A week goes by without a single word from Savannah, and I feel myself falling deeper into despair. I can’t focus on work. I can’t think straight, and I don’t even want to think about how I can’t get a good night’s rest since everything went to shit. It’s probably because I’ve been crashing with Clark, and with his one bedroom apartment, I’ve had to sleep on his hard ass couch. I can’t complain too much, but I miss my own bed. The thing is I can’t go home since Savannah left. The one time I did go back, I couldn’t handle seeing all her stuff missing, and all that was left was the memories her and I made. I know she moved in with Shelby and Carter, and I know it’s for the best. She needs to be around family, and I know Shelby isn’t going to let Savannah out of her sight. One good thing is Cason finally started speaking to me again and caught me up on what’s been going on, but he refuses to let me know how Savannah is doing with everything.
Huffing out a breath, I rearrange the hard pillow behind my head. Clark left earlier to go talk to his therapist, and with me taking some leave from work, I have nothing left to do with myself. Yeah, I’m feeling sorry for myself, but I don’t know what else to do. Mindlessly flipping through the channels, nothing catches my attention until I see Supernatural on TNT. Clenching my jaw, I shut off the TV hating I can’t even enjoy my favorite show anymore without thinking of her. I guess I should be happy she didn’t run back home like I thought she would, but then again it sucks knowing she’s so close but so fucking far away. If she would just talk to me, maybe I wouldn’t feel like such an ass. But no matter how many times I call or text, she won’t answer me. I’ve all but given up because what else can I do? Apparently Savannah doesn’t care to hear my side or why I did what I did, and even if I know I really fucked things up with us, I want to explain why I didn’t tell her about her mother.
I doubt I’ll ever get the chance now.
Hearing the door open, I snap my head to see every single one of my brothers walking in. Groaning out, I yell, “I’m not in the mood for playtime. Come back later.”
“Shut up and get dressed,” Carter demands, and I roll my eyes.
“Who died and made you boss?”
“No one, but I am the oldest so get your ass up and put some clothes on.” Groaning again, I glare at him as I get up and walk over to my bag on the other side of the couch. Being the ass I am, I only put on a shirt. Honestly I don’t care what I look like. It’s only my brothers. Carter shakes his head when he sees me, and I flop back down on the couch.
Placing my feet on the coffee table, Clark doesn’t say a word when he knocks my feet off. “What’s with y’all? First, y’all interrupt my me time, and now Clark is beatin’ me.”
Am I being a tad bit over dramatic? Yes, but I don’t care. I’m hurting, and I don’t want any more lectures from anyone. I’ve had to swallow my pride already when I apologized to Caleb, but I don’t want to hear what they have to say. “Can you for once in your life stop thinkin’ about you and listen to what we have to say?” Cason says with a stern tone, and I swear I want to punch him in the face. To be frank, I’m still hurt for what he did that night Savannah left. I know he was angry with me, but I’ve never felt so alone when he turned his back on me.
Sitting up on the couch, I grab the pillow and wrap my arms around it. “What’s with the whole gang? I must have really fucked up this time.”
“Always with the smart ass comments,” Caleb retorts.
“We all knew this wouldn’t be easy,” Clark adds.
Watching closely as they all surround me, I won’t lie and say it doesn’t put me on edge. “Why do I get the feelin’ y’all are up to somethin’? Preferably somethin’ not good.”
“Caden,” Carter starts as he sits down beside me. Clark takes a seat on the coffee table in front of me, Caleb stands by Carter, and Cason moves to the other side close to me. “I think you know why we’re all here,” Carter finishes.
“Honestly I feel like y’all are about to give me the shittest news ever.”
“No,” Caleb says. “We’re here to help you get Savannah back.”
“Yeah well good luck with that. The last I checked, she won’t even text me back, so I don’t think this little plan y’all have cookin’ is goin’ to work.” Clark just stares at me while Cason glares. Carter lets out a heavy sigh, and Caleb just looks uncomfortable. But they know I’m right. You can’t fix anything if the other person isn’t willing to even communicate. “Look,” I huff out. “I appreciate all this,” I say waving my hand around. “But we all know this shit can’t be fixed. And I hate knowin’ that, but it’s what I deserve for what I did. So y’all can all see yourselves out the door.” Frowning, I quickly add, “Well not you Clark since you live here.”
“So that’s it? You’re just givin’ up?” Cason asks.
Turning to him, I hold up my hands then drop them. “What else am I supposed to do?”
“You fight for her,” Carter cuts in. “If you love her as you claim, then you’ll do whatever it takes to get her back.”
“Y’all make it sound so fuckin’ easy,” I interrupt.
“I didn’t take you for a quitter,” Clark pipes back.
Running a hand down my face, Caleb asks, “Can you live with yourself knowin’ you didn’t do everythin’ possible to get her back? Because I know you, Caden. If you don’t try harder, and she slips through your fingers, you’ll regret it.”
I know they’re all right, but I still have my doubts. “What do y’all suggest I do then?”
“Shelby and Savannah are leavin’ tomorrow to go on a road trip.” With my confused gaze, Carter adds, “Shelby thinks it’ll be a good idea for Savvy to meet their mother. She told me she thinks Savvy will understand why you did what you did once she meets Tabitha.”
“It shouldn’t take much,” Cason claims, and I can’t argue with him.
Looking to Carter, I ask, “Is that really a good idea? I mean I know Savannah wants to meet her, but wouldn’t it be better to keep her away from her?” I’m not saying Savannah shouldn’t meet her mother, I just don’t want her to be hurt more than she already is. No thanks to me.
“Shelby said she could handle it, so I have to believe Savvy will be fine.” I don’t know about that, but I keep that tidbit to myself. It’s just I know how devastated Savannah was when she learned Tabitha had a fake identity to keep her birth a secret, and I don’t want her to go through any more pain. “I know you want to make this right, Caden. I also know you still love her. You still tryin’ to protect her, tells me all I need to know.”
“Which is why we’re not leavin’ this apartment until you get your shit together and we come up with a plan to win her back,” Cason says with a firm tone letting me know not to argue.
Glancing around to each of my brothers, my heart warms knowing even at my worst, they’re still here for me. “Y’all sure do know how to give a good pep talk. I think I might cry.” Even if I’m joking around, it means the world to me knowing I can still count on them. Our bond is strong, and no matter how bad I fuck shit up, they’ll always have my back.
“And he’s back,” Clark claims with a smirk.
“Are we goin’ to hug now?” I ask them.
“Fuck no,” Cason answers, and I can’t help but laugh.
Turning to him, I say, “Awe, Cas. You know you love me.” He rolls his eyes at me, but I see the corner of his mouth twitch. “Alright ladies.” That earns me a smack from Carter and another glare from Cason. Clark and Caleb shake their heads, and I grin widely. “Seriously guys. Can we stop with the jokes and get down to business?”
“I’ll grab some beers,” Clark says, and I’m not surprised.
Caleb moves to grab two chairs from the kitchen table and hands one to Cason. “I’m guessin’ we’re goin’ to be here for a while.”
Carter slaps my shoulder as he says, “That we are. We’re not leavin’ until we get this perfect.” Nodding, I hope they all know how much I appreciate this. I might not say it because I am a dude and we’re not good with feelings, but I have a sense they know. Carter nods back, and I know he gets it. I remember not that long ago he was where I am, and Cason and I did everything we could to get him and Shelby back together.
This is the best thing about having brothers. They’re always there when you need them and no matter what, I know without a doubt, I’ll never have to go through life alone. I most certainly won’t have to figure out how I’m going to win Savannah back alone.
I just hope she’s ready because between the five of us, there’s no way she can run away from me again.