Sometimes Moments (Sometimes Moments, #1)(69)

“Why aren’t you trying to save it? It’s your job!” Jenny cried.

Timmy flinched and his eyes averted hers. Peyton followed his stare to see him looking at Jay as if he were asking if it was okay to put out the fire.

“They’re just standing there, staring at Jay,” Peyton cried unbelievably.

After what seemed like for the first time, she blinked, hoping it was just a dream. But it wasn’t. The fire still burned and the smoke entered her nostrils.

She watched Jay shake his head at Timmy. She knew Callum had seen it too when his arms loosened around her. Timmy’s older brother, Thomas, had been Jay’s best friend in high school. And growing up, Timmy had idolised his brother and Jay, doing anything to received their approval.

“Stay here,” Callum instructed.

Before she could stop him, Callum stood up and marched over to Jay. Callum didn’t say anything as he punched Jay in the jaw. Jay stumbled back, holding the side of his face.

“Right now, Timmy. Put out that fire!” Callum yelled.

When Timmy didn’t move, Callum shook his head, walked to the firefighter, and pulled the hose out of his hand. Then he pointed the water to the building, but it did nothing to extinguish the flames. The hotel was far too gone to be saved.

Peyton walked over to Callum. His eyes met hers and she could see the refusal in them. He didn’t want to give up on trying to save it. And for that, she fell in love with him all over again. She blinked away the tears as she stepped next to him. Giving the hotel one last look, she mentally said goodbye to it and her parents. She wrapped her hands around the hose and pulled it away from him.

“No, Peyton! I can save it. I can save it!” he cried.

She shook her head. “It’s gone, Callum.”

Tears filled his eyes. “You don’t deserve this.”

She dropped the hose and wrapped her arms around his waist. “It’s not about if I deserve it or not. It’s happening.”

Callum wrapped his arms around her and apologised numerous times. That’s when Peyton closed her eyes, knowing that everything she would love would leave her. The last thing that remained was the man in her arms. Soon, she’d say goodbye to him, too. She held him tighter because in this moment he was the only tangible thing she could hold onto.

“I love you,” she said into his chest, knowing it could be one of the last times she’d say it out loud.

“I love you, too, Peyton.” He kissed her head before he said, “Come on. Let’s get you to safe distance.” Then he unwrapped his arms from around her and took her hand.

This was their moment of defiance against the town. They could take away her hotel but they couldn’t take away what they had. In the near future, it would be Peyton and Callum who’d destroy what they had. Not the town.

A ute pulled up near them, and Graham and Madilynne got out of the car. If Peyton weren’t so broken, she’d smile at the sight of them together. The moment Graham raced towards them, Callum let her hand go in time for Graham to wrap his arms around her. She couldn’t cry in his embrace. It was like she was dry inside.

“Why the f*ck are they just standing there?” Graham growled in her ear.

Peyton tensed. Graham was never one to cuss. Suddenly, he pushed past her. Peyton pivoted to see him storm off towards the firefighters.

Timmy was saying something, but she was too far.

Graham picked up the hose and slammed it into Timmy’s chest. “Do your job! You listen to Jay again and I will make sure you lot see a commission!”

The firefighters all nodded and went to their engine, pulling out the equipment. But she knew it was too late. With a heavy sigh, she walked towards them and looked at the men who would rather see her hotel die than save it. She would be the bigger person, no matter how much they had scarred her. It wasn’t because they deserved to be pardoned but because her aunt and uncle had taught her forgiveness. And Callum taught her that sometimes, it’s better to just let go.

“It’s long past saving. Please make sure it doesn’t travel too far back and burn the rest of the town. People’s lives and homes are at stake,” she said.

It was like common sense had clicked in their eyes, and they all nodded and mumbled their apologies to her.

Graham wrapped his arm around her back and led her towards Callum and Madilynne. “We’ll rebuild it, Peyton. We’ll make it better,” he promised.

“I know, Graham,” she replied quietly as they passed by Jay and some of the firefighters.

When Peyton locked eyes with Jay, he was emotionless. Graham stopped and let Peyton go.

“I can’t believe you told them not to save the hotel. Fine. Be angry at her for being with Callum. Taking away the hotel’s partnerships was one thing but letting it burn to the ground? You’re a son of a bitch, Jay.”

She wanted to yell and scream at Jay. She wanted to hurt him, but she just wasn’t that person. In all honesty, she was far too tired inside. And what good would hurting Jay do? She had all but lost The Spencer-Dayle. She had spent so many years trying to keep it afloat, but it had all been for nothing.

Peyton stepped away from Graham and stood in front of Jay. As she stared at him, she saw no remorse in his eyes. There was no salvaging a friendship with him.

“I would never wish this on you or the pub, Jay. I would never wish it on any of the town’s businesses. Whatever you wanted to achieve out of this, I hope you got it. Hate me all you like, but I have always been in love with Callum. I’m sorry you can’t find a way past that and be my friend.”