Page 43 of Finally Home

I’m just coming out of the bathroom when I hear raised voices coming from Payton’s partially open door.

“Are you kidding me?” Judging by her tone, Payton is clearly upset about something.

I take a step toward her room but stop when a deeper voice speaks. She’s not alone. “I don’t know what you want from me. She needs me.”

“What about me? Don’t I need you? You know, your girlfriend? We had plans for this week.”

“You’ve got me the rest of the night. I’ll leave first thing in the morning.” Who the hell is the person who needs him, and why the heck is he blowing off his girlfriend? Can’t he see that she’s upset, yet he seems so nonchalant about it? Joel reminds me so much of Brett.

“How the hell am I supposed to get back to campus?”

“I’ll come back to pick you up at the end of break. It’ll be fine, Pay.”

“Whatever,” she snaps. “Why wait till tomorrow? You should probably just get on the road now. Don’t want to keep her waiting.” Whoever theherhe is referring to is, Payton is not a fan.

“Payton, don’t be like that, baby.”

“Just leave me alone. I just need a minute.”

The door swings open, and I jump back into the bathroom, bumping my hip into the doorknob. But thankfully, I bite my lip to keep from releasing my yelp and quickly hide behind the door so that Joel doesn’t notice that I was standing here listening. I let out a breath as I hear his footsteps retreat down the stairs. I swear I hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but I could tell from Payton’s tone that she was clearly upset, and I guess I feel a sense of protectiveness over her.

And now, after witnessing that, I get the sense that maybe we have a bit more in common than I thought.

I should get back downstairs not only before Ollie sends a search party but before anyone might come in here needing to use the restroom. However, I can’t go down without checking on her. As if pulled by a magnet, I quickly close the distance so I’m standing in Payton’s doorway.

I find Payton sitting on her bed, hugging a pillow to her chest, clearly lost in her thoughts as she stares off at nothing. It’s not until I see her wipe away a tear that I finally speak up.

“Hey, you okay?”

She startles at my voice before straightening up and tossing the pillow behind her. I recognize the fake smile almost immediately. In fact, I’ve perfected that fake smile so many times I’m not actually sure I know how to give a genuine smile.

“Hey, yeah, all good here. Just needed a minute.”

My smile fades, and I chew on the corner of my bottom lip. Payton must be able to read my expression. Another Mosby sibling trait.

“Did you hear all that?”

I take a seat beside her. “I’m sorry. It wasn’t intentional. And I technically didn’t hear the entire thing, only just caught the ending.”

She nods, still focusing on a spot on the floor.

“Joel has this friend, Adrienne. They had an on-again, off-again relationship all throughout high school but beat the odds and remained friends after their final breakup. She also attends Rutherford with us. Anyway, she was the one who called during dinner.” She bites her lip, and I’m not sure if it’s because of nerves or a way to keep her from crying again. “And, well, I’m sure you heard he’s leaving because she needs him.”

“I’m sure it’s for a good reason,” I say, but I know the words fall on deaf ears. Hell, even as the words leave my lips, I don’t necessarily believe them. Because I’ve been there, too, being second to someone who supposedly cares about you. I place my hand over hers. “Look, I know we don’t know each other really, but I’m here if you want to talk—now or later. I’d never judge. I promise. My ex was my brother’s best friend, and, well, without boring you with all the details that are so unimportant now that I think about it—he wasn’t a good guy.” Still isn’t based on his actions last week. “I promise not all guys are assholes. Just don’t settle when the good ones are out there.”

“Like my brother. He’s one of the good ones. You both look really happy.”

I smile, swallowing the emotions threatening to come up along with the delicious meal we just ate. I chose the best way to approach this shift in the conversation is by letting some honesty slip.

“Yeah, he is a good one. Probably one of the best guys I’ve ever met, to be honest. I know it hasn’t been all that long, but I’ve never felt the way I feel about your brother.” I don’t know how I’m supposed to say goodbye after this. This time, it’s me who struggles to keep tears at bay.

Payton wraps her arm around me. I stroke my fingers down the back of her hair as she clings to me. She’s not the only one who needed this hug. I cling right back.

“Mind if I steal my girl?” Both Payton and I turn our heads to find Ollie standing in the doorway. My breath halts, wondering how long he had been standing there and how much he heard of our conversation.

Anyone might look at him and see a man watching his girlfriend with love and admiration in his eyes. Is he that good of an actor, being able to pull this all off in front of his family? What isn’t fake, I know, is the way my body responds to him.

“Yeah, I should probably go find Joel, anyway. Thank you, Hollie.” Payton leans over, hugging me again.She really wasn’t kidding when she said this family loves to hug.I’m pretty sure I received more hugs today than in the first five years of my life. “So happy you’re a part of the family.” Emotions threaten to choke me, but I swallow them down as she hops off the bed.

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