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He leaned back against the counter, running a hand over his jaw. “I’ve given you certain privileges because I know things are tough, but I can’t have you coming home drunk, Peyton.”
“It won’t happen again. I swear, Mr. Ford. I was just—”
The doorbell rang and Peyton murmured, “Saved by the bell.”
Dad chuckled, disappearing down the hall. When he reappeared, Xander was trailing behind him. “Hey.” He tipped his chin in an awkward nod.
Peyton sat straighter, smiling. “Hey, Xander.”
His brows drew tight as he mumbled a reply, moving past us to the back door. “I’ll be out back,” he said.
Dad got to making him a coffee. “I’m going to go talk to him. Can you girls fend for yourselves?”
“Sure thing, Dad,” I said.
Poppy was over at the Bennet’s and Mom had an early shift at the rescue center. So I got up and started making breakfast. “Eggs or pancakes?” I asked Peyton.
“Pancakes. Lots and lots of pancakes,” she answered, but she wasn’t looking at me, she was staring out of the window.
“Pey? Earth to Peyton.”
“What, sorry?”
“You might want to put your tongue back in.” I snickered.
“Who, Xander? Gross.” She grimaced. “He’s like thirty or something.”
“Twenty-eight.” Uncle Cameron and Aunt Hailee had thrown a barbecue for his last birthday but Xander had never shown.
“Still, gross.” She glanced back at the window. “But he is kinda fine. He has that untouchable bad boy vibe working for him.”
“Hmm, does he?” I added the pancake batter to the pan.
“You wouldn’t notice. You’re too busy making googly eyes at you know who.”
“Peyton!” I flicked my head to the door.
“Relax, they can’t hear anything.”
“Still…”
“You know, if you really like him, you’re going to have to tell them eventually.”
I ignored her, giving my attention to the pancakes forming in the pan.
Peyton was right of course. I would have to tell my parents eventually. But I wanted to keep this thing with Kaiden a secret for as long as possible.
For more reasons than one.
* * *
Kaiden:I can’t wait to see you in class.
I textedKaiden back as Ashleigh found a parking spot and cut the engine.
“You know, you’re going to have to try to be a little more discreet than this.” Her brow arched. “You haven’t stopped smiling since you got in the car.”
“I think it’s cute,” Peyton said from the back seat. “Oh look, there’s Sean with Layla Hannigan.”
