Carter's Savior

Twenty-Three

Carter's POV

I was asleep for most of the drive, too overcome with emotion to stay awake or even sign. But Sloan didn't care. Not one bit. Instead, he picked me up carried me to the car, and buckled me in. He held my hand as he drove and he let me deal with my emotions all on my own. But still made it evident and known that he was right next to me the entire time.

I loved him for it.

Sloan had called Uncle James and told him about our situation and Uncle James and Byn immediately welcomed us. They told us to get here as soon as we could and that there would be a room ready for us. Turner was more than happy to hear that I was coming. I could hear him practically bouncing off the walls on the phone.

We just pulled up to the house and Sloan gave my hand a comforting squeeze before he got out. Uncle James and Uncle Byn were standing outside waiting to greet us. They looked toward the car, worry etched all over their faces.

The front door to the glamorous house flew open and I knew it was Turner. He ran to the car with a giant smile on his face. The kid was seventeen but his arms were covered in tattoos. I guess that's to be expected when your dad is a tattoo artist. He ran up to the passenger door and pulled the door open and I could feel my bad mood slowly slip away. How could I be upset around Turner? Trick question, I can't.

"Carter!" He yelled as he wrapped his arms around me. Moreso threw his body on mine and I sat there and let him. After he finally got his fill of physical touch he pulled away, his hair sitting sloppily on his head. And that's when I noticed he was still in his pajamas.

"Why are you still in the car? Come on!" He leaned over and unbuckled my seatbelt for me and I rolled my eyes in annoyance. Turner doesn't know shit about personal space. "Oh wait. Look." He took a step back and he pulled his face together like he was focused on something very serious. Then he did something I didn't expect.

'I am so happy to see you, Carter.' He signed, even though it wasn't perfect, it warmed my heart. I sat there smiling at him in awe of what he had just done. My heartwarming at the action.

"Sloan told dads that you were mute. At first, I was confused, and a little upset because that meant we couldn't talk anymore. But then they said you learned sign language so I've been teaching myself for the past two hours." He let out a deep breath once he finally slowed himself down. One thing about Turner was that he was a talker. The biggest.

I smiled at Turner and patted his arm. Hoping that he would get the emotion I was trying to convey to him. Gratitude.

I got out of the car and all eyes were on me. Something I was used to now. Sloan walked forward and put his hand out for me to grab which I did immediately and I gave Uncle James and Byn a smile.

"Turner, agarrar sus maletas." Uncle Byn said to Turner and he nodded and did just that. "Mi amor." He said to me and walked forward and wrapped his arms around me. Being here felt like home. They felt like home. "Come inside. It's too cold." Uncle Byn said and as I walked in Uncle James came to my side and rubbed my back comfortingly.

We walked in the house and I was hit with memories from when I was a kid and would visit them. When Uncle James and Byn would take me on trips to get me away from my dads. Looking back, they must have known what was happening but were too scared to say anything. I don't blame them.

Turner carried our bags to the opposite side of the house, the side that they barely go to, and showed us our room. Which was practically a suite. It was bigger than my room back at the house, and the bed had more than enough space for Sloan and me.

"Here you are, the nicest room in the house," Turner said as he set out suitcases down.

'Why aren't you at school?' I signed once I remembered what day it was and the time.