Back With Me: A With Me in Seattle Universe Novel (Lady Boss Press Presents: With Me in Seattle Universe)

by K. L. Humphreys

  Back With Me

  A With me in Seattle Universe Novel

  K.L. Humphreys

  Contents

  Back With Me

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Epilogue

  The With Me in Seattle Universe

  Acknowledgments

  Also by K.L. Humphreys

  About the Author

  Back With Me

  A With me in Seattle Universe Novel.

  K.L. Humphreys

  BACK WITH ME

  A WITH ME IN SEATTLE UNIVERSE NOVEL

  K.L. HUMPHREYS

  Copyright © 2020 by K.L. HUMPHREYS

  All Rights Reserved. This book may not be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission from the author. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. All characters and storylines are the property of the author and your support and respect are appreciated. The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  Cover Design: Kari March Designs

  Published by: Lady Boss Press, Inc.

  Prologue

  Payton

  The tears roll down my face as I watch the caskets being slowly lowered into the ground. The sound of my brothers sobbing is what shatters my heart. It shouldn’t be like this. We shouldn’t have to bury our parents before we’re even adults. I glance down at my brothers, both of whom are holding onto my hand as though they’re scared I’m going to disappear on them. They’re both staring at the ground, their shoulders shaking as the sobs wrack through their tiny bodies. I wish there was something I could do to help them. But there isn’t. No one can help us.

  The past few days, I’ve felt every emotion under the sun. The anger, the hurt, and the sorrow are what have stayed with me. Getting the news that my parents died was the worst thing in my life. I don’t really remember much about that day, but I do remember the shock that I felt, the way pain erupted in my body. It was too much to take, I fell to my knees and sobbed. I never truly understood what it meant to be broken until in that moment.

  I’ve wanted to hide away from the world, to lie in my bed and let the pain seep out of me, but I can’t. My siblings need me, at sixteen I’m the oldest of the Moore children. Mary is next, she’s fourteen, Tyler is ten, and Sebastian is six. I need to be strong for them, all of them.

  “Pay,” Mary says softly, once the funeral is over and it’s just us alone in our home. I turn to look at my sister and see that her face is red and puffy, tears sliding down her cheeks. Pain is etched into her eyes and I wonder if I look as bad as she does. “Auntie Dahlia says that we’re going to have to go soon. Is that true?”

  My heart stutters for a moment. Aunt Dahlia lives in Portland, Oregon, it’s over a thousand miles from Grand Forks, North Dakota. She’s now our guardian, she needs to go home, and we’re going to have to go back with her.

  “Yes,” I reply and I bite back a sob. We’re all leaving our friends and our home behind. It’s going to be hard, but for me, I’m leaving behind the boy that I love. Silas Miller. We’ve made plans, we were supposed to spend the rest of our lives together.

  Tyler and Sebastian’s gazes find mine, fear etched on their tiny faces, they don’t want to leave either. Too much is happening, too many changes.

  “Why can’t we stay here?” she asks, her tears falling faster. “Why is she making it worse? Can’t we stay here? Live with you?”

  I hear a sigh behind me and I tense, Aunt Dahlia.

  “Payton isn’t old enough to look after you. I wish I could give up everything to come and live here with you, but I can’t. I’m sorry that you have to move, but I promise, I’m going to make sure you’re all happy and loved.” Her voice is soft and much like ours, her eyes are filled with tears. She’s just lost her sister. We’re all feeling the loss, we just need to try and work through it together.

  “When do we leave?” I ask her, needing to see Silas before I do.

  She glances down at her watch. “Our flight leaves in five hours,” she tells me. “We leave in three hours.”

  I close my eyes, that’s not enough time. I need to get the kids ready to leave. We’re all packed up and ready to go, Dahlia has already boxed all our stuff up and the moving truck has already left. It’s been hell these past couple of days and I hate that we’re leaving, but we don’t have a choice.

  Dahlia’s hand rests on my shoulder. “Go, Pay, I’ve got this,” she assures me. “Go say goodbye.”

  Mary nods, “I’ll help her. Go.”

  I get to my feet and reach for Mary’s hand, giving it a squeeze before leaving. My nerves are kicking in; I don’t want to say goodbye, but I don’t have a choice.

  It doesn’t take me long to walk to Silas’ house, when I get there I knock on the door and wait. My heart’s in my mouth as the door slowly opens.

  “Pay, I’m so sorry for your loss,” his mom tells me as she engulfs me in a hug. “You know that you’re always welcome here, anytime.”

  I give her a feeble smile knowing that’s never going to happen. “Thank you. Is Silas home?”

  “Of course, he’s in his room,” she says and I take a tentative step towards the stairs. “Go on up, he’ll be happy to see you.”

