My mother ignores me, her attention returning to Sutton. She pats the couch and a cloud of dust rises. “Come sit with me.” She shoots a pointed glare at me. “Be a good boy and fetch us some tea.”
I choke on the stale air. Tea? Since when does this woman drink anything except liquor? Yeah. Fucking. Right. This situation smells worse than a polluted swamp. Leaving Sutton alone with her, even for a few minutes, doesn’t sit well in my gut. A gurgling protectiveness rises up and I remain rooted in place.
A shrill whistle cracks through the dank air. “You deaf, Grady?”
My mother gets an eye roll for that. She knows damn well I’m not. The digs will get her nowhere. I cock a brow and wait her out.
She makes a shooing gesture. “Why are you just standing there? We’re thirsty.”
“Pretty sure I can handle whatever you’re about to say. There aren’t any secrets between us.” I point at my chest before pointing at Sutton.
My mother scoffs. “Get real. We’re just gonna have a little girl talk. No boys allowed.”
I look to Sutton and she shrugs. Her lips form a few words that I’m pretty sure are meant for reassurance. I hitch a thumb over my shoulder. “I’ll be right over there. Holler if you need me.”
“We won’t.” My mother is already facing my girl, icing me out.
And with that, I’m officially dismissed. I barely hear their quiet murmurs across the room. Instead of obsessing, I busy myself with finding two clean mugs and the kettle. It’s shocking that my mother owns a teapot. A canister on the stove snags my eye. The contents smell minty, but there’s an underlying aroma I don’t trust. I won’t be letting Sutton drink a sip of this questionable shit. If my mother wants a dose, that’s her choice.
A soft giggle from the couch has me spying. Their heads are tipped close together. My mother pats Sutton’s cheek. All I can do is stare. I’ve never received that type of open affection from her in my twenty-four years. Not that I’m surprised. Sutton gets the good from everyone, even a washed up junkie.
The bubbling boil alerts me before the sharp hiss begins. I fill the cups with steaming water and drop a leafy bag into the one for my mom. With quick strides, I make my way back to them. I set the two mugs in front of them on the table.
“Thank you, Gray.” Sutton sends me a sweet smile.
I lift my lips in one of my own. “You’re welcome.”
My mom makes no move to touch the beverage. “Uh-huh, yeah. Thanks, boy.”
“Good talk?” My question is to both of them, whoever wishes to answer.
“She’s a good egg, Grady. Don’t fuck it up.” My mother beams at Sutton.
I snort at her words of wisdom. Stellar advice from mother of the year. “I plan to keep her around for always.”
Sutton dips her chin, a deep flush coloring her face. “Likewise.”
My mom sits silently, her gaze growing distant. Before I can comment, she blinks and the haze is gone. “It was nice meeting you, Sutton. Enjoy the day. You too, kid.”
“Well, I guess we’re free to go,” I joke.
My mother reaches for her pack of smokes. Sutton scrambles off the sagging cushions as if something bit her. That’s very possible in this hole. I loop an arm around her waist and lead us to the door. Mother dearest offers a weak wave with a flick of her lighter.
I almost cough from the rush of semi-fresh air as we walk outside. A comfortable silence envelops us. The last hour swirls through my mind on a rapid spiral. I’m not sure what to make of anything that occurred inside those four walls.
When we’re settled back in the truck, a deep exhale escapes me. I sag against the lumpy seat. “That was really strange.”
Sutton buckles up and turns to me. “Yeah? She seemed to be in good spirits.”
“Exactly. That never happens.”
“Huh. Guess that’s odd.”
I glance at her from the corner of my eye. A sad sort of smile curls the edges of her mouth as we pull out of the lot. “You okay, beautiful?”
“Yes. It was a bit sad, but also sweet.”
I nearly swerve off the road. “Did you just refer to my mother as sweet?”
