Page 146 of The Wayward Son

J.T. went to the woodstove and stirred the coals around, then added some smaller pieces of pine, followed by a piece of oak. “That should do it for a while.” He looked at Sawyer. “Do you want me to help you to the bed?”

Sawyer squinted his eyes at the bed on the far side of the room. “No. Too far.”

“I’ll get you a pillow and some blankets.” He went to retrieve the items from the bed, then set the pillow at one end of the couch. “Lie down.” Sawyer slumped to the pillow and pulled his feet onto the couch. “There you go.” J.T. covered his brother with the blankets. “Are you all good?”

Sawyer nodded. “Are you leaving?”

“I thought I might. I have a wife and kid to get home to.”

“Right. You’re married because you stopped being an idiot.” He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again. “Do you remember when Mom was sick?” He shook his head. “Of course you remember that.”

“What about it?”

“I had a lot of nightmares. I’d wake up in the middle of the night.”

“I remember.”

“You’d get out of your bed and come sit on mine with me until I fell asleep again. I wasn’t a baby. I was eleven when she first got sick. But I needed you and you were there for me.”

“I’ll always be there when you need me, Sawyer.”

He smiled. “I know. Have I been there for you when you needed someone?”

“Yes. Many times.”

Sawyer scowled. “Not as much, though. You’re a better brother than I am.”

“I think we’re even in that department.”

“Hmm. If you say so.” He looked up at J.T. “Will you stay here until I fall asleep?”

“If you close your eyes and stop talking, I will.”

Sawyer closed his eyes. “I’m going to need Ember’s magic potion in the morning, aren’t I?”

“Yes. You’re still talking.”

Sawyer put a finger to his lips. “Shh. Love you, brother.”

“I love you too, Sawyer.”

J.T. stayed another ten minutes until he was sure Sawyer was asleep. Then he left the loft and drove home. It wasn’t terribly late, just past midnight. But they’d started early and Sawyer drank more than he’d ever seen him drink. Of the two of them, J.T. was much more likely to overindulge.

When he got home, he opened the bedroom door quietly so as not to wake Joey. But she sat up when he came through the door.

“I’m sorry. I was trying to be quiet.”

“You didn’t wake me. You know I can’t sleep until you’re in bed next to me.”

He went to her and kissed her, then sat in the chair and took off his boots.

Joey watched him as he got undressed. “How’s Sawyer?”

“Drunk.”

“How drunk?”

“Pretty damn drunk. He’s having a hard time with Jade’s job offer.”

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