  I walk up the stairs, my heart is heavy knowing that this is going to be the end of us. We’ve not seen much of each other these past couple of days, but we’ve messaged a lot. Usually we’d see each other before, during, and after school.

  His bedroom door is slightly ajar and I knock on it before pushing it open. He’s lying on his bed, headphones covering his ears as he plays a game on his phone. His brown hair, messy as per usual, it’s a little longer than normal but it suits him. His gaze moves from the screen to me and the love in those beautiful green eyes makes my pulse race, and when he smiles it makes my legs weak. “Baby,” he whispers, getting to his feet and walking over to me.

  He opens his arms and I fall into them, needing to have him touch me. I’ve missed him. My hands grip his muscular shoulders as I hold on to him. “Si,” I whisper as I take a step backward and out of his hold. “We’re leaving today.”

  His Adam’s apple bobbles as he swallows, “When?” His voice is hoarse.

  “In three hours. I wish I didn’t have to go, but I do.” Tears cascade down my face and I wonder if there’ll ever be a day that goes by that I won’t cry. “This is really it.”

  He pulls me back into his arms. “This isn't it,” he growls. “We’re never going to be over. We may be thousands of miles apart but, Pay, you’ll always be mine, just as I’ll always be yours. I�
�m going to Seattle in a couple of days. When you’ve finished school, you’ll come to live with me. I’m not losing you, Pay, we’re just going to be apart for a little while. That’s all.”

  His words make me feel as if everything could be right with the world. I don’t allow myself to admit it’s a childish dream that can’t happen. I just melt into him, wanting it to be true. The conviction he says it with calms my racing heart, just slightly. I nod, “Okay.”

  He grips my face and tilts it up so that I’m looking at him. “Always, Pay, you’re always mine,” he tells me, his lips crashing against mine. I relax into him as our tongues tangle together. “We’ll talk all the time, there’s a reason why there’s video calls.” He smiles, he’s making this so much easier for me. “I won’t lose you,” he tells me again and I fall even harder for him.

  “No, you won’t,” I promise him. “I love you, Si.”

  “Love you, baby,” he whispers and pulls me to his bed. A sexy smile on his face. It’ll be hard not being together, but he’s right, there’s ways we can stay together. I don’t have to lose everyone I love.

  After we make love, we spend the next hour talking about our future. We may not be able to go to prom together, but we’ve so much more to look forward to in our lifetime. He was my first love, my first kiss, my first boyfriend. My first everything. I want him to be my last. Silas is almost two years older than me. It doesn't matter, because we both know what we want.

  “I have to go,” I tell him and fill my throat lodging with emotion. I don’t want to, I’m not ready. I’ve said goodbye to too many people today already.

  He nods, “Remember, Pay, this isn’t goodbye…” Even as he says the words his beautiful green eyes fill with tears.

  “It’s, see you soon.” I finish for him.

  He gives me a teary smile and kisses me once again, this kiss is hungry, passionate, and demanding. It’s unlike anything we’ve ever shared before, but it’s also filled with promise. “I love you,” he says hoarsely.

  “Always,” I tell him. “Bye, Si.” I turn and walk away just as my tears start to fall once again. My heart ripping to shreds with each step I take away from him.

  I hope that we can survive the miles and the months that are to come. I honestly don’t know what I’m going to do without him.

  Chapter 1

  NINE MONTHS LATER

  Payton

  “Payton!” Dahlia yells and I groan, what does she want now?

  The past nine months have been difficult, we’re all still trying to come to terms with our parents dying. Sebastian loves it here in Portland, he’s made loads of friends. He misses our parents terribly, as do we all, but he’s the one that’s managed to adjust the quickest. Tyler found it hard to adjust at first but now he’s happy here. Mary was the same, she made friends easily and decided that she too loves Portland. I, on the other hand, hate it here. I miss home, I miss Silas, and I miss my friends. I want nothing more than to return home but that’s never going to happen.

  “What?” I yell back and send Silas a text message.

  Things between us have been hard, a lot harder than I thought. He’s finally moved to Seattle and is doing what he always dreamed of. He’s loving his life and having fun. This is all that he’s ever wanted. We haven’t had a video call in a few weeks and whenever we text the replies come hours later. I feel as though we’re slowly drifting apart.

  He was accepted to the University of Washington on a football scholarship, as a wide receiver, and I’m so proud of him. He’s made the starting line up a few times already, mainly when one of the other players are injured, but he’s proven himself each time he’s taken to the field. Soon, he’s going to be a first team starter for sure and when he does, I’ll be cheering him on just as I do now.

  “Can you please come down here?” she asks, her tone resigned. I have probably been the hardest on her since we’ve come to live with her. I don’t mean to, it’s just that I hate it here. I don’t belong here and it doesn’t feel like home.

