Page 75 of Sterling Clay

“I did unpack.”

“Dutton’s things.”

“My stuff is in the closet.”

“And I want it in mine.”

“Clay.” She stares at me.

“Are you two fighting?” Dutton’s small voice turns both our heads in his direction, where he’s standing just inside the kitchen entryway.

“No, little bear.”

“No, not fighting,” I add. “Just having a healthy discussion, buddy. Sometimes we’re gonna get loud when we feel passionate about something.” I turn my head toward Mavis, eyeing her.

All three of us hold our breaths for a minute before Dutton rolls against the wall and returns to the living room.

I step closer to Mavis, lowering my voice only a little.

“I want you and Dutton to live with me, butterfly. Not like some visiting guest, but as family. I want you to unpack your bags and settle in.”

“Clay,” Mavis groans, her gaze a glare as if I’m not being fair. But she’s the one being unfair. I don’t want her to act like staying in my home is temporary. That we are temporary.

She’s it for me. I can feel it in my bones. She warms my bed, fills my belly, and holds my heart. And right now, she’s squeezing it painfully tight with the suggestion she owes me money for being here.

“If you don’t want to stay, I can’t force you. I won’t force you.” I glance toward the living room. “But I want you living here. With me. Use that money to buy some things for yourself. Spruce up my place and make it feel more like your home.” I swallow hard. “Or you can use it to pay rent somewhere else. But you aren’t paying me like you’re a renter here.”

Mavis stares at me, not responding to my outburst. I hadn’t realized how loud my voice had gotten, but I’m agitated by this exchange, and I won’t apologize.

“Guess you have some things to think about.”

When Mavis doesn’t say anything further, I announce. “I’m going out for a bit.”

I don’t really want to leave but I can’t stand in my kitchen waiting for her answer.

Doesn’t she want to stay? Doesn’t she feel the same way? I thought we were good together.

Leaving my beer on the counter, I stalk toward the front door, passing the back of the couch without a glance at Dutton. If I look at him, my heart will shatter right here on the hardwood floor.

“Clay.” Mavis’s voice is quiet behind me. I still with my hand on the doorknob. Then her arms circle around me from behind me and her head lands on my back.

A knock comes to the door, startling me, and I pull it open with Mavis still behind me. “Violet?”

“Hi.” She waves. “I’m here to pick up Dutton.”

Holding open the door, I twist to face Mavis wondering what’s going on. She leans around me. “Violet, honey, why don’t you come in a second? I need a minute with your uncle and then Dutton will be ready.”

Mavis grips my forearm and I step back from the door, allowing Violet into my house. Dutton sits on the couch, and the tension between the three of us is thick.

“Will you excuse us a minute?” Mavis offers Violet a weak smile and tugs me toward my bedroom.

Closing the door behind her, she explains. “I was excited to get my second paycheck. And I thought it would be nice for another adult-only moment. At first, I was going to take you out, but you seem to like my cooking and I remembered you saying you didn’t eat at home often. So, I asked Violet if she could take Dutton out and we could have some time together here.”

I stare at her. She’d planned everything. Dinner. Childcare for Dutton. A date for us, and I’d just exploded on her.

“Butterfly, why didn’t you say anything?”

She shrugs. “I wanted to surprise you like you surprised me last weekend.”