“You’re lucky you’re getting any segue at all before my first cup of coffee,” Grey muttered. He took a deep drink and released a happy sigh.
“What’s on your mind?”
Grey held up one finger on his free hand as he took another drink, practically draining the mug. Clay had heard that writers survived on coffee, and Grey was certainly proving to be the rule rather than the exception.
When he lowered the mug and placed it on the counter, Grey straightened and blinked a couple of times. It was like watching a system reboot and come fully online. The Soul Weaver turned his gaze on Clay, and it instantly became more calculating, with his usual smirk in place.
“I’ve been thinking about what you said in regards to your struggles with your power. About feeling overwhelmed. I believe I know how to help you.” Grey paused and licked his lips. “But you’ll have to trust me.”
“I trust you,” Clay snapped, but inwardly winced at how defensive those three words sounded. Grey only lifted an eyebrow at him, and Clay huffed. “What’s your idea?”
“Baer up?”
Clay shook his head. “Still in bed. Ruby came down and I let her out for a bit, but I think she’s crawled back into bed with him.”
“Good. Let’s go to the practice field. I’ll explain more there.”
Okay. Grey’s refusal to explain more wasn’t exactly helping with Clay’s trust issues, but he kept that to himself. Grey wasn’t a threat. He had nothing to gain by hurting Clay.
Clay started to reach for the door leading to the rear patio, but Grey’s words stopped him.
“You might want to change into shorts and flip-flops first.”
Clay whipped around to face Grey again. “What?”
“You said that you feel more, are better connected when you’re touching the earth. I don’t think you’ll strip down naked with me in the woods, so shorts and bare feet are the next best thing.”
Clenching his teeth, Clay started to shake his head and Grey rolled his eyes.
“Really? What do you have to lose? You and me in the woods. I’m not going to tell Dane or Baer if this fails, and you’re right where we started.”
“Fine,” Clay mumbled, the uneasiness in his chest now linked to his own embarrassment rather than any distrust of Grey. “I’ll meet you in the field in ten minutes.”
He had no reason not to trust this man. He’d risked his life to help them get out of the club the first night they met, and he’d risked his life to save Baer. That should have settled any worries in Clay’s mind.
Putting his mug in the sink, Clay ducked into his bedroom, the air smelling of sex and soap after the shower he and Dane had shared. A part of him wanted to drop into the twisted sheets and press his face into Dane’s pillow, but there would be time for that later. Maybe he’d even be able to convince Dane they needed a nooner.
He grabbed an old pair of cargo shorts and a tank top. His limited wardrobe didn’t include a pair of flip-flops, but he’d kick off his shoes and socks so he could push his toes into the cool grass. Grey had a good point. One of the first times he’d been in the woods with Baer as they tried out their powers, things had come in clearly when he’d touched the earth.
After changing clothes, he popped upstairs and gave Dane a quick kiss, telling him he was going to the field to practice. If he was still gone when Dane broke for lunch, he instructed his mate to come fetch him. Dane’s smile was absolutely dazzling at that invitation. There would be no more secrets between them, and that included Clay’s powers. Dane was most definitely a part of their world now.
The air outside was warm and growing steadily hotter as the sun crept higher in the sky. Clay stretched his arms overhead as he crossed the yard, soaking in the warmth after hours of manufactured coolness. Insects buzzed, birds chirped, and a breeze had the leaves rustling softly. It all sounded like a pleasant greeting.
He found Grey sitting under a tree in the area that had become their practice field. He was in the jeans and T-shirt he’d been wearing when he came down for coffee, but he’d kicked his own flip-flops off and had his legs outstretched as if he was enjoying the early morning mix of sun and shade. A smile played on his face, as he tilted his head back with his eyes closed.
Grey was a very handsome man in a hard, cold way. There was something very rigid and controlled about him, as if Clay wasn’t really seeing him so much as the walls he’d erected around himself.
“Do you find it more draining to be around people or alone?” Clay asked as he drew closer.