10. Gray #2
Since then, though, she’s been settling in more.
And then there’s Avery.
I don’t know what the hell’s happening there.
There’s no question about it—there’s something between us. Something I’ve been trying to fight with every damn fiber of my being. But I can’t help it. I want her.
I find myself waiting to see her in the mornings. Looking forward to coming home in the evenings, knowing she’ll be there. It’s ridiculous. Every time I think something might actually happen between us, Katherine’s face pops into my head. And I feel like the world’s worst human being.
But then I remember what she told me before she died about moving on.
I’m stuck in this loop, this emotional hell scape, and I don’t know what the hell to do about it.
And to top it all off, I feel like I’m going insane waiting for that ever-elusive call from Sammy. Every time my phone rings, my heart jumps into my throat, hoping it’s him with news about Maddie’s custody.
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve called him. He just keeps telling me to be patient. That it won’t be much longer.
Yeah. Easy for him to say.
So here I am, running on barely any sleep, sitting at the breakfast table with a headache that’s got my name carved into it.
Clara moves around, placing plates down with her usual efficiency. Scrambled eggs, bacon, toast. Coffee steams in my mug, the only thing keeping me from turning into an absolute menace.
Then I hear it. Maddie’s little feet pounding down the hall. Her voice, getting louder. And Avery’s, right behind her. Arguing.
“—but it did explode, Avery! There were bubbles everywhere! It was a total eruption!”
Avery follows her in, clearly already exhausted. “Yes, Maddie, you told me all about that yesterday.”
Maddie ignores her completely, still going a mile a minute as Avery pulls out a chair for her. “We used baking soda, vinegar, and food coloring. Red, like lava. It was so cool.”
Avery shakes her head, amused.
“Good morning, Maddie. Sleep well?”
Maddie barely glances at me. “I tried to keep my eyes open as long as I could because Tabatha told me sleep is bad for you.”
I shoot a bemused glance at Avery. Our eyes lock for the briefest second before she exhales, already anticipating my reaction.
Before I can launch into a very scientific, no-nonsense explanation of why human beings need sleep, my phone buzzes.
My nerves spike.
I grab it off the table and answer immediately. “Sammy… what have you got for me?”
“Grayson. How’ve you been?”
“Yeah, fine-ish.”
“I hear you.” He doesn’t linger on it. “Listen, I’ve got some good news for you.”
Before I can press him for details, a cheerio pings off my sleeve.
I glance up. Maddie is now playing table soccer with her cereal, flicking it across the table. Avery reaches for her hand, trying to stop her. “Maddie, can you not?”
Sammy continues, “You’ll be pleased to know that the court has approved your guardianship of Maddie. All you need to do now is come in and sign the papers.”
A wave of relief crashes over me. Before I can react properly, another cheerio comes flying at me.
Without thinking, I flick it back mid-flight. By some freak accident, it lands straight back into Maddie’s bowl.
Maddie’s mouth falls open in absolute shock.
I grin. “That’s fantastic news, Sammy. Thank you. When can I come in?”
“Any time that works for you. Just let me know, and we’ll arrange it. Also, I wanted to let you know we should have some updates on the probate in a few days. Things are moving along smoothly.”
“That is such a relief. I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done.”
“It’s my pleasure, and I’m glad we could get this sorted out. Maddie’s lucky to have you.”
I grin, still trying to absorb everything. “I’ll call you back later to set up a time. But I’m thinking tomorrow morning.”
“Sounds good.”
In the background, someone calls Sammy’s name. He pulls the phone away. “Okay, I’m coming.”
Then back to me. “Alright, buddy, got to go. Talk to you later.”
The call ends. I lean back in my chair, my breakfast forgotten as I watch the chaos of Maddie and Avery at the table.
Another cheerio comes flying through the air and hits me square in the eye.
I just smile, pluck it off my eyelid, and pop it in my mouth.
Avery and Maddie are bickering now, but it’s playful.
I clear my throat. “Okay, my sweet little munchkin. I’ve got some very good news to tell you.”
Maddie and Avery both fall silent. Maddie squints at me. “What is it, Uncle Gray?”
I take a breath catching sight of Avery watching me. “Well, Maddie, to cut a long story short, the court has just awarded me guardianship of you.” Then, under my breath, I mutter, “Well, it will once I’ve signed the papers tomorrow.”
Maddie frowns. “Guardianship? What’s that?”
“It means that I’m officially going to take care of you from now on. You’ll be living here with me, and I’ll make sure you have everything you need.” I glance at Avery. “With the help of Avery, of course.”
