Her brows lifted. “You’re going to therapy?”
He nodded, spotting the surprise in her eyes. At one time, he would have felt shame at admitting he needed help. He didn’t have that left in him. Now all he had was a purpose to heal all his broken pieces. “I’m putting in the work and doing what I should have done seven years ago and dealing with the trauma.”
For a split second, the cold Clara he didn’t know at all vanished and the soft Clara he knew all too well appeared. “No one deserves to struggle. It’s good you’re looking after your mental health, Sullivan.”
He nodded and rose, shoving his hands in his pockets, staring down at her as the bright moon cast warm light over them. And with those sweet eyes on him, Sullivan was hit with something completely unexpected. He still loved her. Madly. Deeply. And, for him, it felt like no time had gone by at all when she looked at him like that. “One step at a time. Take this slow and get to know Mason. That’s the plan going forward.”
In an instant, the warmth was gone and a stranger was staring at him with distrusting eyes. “That’s the plan,” she agreed.
“All right,” he said, reaching back into his pocket to grab his wallet. “I’m staying in old Bart’s apartment for the month. Here’s my number.” He handed her a card. “You’ll be in touch?”
“I will.”
“Then, we’ll talk soon. Sleep tight.” He turned away and crossed over the gravel driveway to his rented truck, knowing full well his plan didn’t stop there. He mentally added one more task onto the list of what he needed to achieve before he left River Rock—earn Clara’s forgiveness.
6
The next morning, Clara peeked open an eye to find a bright, sunny day. She shifted onto her side in bed and stared out her bedroom window to the branches of the trees waving in the slight breeze. Last night filled her mind. Nothing was playing out like she’d intended. She had expected Sullivan to book it, not for him to own up to his past mistakes and try to better himself. A part of her heart finally healed at knowing why he left. In that same spot, there was sadness that Sullivan’s trauma had made him believe he was better off gone. Alongside that, was cold hard rage that Sullivan’s father had done this to him. That he’d taken a loving guy and destroyed him. That he stole away the Sullivan that Clara had blindly loved.
“Mama. Wake up.” A blur of navy-blue pajamas with astronauts on them rushed into her room.
Her mattress bounced as Mason jumped on her bed a second later. “Morning, honey,” she said, gathering him in her arms. He gave a boisterous laugh as she kissed his cheeks repeatedly. “Did you have good dreams?”
“No dreams.” He looked at her with those sweet eyes. “Do I have to go to school today?”
“Yup.” She gave him another big kiss while he wiggled out of her hold. “Go get dressed, and I’ll make you some pancakes.”
“Yum. Paaaaancakes.”
As fast as he’d come into her bedroom, he was gone, having no idea his life might change forever any day now. Be his shield. Nothing could hurt Mason, not if she simply held strong. And while Sullivan seemed to want to make amends and do the right thing, she didn’t know him anymore. One step at a time, she reminded herself. Determined to get her day started, she slid out of bed, aware of the slight headache that would most likely follow her for the rest of the day because of those shots.
While she got ready, tossing her hair up in a tight ponytail and dressing in jeans and a blouse, she tried to find all the hatred she’d had for Sullivan. But by the time she headed down the stairs, she realized that anger had vanished after their talk last night. He’d been honest and open, and now she had the answers she’d always needed. It felt like an apology even if the words were never said directly.
The moment she entered the bright, sunny kitchen, Amelia handed her a coffee mug full of piping-hot coffee made just how Clara liked it. “Tell me everything,” her sister stated. Amelia knew better than to ask Clara anything last night. She always needed time to gather her thoughts.
Clara chuckled then took a quick sip before setting it down to grab the frozen pancakes from the freezer as well as the sausages from the fridge. “We talked. That’s what happened.”
“Did it go okay?” Amelia asked, leaning forward, eyes bright with interest.
