Page 28 of Breakout (Walker University #3)

twenty-one

“ L arry, I don’t know what you did differently, but these fries are the bomb,” I tell the head cook as I pick up another one.

He shoots me a dirty look over his shoulder as he flips a burger. “Are you saying my food isn’t always good?”

“I would never say that.”

Larry smiles and shakes his head. “You need to take better care of yourself, sweetheart. Between school and here, I’m afraid you’re spreading yourself thin.”

“I’m fine. I promise. Just a little longer, and then I’ll be able to take a breath.”

“That’s what we all say,” he muses.

“Peyton, we just sat someone in your section. They asked for you specifically,” Cole, this afternoon’s manager, says.

“Guy or girl?”

He raises a brow. “Does it matter?”

I sigh and stand. I shove a few more fries in my mouth and dump the rest.

“Thank you for lunch, Larry,” I say as I load my plate into the dishwasher.

“You’re welcome, Peyton.”

I know I should stop by my purse and grab a breath mint before hitting up the table, but Cole looks like he’s five seconds away from having a coronary because I’m taking too long.

I’ll just grab one when I get whoever is here a drink.

I know it’s probably not, but I hope it’s Beckett. It’s been a minute since I’ve seen him alone, and I could really use some one-on-one time right about now. Well, one-on-one time that won’t end up with us naked.

Although I do love it when we’re alone and naked…

I head onto the floor and toward my tables. My steps falter when I see Gabe.

Definitely not Beckett then.

“Hey, Gabe,” I say, offering him a stilted smile.

Why does he keep showing up where I am? I know that’s self-centered of me to think, but I can’t help but feel like it’s true. I honestly couldn’t tell you the last time I saw him before he started asking me out, and now it’s like he’s everywhere I turn.

“Hi, you look gorgeous,” he says with a big smile.

“What can I get you?” I ask him, not acknowledging his compliment.

It’s a risk. Some men act poorly when you push off their advances. I’m starting to see that nice Gabe isn’t quite so nice.

“Can I get a Sprite?”

“Sure. I’ll be right back.”

Before he can say anything, I spin on my heel and head toward the bar.

“You good?” Dani asks as she gets the drink.

I reach behind the bar where we keep a stash of breath mints and pop one into my mouth.

“I’m good. Thank you,” I say as I take the drink from her.

I head back to Gabe and set his drink on the table. “There you go. Do you know what you would like to eat yet?”

“I’m not hungry, I was hoping I could talk to you,” he says, making me cringe.

“Gabe, I’m working.”

He reaches out as if he’s going to touch me, so I step back. A small part of me feels guilty when his face falls, but I won’t just let him touch me.

“Just give me a minute, please. That’s all I need.”

Sighing, I look around and see that we aren’t busy. “Fine, real quick. What is it you wanted to talk to me about?”

“Your boyfriend Beckett.”

Hearing someone call him my boyfriend has my heart racing in my chest. I like the sound of it. Even if Gabe sounds ominous as hell.

“What about him?”

“I didn’t like how territorial he was over you the other night. In fact, as your friend, I feel like it’s my duty to point out that it was a giant red flag the way that he came over and draped himself all over you.”

I let out a humorous chuckle. “Are you kidding me?”

“No, I’m not. It’s also a red flag the way he’s always around you and the way he frowns whenever a guy looks your way. Don’t even get me started on the fact he plays hockey. The violence, Peyton, it’s out in the open, and you’re just ignoring it. He’s going to start hitting you one day.”

I can’t help but laugh at the absurdity. “Like it’s not a red flag the way you keep asking me out when I’ve made it clear that I’m not interested? Or how you keep showing up places I’m at? The only red flag here is you.”

“We’re not talking about me. I’m trying to be a good friend and point it out. I wish someone did with my sister when she dated a football player, but instead she ate it up because he was popular. Then when it ended badly, everyone left her to pick up the pieces on her own.”

Some of my anger deflates at his words. I cross my arms over my chest.

Am I reading this situation wrong? Is he jealous or truly concerned? Granted, his concern is pointless, but still.

“Look, I’m sorry about your sister. I am. It sucks that her friends left her when it sounds like she needed them most, but just because a guy who played sports did her dirty doesn’t mean all athletes are bad. Beckett is literally the best man I know. He would never, ever hurt me.”

“You don’t know that,” he says through clenched teeth.

“I do actually, and while I appreciate your concern, it’s unwarranted.

I hope you stop letting your sister’s trauma taint those around you and your perception of people.

Hell, half my favorite people, the ones that I would call if I ever needed help, put on a uniform every week. That should say something.”

He huffs and leans back in his seat. “I just worry, you know? Women tend to wear rose-colored glasses and don’t see the signs that something is wrong until it’s too late.”

His words absolutely piss me off. Any sympathy I had dissolves. How the hell did I miss how fucked up this dude is? Has he always been like this or is it new?

“And we’re done. I’ll send Cole, my manager, over with your bill. I hope you have a great day, Gabe.”

“Peyton…”

“Bye…” I wave over my shoulder as I walk away.

Seriously, the fucking nerve of that guy.

On a serious note, though, maybe it’s time I take my own advice and stop using my hang-ups against those who care about me. Maybe Grace and Cora are right, and I should give Beckett a chance to prove himself. Prove that he wants me.

I hope you’re ready, Beckett Hayes, because I’m not quite sure I am, but I’m willing to try.

