Alex POV - one week later
"Momma! It's game day!" Noah sprints in.
I chuckle and pick him up, "Yes, it is, buddy!"
"Sawyer is going to score goals!"
I smile, "She might, buddy!"
I hear an exaggerated yawn and watch as Quinn walks in, "Morning."
"Morning, Quinn!" Noah squeals.
She walks over and crawls into the bed, seemingly falling back asleep.
I run my hand through her hair, "Tired, Q?"
She groans, "Couldn't sleep."
I pause.
"Whats up, baby?" I ask.
She shrugs.
I hum, "Well, I'll always listen, you know this."
She nods, "Sawyer says that too. That you'll always listen."
I smile, "She knows all too well."
She bobs her head and closes her eyes.
Flashback September 2024
I continue reading when I hear the door bust open.
"Fucking stupid." I hear Sawyer mutter.
I close my book and stand up.
Mav starts barking and I hear sniffling.
I walk to the entryway and see Sawyer sitting on the steps, petting Mav while leaning her head on his head.
"Sawyer?"
Her head snaps up and she wipes her face, "Hi, momma."
I smile softly, "What's going on, baby?"
She shakes her head, "Nothing."
I hum, "You know I'll always listen."
She sniffles and nods, but tears well up again.
I sigh and pull her into a hug, squeezing her tight.
"What's wrong, baby?" I whisper in her ear.
She continues to cry and I keep rubbing her back.
She eventually sniffles and pushes away from me.
I hold her face with my hands, "Hey. Take a breath."
I watch as she tries to take a deep breath.
"Okay. Talk to me."
She chews on her lip, "I think I upset Makena."
I nod my head, "Why do you think that?"
She sniffles, "She wants us to go to her homecoming, but I don't want to go."
"Why don't you want to go?" I ask.
"It's a lot for me. I just- it's people I don't know because it's her school, the music and lights, I just-"
"You'll feel overwhelmed." I finish.
Her eyes well up with tears, "I'm ruining Makena's life."
I sigh, "No baby, you're not. Not even close."
She looks down.
I rub her back, "I think you're also a little extra emotional because I'm heading out of town."
