“Dad.”
His kittens, meowing for their supper, trotted in his wake as Declan charged into the kitchen and jumped into Avery’s arms. Laughing, Avery noisily kissed his cheek, making Declan giggle.
“How’s your day, little man?” Avery asked, holding Declan easily in the crook of his massive arm.
“Okay.”
“Just okay?”
“I learned a new word today.”
“Cool. What word?”
“Um.” Declan rolled his eyes as he tried to remember. “Gorgeous.”
“Ah.” Avery shot me a sly glance. “As in, ‘Jacy is gorgeous’?”
“Yeah.”
My skin heated in an obnoxious blush. “That’s enough, you two. Declan, go feed your cats and dog. Avery, wash up.”
I prepared spaghetti for dinner and then sat on the couch, scrolling through social media as I waited for Avery to join me.
He walked in wearing pajama pants and a white sleeveless shirt, giving a perfect view of his strong torso. His damp hair looked incredible against his model-like face. I hoped he didn’t notice me scanning every inch of his body with my eyes.
As the three of us sat at the dinner table, I couldn’t stop glancing at Avery—and it didn’t seem like he was growing tired of looking at me either. While Declan and Avery chatted away, I kept stealing glances, my mind constantly drifting back to last night.
That funky, warm glow never left me.
After dinner, I curled up on the couch, trying to shake off the memory of what had happened between us. Then suddenly, Avery sat beside me and slipped his arm around my shoulders.
“Share my bed tonight?” he whispered, while Declan played a game of keep-away with the kittens on the floor.
I looked away, not wanting him to see my blushing face. But he pulled me closer, tucking me under his arm, and pressed a kiss to my forehead. I rested my head on his shoulder.
Together, we watched Declan giggle as the kittens leaped for the feather toy in his small hand. Somehow, I knew that if Declan understood the affection growing between Avery and me, he’d wholeheartedly approve.
***
Deeply asleep, hours before the dawn, we both woke to Max’s savage barking. Instantly alert, my heart racing, I heard/saw Avery climb swiftly out of bed and don a pair of jeans. The barking drove me out from under the covers, seizing a shirt even as Avery lunged from the bedroom.
“Dad?”
Declan’s frightened voice rose over Max’s noise. Rather than answer him, Avery snapped on the hall light before charging headlong down the stairs. “Stay with Declan,” he ordered.
Suddenly, Max’s barking ceased after a sharp yelp of pain. Declan joined me at the door, near tears, as he hugged me around my waist.
“What’s happening?” he whispered.
“What’d you do to my dog?” Avery screamed.
I heard Avery say, “fucker,” then a strange eerie silence.
“I don’t know,” I said, “but I’m gonna find out. Go to your room and stay there.”
Chapter Ten
Avery
