Deserted: Book #3, Auctioned Series

by Dee, Cara

“Good!” She almost bounced on her feet. “Jack’s mother and I have decided that she’s Grandma, and I’m Nana.” She touched Gray’s arm. “Keep that in mind for when it’s your turn. I’m a Nana-type, I think.”

  Gray almost choked on saliva. Mom’s statement was as wildly bizarre and unbelievable as it was…hitting a little too close to home. It was only a matter of time before she learned that Gray had every intention of one day adopting Jayden.

  All in the range of typical decisions one made on a road trip, right?

  Speaking of…

  Gray looked over toward the car again, and Mom sensed he had to go for now.

  “I want to see you soon, sweetie. Okay?” She stepped in and hugged him. “What you’re doing for Jonas’s brother is amazing and so very you.” She looked up at him and touched his cheek once. “I’m so proud of you.”

  Gray mustered a weary smile.

  She took a couple steps back and fiddled with her car key.

  It reminded him of something. “By the way, did you think I wouldn’t recognize your car? You might as well have strapped yourself to the gate.”

  Mom spluttered a laugh and slapped a hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry. I was desperate, and I figured, if I park behind Lincoln’s truck…”

  Gray chuckled.

  After Mom had snuck forward for one last hug, she got in her car and blew him a kiss as she backed out.

  Returning to the Wagoneer, Gray felt like a weight had been lifted off his chest. Maybe this had even been the best way to reunite with Mom. He hadn’t felt overwhelmed by his entire family coming at him; it’d been a quick, albeit tearful, hello—and a promise of more soon.

  Jayden scooted back to the middle as Gray got back in the car.

  Darius sent him a soft little smile of understanding.

  “That was your mom,” Jayden stated. “Darius says she’s nice.”

  “She’s awesome.” Gray smiled. “You’ll meet her soon.”

  “I will?”

  “Of course.” Gray inclined his head. “Whether you like it or not, you’re part of the family now.”

  Jayden had no response to that other than a goofy grin.

  Darius drove up to the gate where he showed the security guard Gray’s license, and then they were through. A smaller parking lot waited for them outside the house, and Darius pulled into the space closest to the entrance.

  “Bags now or later?” Darius asked.

  “Later,” Gray decided. His heart was as heavy now as it had been twenty minutes ago, but there was hope too. He had an amazing family here in Camassia, counting his extended family too, and that included Adeline. Jayden would discover that quickly.

  By the time the three of them were heading up the steps to the main entrance, Adeline opened the door with a big smile.

  “The lost son finally returns.” She hauled Gray in for a hug, surprisingly strong for her slight form.

  “Is that Gray’s mom’s sister?” he heard Jayden whisper. “They look alike.”

  Not really, other than that they were both short brunettes with more energy than they should have, considering they had big families and busted chops for a living.

  “Please return Abel’s calls when you can, hon,” Adeline said and ended the hug. She patted his cheek. “He’s worried about you. Or text him. You know, whatever you’re comfortable with.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Good.” Adeline turned her smile and attention to Jayden next. “You must be Jayden. I’m Adeline. It’s great to meet you.”

  “Hi.” Jayden snuck closer to Darius.

  Gray had witnessed Adeline work her magic with children before, so he kept his mouth shut for this part.

  After ushering them all inside and Adeline giving Darius a warm welcome-home hug too, she gestured to the coat closet to the right. And shoes off, she reminded.

  “I’ve prepared some snacks in the TV room upstairs,” she said.

  The downstairs consisted of a big common area and hallways leading to private rooms, a cafeteria in the back, as well as the staff’s offices. Jayden took it all in timidly while Gray stowed away their jackets and shoes.

  Adeline kept herself brief about the downstairs, perhaps not to overwhelm Jayden. This time, he didn’t hold back or hesitate. He grabbed Gray’s hand when they moved toward the stairs.

  “Oh, and I explain this to everyone,” she added over her shoulder. “Some of our residents have been through a lot and need peace and quiet, or else they might get scared, so we try to keep it down in the TV rooms and common areas.”

