Page 92 of The Destruction You Desire

"Peyton, please," he begs, taking a step toward me, reaching for my hands.

"No," I hiss, holding his stare and forcing him to stop moving. "This is too much. It's just—"

"L-Luca?" a quiet voice says from behind me, instantly cutting through the tense atmosphere between us.

"Libby," I say, racing over to her side.

"Hey, Libby," Luca says awkwardly behind me. I don't need to look to know that he's threaded his fingers through his hair. "How are you doing?"

She stares at him as if to silently say,how do you think, asshole, and I have to smother a laugh.

"Are you two…"

"No."

"Yes," Luca states. The confidence in his voice makes me turn back to him.

"Yes?"

"You know what I want, P, I'm not beating around the bush."

"You need to leave."

"And you need to stop being so damn stubborn and see what's right in front of you."

Anger burns red hot through my veins at his words.

"See what's right in front of me? Are you fucking kidding me? I am, Luca. I'm here, looking after what's important." I gesture to Libby. "I'm focusing on my family. Those who love me, believe me, trust me," I seethe.

"I fucking love you, Peyton," he booms, throwing his arms out to the side in exasperation. "I always fucking have."

I stare at him as he watches me closely, waiting for my response. His chest heaves, his eyes are wild, anger, irritation, determination swirling within them.

I startle when my sister's fingers twist with mine and squeeze gently as if she knows that I need it right at that moment.

"It doesn't matter, Luca. Even if I felt the same, right now, is not the time."

"If you felt the same," he repeats, rolling his eyes. "You do and you know it. I know it. I feel it every time I touch you."

Tears burn my eyes and emotion clogs my throat because he's right and he damn well knows it.

"Not now, Luca."

"Then when, huh, Peyton? Do we wait for the next time one of our lives gets thrown into chaos before we collide again? We're in this together, we always have been. You just need to let your head catch up with your heart and trust yourself. Fuck trusting me right now, I'll earn it back. I'll prove to you that what happened before was a massive mistake. That you, Peyton Banks, are the only one for me."

Silent tears cascade down my cheeks as he steps toward me.

He wraps his hand around the back of my neck and presses his lips to my head.

"Your job at The Locker Room no longer exists," he whispers.

My entire body jolts.

"Don't even think about going back there. You don't need it. Look after your family. I'll be waiting."

He kisses my head, nods in Libby's direction and then marches out of the room leaving me lightheaded and standing on legs that no longer know how to hold me up.

I crumple to the chair at Libby's bedside and drop my head into my hands. But I don't cry. I breathe through it and force myself to get a grip. Me falling apart is the last thing Libby needs right now.