Forever With His Boss

by Rheland Richmond

  Ford: Hey, might have a job for Drake. Send his digits.

  Owen: OMG! That's amazing. Mom will love you. Thanks Ford.

  Ford laughed as he added the contact info Owen sent to his phone.

  He sent a text to Drake letting him know who it was and asking if he could call him before replying to Owen with a smiley face.

  Ford didn’t need Owen to thank him, because if it worked out, then he would be saving Ford’s ass.

  Yup, he would focus on work and not be that person putting a cross in a calendar everyday till his boyfriend returned. Nope, he wasn’t doing that.

  4

  Sawyer

  As he walked across the marbled foyer of his apartment building, the only thing on his mind was a cold shower and… nope, that wasn’t right. He meant a warm shower and a cold beer. He nodded at Russell, the concierge, but even that small move felt like he’d finished a set of squats at the gym. Exhausting.

  It had been a series of long days since he’d been back, and Sawyer was exhausted. Of course, it didn’t help that he was working double time to try and get things sorted so he could return to Ford. There were a lot of details to handle when moving a part of his business across the country. At least he had tonight’s video call to make up for the absence. He’d been looking forward to it since he’d hung up with Ford earlier.

  Sawyer stepped off the elevator to his eleventh-floor apartment, and as he maneuvered his briefcase to get the door open, his stomach made a sound something like a bear’s growl. He said a silent prayer that the food service company who catered to him had his fridge re-stocked because he hadn’t eaten since breakfast.

  He was pretty sure he’d reminded his assistant to get it done.

  His mouth opened in a wide yawn as he turned on the light. He didn’t even have the energy to hang his coat up in the closet, bypassing that and walking straight to his living room where he tossed his peacoat and briefcase on the armchair, and his suit jacket and tie followed.

  His stomach growled loudly. “Okay, okay. I get it. Food.”

  Sawyer walked towards the kitchen, saying another prayer pleading that there was something other than beer in his fridge. The blinking light of his answering machine sitting on the console table that stood against the wall separating the living room and kitchen caught his eye. Sawyer’s brow lifted. Who still used the home phone? Who even had the number?

  He was about to ignore it figuring it was someone trying to sell him a timeshare since he hadn’t given that number out to anyone recently. He had no idea the last time he’d even checked his messages on that phone, but then noticed the number on the answering machine—over fifteen new messages.

  “What the hell?” His brow furrowed. Maybe it was Theresa. It would be like her to leave a message on his home phone… then again, it could be some old flame. He laughed as that thought slipped into his mind.

  It was possible. It wouldn’t surprise him if one of his exes still had his home number. Even though using the term ex was generous.

  Instead of wondering who it could be, Sawyer pushed the button to listen to the messages and headed into the kitchen. He figured he would be able to hear it from there. And if he didn’t, well, too bad. Everyone he needed to speak to had his cell.

  “Hello, my name is Madison Walker.” Sawyer didn’t know the name. “I’m a social worker here in New York.” That had him pausing with his hand on the fridge. “I would really appreciate it if you gave me a call back as soon as possible.” Sawyer frowned as she rattled off a number.

  A social worker? Why would she be calling him?

  The second message was the same. And the next, and the one that followed that. Granted, her tone was less patient the more messages she left.

  But none of them helped him understand what a social worker was doing calling him. Sawyer opened the fridge and was thankful to find stacked glass containers with meals and heating instructions on them.

  He grabbed the first one, not even caring what it was, and popped it in the microwave and got it started. He walked back out to the living room, stopping in front of the machine when a thought occurred to him. Maybe you have a kid out there somewhere. He dismissed that as it came. Nope, and even if he did, whoever he had produced the hypothetical kid with would call not a social worker.

  Besides, he hadn’t been with a woman in almost two years, and certainly never without a condom. Sawyer mostly found it easier to be with men. Things were uncomplicated, just as he liked them. Well, until he’d met Ford, that was...