  Jayden nodded absently and eyed a woman and two kids watching TV on one of the couches.

  On the way up the stairs, he whispered to Gray, “This doesn’t look like a shelter to me.”

  Because it was private and run by a woman who knew how to raise money. Just last year, she’d talked her way into an invitation at the mayor’s private summer party, and she’d raked it in. As far as Gray knew, the woman didn’t take much of a salary for herself either. She didn’t have to, considering that Lincoln was well known in the music industry.

  On the walls hung colorful pictures of past residents, some happy and in the middle of various activities, some somber and beautiful.

  “Right in here.” Adeline stopped at a doorway leading to the TV room, and she wore her usual motherly smile. “It’s just gonna be us for a bit. Most of the residents are in the cafeteria.”

  Jayden would like the cafeteria, Gray hoped. It was an extension to the original house, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the backyard.

  Darius got comfortable on the couch facing the flat screen on the wall, and Jayden and Gray followed.

  Adeline chose the smaller couch and reached forward to the tray she’d set on the table earlier. “What kind of juice do you like, Jayden?” There were a few juice boxes on the tray. In the meantime, she knew the grown-ups liked coffee, and she poured two mugs for Darius and Gray.

  “I like all.” Jayden shrugged. “But not vegetable juice. Gray tried to give me juice with spinach in it when we were in Colorado, and Mom put booze in her tomato juice. That’s fucking gross.”

  Adeline masked her reactions like a professional, as opposed to Gray, who couldn’t stop himself from flinching at the nightmares of Jayden’s past. Even Darius clenched his jaw.

  “I agree,” Adeline replied. “Vegetables just don’t belong in juice.” She slid Jayden a grape juice instead. “My son Abel—Gray’s best friend—puts spinach in his juice too. Couple of weirdos, huh?”

  Jayden let out a chuckle. “Yeah.”

  There was a spark of satisfaction in Adeline’s gaze. “So! Gray has told me very sternly that you don’t want anyone to know you’re here for a while. Luckily, we’re great at keeping secrets. Sometimes, you need a really good hiding spot.”

  Gray was gonna buy her the biggest bouquet of flowers this week. She was an angel.

  “Gray says you don’t like the system,” Jayden said.

  Adeline nodded slowly, amused. “He’s right. Well, I used to hate it. Now I’ve become pretty good at using their own silly rules against them.”

  Jayden smirked and took a pull from the straw on his juice box.

  “Currently, we have four children—including you, Jayden—who are here without parents,” she continued. “Two girls, two boys. You will share a room with Justin. He’s very sweet. He doesn’t speak much, and he’s a bit shy at first, but I think you two could be good for each other.” She shifted her gaze to Darius. “You mentioned your sister when we were in Florida—she has autism and selective mutism?”

  Darius inclined his head. “It’s how her anxiety manifests itself.”

  Adeline nodded. “Justin’s only four, and we’ve determined it’s best to hold off on any investigations for him. He appears to develop easier with us. He’s been here six months and has made great progress with William, our counselor.” She smiled at Jayden. “You’ll get to meet William too, but there’s no rush.”


  “He’s a head doctor?” Jayden lifted his brows. “There’s nothing wrong with me.”

  Gray was starting to wonder how much influence Darius had on the boy. Head doctor was such a Darius term.

  “Of course there isn’t,” Adeline chuckled. “But it’s always good to have someone outside the family to talk to. Sometimes it’s easier.” She hesitated. “And you recently lost your brother, didn’t you?”

  Jayden nodded stiffly.

  Gray cleared his throat and sat forward slightly. “He hasn’t processed it outwardly.”

  Adeline acknowledged it with a subtle dip of her chin before moving on. “As I said, there’s no rush. William doesn’t only speak to children who carry trauma. Sometimes, it’s to make sure a child is ready for a certain activity or to determine a level of education. The more we know about our residents, the better we can help.” She paused to check her notepad on the table. “We’ll save schooling for later, I think. Hobbies are much more fun.” She lifted her chin and addressed Jayden again. “Do you have any hobbies and interests, Jayden?”

