Peyton's Path: Fighting Fate Book 2

by SM Olivier

  I laughed. “I don’t know, though… I had fun as a blonde,” I teased.

  “We do have more fun,” Madison insisted as she handed me a piece of cake. “We can go out and buy some dye. I can hook you up before we leave tomorrow.”

  “No,” Golden, Crew, and Kyler asserted immediately.

  Madison let out a wicked laugh. “I guess your red hair is cute, too.”

  “I love her red hair,” Renee chirped.

  “Thanks, Renee.” I smiled at her. “Ha, and so does Coach,” I joked ruefully, remembering his strange reaction. Unbidden thoughts of him had entered my head several times that day, and I couldn’t shake this feeling of… weirdness.

  “What do you mean?” Kyler asked in confusion.

  “Forget it,” I said with a shrug. I wasn’t going to let them think I was being crazy.

  “Coach was acting strangely,” Golden added. “Did you guys know that he had a brother?”

  “Not by blood,” Grandpa stated as he handed out plates of cake. “What brought this up?” He, too, seemed troubled all of a sudden.

  “We ran into Coach Carson today with his… nieces?” Golden explained. “He had a cart full of non-perishable food and baby formula. Doesn’t he have a house right outside of town? Why was he so far from home? And what brother was he talking about, then?”

  “Coach Carson has always been a mystery since he first started coaching here,” Kyler stated with a thoughtful look. “He’s a single man. No wife. No kids. No family. But why would the contents of his cart be…strange?”

  “I know he had a foster brother or two that used to live out that way,” Grandpa supplied.

  My eyes narrowed on him. Why did I feel like he knew more than we did?

  “Spill, Gramps,” Lucas wheedled with a smile. It wasn’t like he knew Coach, but the idea of a juicy secret was too much for him not to know.

  “Please do, Pops.” Freddy leaned forward eagerly, nearly salivating.

  The way the guys and my friends, quickly slipped into calling him Grandpa was kind of funny. I could tell they held almost the same affection for him as he did for them.

  “Oh, come on, Grandpa,” Golden groaned.

  Grandpa laughed and shook his head. “Not gonna happen, Goldie,” he teased back. “I’m not providing any information to the gossip mill around here, boys. There’s already enough of it going around this town.”

  “We won’t leak a word of it,” Freddy said as he dropped more presents at my feet.

  I couldn’t help but burst out with laughter, and from the sounds of it, I wasn’t the only one that found that concept hilarious. Everyone knew Freddy sucked at secrets.

  “Speaking of Goldie,” Golden loudly grumbled. “Why do I have a man named CJ texting me? Been going on all day.”

  I could tell he wanted to prod Grandpa for more answers, but he was going to kindly divert the attention off him.

  Renee, Lucas, and I exchanged looks and laughed.

  “That’s only part one of payback.” I hummed as I took a bite of my cake. “Just wait until I pay you back for the sticky notes on my back.” I offered a bite of my cake to Crew.

  It was probably one of the most delicious cakes I had ever tasted. It was so moist and had the perfect balance of sweetness. Another bonus? No fondant.

  Crew took the proffered bite and hummed his own approval. He then dropped a sweet kiss to my shoulder, and I smiled.

  “All’s fair in love and war.” Golden winked at me.

  I laughed. “Okay, you remember that.” I winked back at him.

  ●

  “Paxton, these are beautiful,” I said in awe as I looked down at the framed prints spread out on the dining room table.

  Paxton had taken pictures of me and everyone present. Most of them were candid, which made them all the more breathtaking. I hadn’t even seen him take most of these shots. There was a picture of me lying in Maisie’s bed, reading her a book. She was lying on my shoulder, and she was laughing as I smiled down at her. There was a picture of Clay and I taking a nap on one of our lazy Sunday afternoons on a blanket outside. There was a picture of me and Golden on the first day I’d met the guys. I was lying on my stomach with my camera in my hand, laughing up at Golden while he sat next to me, smiling.

