Page 62 of Sorry, We're Closed

“I’m sorry.”

His voice is softer and cracking as his eyes meet mine, and I instantly usher him into our space. Xander finally sits himself up and is rising to his feet, bringing himself to Sawyer and removing his bags, settling them to the side. Sawyer’s body is here, but it seems his mind is elsewhere, and I have a strong suspicion as to where.

“Sawyer, babe, please sit down and talk to us.”

With my hands on his shoulders, I guide him slowly to the sofa, seating him in the middle as I sit to his right, Xander to his left. His head collapses into his hands as he throws his glasses onto the table and speaks.

“I fucked up massively.”

My hand immediately steals his and I begin to trace his freckles with my fingertip. His eyes find mine momentarily and he shoots me a half smile before falling back to the floor, and I always forget how many freckles he is truly blessed with until his glasses come off and reveal the clusters.

It took over an hour, but Sawyer spills everything. Xander and I listen intently, shooting the other looks over Sawyer’s shoulder in disbelief and surprise, not only at what that absolute devil has done to him all this time, but also at how much Sawyer has done and learnt about himself in such a short amount of time. All because of one reason.

“So, I’m homeless, jobless, Avory-less, and crying to my best friends about it all at eleven-thirty at night.” Sawyer laughs to himself in a desperate attempt to stop the tears, but he’s too far gone, and rightfully so.

I can’t help myself as I throw my arms around his shoulders and my legs over his lap. We fall back against the sofa as Xander wraps his arms around the two of us, holding us both tight.

“First of all, hun, you are never homeless. You can stay here as long as you need.”

Xander hums in agreement.

“I can’t pay you guys, though!”

“Doesn’t matter!” Xander declares.

“Sweetheart, we are your family, okay? We always will be, no matter where we all are in this fucked up world, we look out for each other. You determine who your family is, not the blood running inside you and whoever it relates to.”

I cup his cheek as I wipe his falling tears with my thumb. A small smile creeps across his cheeks as his eyes begin to flutter, followed by a yawn which he hides with his sleeve.

“I just don’t know what to do anymore, Gwen.”

Silence lingers between us all until Xander speaks up, “I think that right now, you are safe, you are surrounded by love, and you are very tired. Why don’t you get whatever sleep you can for now, and tomorrow we can all sit down, with clearer and not intoxicated minds.”

Xander shoots me a look then winks before continuing, “And we can discuss everything and see what can be done?”

A silent nod in agreement is had as Xander and I rise to our feet, Sawyer still struggling to move. I crouch by his feet, my head resting on his knees as I speak, “Hun, do you want the sofa or to share my room? It wouldn’t be the first time, so I don’t mind.”

I remember our school days of sleepovers and chatting about boys while sprawled out on my bed.

“Thank you, Gwen. I just don’t want to be alone.”

I stand up and offer my hand to Sawyer, and he gladly accepts. I walk him to my room, which he instantly recognises, and slowly begins to make himself comfortable, Xander following with his bags. As Xander strolls down the hall to his room, he beckons me over.

“What’s up? I’m not getting rid of him if that’s what you want,” I whisper but also making sure he understands my serious tone.

“No, of course not! He can stay as long as he needs, he’s practically my adopted brother, too! I was wondering if you’re thinking the same thing as me, for Sawyer.”

When listening to Sawyer, I noticed one thing that stuck in my mind – how much he lights up when talking about Avory. This boy isn’t someone he just likes, someone who just turned up. No. This boy is something, someone special and I can’t shake the feeling that they’re meant to be. Now, I don’t know if it’s because we are siblings, but Xander and I always share thoughts on the same wavelength, so I throw my thoughts out to see if he’ll catch on.

“But Avory is leaving in a few days.”

“Then I guess I’ll be paying a visit to the shop tomorrow morning, then.”

As he winks and turns for bedroom, I catch his shoulder.

“Nope, sorry, but let someone his own age do it. Besides, you can’t get with the lead singer, you need to let that go,” I chuckle quietly as he rolls his eyes.

I kiss his cheek goodnight before finding Sawyer, crashed and fast asleep, buried in my duvet.

---