Only two years apart, Clara and Amelia were close. Maisie, being four years younger than Clara, had always been the baby sister, and only recently had their relationship blossomed into a friendship. Amelia was Clara’s best friend. Back in the day, Clara’s friends couldn’t relate to a young single mom. They were off, busy with their lives, partying wildly, making plans for the future, while Clara had been changing diapers. Amelia had been there through the good, the bad, and the ugly. “He gave me the answers I needed, and promised to only do what’s right for Mason. He said he’s here to heal from his past, not to stir up trouble. We’re going to take this day by day so he can get to know Mason before we make any big decisions.” When Amelia’s lips parted, Clara raised her hand. “Don’t ask more than that. I’m still processing it all, so don’t ask me how I feel about anything.”
Amelia blinked. Twice. “I don’t even know what to say.”
Clara lifted a finger. “Is this wise, for him to see Mason?” Another finger lifted. “He’s leaving in a month. What will happen after that?” She raised a third finger. “You two do have a lot of history together.” And a fourth finger went up. “I’m happy for you, but worried because of Mason and because Sullivan really hurt you before.”
“Yes,” Amelia said with a firm nod. “All of that.”
Clara understood her worry. Hell, she’d probably feel the same way in Amelia’s shoes. She stuck the pancakes in the toaster then wrapped Amelia in a tight hug. “Thank you for worrying, but I’m okay. I’m not the girl he left behind. My head is right on my shoulders. Mason’s well-being is all I’m thinking about right now.”
Amelia stepped out of the embrace. “I guess that makes sense.”
“Pancakes,” Mason yelled, running for the table.
And just like that, the conversation was over and Clara turned on mom-mode. She got Mason to school on time and grabbed some wood-fired bagels at the bakery for the week ahead on the way home. By the time she got back to the brewery, the parking lot had a couple of extra vehicles and one white van as well as Maisie’s car.
Clara parked in her usual spot near the house. She quickly took the bagels inside to the kitchen before heading to the barn. The moment she got close, she heard Sullivan’s smooth voice. Another few steps, and she realized why—a news crew was interviewing him.
Maisie stood a few feet away, so Clara hurried to her side. “What is this?” she asked when she reached Maisie.
Her younger sister smirked. “All Sullivan’s idea. He called Hayes late last night and asked if he could get a T-shirt and baseball hat with our logo on it. Then twenty minutes ago, Amelia called me and told me he’d shown up with reporters.”
Clara followed Maisie’s gaze to find Amelia talking to a male reporter, who stood next to Sullivan. Her breath quickened. He’d always looked good in worn blue jeans and a T-shirt, but the black T-shirt and baseball hat both had a Three Chicks Brewery logo. He looked hot as he spoke to a female reporter and said into the microphone, “It’s all very simple. I needed a break, and I’m taking that break at home. I have no intention of making the mistakes I’ve made in the past again. When my suspension is over, I’ll be back and ready to play harder than ever.”
“Anything you want to say to your fans?” the reporter asked.
Sullivan paused, his gaze meeting Clara’s for a moment before he looked directly into the camera. “I’m sorry for my disappointing behavior. While I’m human and make mistakes, I’ll do better going forward.”
The interview ended with a few more questions, but Clara couldn’t take her eyes off Sullivan. She didn’t really know this man. Confident, determined, and centered—he’d been a twenty-one-year old kid when he left, and a total me
ss too.
Breaking into the silence, Maisie said, “All right, I’ve got to get to the studio, but see you tonight for dinner. Thank Sullivan for me. This was amazing exposure for us.”
Clara still couldn’t look away from Sullivan as his gaze fixed on her too. “Yeah, okay, bye,” she said, without looking Maisie’s way.
She swore she heard Maisie’s laughter, but she couldn’t tear her eyes away as Sullivan said his goodbyes to the news crew and made his way over. “What is happening?” she asked, trying to understand.
He lifted one shoulder. “My agent called and asked to set up an interview, since the press has been on me. I figured getting the brewery some free press would only benefit you. Have I overstepped?”
“Um, no,” she said, finally finding her senses. “This was…Sullivan, you didn’t have to do this for us.”
He shoved his hands into his pockets, rocking back on his heels. “I know, but I wanted to.”
