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I shook my head, my lips curving up as I spotted Peyton moving back toward me. This was the life I led, and if she wanted to know the true me, she was going to have to get a front-row seat right from the beginning. “I’ll take her home and then come.” I didn’t let Romeo say another word as I ended the call, standing up as Peyton got closer. “I…” I trailed off, wincing at what I knew I was about to say. I’d told her to give me a chance, but now I was bailing. “I have to leave.”
Her face dropped, her expression on clear display for me to see. “You do?” she whispered, the disappointment in her tone evident.
“Yeah.” I rolled my shoulders. “Work.”
One word. It was all I needed to say and hope that she understood, and with a clip of her head, she moved closer to me. “Are you at least going to take me home first?” She pressed her front to mine, my arm snaking around her waist and holding her to me as if we’d stood like this a thousand times before.
“I’ll take you home, mama.” I sucked in a deep breath, running my nose up her neck and to her ear as I whispered, “We’ll finish this later.” I pulled back a little to look into her eyes. “That’s a promise.”
* * *
PEYTON
“No one likes you, you know that?” His laugh echoed in my brain, taunting me, just like his expression did when he spoke like that—dark, foreboding, his eyes almost edge-to-edge black. “That’s why you have no friends.”
He stepped closer, causing me to wince. I was usually good at keeping that at bay—at not letting him see my reactions—but this time I’d let my mask slip—let him see how truly afraid of him I was.
“Don’t do that,” he demanded, his voice deeper now.
“D-do what?” I whispered, trying to keep my tone neutral, but it was no use because even I could hear the shake in my voice.
He pointed at me. “That. Act like you’re scared of me.”
“I…” I licked my lips, swallowing against my dry throat. “I’m not scared of you.”
I thought it was the right thing to say—thought it was what he wanted to hear.
I was wrong. So, so wrong.
“Peyton.” He shook his head, his lips lifting up on one side. “You shouldalwaysbe scared of me.” His hand lifted in the air, his fist clenched, and I knew what was coming, I knew—
I woke with a start, jumping up out of my seat and searching the room. It took only seconds for the noise of the boys playing to reach my eyes, but it felt like minutes…hours. My mind was trapped between the dream and reality, one foot in each camp, not able to move between the two.
I tried to center myself, tried to concentrate on the boys’ laughs, but I was frozen to the spot, trying to remember where I was and who was—
“Peyton?” Gasping, my hand flew to my chest, my heart racing a mile a minute as I spun around and spotted Bailey standing in the doorway—the doorway toherkitchen—with Reed on her hip, twirling her hair around his small chubby fingers. “Are you okay?”
I inhaled a deep breath, trying to get my shaking hands under control. I couldn’t let her see any inkling of what I’d been dreaming about. Squeezing my eyes shut, I tried my absolute hardest to bash the memories that I’d dreamed away—because that was what they were: memories.
“I’m good.” I smiled, or at least, attempted to smile. “I must have dropped off to sleep.” Opening my eyes, I made out like everything was easy breezy when it was anything but. I’d perfected that over the years though, so I had no doubt that my mask was convincing her.
“Are you sure?” She stepped closer, not quite coming in the living room. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
I laughed, the sound off even to my own ears, but there was nothing I could do about it. “Nah, just lack of sun.” I shrugged, stepping toward her and taking Reed off of her. “Sorry I fell asleep. I came here to help with Romeo’s party and then…”
“Don’t even worry about it.” Bailey stood a little taller, her pride for what she was organizing taking over. She’d changed so much over the last couple of months sincethatday—the day that she refuses to talk about, the day I’d walked in on her and the man that had caused her so much pain.
I understood more than she would ever know why she didn’t bring it up. There was no way I would talk about a single day of my life before I came here. I’d never speak about me being hurt by my husband, not only because the pain was too fresh, but because I’d be there for hours, opening up Pandora’s box, knowing that nothing would fit back right again. It was like toothpaste, once it was out of the tube, there was no way you could get it back inside.
It was a risk I wasn’t willing to take—ever. The memories that haunted me were mine, and mine alone.
“So, what’s the plan?” I asked, trying to take my mind off of everything but also distract her so that she didn’t ask any questions that I wasn’t willing to answer. Our friendship had a line that I wouldn’t cross. She didn’t know that, but she’d find out if she stepped in the wrong direction, and I didn’t want that to happen, not yet anyway.
She grinned, back in organizing mode as I followed her into the kitchen where Kian was sitting at the table, coloring. “I’ve invited his mom and dad, and of course Raf.” She paused, her brows furrowing. “Although, I haven’t seen him in a few days, so I need to message him.”
I bit down on my bottom lip, trying to keep from saying anything or letting my mind wander as she told me all about the surprise party and what time to turn up and what to bring.
But I couldn’t help but think about the fact that I hadn’t seen Raf for days either. Four days to be specific. I hated to admit that I’d believed his words in the restaurant: “We’ll finish this later.” I’d taken it literally, assuming that I’d see him later that night.
