Page 23 of Love in Unexpected Places

It didn’t matter because Matty and Sabrina’s parents didn’t know whatSullivanwas capable of.

He wasn’t sure why he felt so protective of Matty and his sister.He found Matty attractive, and yes, he’d wondered what it would be like for them to be in a relationship, but this was different.He wanted to make sure that Matty didn’t get hurt.Matty was sweet and didn’t deserve anything that his parents had done to him, and Sullivan wished there was more he could do to ease those memories.Unfortunately, there wasn’t, but he could keep Matty safe from his parents.

Matty nodded at Sabrina, who hurried back upstairs.He glanced at his mother next, looking surprised that she wasn’t speaking but instead glaring at Sullivan.It took him a second to understand what was happening.

“What are you doing to her?”he asked.

Sullivan hoped he hadn’t overstepped.“I didn’t want your sister to hear whatever she was about to say,” he explained before lifting the magic from Matty’s mother.

“How dare you?”she asked, puffing up her chest like an angry chicken.

“You were about to be a dick to your children, and I didn’t want them to have to go through that.I’ll do it again if you don’t shut up.”

She pressed her lips together.Sullivan expected her to continue arguing, so he was surprised when she stomped away, her heels clicking on the floor.Matty groaned as she disappeared down the hallway.“She’s going to get my father.”

“Should I be worried?”

“She’s going to complain about what you did, and he won’t be happy.”

“Do I look like someone who cares about what makes your father happy?”

To Sullivan’s surprise, Matty leaned against him.“No, and I love that you don’t.”

He was quiet for a moment, and Sullivan had to resist the urge to drape an arm around his shoulders.He wasn’t sure what Matty was willing to give him, but they could take things slowly.In fact, it would be better if they did.Matty was overwhelmed and all over the place emotionally.Sullivan never wanted to take advantage of that.

“I was scared when I realized I have to see them again,” Matty murmured.“I guess that over the years, I built them up in my mind.They became monsters who didn’t hesitate to kick me out just because they didn’t want me anymore.I thought I’d be scared or anxious facing them, but honestly?I don’t care.I don’t care what they think anymore.I won’t ever see them again after today, and I’m happy about that.I have my own life, and I don’t need them.”

Sullivan did wrap an arm around Matty’s shoulders now.He kissed Matty’s temple, smiling when Matty shivered and pressed even closer.“You really don’t,” he murmured back.“You have a loving family and a home.They’re in the past, and you’ll never have to think about them once we leave.”

Of course, things couldn’t be that easy.A door slammed in the distance, and the click of heels told Matty and Sullivan that Matty’s mother was returning.

Just like Matty had warned Sullivan, she wasn’t alone.A tall, thin man was behind her.He wore dress pants, a sweater, and a button-down shirt.He didn’t have a tie, but he looked like he should.He probably wore one every time he left the house.Watching the two of them, Sullivan had a hard time imagining how they could have created Matty, who was so sweet and gentle and nice.There was none of that in them.

“How dare you come into my home and use magic against my wife?”Matty’s father said as he stopped in front of Sullivan.

He ignored his son.It was as if Matty didn’t exist, and Sullivan was torn about what to think of that.On the one hand, he was glad that Matty didn’t have to deal with any of this, but on the other, Matty was the man’s son.Shouldn’t he at least acknowledge him?

“Again, I have to point out that I didn’t come into your home,” Sullivan said with a grin.He knew the kind of person Matty’s father was.He was a bully, and his favorite victims had been his children.They hadn’t fought back, but Sullivan would, and usually, having someone fight back was enough to kick people like him down.

“You used magic on my wife.”

“I did, and I’ll do it again if I have to.In fact, I’m warning you that I’ll use magic against you, too, if you do or say anything to Matty and Sabrina.”Sullivan glared at the man.He might barely know Matty, but at the moment, both he and Sabrina were his to protect, and he intended to do just that.

* * * *

Matty had no idea whatwas happening.He hadn’t been looking forward to seeing his parents, but he’d known he’d have to, and he’d been steeling himself for it.He hadn’t expected Sullivan to step in like a knight in shining armor and defend him from them.

Matty had always taken everything they threw at him in silence.He hadn’t had a choice.He thought that part of him had always known that they wouldn’t hesitate to use any reaction he could have against him.In the end, it hadn’t mattered because they’d kicked him out even though he’d tried so hard to be the son they wanted.He hadn’t been perfect, but he’d done his best, and even that hadn’t been enough for them.

But Sullivan didn’t see him like that.When he looked at Matty, what he sawwasenough.It was bewildering, and Matty didn’t know what to think of it.How could Sullivan possibly already behave like that?Matty couldn’t obsess over that, even though he wanted to spend a few hours trying to figure Sullivan out.There was too much going on in Matty’s brain—and out of it.

But once he was back home with Sabrina and both of them were safe and had a roof over their heads, Matty would poke at this.He wanted to see Sullivan again, and he thought and hoped that Sullivan wanted the same as he did—a date to start and a relationship after that.

“You have no right,” Matty’s father said.

Matty rolled his eyes.Did his father really think that would stop Sullivan?He and Matty were friends, even though their friendship had only started a few hours ago.Friends stood up for friends.

“I have every right to protect Matty,” Sullivan answered through gritted teeth.He looked like he was seriously thinking of decking Matty’s father.Matty hoped he wouldn’t because his father wouldn’t hesitate to call the cops on him.He’d use everything in his arsenal to get Sullivan in trouble just because he was standing up for Matty.

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