Page 99 of Leave Me Broken

Again, I stay quiet. I can’t argue. I have the best mum probably in the world, so I can’t fathom even something similar to that.

“She got what was coming for her.” He falls into the back of the chair and from out of no where, he pulls out a silver flask and pulls a long drink, staring right at me. “As long as he stays the fuck away from Pay and me, he can get away scot-free. I don’t care anymore.”

“How long have you been an alcoholic?”

He twists the lid back onto the flask and tucks it back wherever he keeps it. “I drank heavily for years. Only since getting out of the Army did it become a problem. Amanda is trying to help me but can’t help people who don’t want to be helped, right?”

I wonder if Payson is close to reaching the same I-don’t-give-a-shit attitude that her brother has. Maybe volleyball is the only thing keeping her from diving off that edge. We only have weeks left. I really hope that’s not the case. “I hope you want to be helped soon. No one deserves to be in a relationship with a good-for-nothing drunk.”

Jason scowls but the sound of the spring door distracts him.

“Ash?” Payson calls. She walks into the room and sighs when she sees me. I do the same seeing her.

Payson is beautiful beyond words. My heart skips a beat whenever her green eyes lock with mine, but lately it’s not just love I see in her eyes anymore. It’s need, obsession. Like she relies on me to breathe. And I fucking love it.

“Hey, Jailbird. Where have you been? I checked your location before coming over and it said here.”

Jason scoffs.

Payson ignores him and stops in front of me. I grab her hands and she smiles. “Amanda needed to get a dress for tomorrow. She picked me and Janelle up this morning to go shopping and I left my phone here to charge. I meant to text you, I’m sorry.”

“How is Janelle doing?”

Payson’s smile falls and she shrugs. “She says she is swearing off guys.”

“That might not be a bad idea.”

Amanda’s shoes click against the vinyl flooring announcing her entrance. She smiles seeing me. “Well, hey, Coach.” She gives Payson a knowing look.

“Coach Dillon.”

She walks over and falls onto the lap of her boyfriend and kisses his cheek. To my surprise, Jason leans into the kiss like he actually enjoys it. I kind of thought he was too stubborn, selfish and the relationship would be one-sided. It’s nice to see he at least finds comfort in her.

Payson strokes down my beard, hooks my chin, and turns my face back to her with a pout.

I take in her outfit, seeing she’s not in sweatpants and an oversized sweatshirt like usual. Her dark jeans are stuck to her body like glue and her top is cropped, long sleeve, and the perfect shade of brown to complement her hair and the little flecks in her eyes. Her hair is down with big curls. She’s even wearing a subtle amount of makeup. She looks remarkably older like this. Much older than she did in her uniform last night. I love Payson for who she is and at every stage and every look but when she looks older, it’s easier. My morals don’t fight me so hard when she looks not so illegal.

“Where did you go looking like this?” I lift an eyebrow. Her thigh flexes as I drag my fingers up and hook my hands around her thighs to pull her closer. I press a kiss to the small bit of skin showing above her pants. Her smell is so overpowering I have a hard time pulling away, especially hearing how fast her heart is beating, matching mine.

“Knock that shit off,” Jason snaps. Amanda scolds him but Payson takes over.

“Don’t use that language in Grandpa’s house.”

“Shit. Asshole. Bitch. Fuck. What’s going to happen?”

I stand and tug her into my body, glaring at Jason as my hand drifts down and rests over her belly in a dominant way. Proving that she is mine. “You’ll watch your mouth if you know what’s good for you. Which, judging by the flask you’re hiding from your girlfriend. You don’t.”

Amanda whips her head to Jason. “You’re drinking? You promised you wouldn’t drink during this trip.”

Payson glances at me in question.

“Your brother is a drunk. Alcoholic, even.”

“Of course he is.” She snorts. Payson grabs my hand, pulling me toward the back of the trailer.

“You’re so fucking pathetic. You think he actually loves you? Like he’s not just going to trade you in for a younger model as soon as you’re legal and the thrill is gone?” I stop, shove my hand into his chest, and crouch so I’m in his face. I can smell the alcohol on his breath. I’m not sure how Amanda didn’t.

“You question my love for Payson again and what Fred did to you will look like child’s play.” Shit, I will have to apologize to Payson for that one. He tries to grab the flask from me when I snatch it from him, but I’m bigger, stronger, and he’s drunk.

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