Page 125 of Infatuated as They Come
My eyes closed at the pleading tone in her voice. “I’m getting Sawyer’s gifts and we’re finding a hotel to stay in.”
“You don’t have to leave,” Sawyer offered, leaning against the doorway. “Ican go.”
“No. That’s not happening,” I said.
“Neither of you have to go,” Mom said. “Stay in the guest house. You won’t have to see your father the whole time, but at least you’ll be here.”
But my head shook as I moved into the living room, eyeing all the presents under the tree. The ones for my mom, the ones for my dad, the ones for Sawyer. He was opening them whether we were in my house or not. Getting on my knees, I stuffed every one with his name on it into the bags. “I’d really just like to go, Mom.”
“I know last night was a mess, but you don’t want to leave on Christmas, right?” she said. “You can’t.”
“Mom, it’s not you. You know it’s not you. It’s him. I can’t deal with him anymore and Sawyer deserves better than this. Than to be around him.” I finally stuffed the last present in the bag before turning around. I hated seeing that sadness there in my mother’s eyes and the overwhelming feeling of guilt slammed right into my heart. “It’s not that I don’t want to spend this day with you. I do. So, so bad. I was really looking forward to coming back home, but… Mom, it’s a mess. I can’t let the guy I love be around this. I can’t and I won’t…”
“I understand that you want to keep Sawyer away from all the cruel things your father says. You’re mad at him and you have every right to feel that way.” She reached out to me, one soft hand on my arm. “But he loves you. Don’t think that he doesn’t. Last night he thought the worst, but he was wrong and I was wrong too.”
“I get that you were scared. That you thought…” My eyes flicked over to Sawyer who was leaning against the doorway, that sullen look on his face chipping away at my heart. “He would never do that, Mom.”
“You don’t have to leave, Holly,” Sawyer said. “You can stay. It’s Christmas. You stay here and I’ll figure something out. I know how much you wanted to see your parents.”
“No.” I shook my head firmly. “I’ve had enough of him. I can’t deal with it anymore. He can’t even come down here and say sorry to you. Is he gonna stay upstairs all day if we stay or is he just gonna come up with more awfulthings to say that make you feel like you don’t belong here?”
Mom rubbed a thumb against my arm. “I wish you were both comfortable in this home. That’s how it should be. You should feel like this is a safe place.” She looked over at Sawyer. “The both of you should feel like that.”
Sawyer nodded, giving his tie a tug. “I appreciate how you’ve always tried to make me feel welcome when I’m here.”
“Buthedoesn’t do that,” she continued. “And that must be painful for the both of you. I wish he wasn’t so…”
“Classist.” I finished the sentence for her. “That’s what he is. All he cares about is money. It’s not just some little, annoying personality trait. It’s just who he is. He needs to change, Mom.”
A weak, sad looking smile graced her face. “I really hope he does.”
I turned around, grabbing one of the gifts under the tree and handing it to her. “Sawyer got you this.”
She moved over to him, pressing a hand to his cheek. “That’s so nice of you. Thank you, Sawyer. I’m sure it’s lovely. I have a few gifts for you under the tree.”
“I packed them already,” I said. “There’s also one there that Sawyer got for Daddy. I’m not sure what you want to do with that one, Sawyer. If it was up to me, I’d keep it for myself.”
“I’ll take care of that.” Mom nodded. “Will you call me later? Please? Maybe at dinner time? We can both eat at the same time. It’ll be like we’re having Christmas dinner together.”
“I’ll call you. I promise I will.”
“This was all such a disaster. You come here.” She wrapped Sawyer up in a giant hug. “You deserve better than to be treated this way. I hope you know that, and I hope you never take anything my husband says to heart.”
“Thanks,” said Sawyer, one hand rubbing at her back. “And thanks for the gifts. I appreciate it.” When they pulled away from each other, he grabbed all the bags from the floor. “I’ll let you guys say goodbye. Thanks for having me over. Merry Christmas.”
She pressed a hand to her chest. “Merry Christmas.”
I heard the front doors click shut, part of me waiting and hoping to alsohear my father’s footsteps as he came down the stairs to offer some last minute, heartfelt apology. All I got was silence.
“Next Christmas, I’ll fly up to visit you,” Mom said. “How does that sound?”
“Sounds like it won’t end in disaster like this year. As long as only you show up,” I said.
“Things will be okay between you and your dad.”
“Only if he changes. Only if he tries to be better. Does he want to change and be better?”
She gave her head a shake. “I’m not sure. I’m just sorry he keeps hurting you like this.”
