Peyton slaps my chest. “We’ll need longer than a week.”
I pull her into my arms. “We’re really doing this.”
She nods against my chest and tightens her arms around my waist. “This seems like such a bigger deal than getting married.”
Her words sink in. She’s right, it does. “There isn’t anything that I don’t want to do with you, Peyton.”
“I feel the same way.”
“Sorry to interrupt, but my colleague informed me that there’s already an offer on the home. It came in about an hour ago,” Phyllis sighs. “They also offered above asking price.”
Peyton’s expression falls, but mine doesn’t. I shrug. “We’ll pay cash and we’ll offer a million over.”
“Noah,” Peyton exclaims.
“What? Might as well put my trust fund to good use.”
“I’ll pay half. I want to.”
I glance at Phyllis and motion for her to let her colleague know this house is off the market. This is where the next generation of Westbury’s is going to start, and there isn’t anyone or anything that can stand in our way.
The downside to buying a house – the paperwork. I thought offering cash would be simple. But no, sign here, dot there, put your blood stamp here. By the time hour four came around, I found myself ordering food from a delivery service because I was starving. Peyton gave me a wicked side eye but had no qualms about helping herself to the greasy bag of burgers that I ordered. I have no shame when I’m hungry.
The benefits of paying with cash and being a celebrity is that the banks want to accommodate us. Once the owners accepted our offer, Phyllis started our paperwork and our lawyer busted his ass making sure everything’s in order and that the house is in perfect condition. Not that I expected the house to have any issues.
Peyton and I arrive at her parents to retrieve our bags. It would make sense for us to spend one more night here because it’s getting late, but the thought of waking up in our new home is far too appealing. We bought the house completely furnished, which will save us time and a fortune from having to refurbish. The linens have to change, but Peyton and I can do that tomorrow.
“I think tonight, we sleep out under the stars.”
“There are four beds in the house, we can’t find a usable one?”
“Eh,” I say as I shut off the car. “I take that back. Sleep is not in the cards for us tonight. Naps only.”
“Naps?”
I want to pull her across the console and show her what I mean, but the yelling coming from her parents’ house is alarming. “Stay here.” I get out, slam the car door and rush toward the condo. The door flings open and Katelyn is barreling toward me.
“I’ll kill her,” she yells, causing me to stop dead in my tracks.
“She’s my fucking problem. I’ll take care of it,” Harrison says. We don’t make eye contact as he chases down Katelyn. He reaches for her arm, pulling her to him. “Goddamn it, Katelyn. Stop.”
“I will not. She’s gone too far.”
“I’ll take care of it, Katelyn. I don’t fucking trust her. I don’t want her to hurt you.”
I don’t know what’s going on, but things don’t look good. In the brief moment of silence, I hear the car door slam and before I can intervene, Peyton is rushing around the corner, yelling about Alicia being in town at the Bean Song.
“I need to go to my son,” Katelyn says. “He needs me. He needs to know that I’m his mom no matter what.”
“I’ll drive you,” I blurt out, but Peyton shakes her head.
“No, I’ll go with my mom. Please stay with my dad and make sure he doesn’t do anything irrational.”
“Stay out of this, Peyton,” Harrison admonishes.
“Why? You don’t think I know how you feel about her? Or how Quinn feels? Or Mom? You don’t think I haven’t read the book Sam wrote? This is our life, Dad. For as long as I can remember that woman has lingered in the background, making my brother feel like he didn’t deserve to be loved. For years, Quinn lived in fear that she was going to come in the middle of the night and take him away. We may not share blood, but we’re his family and he needs us. He needs Mom, Elle, and me. He needs to know we’re his family and we’ll do anything to protect him.”
“Alicia…” Harrison sighs. “I’m afraid she’s dangerous. You don’t know her. You don’t know what she’s capable of. I don’t know what the fuck I would do if something were to happen to you, your mom or sister.” He grabs at his beanie and growls. “Fuck. Fuck this shit. I’m going to fucking kill her.”