Sometimes Moments (Sometimes Moments, #1)(25)

Turning around, Peyton walked back into the kitchen and placed her phone on the bench. Another bang of the gate had her sighing. If the latch was broken, it would be a sleepless night with the noise.

Leaving the house, she walked towards one of the chairs and picked it up before going down the steps to the shed. Rain drenched her and the wind hit her hard. By the time Peyton placed the chair inside the shed, she had to wipe her face with her cold hands. She panted, trying to get her breath back.

After another roll of thunder, she ran back to the porch to retrieve another chair. She continued to do this until all six chairs were stacked away. In the end, her ponytail was dripping wet and her body started to shiver. Exiting the shed, Peyton looked over at the swinging gate. She debated, deciding to leave it and get back inside the warm house. The gate could be fixed later when the rain had lightened.

A glimpse of a shadow caught her eye and Peyton stopped. Glaring, she saw a black cat sitting on the grass. It was Mrs West’s cat, Mr Lucky. He was a strange cat, hated the sun but loved the rain. Peyton knew Mrs West would be looking for him and decided to return him.

While approaching the gate, Peyton didn’t take her eyes off the cat. She walked slowly, ensuring she didn’t startle it.

Then she raised her hands up and said ever so slowly, “Hey, Mr Lucky. You’re far from home. Let me take you back so you can get warm.”

The cat lifted its head before it meowed at her. She ignored her shivers and slowly walked towards Mr Lucky, smiling when he didn’t immediately run from her. Peyton carefully stopped in front of him then placed her hands on her knees and bent down.

“Who’s the good cat? Come here,” Peyton said and started to reach for him.

Mr Lucky let out another meow before he bolted past Peyton and into her backyard.

“Damn cat!” she cursed. “You get back here, you little shit!”

Peyton quickly turned around and saw Mr Lucky sitting in the middle of her garden—smirking—before she just caught a glimpse of the gate swinging towards her and then saw black.





“You two have never kissed before? Like, never?” Martha asked, disbelieving. She sculled back her beer and placed it on the ground, next to her feet.

Martha Downs was the daughter of the town’s sergeant. Her being invited to their bonfire parties was mainly because she could get anyone off the hook if they were caught drinking underage. However, most things in town were overlooked or ignored. If you stirred up trouble, then the law book would be handed to you.

Peyton turned her head and stared at Callum, who was watching the fire intently. She looked back at Martha and shook her head.

“No. We’re best friends,” Peyton simply stated.

Martha’s mouth gaped and her forehead creased as she looked at Peyton in disbelief before she pointed at a couple near a tree. “See, Taylor and Kenny are just friends and they’re making out. You guys are constantly around each other. The way you both act… You’re like a couple.”

Peyton let out a nervous laugh. Sometimes she believed they could be a couple. She’d had that belief since she was thirteen, when he’d held her hand as they walked down Main Street, but she had thought too much into it.

“We’re just—”

“Why don’t you both just kiss? Show us all that you’re both just friends,” Martha said, cocking her brow and interrupting Peyton.

“I... Uhh...” Peyton mumbled and picked up her cup of Coke from the ground. She took a long sip as the party around them silenced and all eyes focused on her.

“Come on,” Martha said as she smirked and played with her curly ponytail.

“Yeah! Do it!” someone behind Peyton yelled.

“Knock it off, Martha. You get stupid when you drink,” Madilynne said, taking a seat next to Peyton.

“Please, Mads. I’m just as curious about these two as the rest of the town. I can speak my mind. My Daddy’s the sergeant, remember?”

Madilynne let out a short laugh. “Yeah, and you never let us forget it. If we’re going by social status, then I should remind you whose daddy is the mayor who employs your daddy.”

Madilynne hated to use her father’s title, but when Martha talked, Madilynne always had the urge to shut her down. It made for some interesting fights between the two.

“Come on, Pey. We’re getting out of here,” Callum said, getting up from his chair.

She looked up at him and he continued to stare at the fire, waiting for her.

“Callum, Martha’s just being a teasing bitch. Stay and party with us,” Madilynne said.

But Peyton knew otherwise. The tensing in his jaw told her that something was worrying him.

Standing up, Peyton looked at Madilynne. “I’ll see you later.”

“But it’s not even one yet,” her best friend argued.

“I have to get her home before her dad realises she snuck out, Mads. We’ll see you later,” Callum said and started to walk away.

Peyton gave Madilynne an apologetic shrug before chasing after Callum. He didn’t say anything as they walked away from the forest near the boathouse, past her parents’ hotel, and towards their street.

Peyton had always wondered what it would be like to kiss Callum, but she knew better. They were friends. Though it had hurt seeing him kiss Tasha Morecombe at Peyton’s sixteenth birthday party, it was the realisation she’d needed. So she’d buried her feelings deep.