Page 21 of Breakout
That’s why Grace fits in here. Her first worry is that something must be wrong with Peyton. You could interject any one of our group’s names with hers, and she would be just as concerned. We might have been a tight-knit group before her, but she’s the glue that filled in the spaces between us and made us stronger. She really is the heart of the group.
I shake my head. “Nothing. I just sent her a text yesterday, and she hasn’t responded.”
“That’s not unusual, though. Peyton is always super busy and forgets to check messages.” She shrugs.
That might be the case for everyone else, but she’s always responded to me. Even if it was a stupid meme, she would at least react to the message. She never leaves me on read.
I just had to go and push her too hard too soon and scare her.
“I don’t know. The last time I saw her, she seemed preoccupied. I’m worried about her,” I admit.
Grace takes the last grilled cheese out of the pan and sets it on a plate. She turns toward me and crosses her arms over her chest.
“Do you know something I should?”
“No,” I lie.
“You know I live here, right?” she says, changing the subject.
“Yeah…”
“So it hasn’t escaped me that you leave sometimes after all of us have gone to bed or that you sneak someone in.”
I shift uncomfortably on the barstool, but I don’t deny it.
“If, by chance, that the person you are spending time with is Peyton, I hope you know what you are doing. While she’s my best friend and I love her dearly, she’s not ready for a relationship, and I don’t want either of you to get hurt. With that said, though, if you are worried about something, talk to her about it. She might shut down and try to push you away, but don’t stop trying. I have a feeling Peyton has never had someone care about her. We need to show her that it’s okay to rely on others. That we will be here to love her through the good and the bad.”
I swallow hard at her words. I want to love Peyton through it all, but she won’t let me. I can’t tell her that, though.
Rule #2—No telling anyone.
“I’m not spending time with Peyton.” The words taste like ash on my tongue. “She’s just my friend.”
“Right,” Grace drawls.
“I’m serious.”
“Well, what I said still stands. If you are worried about yourfriend, talk to her.”
I don’t miss how she put an emphasis on the word friend. I can’t tell her, though. Admitting it might push Peyton away for good.
“Okay,” I murmur.
Grace turns and starts plating our sandwiches. “For what it’s worth, though, I’m rooting for you.”
“What do you mean?”
“If anyone is going to break down her walls, it’s going to be you. We’ve all seen you together when we hang out. The chemistry is there. Don’t even try to deny it.”
“It’s fun pushing her buttons, and I like flirting with her,” I say, downplaying my feelings for her.
“Right, but what about the way you look at her when you think no one is watching?” she says, making me freeze as she pushes the bowl of soup and the plate toward me.
“I don’t know what you are talking about.”
“How fun is it living in denial?”
“You should know. You lived there for ages with Clayton.” I pick up my grilled cheese and take a bite. “This is good. Thanks.”
