Page 312 of Steamy Ever After

Peyton never struck him as being an insecure person. She couldn’t possibly think he regretted having sex with her, right? It wasn’t the sex he regretted, anyway. It was the underhanded way he’d seduced her into it.

“I get that, Brodie,” Alex had said to him. “But tell it the way it happened.”

When he opened the truck door, he saw Peyton’s parents sitting on the front porch. They reminded him of his parents. Before he climbed the steps to where they sat, Peyton’s father approached him.

“Welcome home, son,” he said.

When Brodie held out his hand, Jamison Wolf pulled him into a hug instead. “We prayed for you every day.”

“Thank you, sir.” Brodie’s eyes filled with tears. “Sorry. Emotional these days.”

“Don’t apologize,” Peyton’s mom said, hugging him the same way her husband had.

“I guess you know I’m here to see Peyton.”

“She’s upstairs, Brodie. Has anyone…uh…prepared you?” Peyton’s mother asked.

“Yes and no, Mrs. Wolf. Alex explained she’s had some issues with her health.”

“Let me show you where she is.” Peyton’s father led Brodie inside. “First door on the left when you get to the top of the stairs.”

“Do you want to let her know I’m here?”

“It’s better this way. Just…try not to upset her too much.”

“I don’t want to upset her at all.”

“Good luck.”

Peyton was asleep when Brodie entered her room. He didn’t expect the deep, dark circles under her eyes or for her to be as pale as she was.

There was a chair by the window, which Brodie pulled closer to her bed. When he did, she opened her lids and blinked.

“You’re not dreaming, sweetheart.”

“Brodie.” She sat up and clutched the pillow in front of her. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to talk to you, Peyton. How are you?”

“I’m okay.” She shifted and held the pillow closer.

“Alex told me you’ve had some health issues.”

“Is that what she said?” Peyton smirked and looked away from him.

“I’m not here because you’re ill.”

“You shouldn’t be here at all.”

Brodie closed his eyes, focusing on all the things Alex told him not to say.

“Peyton, the last time I saw you?—”

“I don’t want to hear this, Brodie.”

He leaned closer and tried to hold her hand, but she yanked it away.

“I need to tell you, Peyton. It’s important you know what happened that night.”

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