I don’t get far when I hear her call out my nickname.
“Hotshot.”
I turn, facing her.
“Don’t give up quite yet.” Her face softens. “Call me later? I’d maybe love to hear more about this new man I made out of you.”
I let out a short laugh, the relief filling me. “I will.”
Turning, I pull out my phone and stop next to a tree. I watch as she walks into the cafeteria before I dial her number.
She answers on the second ring. “Did you forget to say something?”
“It’s later. So when can we have this date?”
The sound of her laughter makes me feel like everything might be all right after all.
nine
Ilet myself into my dorm room and pause when I see Peyton there. Lately it feels like we’ve been passing ships. It doesn’t help that I haven’t really been in a talkative mood with her.
“Hey, I thought you had to work tonight,” I say as I shut the door behind me.
Peyton smiles at me as she puts her clothes away. “Hey, I was supposed to, but then they called and told me I could have tonight off because it’s dead.”
“I don’t know if I should say sorry or not.” I laugh, feeling a bit awkward around her.
I know Mom has mixed feelings every time she gets called out. She loved the unexpected time she got to spend with us, but at the same time, she ended up worrying about how much money she lost out on by not going in.
Peyton shrugs. “It’s fine. I worked like crazy this summer, so I should be okay for a minute.”
“Good.”
“Listen, I really am sorry about telling Grace. At first, I just wanted them to know where you were, but then Clay said they were going to check up on you, and I knew I fucked up. Please know I didn’t do it on purpose. I love you and respect you more than that.”
Her words settle the little bit of anger still residing in me. I know she didn’t mean it, but I wasn’t ready to hear her say it. Not until now.
“I forgive you. I might not be willing to share my location with you anymore, but Clay does what he wants. He is the overprotective big brother.”
She nods. “I won’t tell them again. You can trust me, and I will prove it. I didn’t realize how he would be. I swear.”
“He’s not been around much during my dating years, so I didn’t know he would go that far either. It’s okay. Truly.”
She nods slowly. “Soooo if we are okay…”
“Yes?” I say, knowing what she wants to know.
“Spill, girlfriend.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say as I sit on my bed, pretending I don’t know what she’s talking about, but I know Grace told her.
Peyton turns so she can look right at me and raises a brow. “Don’t think I don’t know who you were seen kissing not that long ago at the club. Kellan Cooper, seriously?”
Groaning, I throw myself to the side and cover my face with my arm. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Well, that’s too damn bad, now spill.”
“I like him, and before you say anything, he had no idea who I was, so I know he wasn’t playing me from the start. Or at least I don’t think he was.” I look over at her. “Am I stupid for trusting him?”
