“Oh yeah, which ones?”
“All of them, but mostly football. It’s what I grew up with.”
“Watching Westbury, right?”
I nod and lean forward. “I told you the other day, he’s not my boyfriend. I don’t know what he said to you, but maybe you took it out of context. But yes, I grew up with Noah. We used to throw the football around in his backyard and for awhile, our high school coach thought I was going to be his next quarterback, but I chose to join the school paper instead and became a sports reporter.”
Kyle stares at me for a minute before reaching across the table. His fingers brush against my cheek until they slide behind my ear, securing a strand of hair. I’ve taken to wearing my hair on the opposite side to cover up the missing patch of hair and scar.
The waitress arrives, breaking the connection between us. Instantly, Kyle steals one of my fries, laughing as he does. “Do you want a bite?” he asks, holding a piece of meat on the end of his fork. I nod and lean forward.
“So good,” I say, trying to keep my mouth covered. “I miss food.”
“I’ll make a deal with you. If your cast isn’t off by the end of next week, I’ll saw it off for you.”
Shaking my head. “No, sorry. I’ll tough it out. There’s too much damage…”
As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I want to take them back. I see the look in his eyes and the pain he’s dealing with. Now I’m the one reaching across the table to try and hold his hand. “I’m sorry, Kyle. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“It’s fine, Peyton. I’ve been meaning to ask about your injuries, but part of me doesn’t want to know because I know I caused them.”
“You didn’t,” I remind him. “The truck did.”
He nods, but the damage is done. Halfway through our meal, my phone beeps. Normally I wouldn’t check it, but being as I lied to my mom about where I was going, it’s best that I do in case she’s figured out I’m not at the library. Except it’s not from my mom, it’s from Noah.
You haven’t answered my calls so you leave me with no choice. I’m coming to town after Xmas to see you.
“Everything okay?” Kyle asks.
I nod and smile before turning my attention back to the message.
I don’t want you here.
I need to explain, Peyton.
There’s nothing to explain. I write back. I slip it back into my bag. The last thing I want is for Noah to be here.
“So, where exactly do you live?” I ask Kyle.
“Ohio, but I’m staying here through rehab.”
“What about your family? Christmas?”
“My parents are on a cruise, so it’s just me. I think they were expecting I’d have practice or something.” Kyle tries to play off his injury, but I know it has to be hard for him. Missing out on a season is something that can really mess with an athlete.
Another text comes in. I glance quickly at my screen and see that it’s Dessie. Pulling my phone out of my bag I read her text quickly. Noah and I thought you should know we’re getting married after the New Year. I read her message twice before I turn my phone off and try to keep the contents of my stomach where they belong. My immediate reaction is to cry, but I don’t want Kyle to ask why. I really shouldn’t shed any more tears over Noah Westbury. He’s made his choice, and it wasn’t me.
With a halfhearted smile, I say to Kyle, “You should spend Christmas with us. You can bunk with Quinn.”
Kyle’s eyes light up. “Seriously?”
I shrug. “As long as you like the beach, surfing, loud music and barbecues, why not? The more the merrier.”
“I’d love to, Peyton.”
I refuse to use Kyle to get over Noah, but that doesn’t mean we can’t hang out. I have to make things clear to him from the start though because neither of us can afford any more personal damage.
26