  For the next twenty or so minutes, Adeline showed them over and over that she was amazing at what she did. She wove rules and information together with anecdotes of fun activities and traditions they had at the facility. There was a movie night every week, and twice a week, the kids helped bake cinnamon rolls that the staff brought over to the men and women at the local retirement home. Daily exercise in the backyard or the common room downstairs, depending on the weather. More activities for children, and those who lived here without a primary caregiver always had an adult nearby.

  When Adeline decided they’d talked enough for now, she showed Jayden what would be his room down the hall. It was small but looked cozy. There was a closet, a bunk bed, a simple desk with two chairs, and glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling.

  “Justin prefers to sleep with the door open,” Adeline explained. “The girls next door know they have to ask before they enter, though. And same goes for everyone. We ask before we go into someone’s private room, no matter if the door is open or closed.”

  Gray scanned the room and created a mental shopping list. He knew, from when he’d volunteered here, that it was okay to drop off gifts and make minor changes to the room, such as replacing the white bedsheets with ones that were more fun for children, putting up posters, or adding a shelf or two.

  All they asked of donors was that they took the other child into consideration. In other words, if Gray bought something for Jayden, the nice thing to do was make sure his little roommate didn’t feel left out.

  Jayden walked over to the bed and pointed at the shelf sticking out from the side of the top bunk. The bottom bunk didn’t have one. There was a nightstand instead. “My action figure can sleep here.”

  “That’s a perfect place for an action figure,” Adeline agreed. “Does it have a name?”

  Gray swallowed hard. Jayden seemed to be accepting things all right, but it still felt wrong. He didn’t wanna leave the kid behind.

  “I haven’t thought of one,” Jayden said and scrunched his nose.

  Out in the hallway, there was some mild commotion, letting everyone know that the dinner rush appeared to be over. Those who had eaten in the cafeteria were returning.

  “Maybe Justin can help you tomorrow,” Adeline suggested. “He named his teddy bear Frank.”

  Jayden gigglesnorted. “Frank…”

  Adeline smirked a little. “So, have you eaten dinner, Jayden?”

  He shrugged and nodded, then shook his head and turned to Gray in question. “Did we eat dinner?”

  “Not really, buddy,” Gray answered. “It’s been a few hours.”

  “How about you and I have dinner, then?” Adeline proposed. “I haven’t eaten yet either, and it’s mac-and-cheese day. I think they’re serving it with chicken and bacon today.”

  Fuck. She was wrapping things up. It was her subtle cue to let Gray and Darius know it was time for them to leave. Dragging out the goodbyes was never good, even though this wasn’t a farewell in that sense.

  “I like mac and cheese,” Jayden claimed.

  Darius, who had stood still in the doorway, cleared his throat. “I’ll go get his bags.”

  Jayden became quiet and glanced around the room. Maybe it was hitting him now that this was it.

  Gray pushed past the queasiness churning in his stomach and sat down in one of the desk chairs.

  “Come here.”

  Jayden walked over to him and stared down at the floor.

  “I’ll be here to pick you up at ten tomorrow.” Gray lifted Jayden’s chin, then touched his cheek. “We’re gonna go to Target and pick up some cool things for you and Justin.”

  Jayden nodded.

  “Remember our goal?” Gray murmured. “I’m not letting you go.”

  “Okay, good,” Jayden whispered. “You gotta work on your nightmares.”

  Gray exhaled a thick laugh and looked away in an attempt to get his shit together. “I’m gonna work so hard,” he promised. “In the meantime, we’ll see each other several times a week. And while you’re here, you listen to Adeline and the other grown-ups. I think you can make some great friends here too.” He leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to Jayden’s forehead. It earned him that little quirk of a grin. “Easy on the cursing, yeah?” Gray lightened the tension. “We don’t want the other kids running around yelling shit, goddammit, and motherfucker.”

  That made Jayden laugh. “That would be fun.”