  There was a picture of me, Crew, and Zane at one of our games. The boys were kissing my cheeks, and I was smiling into the camera. There was a print of me and Kyler painting my room. Okay, we weren’t painting—Instead, I had painted a stripe on his face, and he was chasing me. He’d picked me up in a fireman carry, and my head was thrown back in laughter.

  Then there was a picture of me, Marie, Heather, and Freddy cheering at one of our games. Another was of me and Grandpa sitting on the front porch swing at the guys’ house, with my head on his shoulder and his hand on my knee. Even Henry was featured in a photo. He and I were making brownies.

  The last one was me and Renee at the dance competition yesterday. We had our arms around each other’s waists and were smiling.

  I knew without asking which one was Paxton’s favorite. It was the picture he took of us the other night. We looked like we could have been standing on the edge of the world, with the setting sun behind us. Paxton had his arms wrapped around my waist as I leaned back into him, both of us staring into the camera with contented smiles.

  “Yeah?” Paxton asked hesitantly.

  “Yeah,” I said, then threw my arms around his neck. “They are so amazing and thoughtful.”

  He kissed my cheek. “I’m glad you like them.”

  “I want a copy of this one.” Grandpa pointed at the picture of us on the swing.

  “I think we all want copies,” Zane added, lifting up the picture of me and him with Crew.

  “I can do that.” Paxton nodded with a smile.

  “Where would you like to hang them?” Kyler asked.

  “Gah,” I groaned playfully. “Decisions, decisions. I’ll have to come back to you on that one.”

  He laughed. “Okay.”

  “I want a feature on Peyton’s gallery wall,” Madison pouted loudly.

  “Me too,” Lucas added.

  “I got you guys covered.” Paxton smirked. “I just didn’t have time to print them yet.”

  I smiled, remembering Paxton with his camera out all day yesterday. I imagined he had captured some candid shots of us, at one point or another.

  “Can I hire you to do my senior pics?” Heather asked as she looked at all the pictures. “You’re even better than our family photographer.”

  “Sure,” Paxton said with a pleased smile.

  “Add me to your schedule, too,” Marie piped up.

  “I’m telling Mom to cancel our appointment next weekend,” Freddy added.

  Everyone started to laugh. “Looks like you’re gonna be busy, bro,” Golden said. “We all need to have our senior pictures in soon.”

  “I’ll make a schedule.” Paxton seemed really pleased by the attention he was receiving.

  “Mom wants to know how much?” Freddy spoke up once more.

  Paxton seemed flabbergasted and shrugged. “I don’t know.”

  “My senior pics were over three hundred dollars,” Madison informed us.

  “Mom wants to know if you can send her some of your pictures, and if you’ll take three fifty?” Freddy typed away furiously in his phone.

  “You might want to ask your yearbook advisor first.” Lochlann smiled at Paxton.

  “Yeah.” Paxton seemed slightly dazed at everything being thrown his way. “I can do that, and I’ll get back to you guys.”

  “It shouldn’t be an issue as long as he’s doing it on his own time and with his own equipment,” Grandpa said with a shrug.

  “I’ll write you a schedule once you get it cleared,” Zane offered.

  Paxton seemed relieved by his offer, as Golden guffawed, “Only you, man.” He shook his head at Zane, alluding to his type A personality.

  “You’re not done opening everything,” K
yler said with a smile.

  “What do you mean?” I asked in shock. “I got more than enough here.”

  I stretched out my arms and indicated all the gifts spread out. Kyler had insisted that I open all my gifts inside once the sun had set, so we could get a better look at everything. Some of the guys grumbled because they had just carried them outside, but Kyler was insistent, and Lochlann had seconded it, so we had moved the party inside.

  “You didn’t get presents from all of us yet.” Crew smirked as he took my hand and led me towards the garage door.

  I was mystified. What could they have in there for me?

  “Close her eyes,” Kyler urged.

  I felt two hands cover my eyes, and I recognized Lochlann’s scent immediately. I shuffled after Crew as he guided me down the steps and into the garage.

  “Okay, open them,” Kyler called out.

  I opened my eyes and blinked for a second.

  “Shut the front door!” I shrieked. “No way! No. Freakin. Way. Seriously? Who?”

