Peyton's Path: Fighting Fate Book 2

by SM Olivier

  Mr. Fanning sighed once more. “I hate to ask this of you. Especially since it sounds like your grandpa is aware of the situation and approves of it, but until we decide what we’re going to do with Selena, as she’s on administrative leave, can you reduce the time you spend over here? I’ve known Lochlann for a long time, and I didn’t think he would ever fraternize with a student. However, this could possibly put him under the spotlight because someone else wants to tarnish his name.”

  “That’s bullshit!” Paxton blurted out. “This is our house, too. Peyton’s half-sister was taken from her property. A sister that could have been mistaken as her. It’s easier for us if we keep an eye on her here.”

  “It’s fine, Pax,” I murmured numbly. “I’ll get my bag and leave.”

  Seriously, why did chaos and upheaval follow me wherever I went? I couldn’t just have an ordinary life. Every time I felt like things were getting better, more crap was getting thrown at me.

  “Thanks, Peyton, and I’m really sorry,” Mr. Fanning stated.

  I shrugged in response. I began to move out of the kitchen. I refused to look at Kyler or anyone else. I knew I could go to his house, but honestly, right now I was a bit upset with him.

  We were all silent until we reached the upper hall.

  “Where shall we go?” Golden asked with a sigh as we got to the bottom of his stairs.

  “I’ll take Maisie and Clay to school and daycare tomorrow,” Paxton volunteered.

  “You won’t have time to do both and make it on time for school.” I frowned before I turned to look at Golden. I bit my bottom lip. “I’m sorry the night didn’t go as planned.”

  “Stop that,” Golden gently chided me. “It was even better than I hoped. We’ll just have to have a raincheck.”

  I leaned into his embrace and felt Paxton lean against my back.

  “I’m sorry you keep getting the short end of the stick, Peyton. It really isn’t fair,” Pax said.

  “Life’s not fair,” I murmured, turning away to grab my bags.

  I felt the mantle of depression trying to embrace me in her dark hold.

  “What’s up with the new coach and Kyler?” Paxton blurted suddenly.

  I shook my head, feeling a headache coming on. I really didn’t feel like doing this right now. I had been really content most of the evening. Now I had to go back to Kyler’s house while I was upset with him.

  Dammit! Maybe I wasn’t cut out for a relationship with all six guys. It really wasn’t fair to them. There was no way I could explore a relationship with Mr. Isaacs while he worked at my school, and Kyler really shouldn’t have to deal with my teenage drama.

  “Just take me to my house,” I muttered.

  “No!” they both nearly shouted out together.

  “What other choice do I have?” I felt the tears of exhaustion and frustration burn the back of my eyes. “Zane’s probably asleep and I…”

  “Come on, darlin’.” Golden pushed my hair off my face. “I’ll take you to Crew’s and Kyler’s. I’m sure Crew will take care of you.”

  I frowned. It was the only option I had right now. The boys would never allow me to sleep alone in my house.

  “Okay.” I nodded reluctantly.

  He swooped down and picked up my bags.

  “Goodnight, Peyton.” Paxton kissed my cheek. “Be ready for tomorrow night. We’re gonna take some amazing pictures.”

  I smiled at his attempt to cheer me up. I nodded and embraced Golden once more. I hated that our night was cut short, and I had to go over to Kyler’s when I was so upset and confused.

  “Soon, darlin’, soon.” Golden kissed the spot next to my ear before he took my hand to guide me down the stairs where Mr. Isaacs was waiting at the bottom.

  “I’m sorry, Peyton.” Mr. Isaacs frowned, his hands buried in his pockets. He looked over his shoulder.

  I could see Mr. Fanning, Ms. Houser, and Kyler in the kitchen. Mr. Fanning and Ms. Houser were sitting at the bar, while Kyler was standing with his back braced against the sink. His eyes were on me, conveying a message I wasn’t in the mood to decipher.

  Mr. Isaacs took a step forward and embraced me. “I’ll figure this out soon,” he promised, whispering in my ear. “I want you in my life. I want to hold you, kiss you, take you on a real date.”