“Well…thank you,” she said, and the business part of her mind was smiling from ear to ear. Sullivan was famous. Companies paid him hundreds of thousands of dollars to wear their brands. And he’d done this for free. The extra exposure could also help her negotiate better contract terms with the distributors. “I mean it, thank you. You were right; this will definitely benefit us.”
“Good.” A warm, infectious smile crossed his face. “I’m happy to do it.”
With the news crew packing up, Amelia approached. “Okay, that was just cool. Again, Sullivan, thank you.”
“Anytime,” he said as if this meant nothing. “Whatever I can do to help with this new venture, just ask.”
Amelia gave Clara a quick look that she couldn’t quite read before she addressed Sullivan again. “Listen, tonight we’re grilling up some steaks for dinner. Hayes and Maisie are coming. Would you like to come too?”
His gaze swept to Clara, uncertainty in his expression.
Her mind stuttered for a moment. Every instinct inside her told her to say no. But, after what he’d done today and said last night, it was clear he was trying to do the right thing. And what better way to casually meet Mason than surrounded by all the people who loved him and would protect him as much as Clara would. “Yes, of course, you’re more than welcome. Nothing better than saying thank you with a big steak.”
“Okay, yeah,” he said, but hesitation showed on his face.
Clara understood. “Bring a baseball glove, all right? Mason already told me he hoped you’d play some ball with him.”
“All right.” He gave a soft smile. “I’ll bring a glove, then. What time?”
“Five thirty.”
“I’ll be here.”
He exchanged a quick goodbye with Amelia and then was on his way back to his truck.
“Sorry if that’s not what you wanted,” Amelia said once he was far enough away. “It just felt right after he did this for us today.”
“It does feel right.” Clara slid her arm through Amelia’s. “They have to meet at some point. Might as well be with everyone who loves Mason.”
Amelia chuckled. “So we can all kill him if he messes this up?”
“Precisely.” Clara grinned, giving Sullivan a wave as he drove off.
Sullivan had faced down some of the best players in baseball. He’d gone up against the toughest reporters. But this…eyes the same color as his mother’s watching him as he strode through the yard toward the picnic table, this was tougher. While Mason had Sullivan’s mother’s eyes, he could see Clara’s cleverness in there too. Especially when Sullivan handed her a bouquet of daisies—her favorite flower—and a bottle of red wine. “Thanks again for the invite,” he told her. His only plan earlier had been to begin to earn Clara’s trust back and show her that his heart was in the right place. He didn’t know how much he’d wanted the invite until they extended it. He was especially grateful when he saw Clara. She looked beautiful in the evening sun, but he suspected she’d prefer for him not to compliment her in front of Mason.
She sniffed the flowers then smiled. “Daisies. They’re beautiful. Thank you.” She gave Mason a quick look then gestured to the one person Sullivan didn’t know. “This is Luka, Amelia’s fiancé. Luka, this is Sullivan Keene.” Tall and dark-haired, Luka stuck out among them as someone who didn’t belong. He wore navy-blue slacks with a white dress shirt, making it obvious he worked in the city.
“Hey, man,” Luka said, offering his hand.
Fiancé? Beckett had told him a while back that he and Amelia had broken up, but he’d never said a word about her becoming engaged. Sullivan returned a weak handshake. “Good to meet you.”
“Likewise,” Luka said then wrapped his arm back around Amelia.
It looked wrong. Sullivan only knew Beckett and Amelia together, but he forced himself to glance Clara’s way as she asked, “Do you remember our cousin, Penelope?”
He smiled. “Yes, of course, it’s nice to see you again, Penelope.” Every summer, her big city parents sent her to River Rock to spend with her cousins. Only last time Sullivan saw her she’d been a kid.
Penelope waved. “Hey, Sullivan.”
A beat passed. Clara finally took Mason by the shoulders. “Mason, you remember Sullivan, right?”
Mason nodded and took one look at Sullivan’s baseball glove, then those bright eyes flicked up again. “I got a glove like that.”