  There were a couple of spam messages which he deleted before he got to the next one from the same woman. Sawyer wasn’t sure what number this message was, but her voice sounded both pleading and upset at the same time.

  “Mr. Lancaster, I’m not sure if you’ve gotten my other messages”—boy did she sound accusatory—“and you’re probably confused and wondering why I’m calling.”

  “There’s an understatement,” he muttered.

  “But I really need you to return my call. I’ve been desperately trying to reach out to you, and this is the only number I have been able to get a hold of. I have no idea if it’s the right one, but please, it is quite urgent that you call me back. You can call anytime, night or day. Here is my cell number… again.”

  This time, Sawyer got his phone out and took the number down.

  The microwave beeped, and he walked back into the kitchen to grab his food. He considered eating it right from the glass container, but then grabbed a flat plate and dished the food onto it instead.

  The Thai green curry and rice smelled amazing. Sawyer carried his food out to the dining table and pulled a place mat from the sideboard.

  The place setting for one had him missing dinners at Ford’s parents’ house, and as good as his meal smelled, he would rather be around the table with Ford, Doug, and Barb.

  You’ll be back with Ford soon. Even though moving to Colorado would not happen in one go, the resort was still his project, and he’d planned to be in Amber Falls most of the year anyway to see it done.

  So, he would be back where he wanted to be soon.

  “Focus, Sawyer. One thing at a time.”

  He checked his cell and it was past nine in the evening. Well, she did say he could call any time, day or night.

  He quickly dialed the number, more intrigued to hear why this social worker had called him like a debt collector trying to track down money owed on an account.

  “Madison Walker. Who’s calling?” The woman answered the phone like it was 9 a.m. and not 9 p.m.

  “This is Sawyer Lancaster. I’m returning your calls.”

  There was an audible sigh. “Oh my God… Thank God. Thank you so much for calling me back. I’ve been trying to reach you for weeks. I didn’t think you’d ever call me.” There was relief but also a little disapproval and censure in her tone. He bristled at the undertone, but pushed that aside for now.

  “Yes, I see that from my answering machine, but I was out of town. Besides, you’ve been calling my home phone, soo…” He realized he didn’t owe her an explanation. “Anyway... I’m confused. Who are you?”

  “Your confusion is understandable. I’m sure you are wondering why a social worker has been calling so frantically.”

  Sawyer didn’t answer the question… he wasn’t sure it was one.

  A soft breath of air brushed across the earpiece. “I have some bad news.”

  Sawyer’s brow creased. That was never a good sign. “Okay?”

  “I’m a social worker here in New York,” she started.

  “Yes… that much I’ve gathered.” Could the woman get on with it?

  “Right, yes, of course.” She must have heard the impatience in his voice because she blurted, “Your father has passed away.”

  “Um… not my problem.” Sawyer rolled his eyes. Seriously, that was the reason for all the calls? He didn’t even realize social workers informed people of things like that. “I didn’t know the man, so you’re not going to get te
ars from me.”

  Tension drained out of him like a balloon that had all the air let out.

  Thank fuck. If that was the bad news, then cool… okay, not cool, but he didn’t know the man, and he’d not been a father to him, so Sawyer was certainly not going to cry over someone that was barely more than a mental image to him.

  “You don’t understand,” she started.

  “I think I do. You had to inform me of his passing, and now you have… so thank you very much.”

  “Mr. Lancaster.” Her tone was insistent. “Please, I don’t think you understand. Your father had no living adult relatives, but he did have three children that lived with him at the time.”

  His mouth fell open, and the first thing that came to mind was the fact that his father couldn’t step up to the plate to help his mother or claim him. She’d been a single parent till the day she died, but the man had fathered three other children, stayed, and worked to raise them?

  Sawyer jumped up, fist pressed to his chest. It hurt more than it should.

  “Mr. Lancaster, are you there?”