  I melted against him, my hands subtly running up and down his chest. I felt the slight tremor in his body as he lowered his head against my shoulder. “We knew it wasn’t going to be easy,” I whispered back to him.

  “It will be someday,” he reassured me. “Hopefully, soon.”

  “Hopefully,” I whispered back.

  He squeezed me one more time, then stepped back.

  As I turned around, I couldn’t help but gaze at Kyler before leaving with Golden.

  ●

  Golden and I shared some more heated kisses before I entered the Fairchild home. The house was dark except for the little light above the sink. I removed my shoes and placed them on the shelf in the mudroom and made my way into Crew’s room. I didn’t want to be alone tonight.

  When I entered his room, I could see him sprawled out on his back, sleeping. I placed my bags next to his closet and noticed the cylinder-shaped Bluetooth speaker was glowing blue. 45 by Shinedown was playing softly from it.

  Crew liked to fall asleep listening to music. He preferred to listen to older alternative/ rock bands and abhorred most contemporary pop songs and only mildly tolerated Country and Rap. It amused me that each guy had distinct personalities but still meshed together so well.

  I removed my borrowed sweatpants and slipped into his bed, wearing just my underwear and T-shirt. Crew and Kyler wore as little as possible when they went to bed. Both also liked it extremely cold in the room and slept under thick blankets.

  I shivered and drew closer to Crew. His body was like a furnace, and I laid my head on his chest before wrapping my arms around his waist. He mumbled something but drew me closer, one of his hands grabbed my thigh and drew it across his stomach, but he didn’t wake. He was generally a heavy sleeper.

  I was exhausted, but sleep wouldn’t claim me—I was too restless, and my mind wouldn’t quit. My thoughts drifted between Claire’s disappearance, the danger I was in, the persistent news reporters, Mr. Isaacs and me, Kyler and me, my living situation, and almost everything else in the universe.

  I needed to get out of my head, and for a little while tonight, I was able to. I sighed and began to idly trace my fingers across Crew’s chest. I found all the indents and curves between his muscles. When I discovered his six-pack, I felt his abs tighten.

  He groaned in his sleep, and I smiled. I snuggled closer to him and closed my eyes, hoping sleep would claim me, too.

  ●

  I woke up to warm lips trailing along my neck. Large hands caressed my inner thigh. I threw my head back moaning, giving him better access. Last night’s events came rushing back to me, and I remembered that I had crawled into bed with Crew.

  His lips found my sensitive area, and when I clenched my fist, I was somewhat surprised to find his cock in my hand. I stroked his considerable girth and length, purring in anticipation.

  He reached for my shirt and pulled it off me. Soon his mouth was on my skin once more. He kneaded my breasts, pulling one nipple into his mouth. I gasped as his teeth dragged across my peak as he tugged. The combination of pain and pleasure was deliciously lovely.

  “Crew,” I begged him to take away the ache between my legs.

  I thrust my hips up against his, feeling his own enthusiasm. His hand dipped down to my panties, and his fingers dipped inside, trailing down my slit. He growled in satisfaction.

  I loved the sound of his voice, with its raspy deepness on an average day, but his morning hoarseness made my toes curl.

  I barely registered him pulling my panties off before he was lining his cock up to my entrance. “How slow do I need to go?” he asked as he nuzzled my neck.

  I bit my lip; this was the closest I ha
d gotten to talking about my intimate relationships with the others.

  “Give it to me,” I moaned.

  He needed no further bidding. He rolled over to his nightstand, and I watched as he pulled his boxers down. His massive cock bobbed as it was released. My mouth watered, remembering the salty sweetness against my tongue. He smirked at me as if he knew my thoughts. I watched in fascination as he opened a foil package and rolled the condom over himself.

  Good thing he was thinking, because I hadn’t been. He crawled onto the bed and lifted a brow at me. I eagerly nodded, understanding that he was giving me a chance to change my mind, but I needed him. His eyes were filled with desire as he pushed into me.

