She chuckles slightly, and it emboldens me, knowing I made her laugh even for a second amidst her crisis. ‘Well, kinda, but also because Noah thinks you’re some cowboy superhero—hasn’t stopped talking about you since we saw you at the rodeo, and I’ll feel better knowing he might be less anxious with you.’
Well, fuck. That hit me harder than I was expecting.
That she trusts me with her son.
Because she thinks we’refriends.
We were good friends before, right?
It feels wrong that she reduced us to just that.
‘Yeah, sure. I can get him.’
The audible sigh from her end gives me an intense satisfaction and is enough to make this worth it. To know I’m helping her. I’ve never hopped so quickly as I make my way down the dirt track to my house.
‘Thank you. So much, Sawyer.’
‘Hey, it’s fine. Take a deep breath and go sort out your place. Text me all the details of where to pick him up from and everything. If you need any help with anything at your apartment, just call me. I know a man about a lotta things.’
She lets out another sweet sigh of relief. ‘Thank you. I’ll come pick him up from yours as soon as I can. Is that okay?’
‘Of course, Blue. That’s what friends are for, right?’
If you’d have asked me how I planned on spending my Friday afternoon, it was not sitting on my couch watching a kid who isn’t mine draw on some paper I found in my dad’s office. With one hand, Noah’s sketching while using his other hand to stroke Trixie who’s lying contentedly beside him. He’s been like this since we got dropped back at the ranch by Luke, one of the only cab drivers in Willow Ridge, and basically my personal chauffeur given how much I use him for rides while I can’t drive. Willow Ridge might be small but it’s a bit of a drive from Lucky Star to the main town, like it is for a lot of ranches.
Noah was starstruck when I turned up at his elementary school at the end of the day, giving me the same gawk he did at the rodeo. Still, when I told him he’d be spending the afternoon with me while his mom had to sort something out back home, he smiled and shyly took my hand. I stood and stared at the way his little hand barely wrapped around my fingers, unsure what to think. Why my chest was tightening.
Probably because I don’t like kids.
I don’t know what I was thinking saying I’d look after him. I don’t know how to keep a kid entertained. Honey said it was unusual for him to talk to me, that’s why she knew he’d be comfortable here, but he’s hardly said a word since we arrived. Maybe that talking streak startedandended at the rodeo. Maybe he was a little bolder because his mom was nearby, but now he’s realising I’m just a downbeat stranger.
His eyes flick up and quickly back down each time I shuffle restlessly on the couch from the anxiety to make sure I’m doing the right thing. To not feel useless at this. I don’t need any more blows to my already broken ego. I alsodon’t think I can keep calling myself the cowboy with no fear if I’m terrified about how to look after a kid.
So, as Noah quietly carries on drawing, I whip out my phone and shoot a text off to Wolfman.
Sawyer:What am I supposed to do with Noah?
Wolfman:You mean the kid of some choir girl you hardly knew in high school who immediately called you when she needed a favour?
I shouldn’t let that go to my head, but it emboldens me, nonetheless.
Sawyer:Shut up and help me.
Wolfman:Have you tried … talking to him?
Sawyer:Wow. Never would’ve thought of that.
Sawyer:How are you replying so quickly anyway? Aren’t you supposed to be at football practice?
Wolfman:Yeah but they pissed me off by doing some stupid TikTok dance so I’ve got them running laps as an apology.
Sawyer:Seems fair.
Talk to him. Okay, I can do that. According to most people I usually don’t know when to shut up, so makingconversation should be in my remit—even if I’m not sure how to adapt such to kids.
‘Hey, buddy,’ I try, tossing my phone beside me on the couch.
Noah’s floppy blond bangs flip up as he looks at me through his silver-rimmed glasses with those big blue eyes that could rival his mom’s. He swallows before saying, ‘Yes, sir?’