  “Yeah, yeah.” He shook his head trying to clear it. Now is not the time to take that stroll down memory lane, Sawyer. Won’t lead anywhere.

  He counted to three in his head before speaking. “Again, I don’t know what this has to do with me. I didn’t know the man. He was no father to me. My mom had to raise me after being disowned by her family. I don’t need to hear about how he happily raised three other children. So, if that’s all, I really do need to go.”

  “Sir… you don’t understand me.” Her voice was soft but firm.

  “Then make me understand you.” Sawyer paced. Fuck, he was done with this conversation. His food was cold, not that he had an appetite anymore. All Sawyer wanted was to crawl into bed, call Ford, and talk until he fell asleep.

  “He named you as guardian of the three kids.” Her voice was sympathetic. “Your siblings.”

  “They’re not my siblings.” The words came out before he realized he’d even said them, but then he frowned. “Guardian? Like… he wants me to take care of the kids? Raise them?”

  “That is correct. According to his will, he left sole custody to you.” When Sawyer didn’t speak she added, “The kids are in foster care, for now, but once you sign the paperwork, they’re legally yours.”

  His mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out. The beeping sound that came when you were getting another call had him pulling the phone away from his ear, glad for the distraction. That was until he saw Ford’s name flashing across the caller ID with the option to put the current call on hold and answer or to decline.

  Ford! He needed to talk to him. Maybe he would make everything make sense. But then Sawyer’s body locked up like all his muscles had been flash frozen. What was he supposed… How did he tell him about this?

  “Mr. Lancaster, are you still there?” Madison’s voice had him putting the phone back to his ear.

  “I’m here.” Sawyer wiped his face with his hand. “I’m not sure what you expect me to do. I know nothing about taking care of children?”

  “We have a lot of sup—”

  Sawyer cut her off. “Why on earth would he put me in charge? He didn’t know me, and I sure as fuck didn’t know him.”

  And now you never will.

  His heart contracted as that thought slipped in. When it came to his father, he was used to feeling disappointment, anger, resentment… abandoned.

  Could he let his siblings feel the same way like no one wanted them?

  Sawyer frowned. “What about their mother?”

  Madison cleared her throat. “Your father had sole custody of the children. She hasn’t been in their lives consistently. It seems she’s had some issues.”

  Sawyer could tell she was choosing her words carefully.

  “And she doesn’t want them?”

  Madison cleared her throat again. “Well, there is information I am not allowed to disclose at this time, but she was only allowed supervised visits with the children while your father was alive.”

  “Oh.” Sawyer read between the lines. There were several reasons a parent was only allowed supervised visits with their child. And none of them were good.

  It looked like he was all they had. Sawyer didn’t know what to do. His first thought was that they weren’t his problem, but that felt wrong.

  Then Sawyer thought about what his mom would want him to do… and that made the decision easier.

  “What happens if I don’t take them?” Sawyer asked.

  There was a pause. “Well, they would become wards of the state and left in foster care. Right now, they are all together while we have been trying to track you down, but I’m not sure that would be the case if they were permanently placed.”

  He closed his eyes and imagined the impact it would have on his life. Sawyer blurted, “Where can I pick them up?”

  There was no other choice. It was the only thing he could do. The right thing.

  She rattled off an address, and he hurried to the table with the landline and jotted it down on the note pad.

  “They’re sweet kids,” she added.

  “Right, well, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Sawyer hung up. Before he could put his phone down, it started to ring again. It was Ford again, and this time, he answered.

  “Hey.” Sawyer walked over and lowered himself on his couch.

  “Hey, babe. I didn’t think you’d answer. I was going to leave a message.” At the sound of Ford’s voice, he let his head fall back. Gosh this was what he needed.

  “I’m so sorry I missed the call. I was just…” Sawyer froze, eyes wide.

  Sawyer wasn’t sure how to tell Ford what had just happened. Not right now.

