Page 133 of All Our Secrets

I expected Peyton to want to fetch a few of her things from Theodore’s home, but she wanted to do nothing more than get her Tahoe. So I dropped her off where I parked it the night before and followed her back to my place. Rosie had been calling nonstop all morning, but Peyton hadn’t answered. If she called back while Peyton was driving, she could be giving my woman a hard time. And I wouldn’t have a fucking clue, because she’d never say.

I was prepared to be the bad guy in their eyes. I’d take all the criticism so she wouldn’t have to. Being a fucking prick came naturally. One could say I’d been preparing to take care of Peyton my whole life.

When we returned, I parked beside her. Hopping out of the truck, I rushed over to open one of her back doors to get T.J. before she could.

“I’m not helpless, you know,” she muttered. “I can carry my son’s car seat.”

I sighed, silently unlatching the car seat and pulling it out.

She crossed her arms as I shut the door. “What’s that look for?”

I quirked a brow, trying not to smile as her brows knitted together. “Huh?”

“Don’t ‘huh’ me. You sighed and got this look like you’re…”

“Tired?” I finished for her. “Because you behave this way every time I want to help you. Remember your pregnancy?”

She rolled her eyes. “How could I forget? You were everywhere.”

“Exactly, baby. And now you’re pregnant again. I’m mentally preparing myself for all our future arguments. No grocery trips alone, got it? No pushing shopping carts or lifting heavy things.”

She tossed her hands up. “Sweet baby Jesus. You cannot be serious. Pregnant women do these things all the time.”

“Not my pregnant woman,” I corrected.

“I wasn’t yours back then, and you still—”

“But you were. Even when you were with Theo. You think I helped you because he asked? Put my heart on a table and take it, Peyton, because it’s yours. Why is it so hard to accept that I want to take care of you? I want to love you, toexistwith you just like this.”

I could see how heavy she breathed by the rise and fall of her chest.

“I’d rather follow you around, arguing over your well-being, than look at anyone else. Do you understand? Do you see me?” I stepped closer and placed her hand against my chest. “Do you feel me?”

She said nothing, but she didn’t need to. Her body told me all I needed to know. The way her fingers gripped my shirt. The way her cheeks reddened and her eyes had that glossy tinge to them I fucking loved.

But it was time to come clean. I had to break us a little more. If I didn’t, we’d remain buried under more lies. I didn’t want anything, not even the presence of her late husband, to prevent Peyton from being with me.

Squeezing her hand, I murmured, “Let’s head inside. You want to know why I believe you about the house, don’t you?”

She didn’t follow, so I turned and waited.

“I don’t know why, but I’m a little scared now,” she whispered.

“It’s a lot, and you might not believe me when I tell you.”

_____

I let her get T.J. out of his car seat and sit down. Even then, my nerves climbed up my throat. I was ready to tell her about Theodore, but it didn’t make it easier.

What happened after? She’d want to speak to him, wouldn’t she? What would she want to say?

It doesn’t matter.

She loved me. I loved her. Doubting myself and her had led to the wrong choices in the past. I wouldn’t make the same mistake this time. I trusted we’d get through, this no matter what.

When I was silent for too long, Peyton spoke first. “You said you know what’s going on with my house. Why?”

“What if I told you it was Theodore?”

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