Page 86 of One Kind Goal

“I’m going to call Trixie and reschedule my meeting with Austin, our lawyer, and her.” She picked up her phone, but Sawyer shook his head.

“Don’t do that, Morgan. Don’t delay your dream. That prickhead fan wins if you cancel that meeting. He stands in the way of my dreams to be with Nia right now. Don’t let him fuck up your dreams too.”

“But . . .”

Sawyer waved a hand. “I mean it. I want you to go to that meeting, buy that store, and get going on your life.” He blew out a breath. “I could use a little time to reflect on my life while you’re gone.”

So he was the mourn-on-his-own type after all. Good thing Morgan had refrained from touching him earlier. That probably would have pissed him off.

“If you’re sure,” she said.

“I am. Honestly.”

She checked the time on her phone. “I’d better get ready then.”

Sawyer gave her a curt nod then turned his attention back to his phone.

Morgan waited a heartbeat, but when he didn’t look up again, she rose from the couch and went into the bedroom. Her eyes pricked at the corners, and she wasn’t sure if she wanted to cry for Sawyer or for herself.

Maybe for both of them.

She gave Austin a quick call to say the meeting was still on and he agreed to pick her up. Then she changed into a pair of black leggings and a black tank top, draping a thick gray cardigan sweater over that. She added a silver necklace that looked like an old key and silver hoop earrings. After pulling on a pair of knee-high black boots, she popped into the bathroom and tamed her wild hair into a low ponytail with a few pulled tendrils framing her face. She did her makeup, figuring Sawyer wouldn’t need any on his jaw now that Nia was gone.

When she came out to the living room, Sawyer was still in the chair, defeat in his shoulders.

“I don’t like leaving you here all alone.” She walked over to him and sat on the edge of the coffee table. Close, but not too close.

“It’s fine,” he said. “I’ve got a conference call with my coach, Lawrence, and your brother’s agent in fifteen minutes anyway.” He wiggled his phone. “My next call after that is to my lawyer. I guess I’ll be needing her.”

Morgan did reach for him then. She put her hand on his knee and squeezed. “If you need people to speak on your behalf about what a wonderful father you are, I’m happy to. Austin and Charlie will also.”

He gave her a weak smile that didn’t light up his eyes like his smiles usually did. “Thanks. I appreciate the offer.”

Patting his knee, she released her hold and stood. “I’ll be back soon.” She was determined to help him out of this funk when she returned. Perhaps Trixie would have a few ideas on local ways to cheer up Sawyer.

“Congratulations on this big step, Morgan,” he said. “You’ll be a fantastic antique shop owner.”

She didn’t like the distance in his voice. This man before her right now was not the man she’d spent the last few days with. That man had energy, exuberance, joy. He looked at her with heat in his eyes and a smile on his lips. That guy had talked about his emotions with her. He’d proclaimed his love.

The man in that chair now, however, was an empty vessel in danger of cracking. He could tell her he was okay, but he wasn’t. How could he be? He’d been provoked and punched at a hockey game he didn’t even get to play in. His child had been ripped from him. His daughter’s mother had accused him of making wrong choices. A custody battle loomed over him.

But if he wanted some time alone, Morgan would respect him enough to give it to him. She’d also do absolutely anything to help him if she could. Sawyer had called them a team. They were missing a member right now, but the remaining members had to fight for a win.

Grabbing her purse, she leaned over Sawyer and dropped a kiss on the top of his head. She slipped out of the cabin though Austin wasn’t out there yet. When her gaze landed on the tire tracks Alan’s truck had left in the snow, she recalled Nia crying in the back seat. The poor kid. She’d been having a great time with Sawyer, and her mother had brought an abrupt end to that fun.

Actually, that moron fan had brought an end to that fun. Why were some people so nasty?

A few minutes later, Austin pulled up. His lawyer was in the front passenger seat, so Morgan climbed into the back.

“Hey, Bryant,” she said to the lawyer then she gasped at Austin’s cheek. He had sunglasses on, but a yellow, red, purple, and black bruise peeked from under the rim of the right lens. “Shit.”

“It looks worse than it feels. Charlie’s around the clock icing helped significantly,” Austin said.

“I’m so sorry, Austin.” She squeezed his shoulder.

“It’ll heal and you didn’t have anything to do with it, Morgan.”

“I know, but we invited you to that game. You wouldn’t have been there if it hadn’t been for us.”

“And I wouldn’t have had the solidly good time we had before encountering that piece of trash.” He rested his hand atop hers still on his shoulder. “I also wouldn’t have gotten to see how good you and Sawyer are together. You make each other happy.”

She slid her hand free. “Well, there’s no making him happy right now.”

If Sawyer couldn’t get Nia back, would Morgan ever see him happy again?