  He made a primal noise in the back of his throat and cursed softly. I gasped at his size. I was definitely not a virgin anymore, but, damn, it felt like he couldn’t fit. There was an uncomfortable stretching down below. Fortunately, Crew seemed to realize this immediately. He waited for me to adjust to him.

  “Damn, you’re so tight,” he murmured as he covered my lips with his.

  I was highly self-conscious about morning breath, but he seemed undeterred by it, and we shared a passionate kiss before I realized the “good ache” between my legs was returning. I pushed up into him.

  “Take me,” I begged once more.

  There was no more pain. I felt full. He felt so good, and I gasped at the pleasure he was bringing me. I dug my fingers into his broad shoulders and met his hips with my own.

  He continued his slow, languid pace for a while. Gripping my butt in his large hands, he seemed to be making a concerted effort in making sure his pelvis ground against my clit with every thrust.

  He cursed softly. “You feel like you’re trying to squeeze me dry, angel… you feel too damn good. I won’t be able to last that long.” He suddenly grabbed my hips, and rolled over, never leaving me. “Ride me, angel,” he gritted out.

  “How?” I asked, suddenly shy.

  He smiled at me, and I loved the softness it brought to his features as the light from his speakers cast a blue glow across his face. He grabbed my hips and began to rock me against him. He lifted his pelvis slightly. At this angle, my clit rubbed against him again.

  I gasped and leaned forward, but the pace was too achingly slow, and I was greedy. I placed my hands against his hard pecs, my nails digging into him, and he grunted.

  “Sorry,” I muttered pausing.

  “No,” he hastily reassured me. “I liked it. Keep riding it.”

  “Yeah?” I smiled and leaned forward once more. I dug in my nails and began to tilt my hips forward and backward.

  The more contact his body had with my clit, the faster I moved against him. I closed my eyes and threw my head back. I liked this position. I could feel every inch of him, and it felt amazing. He moaned out and grabbed my hip with one hand, his thumb finding my clit with the other, making me whimper at the way he was working me.

  “How close are you?” he gasped out, and it only made my desire build more. I had never seen him lose control before, and I felt…adored, cherished. He was worried about my pleasure before he found his own.

  “So close,” I moaned, rocking back and forth on him.

  I could feel the tension building in my lower stomach. My release hit me hard and fast, and I cried out with the intense pleasure that followed. Crew exhaled deeply, and he grabbed both of my hips and sat up. Our chests brushed against each other as he took my lips fervently, his mouth demanding and all-consuming.

  He pushed up into me and the friction of his chest against my sensitive nipples made me whimper in pleasure. The simultaneous feeling of this new position, our closeness, and the sensations of his chest against my own put me on sensory overload.

  I never believed sex could bring a couple closer together. I had always assumed a man’s actions outside the bedroom defined and strengthened relationships. Crew may be a man of little words, but his actions always reflected how much he looked out for me. My decision to become intimate with him, though, only solidified my conviction that there was so much more to Crew, so many layers to him that I wanted to know. I felt so close to him at this moment.

  He groaned loudly, his rasp primal, before coming. He drove into me a few more times before he stilled. As I came down from my high, I realized that we were both somewhat sweaty and out of breath.

  He kissed me and pushed my hair off my face. I could see so many thoughts and emotions cross his face, but I knew, only in rare moments would he voice them.

  He reached down behind me, and it took me a few seconds to realize he was removing his condom. When I went to get off his lap, he placed a staying hand on my waist.

  “What brought you home?” he asked finally. “Not that I’m complaining,” he murmured, dropping feather-light kisses on my collarbone.

  I sighed and laid my head on his shoulders. “You know, just when I think life can give me a break, it laughs. I guess crap hit the fan with the party Friday night. The hammer came down on Selena. She’s on administrative leave, and she told the school board that Mr. Isaacs and I were having an inappropriate relationship. Mr. Fanning thinks it’s in Mr. Isaacs’ best interest if I no longer stay at their house. To make matters worse…” I shook my head, deciding to just leave it at that. I didn’t have to voice my insecurities.

  “Did you see Ky?” he prodded as if he knew my reservations.

  “Exchanging numbers with Ms. Houser,” I admitted quietly.

