Page 29 of The Destruction You Desire

"I'm not fucking interested in her and you know it."

"I do, it won't stop her from trying though, will it? She wants her taste of Maddison King's royalty. And the more you turn her down, the more desperate she gets."

Don't I fucking know it. She's like a dog with a bone.

"You've got three hours before she starts her shift. Sit here and drown your miseries if you want but I want you out of here before she shows her face. You've caused enough shit for Peyton already." I hear his warning loud and clear. It doesn't stop me from reaching for the half-full bottle on the table before me though.

8

Peyton

The sound of Leon's cell cuts through Kayden's sweet voice as he continues to talk his new brother's ear off.

I didn't expect Leon to hang around long but his eyes lit up when Aunt Fee offered to feed him and well… he's still here. From the wide smile on Kayden's face, I'd say Leon's extended visit has made his year.

"Sorry, lil’ man. I need to get this."

Standing, Leon pulls his cell from his pocket and looks at the screen before shooting a concerned glance at me.

My heart rate picks up at the concern on his face

"Yeah?" he asks as I sit forward on the couch. "Yeah, okay. I'll come get him now. Later, Bry."

Bry?

Leon hangs up and closes his eyes for a beat.

"I'm sorry but I need to head out," he says, dropping down to his haunches in front of Kayden. "But I'll come and hang out with you again soon, yeah?"

Disappointment darkens Kayden's eyes but he keeps a smile on his face.

"Y-yeah."

"Good boy." Leon winks at him and ruffles up his hair before walking over to me.

"What's going on?" I whisper.

"Luca is wasted at The Locker Room and they're about to open. I need to go and get him."

"Jesus Christ."

"What are you doing?" he asks when I shove my cell into my back pocket and grab my jacket off the back of the couch.

"Coming with you."

"No, Peyton. You don't need to, not after—"

"I'm coming."

He holds his hands up in defeat and waits for me to tell Aunt Fee where we're going.

"You two really need to talk," Leon says once we're on our way across town.

"Yeah, I know. It's just easier said than done."

"Well, you need to try harder because at this rate, Luca's not going to have much left to salvage. He came in the other night stinking of weed. If Coach finds out then—"

"I know, Lee. I know."