  “Umm, Peyton, it looks broken and old to me.” Madison scrunched up her nose, clearly unimpressed.

  She would think that. She’d never had a dirt bike or motorcycle. Her idea of an adrenaline high was going down the log flume ride at the amusement park. She never understood mine and Lucas’ appreciation of two-wheeled vehicles.

  Sitting in front of me was an older Harley Sportster. It didn’t look like it had had much TLC over the years, but it looked like everything was there. The body had some rust spots and would need a paint job, though.

  “That’s the beauty of it,” I said with tears entering my eyes. I really, really missed my bike, but this bike would be ten times better once she was fixed up. “With a little bit of work,” I said straddling the bike. “And a new paint job, she’s going to be so beautiful. Whose idea was this?”

  “It was a group effort,” Kyler said gruffly as he embraced me. “She needs a new carburetor, all her lines should be replaced, she needs new spark plugs, and little things here and there. Crew and I will be working on it with you in our spare time, starting tomorrow night at Lochlann’s. Everything we’ll need is waiting over there.”

  “But you already got me this necklace…” I fingered the pendant necklace he’d given me. Like my rings, I would never remove it.

  Kyler gave me a smile and stroked my cheek.

  “Once she’s running, we’re going to take her to Dad’s old shop, so start thinking about colors and designs,” Lochlann added.

  “Your insurance is paid for the next two years, and here’s a gas card.” Grandpa handed me a card. “But please, be safe, Peyton.”

  “Zane and I got you this,” Golden stated, handing me another considerably big gift bag. “If you want to model it for us, we won’t stop you.” He smirked.

  I looked in the bag and gasped. Inside was a lightweight leather jacket with a small, tasteful, Harley Davidson logo on it, along with a pair of leather pants and a black and blue helmet. “Oh, my goodness, everyone. You spoiled me,” I cried before I began to embrace everyone.

  “Is she excited to fix that thing up?” Freddy asked in mock horror in a loud whisper.

  I started to laugh through the tears.

  “She would have hated a brand-new bike.” Lucas gave me an understanding smile, and for the first time since we reunited, I saw acceptance in his eyes. He knew now why I cared so much for my guys and my new family. “Working on our bikes is… therapeutic,” he added. “Plus, there’s nothing more satisfying than riding something you put your blood, sweat, and tears into. It gives you another level of appreciation.”

  I embraced him next. “Thank you,” I murmured and knew he knew exactly what I meant.

  “You like getting…greasy?” Freddy asked in horror.

  Everyone laughed, and Madison patted his shoulder. “She’s been doing it with Lucas and Mickey since she was like ten. Don’t ask. Don’t even try to understand. It’ll make your head hurt. Take my word.”

  Everyone laughed once more as I continued to make my rounds.

  “Tomorrow night?” I asked Crew, finally remembering that he’d asked me to save that night for him. “You sneaky, sneaky man.”

  He smiled at me and held me close. “I like seeing my girl surprised,” he murmured for my ears only.

  I grinned up at him as he wiped my tears away.

  ●

  That night, I drifted off to slumber between Zane and Golden. Grandpa, Mr. Jenkins, and Henry had left shortly after we’d put the kids to bed, despite us asking them to stay over. They declined but promised to see us soon. Kyler, Crew, and I had given up our beds, and the children were in the other bedroom.

  We had stayed up into the early hours of the morning, telling stories and just hanging out around the fire. I made sure to make my rounds between all the guys, so they all knew how important today had meant to me.

  I could tell everyone had had a good time, too. I was glad to see how my old life and the new had woven together so neatly. Well almost. There was still that issue with Heather, Madison, and Freddy.

  25

  ●

  Weakness

  The sound of moaning and grunting woke me up minutes before the sun kissed the morning sky. I rolled over and groaned. It didn’t take me long to realize that Freddy and Madison were hooking up in the tent beside mine.

  I rolled over and saw Golden’s eyes wide open. He grimaced at me, and I faked a shudder.

