Matthew POV
After the man's outrageous allegations, he spun on his heels and headed back into the house, leaving Matthew speechless.
Play toy?
Huh, no one has ever referred to him as such...
This made his anger sizzle...
Why did he show this man respect when all this man did was disrespect him and Hailey...
He needed no introduction to know that this was Hailey's father but the way he acted made him partly aware of the reason why she felt so uncomfortable of being here.
Shaking his head in disappointment, he pulled Hayden's body of his so that the boy was facing him yet still in his arms.
"What's wrong?" He asked Hayden softly, looking at the boy's scared face.
"I don't like it here." Hayden's voice shook with fear.
"But this is your grandparents house..." Matthew looked at the house once more and back at Hayden. Didn't all children like their grandparents?
"I-I dont know them...." Hayden's voice dropped a notch softer.
Matthew narrowed his eyes. Don't know them? How is that even possible?
"I-I'm sorry." Hayden murmured, meeting his eyes. Bringing Matthew out of his thoughts.
"Sorry about what?" Why was the boy apologizing?
"I told mommy that I didn't want to stay with you....anymore." He confessed.
"Why? Is something wrong?" Matthew's face was plastered with concern. Did someone say something to them? To him?
"No-yes...it's just..." The boy trailed off, looking away.
"What? " Matthew asked, pleading for the boy to continue.
"My hero, he is not real. You are not real."
***
Matthew's face matched his emotions.
What do you say to someone who once looked up to you and now you are so much of a failure that they rather go far away from you?
To an unknown place rather than breathing the same air as you?
"I-I." Where should he begin? Looking at caramel hazel eyes, he had no clue.
"Look okay. Man to man." Maybe starting with humor was not such a bad idea.... Placing Hayden down, he bent in front of him, making them the same level.
"If this is about the day I stormed out of your room..I'm sorry. I-I " Should he tell Hayden the truth?
"I-I...wanted to speak to your mother for a bit." Technically he did not lie.
Hayden placid face looked at him.
"It's hard to explain...but I really needed to leave. The way I did so could have been done better and believe me I have regretted it so much. If I could go back and do it all over again I would." Matthew exhaled loudly.
"You are not who I thought you were." Hayden repeated himself, making Matthew's heart race...
"No.I am not. But if you allow me... I would protect you and your mother with everything I possess even if it takes my last breath." As the words came out of Matthew's mouth he realized that it was all true. He was beginning to care for this weird child and his bipolar mother.
Hayden looked at him for a few seconds, his face eventually erupting into a bright smile as he nod and hugged Matthew. Matthew wrapped his hands around the boy's tender body, smiling as well.