Sullivan released the breath caught in his throat. This, he could do, and do easily. “Why don’t you go grab it and we’ll throw some balls around?”
Mason’s eyes went huge before he whirled to Clara. “Can I, Mama?”
“Just ’til dinner,” she said, scuffing his hair.
She barely finished talking before Mason took off toward the shed. Clara laughed softly. “I think he secretly believes that playing ball with a professional baseball player makes him a professional too.”
Sullivan chuckled. “Nothing wrong with believing that.”
With Mason gone, the mood shifted and tension filled the air as Amelia and Maisie watched Sullivan closely. Penelope looked everywhere but at him. Everyone was on guard, waiting for him to fuck up.
Feeling like he was being squeezed from all directions, he rubbed the back of his neck, pushing past the churning in his stomach. “Listen, I get you’re all worried. I told Clara last night, but I’ll tell you now; I’m not trying to stir up trouble. I won’t make a wrong move here. If this isn’t a good thing, it ends. All right?”
Amelia’s tight expression relaxed. She leaned into Luka’s hold and replied, “All right.”
Sullivan glanced at Maisie, who stared at him like she could read all his intentions on his face. “All good?”
She finally blinked and then gave a firm nod. “Keep to that promise, and we’ll be fine.”
“Good. We’ve cleared that up,” Hayes said with a chipper voice. He gave Sullivan an approving hard slap on the back. “Now, let’s just enjoy the rest of the sunlight we’ve got today.”
And just like that, all the tension that lingered in the air vanished. Everyone went back to their conversations.
Clara moved closer to him, sniffing the flowers. “You remembered the daisies.”
“Hard to forget. You did have them everywhere,” he reminded her. She drew them on her binders, had stickers on her locker, and had them in jars all around her bedroom.
Before she could respond, Mason charged out of the shed, baseball glove in hand. “I’m ready!”
“Almost ready,” Sullivan said when Mason reached them. He grabbed the Boston Red Sox baseball hat tucked into his back pocket that he’d picked up earlier in the day. He sized it down then slid it onto Mason’s head. “Now you’re officially part of the Red Sox.”
“Cool.” Mason beamed.
Sullivan gave Clara a wink then headed off to the middle of the yard. He slid into his glove and turned around. “All right, buddy, show me how you throw.”
Mason whipped the ball across the lawn, remarkably far, right into Sullivan’s
glove.
Impressed by the kid—his son—Sullivan jogged over to Mason. He caught Clara and her sisters watching them intently as he settled in front of Mason again. “Wiggle out your feet a bit.” When Mason did as told, Sullivan added, “Yeah, that’s better. Turn just a little,” he instructed, gently adjusting Mason’s body posture. “There it is. That’s where you want your body to be. Don’t forget to keep your eyes on me.” Sullivan backed up a dozen steps then got into a catcher’s position. “Hit me with it,” he called.
And Mason did. Hard.
“How’d that feel?” Sullivan called, grabbing the ball from his glove.
Mason grinned from ear to ear. “That went fast.”
“It did.” Sullivan punched his glove then held it out. “Show me again.”
Throw after throw, Mason got better and stronger, reminding Sullivan of himself as a kid. Time went by slowly, and Sullivan absorbed the conversation and laughter around him. The simple life. It felt familiar and yet a world away from his life in Boston. But his best memories reminded him of this moment.
By the time Clara called Mason over for dinner, a calmness had settled over Sullivan. Something he hadn’t felt in a long time. Peace. Mason’s laugh, his joy and energy, it was all infectious.
“Can’t we play longer?” Mason called to Clara.
She pointed at the food. “Dinner, Mason. Now.”
When Mason pouted, Sullivan got down on one knee in front of him. “Do you know what pro ballplayers need most?”
“A good bat?” Mason asked.
Sullivan chuckled. “That and food. You need to feed your muscles, make them strong.”
Mason’s eyes widened. “Really?”
“You bet.”
Mason’s expression turned eager, his smile full of joy. “Can I tell people at school I know you?”
Feisty Red: Three Chicks Brewery #2 Page 6