  I didn’t know how to process my feelings right now. It was clear as the night had worn on that Heather had a thing for Freddy, and Freddy still had a thing for her, but it confused me why they weren’t doing anything about it. Freddy continued flirting with Madison, and Madison had seemed oblivious. I had tried to talk to both of them, but the more they drank, the more it became evident they didn’t care about anything else but their attraction towards each other.

  “Wanna go inside?” Golden inquired quietly in my ear.

  I nodded eagerly. Only Lochlann had returned back to the house to be closer to the baby monitor and the kids. Everyone else was out here. I wondered who else was hearing this. I was stuck between getting turned on and disgust. From the erection pressed in my back, I wasn’t sure if Golden was sporting morning wood or if he was turned on by it, too.

  He nipped my ear before rolling away, and I guess that answered my question. Suddenly the idea of slipping into my room with Golden sounded enticing. Golden grabbed my hand and gently tugged me towards the opening of our tent.

  The sun was reaching the peaks of the trees, and the tendrils of smoke were still drifting from the fire we had built last night.

  “Where are we going?” I teased Golden quietly as he tugged me with urgency towards the house.

  “To finish what we started the other night,” he commanded with no apology as he walked with a single purpose in mind.

  I laughed quietly and shook my head. “Does hearing other people getting it on excite you?” I said, suddenly hesitant.

  I knew he’d only been with Bailey, but I also had a feeling he had a kink I wasn’t aware of. There had been several hints that he might like to dabble in the adventurous side of sex. How—or where—he’d found this out about himself was still a mystery to me.

  “Darlin’.” He stopped suddenly as we entered the kitchen. “I admit I have…darker desires and curiosities, but I promise you, I will never push you more than you’re comfortable with. Someday, I want explore some things with you, and something tells me you’ll enjoy it, too.”

  “What’s the craziest thing?” My thoughts flew unbidden from my lips.

  “You don’t want to know. Not yet.” He shook his head as he led me through the rest of the house.

  “I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t want to know,” I confessed quietly.

  He stopped again and pinned my body against the wall with his own. “I have a fake ID. I was able to get into a sex club once, in the city,” he admitted against my ear as he ground his erection into my st
omach. “I was drawn to the room where people loved freely amongst themselves. Everywhere the eye could see, people were going down on each other, screwing each other, enjoying each other. That night, I watched as…my partner was taken by several partners. It turned me on. I just didn’t know she took that as permission to continue doing it once we returned home.”

  I was momentarily horrified by his revelation. I could see where it would be a turn on to watch others enjoying each other, but I didn’t want to go down the same slippery slope he had already been on.

  “Did you engage with other partners?” I asked breathlessly.

  He shook his head. “I did take her while two other men took her, but she was the only one I touched. Would you ever let me take you with one of the other guys?”

  “Yes,” I said without hesitation as I imagined more than one of them bringing me to the same heights Zane, Crew, and Kyler had. “I’m not sure if the others will like it, but I’m… curious. Will that… change us? Because I want to enjoy you and just you sometimes.”

  He smiled at me, lust and hunger flaming in his eyes. He took my lips with desire and demand. His kiss both punishing and reverent. When he finally pulled away, he muttered, “A little more every day.” Then he kissed me once more, softer, more gentle. “There’s no rush for that yet, but can I take you now?” he groaned into my throat.

  “Yes, please.” I smiled at him. “But first, let me use the little girl's room. Go to my room.”

  He gave me a triumphant smile. “I’ll be waiting.”

  In the bathroom, I quickly relieved myself, then on an impulse, I took a washcloth and washed up a bit. I didn’t like the idea of smelling in any way. I knew Kyler didn’t care, but Golden might, so I took the time to clean up and dry myself off.

  With a smile, I exited the room and began to make my way towards my bedroom. I thought I heard a faint thump and paused. I was about to shake it off, but an uneasiness settled in my stomach. I turned in the direction I’d heard the noise. I frowned. Kyler wasn’t in his room, I didn’t think, but his door was wide open.

  I walked towards the other guest room and peeked inside. My breath seized in my throat as I saw Clay’s little body convulsing. I ran toward the pack and play and noticed his small arms and legs jerking. His skin was several shades darker, and there was vomit coming out of his mouth.