Chapter 27
Chapter twenty-seven
Mercer
I’m physically, mentally, and emotionally wrecked by the time we finally get into the house.
I was almost asleep when Tytus called Noah, lulled into a listless trance fueled by depression, self-loathing, a few drinks, and weed.
The adrenaline that rushed through me when he put the phone on speaker so I could hear both sides of the conversation has since waned. I’m so exhausted I could fall asleep standing up. It was tempting to drift off on the way back, but I thought it best to stay awake for Noah.
Most of what’s transpired tonight has been a nightmare.
And yet…
Sawyer’s here. She’s safe. She didn’t shut me out or turn her back on me once she realized I was with Noah and Tremblay.
Her willingness to let me in may be temporary and drug-induced, but I’m so far gone I don’t even care.
I’ll take her any way I can have her, in any way she’s willing to let me in.
Tonight? In the back of the truck? I couldn’t have dreamed she’d let me touch her like that again. She told me she fucking needed me. She was beyond despair when I tried to give her and Tremblay privacy.
Still, I’m shrouded in fear that she’ll regret it all—or worse, not even recall the encounter—once she wakes up tomorrow.
I’m determined not to let that happen. I’m ready to give it my all, starting with caring for her to the best of my abilities tonight.
Once we’re over the threshold, I arch a brow at Tremblay, and when he nods, I release him and step away slowly.
Then I turn to Noah, who’s still holding a sleeping Sawyer in his arms. “Take her to my room.”
He looks from me to Tremblay, then back again.
I know what he’s thinking.
The boy isn’t going to leave her side.
I’m well aware.
My deadpan stare should inform him of such.
“You’re sure?” he questions, his focus flitting to Tremblay once more.
“There’s too much risk for any of us carrying her up the stairs.”
Tremblay snorts.
“My room is familiar,” I continue. “If she wakes up disoriented, it’ll be easier if she’s in a place she recognizes. When she needs water or food, we’re closer to the kitchen.”
Noah’s jaw clenches tighter the longer I talk, but eventually he relents and nods.
He kicks off his boots and leaves them in the foyer, then starts down the hall.
“I’ll lock up.” I turn to the alarm panel and activate the alarms. When I turn back, I come face to face with Tremblay.
He’s taller than me, probably around Noah’s height. His arms are massive, and his shoulders are so broad it looks like he’s got padding on under his T-shirt. I don’t know much more than the basics of hockey, but it’s clear he’d be a formidable adversary on the ice.
“I’m not leaving her side,” he declares, defensiveness dripping from every word.
“Neither am I,” I reply, keeping my head high. “We’ll make it work. Follow me.”
I don’t bother offering to help him down the short hallway. Just like I don’t bother to look back to confirm he’s following.
In my room, Noah has already lowered Sawyer to the bed. She’s sitting, although her eyes are closed and her upper half is slumped forward.
“Hand me one of your shirts,” Noah grunts, struggling to keep Sawyer upright while removing her bustier top.
“Here.” I dart across the room and work on the hooks on the back of her top.
“What are you doing?” Tremblay demands, an edge of panic to his voice.
Shit. We can’t have him panicking. Not when we’re so close to getting Sawyer settled in for the night.
With that in mind, I answer him at face value.
“We’re taking off her tight top and putting her in a T-shirt for sleep. We’ll probably take off her skirt, too.” I work my jaw back and forth, then add, “If you think that’s a good idea.”
Noah looks up and gives me an almost indiscernible nod of encouragement.
“Yeah, okay. Good idea,” Tremblay confirms as he makes his way across the room.
Noah and I work efficiently to get Sawyer changed. Then I pull her hair back and use the elastic around her wrist to secure a loose bun on the top of her head. We lay her down on her side, and Noah kisses her temple before backing away.
“I’ll sleep on the couch tonight,” he informs me.
I don’t bother arguing with him. The proximity will be a comfort, given the situation I’m about to find myself in.
I nod toward Tremblay, who’s standing several feet away.
“You take the bed. Make sure she stays on her side in case she vomits.”
Jaw ticking, he glares at me. When he turns to Noah, his expression softens a fraction. “You’re sure?”
“I’ll sleep on the floor,” I say. “I’m going to get a few more pillows from upstairs. I’ll use the bathroom before I come back, then you can wash up.”
He doesn’t respond, but he does step closer to the bed, to Sawyer.
“Holler if you need me.” Noah cuffs my shoulder and squeezes on his way out of the room.
And then there were three.