  It was too soon to put this on Ford’s shoulders when he didn’t even know what it was all going to entail.

  “I was just getting out of the shower.” Fuck, that lie sounded bitter on his tongue and his stomach rebelled against the words that had fallen from his mouth.

  “Oohhh…” Ford’s voice was gravelly. “You wet and naked? No fair telling me that when you’re so far away.”

  Sawyer lips lifted momentarily, but then everything came back. He wasn’t naked, and definitely wasn’t wet. Oh, and now he came with children.

  “I miss you too.” God he wished Ford was here.

  “Trust me, babe, I miss you more.” Ford let out a sigh that summed up how he was feeling too. “But I didn’t just call to tell you how much I wish you were here. I met with a contractor this afternoon. It’s Owen’s—do you remember him? Actually, it’s Drake, his brother. He moved back, and he needs a job.” Ford hurried on, barely pausing for breath. “I’m convinced he can do a good job, and he’s willing to work with the initial budget. I’m confident that he’ll be a great fit.”

  Sawyer grinned. “If you’re confident, then so am I.”

  Ford let out a breath. “Thank you.”

  Sawyer looked at the clock. He needed to get some sleep because tomorrow would be a long day. But he also felt like there was a ball of lead in his stomach from lying to Ford.

  It’s an omission not a lie… The tightness in his chest said even he wasn’t buying that, and a little voice in his mind called him out. Bullshit. You outright lied to Ford about the shower. But he needed some time to figure out what all this meant.

  “Sorry, love”—Sawyer forced out a yawn—“but I’m gonna have to go. Early day tomorrow.”

  “Of course.” He heard the disappointment in Ford’s voice, and he hated it, but he couldn’t be completely honest with Ford. Not just yet.

  “I love you,” Sawyer said.

  “Love you too. Talk tomorrow?”

  “Of course.” Sawyer hoped he’d be able to tell Ford what was going on when he knew more himself.

  “Night.” Ford’s voice was soft.

  “Night.”

  The call disconnected, and he dropped the phone onto his lap. Sawyer rested on the back of the couch, his eyes on t
he ceiling. This was the first night he hadn’t fallen asleep with Ford breathing in his ear or to his face on Skype. He felt the burn from bile coming up his throat knowing he had lied not once, but twice tonight to the man he loved. Would Ford forgive him when it all came out? Or had he just shattered the fragile trust they were building together?

  He stood and grabbed his coat and keys from where he’d left them, and walked out of his apartment.

  In the elevator, he dialed the only person he knew would be awake right now. Sawyer needed to talk to someone about what was happening since he couldn’t talk to Ford.

  “Hey man,” Nate answered.

  “You up for grabbing a drink?” Sawyer hoped his friend would be available.

  Nate chuckled. “Well this should be good.”

  “You have no idea.” Sawyer was still a little dazed.

  He and Nate had gone on one date that hadn’t gone well, then he’d hired him. After Mark, he had probably become Sawyer’s closest friend.

  By the time he made it to the bar, Nate had already arrived since his apartment building was closer.

  There was already a glass of whiskey with a single cube of ice on the bar waiting in front of an empty stool beside Nate. Sawyer quickly tossed half the drink back before he’d even finished sitting down.

  “So why did I get called out of bed to meet at a bar if we both know the night’s not gonna end in a booty call?” He could feel Nate’s eyes on him.

  Without looking up, Sawyer said, “I was just told that I’m now the proud parent to three siblings”—he laughed, but it was mirthless even to his ears—“of mine.”

  There was a long and drawn-out pause. Sawyer turned to face Nate and saw his friend’s mouth was wide open.

  “Holy hell.” Nate’s surprise matched how he felt.

  “My thoughts exactly.” Sawyer snickered. “Turns out, my bastard of a father thought it'd be a great idea to leave me three children I’ve never met. Can you believe that?” He rotated his shoulders, but it didn’t help the tension that had taken up residence at all.