Page 90 of All Our Secrets

Timmy flinched. “I-I do.”

I crossed my arms. “Then why didn’t you count that man’s just now?”

“When someone’s standing over you like you are, waiting for a moment to strike, it’s hard to do anything right.” Devin stepped in behind us, and the kid gave him a relieved smile.

Devin had gotten back from Tennessee two days ago and had been even more annoying since. Suddenly, he was all too aware of my Peyton problem. Not that I cared. I wanted everyone to know, but Peyton’s feelings on the issue mattered the most, so I wouldn’t let Devin or anyone else run their mouths until my woman was good with it.

“Teach them right, and I wouldn’t have to yell,” I told Devin. “Did the truck show?”

“Yeah.”

Thank fuck. Anything to take my mind off Peyton’s silence since I’d dropped her off last week. If only for a few hours.

My neck prickled as Devin followed behind me to the backroom. “You got something to say?” I asked.

“Jesus, man, go see her. Damn. You’re going to scare off all your employees. It’s not their fault Peyton rejected you.”

I stiffened. “She didn’t reject me.”

Devin sighed. “Whatever. I can’t believe you and Peyton, though, and you won’t tell me anything.”

“Because it’s not your business.”

“You made sure we all had suspicions during vacation, King. You never left her side, and your hands were at her back, neck—anywhere,all the time. Like you were marking her as yours. Even Theodore didn’t do that.”

There it was. The constant reminder of Peyton’s past with Theodore.

I stopped and turned. “I’d really hate to punch you so early in the morning, but I will if you don’t shut the fuck up.”

He didn’t shut up. “I don’t get it. Theo’s your best friend. Was Peyton the reason you two were arguing that day when he stormed off on his bike? Were you two having an affair—”

I grabbed Devin’s shirt and shoved him against the wall. “One. More. Word.One more accusation from your mouth,and you’ll regret it. You know Peyton’s not that kind of person.”

“How would I know? You’re Theo’s best friend, and something has clearly happened.”

My temples throbbed as my anger spiked. “It’s because I’m Theo’s friend that she won’t come to me!” I shouted. “If you or anyone else makes Peyton feel bad about being with me, our friendship ends here. I’ll pick her over anyone. Mark my words. She might be hiding from me now, but she won’t always. She’ll be my wife, and I’ll make her happy.”

Devin pushed my hand away and gaped. “You’re serious. Sarah said you were… I didn’t believe her until now.”

“Are we going to have a problem?” I asked him. “If so, don’t go near Peyton. I won’t let anyone upset her. Understand?”

“I don’t give a damn what you two do, but I’m sure others will gossip. Peyton’s a friend of my wife’s, and Sarah adores her. I want you to be happy too. I… I don’t know. I thought of Theo and got a little upset on his behalf.”

I said nothing.

“I got to ask, King… Was she the reason he stormed off that day and wrecked and…”

Died.

“She’s not,” I muttered, running my fingers through my hair. “I am. I confronted him about Peyton.”

“What for?”

“I knew Peyton before him. We gamed together for years, but she didn’t know my real name or anything. I found out her identity by mistake one day. And look at her—the moment I saw how beautiful she was, I was afraid to tell her who I was. Then she’d look me up and see me… but my feelings kept growing, and I thought… Hey, I want to meet her despite my scars, because if I don’t, I might fucking die. I was so confident I could finally meet her, Devin, that I asked her to meet me—on the same day Theo introduced me to her.”

“Jesus Christ.” Devin rubbed his temple.

By his reaction, I figured Theodore hadn’t told him about Peyton and me gaming together like he had Steven.

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