“Dude, was it just me, or was practice extra brutal today?” Kellan groans.

“I don’t want to hear shit. You aren’t the one who took a puck to the skate,” Wyatt grumbles.

I can’t help but cringe thinking about his ankle that was already turning black in the locker room.

“That’s going to leave a nasty mark,” Clay says, reading my mind.

I look over and see that Brett’s still with us but quiet.

“When are you getting back on the ice?” I ask him.

Last week we found out that the doctor cleared him. They took off the brace he’s been wearing and told him he doesn’t need the crutches anymore. He should be good as new, but he hasn’t gotten back on the ice yet.

“I’m not sure.” He shrugs.

Clay grabs him by the shoulder, and we all stop.

Clay’s eyes narrow. “What do you mean, you aren’t sure?”

“I don’t know how to say it any differently,” Brett says.

“Wait, you aren’t quitting, right?” Wyatt asks.

Brett rolls his eyes. “Of course not.”

“Then what’s stopping you?” Kellan asks bluntly.

“Nothing. I just want to make sure I’m good before I step back on the ice. I don’t want to rush it and hurt myself again.”

The guys and I share a look. While that is a legitimate concern, that also doesn’t sound like Brett.

“Okay, what can we do to ease your fears? Do you want one of those things kids use until they learn to stand on skates?” Clay asks.

From anyone else it would sound like a mocking question, but from Clay it’s sincere.

“Thanks, but I’m good. I’ll get on when I’m ready, and you assholes will be the first to know,” Brett tells us.

Kellan nods. “I’ll hold your hand.”

“I’ll catch you if you fall. I got all that padding, so it won’t even hurt,” Wyatt adds.

“You guys are assholes,” Brett mutters.

“But you love us.” I smirk.

“Peyton deserves better!” someone yells behind me.

“What the fuck?” Kellan mutters, reading all of our minds.

I turn around and see the same asshole from the other night. “Are you talking about me?” I ask, touching my chest.

He huffs, slightly out of breath, as he comes to a stop in front of me. “Yeah, you. She deserves better than some fucking caveman who gets off on hitting people on the ice. You should walk away before you break her heart, and she learns about who you really are.”

Again, what the fuck?

“Look, Abe, or whatever your name is, I don’t know who the hell you think you are or what you think you know, but you’re wrong.

First, I only fight when I’m on the ice when my team needs me to, and second, I’m sure as hell not going to break Peyton’s heart.

If anything, I’m going to do everything I can to protect it. ”

“It’s Gabe, asswipe. You don’t deserve a girlfriend as good as her. She deserves better,” he hisses.

“You’re right.” His eyes light up with victory, so I continue.

“She deserves better than me. I’m fucking human, and I make mistakes, but see, Peyton knows I will do whatever it takes to make her happy.

She knows she’s my main priority over everything else, no matter what, and that’s what matters to her.

” I take a step forward and get in his face.

“My woman knows that no one will ever love her the way I do.”

“You don’t love her, it’s all a game for you,” he sneers.

“That’s where you’re wrong.”

“Just leave her alone.” He takes a step back. “Or else.”

I take a step forward, but Clay grabs onto my shoulder while we watch the twiddledick run off like his ass is on fire.

“What the hell was that?” Clay asks.

“That was the douchebag who awkwardly asked her out, and she turned down the other night, right?” Kellan asks.

“Yeah, that’s him,” I mutter.

“I could be wrong, but she made it sound like it wasn’t the first time he asked,” Kellan points out.

I nod. “Yeah, I caught that too.”

“Wait, is that asshole stalking Peyton?” Wyatt asks.

“Grace hasn’t said anything about it to me,” Clay says, frowning.

“Cora hasn’t said anything either,” Kellan says.

“Beck, you two are close. Peyton say anything to you about it?” Brett asks.

I shift my weight and adjust my bag. “Not much, only that she’s not interested in him.”

“Is that why you pretended to be her boyfriend?” Clay asks.

“Something like that,” I lie.

I want to tell them I did it because it’s true that she and I are together.

Brett raises a brow. “You’re a good friend.”

“I try. I don’t know if him thinking she and I are together will help or make matters worse, though.”

“Tell her. Make sure she knows that we are here if she needs us,” Wyatt says.

Kellan slaps him on the shoulder. “I think this is a record for the number of sentences I’ve heard from you while standing still. I’m proud of you.”

We all break out laughing.

Wyatt glares at Kellan. “You’re a dick.”

“I know, but Cora likes it, and that’s all that matters.” Kellan smirks.

Clay groans. “That’s my sister you’re talking about. Can you not?”

The guys begin to walk again, but I stay still, staring down the path where that asshole ran off to.

Wyatt slaps me on the shoulder. “You’re in deep, aren’t you?”

“So deep I don’t even know which way is up,” I confess.

“Well then, I’ll get the life raft ready just in case you need it.”

“I’d appreciate it.”

“For the record, though, I don’t think you’ll need it. That girl cares about you just as much as you care about her.” He pauses. “I mean, I don’t know she would go throwing around the word love or anything quite yet, but she would at least save you from a mob.”

“Better than nothing, I guess,” I say as I fight back a smile.

I know it should bother me that my wife isn’t willing to announce to the world that she loves me, but she will someday if it’s the last thing I do. I just have to keep playing the long game. That’s all. For Peyton, it’s worth it.