Page 57 of Sterling Clay

Clay and Judd follow Knox up to the porch, and Dutton wiggles out of my hold, rushing Clay who catches him with a start, not expecting the sudden launch toward him. Still, Clay tucks Dutton to him, rubbing a hand down his back before combing his fingers into Dutton’s longer hair and tugging his head back so he faces Clay.

“You okay, buddy?” Clay’s voice is calmer than moments ago, soothing while I’m certain he’s fighting for control.

Dutton nods his head and hugs Clay around the neck again. Clay’s eyes meet mine over Dutton’s thin shoulder and then they widen at something Dutton must have said to him. He pats Dutton’s back before setting him on the porch and guiding him back to me.

“Mavis, this is my brother, Judd.”

Judd nods, hands on his hips, but I want more than a cautious greeting. Stepping forward, I hug him, startling Judd. He stiffens under my impulsive embrace. Maybe I’m the one who needs a hug. “Thank you,” I whisper to him.

I absolutely do not condone violence, but the way Judd reacted, out of nowhere, hints that hit came not only because of what was said or done to my son, but from something deeper within him. I don’t have time to analyze him, though, as I step back and watch his bearded face turn pink.

“Nice to meet you, Mavis.”

He runs a hand over Dutton’s head and lowers to squat before him. On Dutton’s level, he’s more personable and sticks out his hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m Judd.”

“Dutton.” Dutton says, shaking the offered hand.

“Are you a superhero?” Judd asks.

“I’m the pink Power Princess.”

Judd nods as if he’s familiar with the character. “Well, if you ever need a sidekick, you let me know.” He holds out a fist and Dutton bumps it. Then Judd stands, nods at me once more, and heads into the house.

With only the three of us remaining on the porch, I reach for Clay next. Holding him like I don’t ever want to let go. The way he defended my son. The way he is with Dutton. The way he cares for us.

“Thank you.” I squeeze him tighter while only one of his arms comes around my back. When I release him, Dutton is holding Clay’s other hand.

“Think we should call it a night?” Clay addresses Dutton.

Dutton sheepishly nods and Clay reaches for him, picking him up again. Maybe he needs another hug from Dutton. I’ll be taking more hugs from both of them, once we are at Clay’s place again.

When we cross the yard for Clay’s truck, I don’t have the overwhelming scent of worn leather and cheap cologne in my nose but I also don’t miss the outline of a lone figure near the collapsed fence around my property and the soft glow of a lit cigarette in the dark.

However, my adrenaline is depleted, leaving behind exhaustion and bone-deep weariness; so much so that the fear coursing through my body at the sight of the disturbing silhouette barely registers. Whoever he is, I don’t draw attention to him. I can’t handle anymore. I’ve had enough drama for one night.

Chapter 19

[Clay]

The drive to my home is quiet. Once inside the house, Mavis runs a bath for Dutton and after, tucks him into bed, allowing him to read something on his own while she showers. I keep my distance, giving them time together. Letting Mavis work her magic with her son.

As for me, after stripping out of my VillainMan costume and putting on a fresh tee and gray sweatpants, I lay on my bed. I’d ordered the getup when I ordered Dutton’s pink Power Princess, thinking the contrasting costumes would be a fun surprise for the kid.

The night had certainly not turned out how I’d hoped to surprise him.

I’m not sure how long I lay in the dark on my bed, my hands folded over my lower belly, images from throughout the evening colliding in my head.

Fucking Perry. And fuck that new friend of his. And why did Dutton call his dad Wesley? And why did he call Mavis May-May?

I know I don’t know everything about Mavis, allowing for time to further discover one another, but if I thought Wesley and the harrowing house fire were her only secrets, I was wrong. I don’t want to accuse her of omitting important details about her life, like she felt I’d done about Glady, but I’m suddenly a bit leery about Mavis’s past.

With too many rambling thoughts, and too many unanswered questions, my body still vibrates with the need to fight, although I’m the least likely to raise a fist in our family. It’s one reason Dad and I didn’t go knuckles to knuckles. He’d be confrontational and I’d try to reason with him. Or ignore him.

My ankles are crossed, and my eyes are aimed at the ceiling when Mavis enters my room. Her scent precedes her entrance. She’s freshly showered with that floral fragrance wafting around her. She’s wearing a Sylver Seed & Soil tee again with a pair of dark leggings.

I close my eyes for half a second. “How is Dutton?”

“He’s sleeping.” Mavis exhales. “I don’t want to leave him alone tonight, but I wanted to check on you.”