“It wasn’t a date, Ma,” I called. “And it was fine, thanks for asking.”
“Why didn’t you invite her inside?”
“I did, Ma, but she couldn’t come in.”
She said something else I couldn’t quite make out as I hobbled into my childhood bedroom and shut the door behind me, going to bed to sit down and take some pressure off my knee. I hadn’t planned on kissing Peyton, but then again, I hadn’t planned to see her, so the point was moot. I’d expected her to push me away sooner, to hit me even, and it had been a pleasant surprise when she hadn’t. Not at first, anyway, which means there was something about it she’d liked. I hadn’t felt that good in years … since I’d last seen her.
Taking my cell phone out of my back pocket, I looked through my contacts until I found Peyton’s name, thumb hovering over the screen. For all I knew, she’d changed her number years ago. I’d just never tried to contact her again until now.
Hoping for the best, I typed up a quick text message, still able to taste her sweet lips on mine, the sensation of soft strands of hair against my face. I certainly was now if I hadn’t been hard for her during the kiss.
Hey, Peyton.
I set the phone aside, letting out a breath of air between my lips. I felt like I was again back in high school or college, texting the cute girl late at night and under the covers, hiding my feelings from the world. Was I being fair to her? Or was I just playing a game I knew neither of us would win? I was heading in a direction that I knew neither of us would like, and momentarily I wanted to kick myself.
After a moment, my phone buzzed, and I picked it up to look at it, hoping for the best but expecting the worst.
New phone, who dis?
Flushing with humiliation, I typed back a quick reply.
Sorry! Wrong number.
And this is why you don’t talk to girls anymore,I scolded myself silently, dropping the phone on the bed again. Of course, she had changed her number. Why wouldn’t she?
The phone buzzed again. Frowning, I glanced at the screen.
It’s me, dumbass,the text read.I’m only teasing you.
With a grin that could have been my most genuine smile in years, I shifted on my bed and leaned back against the headboard, fingers hovering over the keyboard. We were in college again, texting each other until the early morning, exhausted but happy because we had been together. Once upon a time, nothing mattered to us more than each other, and the only concern had been how soon we could see each other again.
When can I see you again?I typed, sending the message. I stared at the screen until Peyton texted me back, still grinning like an oof.
When you pull your head out of your ass, Butler.
With a disappointed frown, I pressed the call button on my phone, pressing it to my ear as the line rang. Peyton answered on the second ring.
“I didn’t think my head was in my ass,” I told her as she picked up the phone. “I’d like to spend time with you, though.”
“We spent time together tonight,” said Peyton with a yawn. “And it was probably more than we needed, don’t you think? We’re not a couple, Korbin, and we’re not even really friends. So, what’s the point?”
“Ouch,” I said, feeling a metaphorical sword through my heart. “I thought we were friends.”
“Maybe once upon a time,” she said, and I could almost see her shrug on the other end of the phone. “But not anymore. I don’t think us seeing each other is a good idea.”
“Says who?”
“Says the woman you shattered, Korbin,” she said softly, and this time the pain in my chest was so bad I actually cringed.
“I’m sorry, Peyton.”
“I’m not,” she said softly. “I moved on, Korbin. And it took me a long time. I need to respect myself more because I can’t do this with you.”
“Is there someone else?” I asked. “You said you hadn’t been dating when we went to dinner, but—”
“No,” Peyton said. “Well, yes. Maybe.” She sounded flustered, and I knew she'd probably throw something at me if I was in front of her. “I’m talking to someone else, Korbin. Someone who has been interested in me for some time. He’s a good guy. And I think I need a good guy in my life.”
My jaw clenched automatically, and I sighed, focusing on the wall in front of me to keep the frustration from reaching a new high. Whatever Peyton was talking about didn’t sound serious. And she’d kissed me back, even if she stopped it.