  Crew stiffened for a moment. “You know he’s crazy about you. My brother may have his flaws, but he would never hurt you intentionally. He’s not a cheater, and he would leave you before he even entertained the idea of talking to another woman.”

  I wanted to believe Crew, but I couldn’t come up with a reason why Kyler would have been out without telling me. He usually went to bed early on work nights. His days started at daybreak, so why was he out so late? Why was he exchanging numbers with a highly attractive woman that was closer to his age than I was?

  “Maybe not intentionally,” I finally said, quietly. “But very few people go into a relationship with the intentions of hurting someone.”

  He caressed my naked back, and his touch soothed me. My heart and brain were still a jumbled mess, but my body was sated and comforted.

  “Do you think… we all moved too fast?” I asked softly. “Do you think we jumped into things without really thinking them through? Are we only delaying the inevitable? What are your plans for the future?”

  Crew had already seen me without my mask, and I knew he would never betray my confidences.

  “I think,” he said cautiously. “That sometimes, if we worry too much about the future and not enjoy the moments we are given in the present, we aren’t really living life. I can’t speak for the others, but I know everything about you and me just feels right. Time is inconsequential and has no bearing on how you make me feel.”

  I tried to smile against his chest. “Where is Crew Fairchild going to be in a year?” I prodded once more.

  He shrugged as he trailed his fingers along my arms. “I guess it all depends on how Ky’s doing. If it seems like he needs me here, I’ll stay. Otherwise…maybe I’ll go play football with Zane. Hopefully to the same school. Someone has to watch his ass,” he said a bit dryly.

  I wanted to laugh at his attempt at humor, but it just showed me how vast the chasm was before us.

  “Our…relationship has an expiration date.” I tried to ward off the dark thoughts that plagued me, but I didn’t feel like staying blissfully ignorant. “You and Zane want to go pro. I want to dance professionally. Paxton’s been looking at photography schools in NYC. Kyler and Mr. Isaacs are already established in their careers. And Golden has yet to tell me what he plans to do after graduation.”

  “Who’s to say we have to end things, though?” Crew said after several moments of silence. “Did you know Da met Mam in elementary school? They dated the summer Mam got out of high school. He was twenty-eight, established, successf
ul. She was eighteen and wanted to find out who she was. She went away to school. They kept in touch but continued down two very different paths until fate stepped in. Mam wasn’t even out of school for a month, when her first job threw them back together again. And that’s all she wrote. They were together ever since. If we’re meant to be, then we’ll be.”

  I mulled over his words and felt some relief. I kissed his bare chest. “Thanks, Crew,” I murmured.

  “Anytime, angel.” He kissed the top of my head. “Now sleep.”

  He continued to caress me, and soon, sleep claimed me once more.

  16

  ●

  Sunrises and Sunsets

  My head was pounding, and I longed to stay in bed the following morning. My lack of sleep from the night before, the emotional, physical, and mental roller coaster I was always on was taking a toll on me. It didn’t help that Crew had wrapped his body around me, making me feel so warm and protected in his strong arms.

  Crew murmured in discontent as I carefully extracted myself from his embrace. I needed to take a quick shower before I got ready for dance. I felt bleary-eyed, and my limbs felt sluggish as I quickly washed up. I pulled my hair up into a messy bun and slipped into a pair of dance shorts and a tank top.

  It was brisk outside this morning, so I grabbed a hoodie. As I was slipping on my shoes, I realized I had no ride to dance class. I bit my lip. Usually, Kyler would be up and getting ready for work himself, but I wasn’t even sure if he knew where I ended up last night.

  I grabbed my bag and headed out to the kitchen. I turned on the coffee pot, knowing Crew and Kyler’s need for caffeine first thing in the morning. I pulled out one of the travel mugs out of the cabinet and walked towards Kyler’s bedroom since I heard no movement.

  I felt physically ill when I realized he wasn’t home. He could have spent the night over at Mr. Isaacs, but it wasn’t like him not to text me at least a good night. I pulled out my phone and noticed that the only missed text I received was from Golden and Paxton. Nothing from Kyler.