Don't Let Me Fall(19)

“It’s only because they don’t have to see you as much,” I said, eyeing him. “You’re in the back getting glasses.” Since the clientele request me, Peyton makes himself busy

washing the cups, wiping down the counter and heading to the back to get more of whatever we need. It’s actually more work than being a bartender.

“You’re an upgrade from my boring face,” he said smiling. “Don’t you agree Paul?” I glanced at Paul, a man in his late sixties who thinks he’s twenty.

“Darling, you should be seen by the world,” Paul said, staring at me lovingly. “You are stunning.”

“You just want another drink,” I said. “Not happening. Your wife called and said two gin and tonics are allowed.” I’m not joking. His sweet wife really did call to warn me that

if he gets an extra drink, she will come down here on her walker and beat me with a cane. I can’t have that happen.

“You’re a sweetheart. Peyton, maybe you can help this young lady find a nice man,” Paul said tapping his finger against the counter.

“I think Rebeckah can find a man on her own,” Peyton chuckled.

“What about your boyfriend?” Paul asked Peyton. Wait, what? “He treating you like the king you are?”

Peyton glanced at me and smiled even wider.

“Yeah, he is.”

Holy shit! How did I not see this?!

Peyton closed the distance between us and used his finger to lift up my jaw. “Stop catching flies. You have drinks to make.”

“You’re gay?” I asked, my mouth still hanging open.

“Yeah.”

“How come I had to find out from Paul?”

“Because I really wanted to see if you’d follow the rule book. I’m too sexy to keep hands off of.” That’s f-ucking true.

“Wow,” I said shaking my head. “I had no idea.”

Now that explains why he never hit on me. I mean, he smiled and winked a few times but he never got grabby or said something stupid about how nice my ass looks in these shorts. He

had me completely fooled.

“Get back to work,” I said swatting his arm with a towel. “I need more cups.” Peyton laughed and headed to the back room.

I finished up my shift and headed home.

You’d think that because it’s late and all the lights in the house are off except for the kitchen stove that Matty and Dad are sleeping. Nope. They’re in the kitchen eating a

sandwich with Jacky and Remy.

“Do I get one?” I asked eyeing the bread with two slices left.

“I’ll make you one,” Dad said getting up and grabbing the mayo.

“So why is everyone awake?” I asked. “And here?”

“Just stopping by,” Remy said in-between a mouthful.

I nodded and sat down beside him at the breakfast counter. “You guys know I won’t freak if you say you’re worried about me,” I said tapping my fingers on the counter.

I literally heard crickets for a few seconds.

“How are you?” Matty finally asked.

“Better. I mean, I’m not having thoughts,” I said. “I seriously think it started again because of Logan.”

“What happened? Did he try something?” Dad asked, sliding a plate over with my nice fat ham sandwich and leaning against the counter. He really wants to know.

“Uh, the first day of school he threw himself at me. Literally. He had a girl on his arm then decided to use me as the getaway. Having his tongue down my throat was not helpful,”

I said.

“That *,” Jacky said. “He kissed you!” I looked up at her and found her visibly upset. That’s weird because she’s the one that keeps telling me to get a boyfriend and

find some friends to hang out with. You’d think she’d tell me to suck it up and let it happen.

“I kneed him in the balls yesterday,” I blurted.

Everyone held their sandwiches hovering inches from their open mouths.

“You did what?” Remy asked leaning into me.

“I kneed him in the balls. He snuck into my class and kissed me again so I gave him a piece of my mind.”

Matty laughed and Dad winced as he thought about the pain I must have caused. Jacky was stuck between smiling and telling me that wasn’t right.

“Good job,” Remy said squeezing my shoulder. “I’m f-ucking proud of you.”

“Do you guys always have to put ‘f-uck’ in all your sentences?” Dad asked.

“Yes, we f-ucking do,” I said just to make a point.

“Kelsey is starting to swear. You’re bad role models.”

“Dad, Kelsey has been swearing since she was six,” Jacky said licking her lips nervously. “You and Mom used to fight a lot.”

Dad looked down at his sandwich and nodded.

“That’s so f-ucking true,” he said.

Hypocrite.

We finished our late snack and then headed to bed. Jacky and Remy took the spare room because tomorrow we’re getting up early to see Kelsey so it’s not worth them leaving and

coming back.

“Love you, Birdie,” Dad said hovering outside my room.

“Love you, Dad.”