  I’m not a brat, I do things when she asks, even if it’s grudgingly. I know she took on a lot when she took the four of us in. I work hard at school, my grades are good; I’ve actually got them higher since I’ve moved here. I guess not having anyone to talk to has helped. I do all my chores without complaint, I watch my siblings whenever she’s working but besides that, I don’t interact with her.

  I get to my feet wishing she’d just leave me alone. Tomorrow is my birthday and all I want is to see Silas, but Dahlia has made it clear that it won’t be happening. She won’t let me go alone and she can’t get a sitter for the kids.

  She’s sitting at the kitchen island, her laptop opened up in front of her, a cup of coffee in her hand. She must hear my footsteps because she looks at me when I come into the kitchen. “Do you want a cup?” she asks and I shake my head.

  She sighs, “Payton, do you hate me?”

  I’m stunned, does she really think that? “No.”

  She glances down at her laptop screen before looking back up at me and I realize it’s because she’s on the verge of tears.

  “I know that I’ll never take the place of your mother, and I don’t want to,” she whispers and my stomach clenches at the mention of my mom. “But I love you, Pay, I always have.”

  I swallow past the lump in my throat. “I know.”

  She shakes her head, “Something is going on, Pay, and I’m seriously worried about you.”

  “I’m fine.” I respond quickly.

  “No you’re not, you’re far from fine,” she tells me as she puts her coffee mug down. “You don’t eat very much, you’ve lost a lot of weight.”

  I was never fat, just a little chubby. I’ve lost all the extra weight I had, but she’s right, I don’t really eat. I can’t stomach the thought of food.

  “You don’t interact with your brothers and sisters anymore. You don’t spend anytime downstairs unless it’s absolutely necessary. I’m worried,” she tells me again, this time a lone tear falls from her eye and I watch as it cascades down her face toward her chin.

  “I know, but I’m fine.”

  She shakes her head, “I don’t think you are. You’re depressed, Pay.”

  I look down at my hands, “I miss him.”

  “Oh, baby, I know you do. I was planning on giving you these tonight, but I thought it may cheer you up now.” She smiles as she hands me some papers.

  I leaf through them, my eyes widening as I realize just what she’s handed me. Confirmation of a hotel booking in Seattle. “Really?” I whisper, afraid that it may be a joke.

  She nods. “Really, I had always planned on this being your present, but I wanted to keep it a surprise. We’re leaving in the morning and staying for two nights. Bethan is going to stay here with the kids.”

  I look at her in shock, she has this planned out. This is the best gift I could have asked for. “Thank you.” I smile at her. The first time since I left Grand Folks, I give her a genuine smile.

  She returns my smile and more tears fall from her eyes. “For you, I’d do anything Pay, just as I would with the others. You’re my family. The only ones I have left. I just want you all to be happy.”

  I’ve been awful to her and I shouldn’t have. She never asked to be our guardian, especially to four kids that vary in age. She’s taken on a lot and I’ve been a bitch.

  “Will Bethan be okay?” Bethan is Dahlia’s best friend. She's nice and we all like her.

  Dahlia nods, “She’ll be fine, she’s excited to do it, something about a movie night.” I laugh, the only movies that we watch are Disney. “Are you going to tell Silas that you’re coming or are you going to surprise him?”

  “I’m going to surprise him,” I tell her. I can just imagine his face lighting up when he sees me, it’s been too long. He's going to be ecstatic just as I am.

  "Just promise me that if you still feel the way you have been that you tell me. I need you to be open with me, Pay. I need us to have a rel
ationship where we can be open and honest with each other. This won't work otherwise. I'm going to worry about you, I'm going to love you, and I'm always going to be here for you," she says softly. Her words are heartfelt and I'm willing myself not to cry. "I'm not your mom, no one will ever be able to replace her, but I want you to know that I love you as though you're my daughter."

  The tears trickled down my face; she's got me choked up. "Since we've been here I've been lost, I haven't found my way. I feel as though I don't belong," I tell her, and it feels good to finally be honest. "Everyone else managed to settle in and find their place here. That's not happened to me. Dahlia you helped them with their transition, you showed them love and cherished them."

  Her tears fall faster; she reaches across the island and takes my hand, grasping it between hers. Her fingers icy cold and I know it's because of my words.

  "I know that if I opened my eyes I would have realized that you had done the same for me. I had just closed myself off. I didn't want any love or affection from you and that's because I feel as though if I give it to you I'll forget Mom and Dad," I continue. It’s as though I’ve opened a floodgate and everything is spilling out of me.

  “You’ve lost so much at such a young age. You and Mary are at the age where it affects you more because you understand it fully,” she tells me, her fingers squeezing mine. “Just don’t keep bottling everything up.”