Page 68 of Breakout
“Hi, I’m Beckett Hayes, and I’m here with my wife, Peyton Anderson-Hayes,” he tells the stranger.
“Of course.” The system buzzes again, and the gates start to swing open.
“Here we go,” Beck says quietly, but my mind is stuck on what he told the man.
Peyton Anderson-Hayes.
I’ve gotten used to hearing him call me his wife, but that’s the first time I’ve heard his last name paired with mine.
Is it hot in here, or is it just me?
Honestly, I wasn’t sure about keeping my name. I never imagined getting married, so it was never on my mind, but hearing him hyphenate my name, I kind of like it. Like I’m keeping part of my parents with me even as I move on to the next part of my life. Maybe I should make it official and get it changed on all my legal documents.
“You good?” he asks, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“Yeah,” I say as he starts to drive down the tree-lined driveway.
Before I know it, the trees clear, and a home appears with a circle in front. My breath catches while I stare at the stone monstrosity. It’s gorgeous, don’t get me wrong, but it’s just so…nice. It’s the kind of home you see in magazines and on TV. The kind of home that’s owned by doctors, lawyers, or just wealthy people, not a college student.
You are wealthy now, alittle voice in the back of my head reminds me.
At least I will be once the court stuff is settled. I still feel like this is a dream. I don’t deserve all of this. I keep waiting for someone to jump out and yell “gotcha.”
“This place is nice,” Beckett says as he puts the car in park.
At the same time, we get out and move toward the front door.
“I would have gotten your door,” he says as he takes my hand.
“Sorry,” I apologize half-heartedly.
I noticed he likes being a gentleman with me. I usually let him, but I’m too nervous today. I want to get inside and see the place.
The front door swings open, and a man in a dress shirt and slacks appears. If I had to guess, I’d place him in his mid-fifties.
“You must be Peyton and Beckett.” He bows slightly. “I’m Jeeves, the butler.”
I look over at Beckett with wide eyes and find that he’s already biting his lip, trying not to laugh.
Do we really have a butler, and is his name seriously Jeeves? Surely that’s a joke, right? Like it can’t be his birth name but the one he goes by at work.
“Nice to meet you, Jeeves. Sorry for dropping by unannounced,” Beckett tells him.
Jeeves shakes his head. “No apologies necessary. This is your home. It was only a matter of time before you came. We have been anxiously awaiting your arrival. Can I get either of you anything?”
“We’re good,” I tell him as we step inside.
The interior of the home is a mixture of old and new. The woodwork on the staircase is insane and clearly done by hand, but the floors are clearly newer.
“The floors in here were replaced five years ago, but you can still find some of the original hardwood in some of the rooms,” Jeeves says when he sees me looking at the ground.
Beckett reaches over and takes my hand as we follow Jeeves. “How long did you work for her grandfather?”
Jeeves smiles fondly. “I worked for Matthias for fifteen years.”
“So you knew him well,” I say.
“I would like to think so, yes.” Jeeves comes to a stop right inside the main living area. “Would you like to explore on your own, or would you like me to give you a tour?”