Maddie pauses, her small fingers tightening around the edge of the table. “So… you’re gonna be like my new parent now?”
“Yes, something like that. I’ll be here for you. Always. This is your home now.”
Her lower lip trembles, just slightly. Avery rests a gentle hand on her shoulder and offers me the smallest smile.
Maddie’s voice is small. “Do I have any choice who my parent is?”
“Um...” I sit up straighter, caught off guard. “Well, yes, I suppose you do. If you don’t want—”
“I do miss Mom, but, Uncle Gray, I’m… I’m glad I’m here.”
Something in my chest tightens. Without really thinking, I stand, walk around the table, and squat down in front of her. Her eyes are glassy, but she blinks quickly like she doesn’t want me to notice.
I wrap my arms around her, holding her close. “I miss her too, Maddie. I miss her too.”
For a moment, it’s just the two of us.
I stand back up before I do something embarrassing, like actually letting her see me get emotional. I wipe a tear quickly, hoping neither of them caught it, and drop back into my chair.
I exhale. “Okay. No school today. What shall we do? Any suggestions?”
Maddie suddenly goes shy, shrugging and glancing at Avery like she’s waiting for permission to speak.
Avery tilts her head. “How about the zoo?”
She leans down to Maddie and asks softly, “Would you like that?”
Maddie stays quiet but gives a small nod.
I push my chair back. “Great. The zoo it is, then. Come on, get your hat and coat, and we’ll get going.”
***
The day has been long. The zoo. Then dinner at the most irritatingly chaotic kids’ center. 'The Play Zone' was the worst place I’ve ever had the misfortune of stepping foot into.
Screaming children. Sticky tables. A headache that decided to reappear and lodge itself between my eyes the moment we walked in and hasn’t let up since.
But Maddie had fun. So, I suppose it was worth it.
Now, finally, we’re back. The house is quiet. Avery’s upstairs putting Maddie to bed, and I’m outside on the patio, exhaling for what feels like the first time all day.
The night is still. The kind of silence you only get when the world is winding down. The trees bordering the property are bathed in the soft night light, and the lawn stretches out, down toward the cliffs.
On nights like this, if you listen closely enough, you can just catch the faint sound of the waves crashing against the Oregon coastline.
I lean against the railing, staring out into the darkness, letting it settle over me like a weighted blanket.
Then, the sound of the patio door slides open, and I turn my head. “Avery.”
She steps out, the haze from the garden lights catching in her hair. Her gaze meets mine, and something in the air sizzles.
“I thought I’d join you out here.” Her voice is low, smooth, and edged with something I can’t ignore.
I don’t respond right away. My eyes lock onto hers, but the way she’s looking at me—it’s sultry and confident; like she already knows exactly what she’s doing to me.
I grip the railing a little tighter.
She takes another step closer, her presence wrapping around me as much as the night air. My mouth is suddenly dry. I clear my throat. “So, how’s your novel coming along?”
Avery gives a small smile, resting her arms on the railing beside me. “It’s coming. I’m about a third of the way through it. But to be honest... I think it's trash.”
I’m barely listening. “I'm sure it's not.”
Her lips move, forming words, “Well you haven't read it. Trust me it's...”
But my focus is flickering between her mouth and her eyes. The way she bites her lip, just slightly, before she speaks again. The way the night air brushes against her skin and raises goosebumps along her arms.
I can’t fight it any longer.
“I'm actually thinking off...”
Before I even give it much thought, I just do it. My hands move to her waist, pulling her in. Her breath catches, her body tensing for the briefest moment before melting into me.
The first press of my lips against hers is soft. A slow, measured thing. But then she moves against me, her hands sliding up my chest, her fingers curling into the fabric of my shirt, and it’s over.
The kiss deepens, growing hotter, more insistent.
Her lips part, and I don’t hesitate, claiming her mouth fully. My tongue tangles with hers, the taste of her sending heat straight through me. The tension that’s been simmering between us for weeks ignites, burning, consuming.
Her nails scrape lightly at the back of my neck, and I tighten my grip on her hips, pressing her flush against me.
“Damn it, Avery, I want you so badly.”
She pulls back slightly, her breath hitching.
“But I didn't think...”
I cut her off, my lips finding hers again, more insistent this time.
“Probably best not to think.”
Our kiss deepens, growing more rampant by the second. I can feel my dick aching in my pants, the need for her overwhelming.
Her hands start to fumble with the buttons of my shirt, and I reach for the hem of her skirt, my fingers grazing the soft skin of her thighs.