Page 22 of Breakout
“You’re right, and now look at us.” Grace rolls her eyes as she picks up her spoon and dunks it into the soup. “You’re welcome.”
She lets the subject drop, turning her topic to the playoffs, letting me off the hook.
I might not have gotten the answers I wanted about Peyton, but I did learn one thing. Our friends are starting to pick up on the fact that our relationship isn’t strictly platonic, and while I know I don’t care if they know, I know she won’t like it.
five
Standing outside of Piper & Sons Law Office, I stop to take a deep breath. I dressed in one of my Sunday’s best dresses that I keep around for job interviews. It’s a little tight on me now that I am eating a bit more regularly. Still, I didn’t want to look out of place.
You can do this.
Opening the front door, I force a smile on my face as I head toward the receptionist.
“Hello there, dear. You must be Peyton.”
I recognize her voice immediately. It’s the same grandmotherly voice from the phone.
“Mary?” I ask.
“That would be me. Your fella is already here. Let me take you back.”
I follow behind her, wringing my hands together.
Will the rest of the family be there? Will they realize I’m an impostor?
“Here you are. Mr. Piper will be with you in a moment. Have a seat.”
“Thank you,” I mumble, coming to a stop inside the door when I find who is waiting for me.
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
He turns, his blue eyes meeting mine.
“I told you that I didn’t want you coming alone. Be mad at me if you want, but this is what friends do, so let me be your friend.”
My heart is pounding in my chest. I want to be mad at him, but I can’t. The second I saw him, all the weight on my chest lifted. I felt nothing but relief.
I both love and hate the feeling. Love it because I don’t feel so alone but hate it because losing him will be that much harder.
Walking over to him, I take the seat next to him.
Neither of us speaks as we wait for the lawyer to come into the room. My leg jiggles as my nerves get the best of me.
Beckett places his hand on my knee, calming me instantly. “It’s okay, Pey. I’m right here. You aren’t alone,” he murmurs.
I place my hand over his, squeezing it tightly. “What if the family shows up? I’m not ready for this. We should go,” I whisper back to him.
He uses his free hand to cup my cheek and pull my gaze to his. “Peyton, you are the strongest, most resilient woman I have ever met. If they show up, then we will handle it together. If they are mean, then I’ll kick their asses for bothering you. If they are nice, well then maybe you gained a family. Either way, it won’t matter because I will be right here by your side for the entire thing. For as long as you want me to be.”
I have a feeling there’s more to his statement than he is letting on, but I have no time to dissect it. An old, pot-bellied man walks into the room wearing an expensive suit.
“Ms. Anderson, it is lovely to meet you. I’m Mr. Piper. I was your grandfather’s lawyer.” The man holds his hand out for me. I stand and shake it.
“Grandfather?” I ask.
“Yes. We will get to that in a moment. Who might you be?” He turns to Beckett.
“Her support system. Beckett Hayes.”
