It would be fair.
It’s in part what I’ve been doing, albeit reluctantly.
But what Brady doesn’t know, and if he did he wouldneversay what he just said, is that my future did start.
It started last year when I first met the blond-haired, blue-eyed girl with the weight of the world on her shoulders. I knew the minute she showed up in Oceanside that I wanted to know her. There was an instant need to protect her, and at first, I thought it was because she was Parker’s sister, therefore she was family, and family looks out for each other.
However, little by little, things shifted. I was a controlling asshole when it came to protecting my sister, but I was a feral fucker when it came to Payton.
I didn’t justwantto make sure she was okay, Ineededto, and just like that, the mountain I’ve been climbing widened its peak. It stretched, creating more space, so I could be standing there at the top with my hands outstretched, waiting to take hers once she reached it.
And we were on our way, moving at a steady incline, side by side.
But now?
Now she feels farther away than before. It’s as if halfway up, her path split, taking her in the opposite direction.
I would give anything to lead her back.
The reality of the situation is this.
I had a dream, but that dream has changed.
It’s not about me and what I want anymore.
Or maybe it is.
I don’t want a ticket to the top anymore.
I want three.
Payton
I hug the girls,smiling as Cameron, Ari, and Paige all take turns peppering Deaton with kisses and promises of seeming him again soon. Cameron jogs around the car, and I look to Paige when she speaks.
“Lunch when I come back to check on the studio in a few days?” she asks, closing the car door and leaning against the open window.
“Can’t wait.”
She smiles, dropping back in the seat and glancing down at her phone.
Ari steps up next, hugging me. “Love you, girlie. Remember, you can call me if you want to talk.”
I swallow, forcing a smile as she pulls away. “Let us know you made it back safe?”
She eyes me a moment, then nods, a smile breaking across her lips. “Okay. Off we go.”
I give one last wave, turning away as they say bye to Kenra. I head straight to my room, plopping on the bed and settling Deaton down beside me.
“Can we sleep for a week now, mister?” I tickle him, laughing when he drops his face into the pillow and wiggles his little body.
The light knock against the frame has me looking up to find Cameron standing there.
“Hey.” A small frown pulls at my brows.
“Hey.” Slowly, she steps into the room, but it’s when she glances over her shoulder briefly that a knot forms in my stomach. “Look, you know we love you guys, but we love Mason, too.”
Anxiety builds, my throat growing tight at the implication. “Cam…” I start to lie, but she shakes her head.