean it?” I sat up quickly in a bit of shock. Happy shock.
“Yes, I mean it, but I hope you’re prepared. We Lawson boys aren’t the easiest to live with. It’s only ever been us. No one else.” He explained. I could see the worry.
My lips sealed into a tight line, and I narrowed my eyes. “You don’t scare me.”
He laughed.
“Waylon!” I yelled. “Come here.”
A moment later the door to my bedroom opened. “Whoa, sheesh,” his hands flew to his eyes. “Warn people, would ya,” he spat.
“Hey genius,” I said. “Go check out the room at the end of the hall on the right. It’s yours if you want it.”
“What?”
“You heard me. I thought you were the genius.” I countered.
His face lit up. I knew that he’d want to be here. He’s comfortable here.
He ran out of the room in a mad dash. I heard him yell “YES,” when the bedroom door opened. It wasn’t much of a replacement to all of the memories that he’d lost, but I was hoping he’d make new, better memories here at my house, our house.
“I don’t deserve you.” Travis kissed my lips and my cheek and my neck. He made sure that he didn’t miss an inch.
“I love you Travis.” I said my breath shorter with every kiss.
“Forever?” He questioned.
“Forever.”
He kissed my lips again, this time letting his tongue slip inside. I moaned in pleasure. It had been too long since he’d touched me, and I craved it.
“Wait, we can’t do this.” He said as he pulled back.
“I told you that if I felt frisky, well you know the rest.”
He laughed. “Are you sure?” He asked and I stood from the bed.
I walked over to the door and closed it, then turned the lock to make sure that no one would come barging in unannounced. I slowly lifted my shirt up over my head, and dropped it to the floor.
“I’m positive.” I said. My voice was low and husky.
“I’ve been waiting for forever to love you.” He said and his words covered me like silk.
I climbed into the bed next to him. “What are you waiting for?” I asked.
I lay down on the bed next to him, and watched as he sat up slowly. In one motion his shirt was over his head and on the floor next to mine. He leaned over and pressed his strong chest against mine. He kissed every inch from my neck to the swell of my breasts. I shuttered under his touch. The warmth of his lips and the grace of his tongue on my skin left me wanting more. I had to have him inside of me. His hand reached down and rubbed gently between my legs. I worried that he could feel how wet I was through my pants. I let out a deep breath and wrapped my arm around him pulling him closer to me. “I want you Travis. I want you inside me.”
Those simple words affected him. He wanted me too. He rose up on his knees next to me. He tucked his fingers into my sweats and pulled them slowly down my legs. Then he unbuttoned his pants and pulled them down, kicking them to the floor. He had on no underwear and his cock was hard and ready. This was the first time I had actually seen him fully naked like this, and damn it was hot. He couldn’t be more perfect.
The lust in his eyes made me wetter, as he kissed the inside of my knee and up my inner thigh. I was barely hanging on.
His warm breath between my legs, had me aching with pleasure. He slowly licked from my core all the way to my throbbing clit. “Travis, oh God,” I groaned. “Please. I need you inside me now.” I pleaded.
He looked up at me and I knew that he could see how bad I needed him. I was ready.
“Okay baby,” he reached for his wallet and pulled out a condom. I watched as he slid it on inch by inch.
I thought I would be more nervous, but I was ready.
He climbed on top of me and kissed my lips with such passion I could have come right then. He looked me in the eyes. “I love you,” he said just before he slid inside me.
“Oh,” I let out a deep breath. He felt amazing inside me.
“You’re so wet, you feel amazing. I may not last long.” He said. His voice barely above a whisper.
“It’s okay, I’m barely hanging on,” I admitted, clenching my thighs tighter. I could feel my fingers digging into his back as he pulled back, then thrust deep inside me again.
Back and forth.
I couldn’t hold on any longer.
“Travis, oh God I’m coming.”
“Fuck,” he groaned as he pushed inside me again and again.
His head buried into my neck, I felt his body shake. We were coming together.
My body had never felt like this. Sex with Travis was the most amazing feeling in the world. It couldn’t get any better.
We lay there wrapped in each other’s arms. I never wanted to let him go.
“I love you Sawyer. I love you so much.”
“I love you too Travis. Forever.”
I never imagined my life would be like this. That I would escape heartbreak in the one place I never thought to look. The eyes of the boy who stole my heart all those years ago.
The End…
Epilogue
Sawyer
It had been three weeks since Travis and Waylon moved in. They thought things would be difficult, but I am finding that I love it. I couldn’t picture it any other way. I hated being by myself. It never felt right. Now I had someone here to take care of and talk to all the time. We’re one big happy family, for the most part.
Travis put his house on the market. I’d been trying to talk him into going back to school once he sold it, but he didn’t want to. He wanted to get on full time at the gym and help teach kids to box. That was his lifelong goal. I would stand by him no matter what.
He kept trying to talk me into swimming again, but I only did it for fun now. No more competitive swimming for me. I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. Right now I was having fun just being me.
Waylon and I went fishing almost every day, but he chooses to wear a life jacket. He promised that he’d let me teach him to swim, but he never mentioned it again and I didn’t push. He’d ask me when he was ready.
Dane called me one day last week to tell me that he’d been kicked out of school. He wouldn’t tell me why, but said he planned on staying there and getting a job. I couldn’t constantly keep worrying and wondering when he was going to screw up next. It was too much pressure. He had to grow up sooner or later. Hopefully sooner. I thought his bad decisions were what kept Wren from telling him about the baby. It’d been about a month since she told me the
news, and he still didn’t know. When she was down last weekend, I told her that she should tell him soon before he found out from someone else, like me. She promised. We’ll see.
Other than that, things have been back to normal. Uncle Jake isn’t seeing Dani (the girl wearing nothing but a towel) anymore, but he said that he had been dating. Whatever that means. Probably getting laid. Ew, I cringed at the thought.
Each day was a struggle to get better, but it’d gotten much easier. Today would have been my mother’s birthday if she were still here. I missed her, and had a hard time talking about her. Travis asked questions all the time, which was helping.
He was gone to work and Waylon was at Andy’s today, so I decided that I’d finally sit down and look through mom’s book. The one Uncle Jake found. Since it was her birthday and all.
I sat on the back porch in my plastic lawn chair. I had my coffee, the book, and a backyard full of a beautiful lake.
Perfection.
I flipped through the book, not starting on any one particular page. There were some recipe cards, which made me giggle. Mom wasn’t a very good cook. Dad, on the other hand, was a genius in the kitchen. Maybe they were in there for him. There were also some old Mother’s Day cards, and some pictures that I colored for her. Towards the back, there was a pocket with a zipper. I unzipped it and pulled out the contents. They must have been her important papers. On top was my original certificate of birth from the hospital. It had all of my information. I didn’t remember ever seeing it before. Behind that was Dane’s, I glanced over it but my eyes froze when it said born to, Mary Ellen and Lincoln Miller. Who the hell were they? I had to read it several times. I looked up at the top line and it said Landon Dane Miller. This couldn’t be right. His name wasn’t Landon. Maybe this wasn’t his. It had to be. It was his exact birthday. That would mean that Dane was adopted.
My throat felt tight. There had to be some kind of explanation for this. I flipped further through the papers, hoping that I’d fine something. There folded in the back of the book was a bundle of papers. The top read, Final Adoption Decree. I folded the papers back up and stuffed them tightly back in the book. I didn’t know any details or what I would do with this kind of information. For now, I was going to pretend like I never saw it. It wouldn’t change anything. He was still my brother. He would always be my brother.
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