Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 131821 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 527(@250wpm)___ 439(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131821 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 527(@250wpm)___ 439(@300wpm)
Her words sink deeper than they should, all the way to a part of me the praise of others has yet to touch. It’s…a lot. A sort of tense feeling, one wrapped in confusion and laced with a small sense of panic.
Does she really think all that?
Was that just part of the fun?
Does she like watching me out there?
Bro. Chill.
I laugh off the feeling and start walking, Payton falling in step at my side.
“Careful, Pretty Little. Wouldn’t want you to give me a big head or anything.”
“I think that ship has sailed.”
“Then you must be the captain.”
Payton peeks my way with a grin. “Whatever you say, Superstar.”
I say I might not be the only one in this…
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Payton
Now, September
My nerves are a wreck as I load Deaton into his car seat, passing my bag to my brother when he reaches for it.
“You sure you want to ride all the way in the back?” he asks. “We can put you and the car seat in the middle row, shove Mason and Chase in the third row.”
“Their legs would hardly fit, three seats back there or not. Besides, this way I have room for the diaper bag beside me, and if I need to change him, I have space and don’t have to get out when we stop.”
“We could make the boys ride with Brady and the girls,” Kenra singsongs. “Ari and Cam are going to be annoyed when I tell them the boys are riding with us. We all know they are expecting them.” She buckles up and glances back, tossing a toy at me. She smiles. “You forgot this on the couch.”
I force my lips to curve, staring down at the plush football…that I purposefully let fall from Deaton’s fingers before we walked out.
Deaton spots it instantly and makes little grabby hands, so I pretend to tickle him with it, handing it over.
“Hey, the girls know the name of the game.” My brother smiles, moving to the driver’s side and sliding in. “First to the finish line gets the prize.”
“How were they supposed to know the boys already asked to ride with us? Better yet, why would they want to when Brady is taking his Bronco?”
My brother meets my eyes in the mirror, and I quickly look away.
“Don’t know,” he says. “But we were still on the group FaceTime call making the plans to go when Mason texted he was riding with us. Chase asked a couple days later.” He shrugs, pulling from the driveway and heading to the others’ beach house down the road. “At least this way it’s fair.” He smirks when his girlfriend smacks his arm.
Last week, Ari realized Avix U’s bye week landed on the Labor Day three-day weekend, giving the boys Saturday to Monday off practice. She nearly passed out at how excited she had gotten, declaring we would all be headed to Nevada for Noah’s game. Well, everyone but Lolli and Nate, seeing as he has a game of his own this weekend.
It’s a six-hour road trip.
Cue the anxiety.
We pull up along the curb, the others already outside, loading up. The second Brady realizes the boys are ditching him, leaving him in a car full of girls, he grins.
“Oh, fuck yeah.” His excitement throws me off, but he just chuckles, poking his head inside my brother’s SUV so he can see me. “Sure you don’t wanna ride with us, Payton baby? No boys, which means all the good gossip is about to pop off.”
“You sound really excited about that.”
“Oh, I am. I’m the only fucker who minds my business. Ask Ari. I knew all her shit before the others, and did I say a word? Nope.” He smirks.
“Too bad you ratted us out every single time we went to a party without you in high school!” Cameron shouts.
“That’s ’cause you had no business partying with our friends. They were assholes.” He smiles. “Last chance, mama bear.” He looks my way. “You staying with the broody train or jumping on the booty train?”
I chuckle. “Broody train?”
His face goes serious. “Dude. Mason’s got a whole goalpost up his ass. Been that way since school started.” He looks over his shoulder, considering his words. “Maybe before that…” When he looks back, his eyes narrow. “Hmm.”
“I’m good,” I rush out.
His gaze narrows some more. “Uh-huh.” He points at me, and I feel like a child scorned.
It’s ridiculous.
“Move, asshole.” The man of the hour appears, and Brady backs up with a smirk.
“Paige! Get your little ass out here, or we’re leaving you!” he screams.
“Oh my god, Brady!” Ari hisses, her tone low. “She’s never going to like us if you keep…being you.” She finishes with a laugh, rolling her eyes. “Just ease up on the baby this and do as I say that. K?”
He lifts Ari off the ground, pressing a wet kiss to her cheek. “Sorry, Ari baby. No can do. Paige!” he shouts again, throwing his head back with a laugh.