Page 10 of The Trouble with Players

“Peyton?”

I spun around to find my father standing there.

“What are you doing in there?” he asked.

“Crew wasn’t here so I figured I’d use my shower.” It wasn’t all a lie.

“He’s out for a run, but I told you the guest bathroom is finished,” he said.

I shrugged. “I chose not to listen. Are you gonna punish me?”

He huffed his frustration. “Is that what you want?”

“I don’t want anything from you. I just need a place to stay until school starts.”

“Oh, you mean the school your mother and I pay for?” He scoffed as if his intent wasn’t clear enough.

“Are we done here?”

He stepped to the side of the hall so I could pass by.

I walked around him, careful not to touch any part of him.

“I’m not the enemy,” he mumbled once I was past him.

“Yes, you are,” I said as I slipped into the guest room and flopped down onto the bed. The pit in my stomach grew every time we spoke. Every time I remembered the type of man he really was.

My phone buzzed and a text appeared on my screen.

Gina: Bonfire tonight after the game. You in?

Me: I take it things went well with you and the ball player?

She sent a heart emoji back.

I laughed to myself. She’d always been corny. It was one of the things I adored about her.

Me: You know I hate baseball players.

Gina: Pleeeeeeaase.

If I said no, I’d be hurting Gina. If I said yes, the night was gonna suck. I sighed.

Me: Fine.

She sent back a kissy face emoji.

I tossed my phone down and climbed under the sheets. I’d avoid the world until I needed to leave for the stupid bonfire.

* * *

“Peyton!” Gina called.

I twisted from my spot on the sand to see her approaching from the path down to the beach. I’d spent the last hour watching the waves under the light of the full moon. I’d only left my room after I heard my father leaving for the game.

“Have you been out here long?” she asked, tucking her sundress under her before sitting beside me.

I shrugged. “Time stands still out here.”

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