  “I’m sure you think so,” Gray chuckled. He had to go while they were smiling. He stole a quick hug from Jayden before he rose from the chair. “Tomorrow, ten AM. Teeth brushed, clothes on.”

  Jayden smirked up at him. “Wilco.”

  Gray smiled and cuffed him lightly on the chin. “We’re gonna rock this.” He cleared his throat and faced Adeline, who coughed and quickly blinked away the extra shine in her eyes. “Can you let me know some things the other boy likes?”

  “Of course, honey. That’s sweet of you. I’ll email you a list later tonight.”

  Gray inclined his head and walked out of the room, resisting the urge to look back even once. He’d fucking lose it if he did. But, fuck, he remembered something and had to turn around once he reached the stairs.

  “Adeline,” he called.

  She poked her head out of the room. “Yes?”

  “He has a phone,” Gray said. “It’s in the bags Darius is bringing up. And I know your policy on them, but can he keep it the first night? He doesn’t have any numbers he’s not allowed to call.”

  All residents, including adults, kept their phones in a locker in Adeline’s office. It was to prevent children who didn’t always understand the situation and wanted to call, say, their dad—whom their mother was hiding from. It was also a way to ensure abusers couldn’t reach their spouses. All it took was a weak moment for the abused to take the call.

  “I’ll let Luis know,” she replied with a nod. Gray did an internal fist pump. Luis was great with kids and was one of her few full-time employees. He brought his guitar and played songs for the children. “Now, get out of here.” Adeline narrowed her eyes playfully. “Don’t think I can’t see what’s going on, Gray. You’re in trouble with this one.”

  Gray flushed uncharacteristically and hightailed it down the stairs to the sound of Adeline’s laughter. Of course she could see how attached Gray was to Jayden. Of-fucking-course she could.

  Shit. She was gonna tell Mom.

  Gray passed Darius on the way out and said he’d wait in the car.

  “Hold up.” Darius tossed him the keys. “I’ll be right out.”

  “Okay.”

  Gray snatched his jacket from the closet and put on his shoes before he stepped out and filled his lungs with cold February air.

  Well, he’d done it. He’d fulfilled his promise to Jonas, technically. He’d made sure Jayden was in a better place—where he’d be taken care of.

  If only that felt margina
lly adequate. Instead, that foul-mouthed little punk had completely grabbed Gray by the balls and claimed ownership of his heart. Jesus fucking Christ, it hadn’t been two weeks.

  He blew out a harsh breath and jogged down the steps, and he remembered something Mom used to say. It’d been around the time Gray and his brothers were old enough to develop crushes on friends in school. A teenager with a crush—was there anything more explosive? But whenever Gray or one of the others had come home from school, stomping toward their room, believing their hearts had been ripped out, Mom would come in with milk and cookies and say there was only one way to fall in love at first sight, and it was between a parent and a child.

  She’d smiled proudly and said she’d experienced it four times.

  At the time, it’d been impossible to believe her.

  Gray stuck his hands into his pockets and glanced up at the big house.

  He knew Jayden was in good hands, and yet… It had to be him. Eventually, Gray had to be the one who got to take that kid home.

  Darius came out after a minute, looking tired.

  “I’m adopting him one day,” Gray blurted out. “I don’t know how it happened—and I know I’m young, but that’s how it is.”

  Darius didn’t seem surprised one bit. He threw an arm around Gray’s shoulders and guided him to the car. “I know.” He kissed Gray’s temple. “You’re one of those who are cut out to be a parent.”

  “You think so?” Gray exhaled and opened the door on his side.

  Darius snorted in amusement and rounded the car. “Come on. Does anything make you as happy as taking care of those you love?”

  Gray got in and buckled up, trying to contain his smile. It was too soon. He had to climb the mother of mountains to pull this off. But then, after everything he had been through…? Nobody could stop him but himself.

  He was ready to fight.

  As Darius backed out and left the premises, Gray steeled himself for a few rough weeks while they adjusted to their new situation. He’d do anything in his power to maintain the trust Jayden had placed in him. Gray would reassure him as often as he had to, and they would build their future with plans and goals that would one day come true.