Page 103 of Keep Me Never
“I hate to leave you already, but I’m old.” He grips my shoulder with a smile. “I went straight from work to the airport, so I’ve gotta hit the hay. There’s a room with my name on it down the street, so I’m going to go get settled.”
I nod, giving him another hug. “Follow me back to Mason’s and I’ll get you my keys. You can use my truck while you’re here.”
“No worries!” Cameron rushes, and then she’s right there, stuffing Payton’s keys in his hands. “Your things are already in the trunk and Payton doesn’t need it, so it just makes the most sense.”
“Okay.” He chuckles, giving me a wave and saying his goodbyes to the girls before climbing into the driver’s seat.
A long exhale leaves me, and I smile at the girls. “Tomorrow is going to be fucking crazy.”
They squeal, jumping in for a hug that I happily return.
“What the fuck?!” is shouted and we all look over to find Brady standing there, his arms open wide and a grin on his face. “I want in on this.”
We let go, smiling as we head back to the building, but just as the girls start down the little walkway, Paige digs her feet into the cement, tugging me to a stop.
I raise a brow, and she chuckles, tipping her head, her long, blond hair falling over her shoulder. She nods to the left, pulling me that way.
“What are you up to, Angel?” I grin, wrapping my arm around her and tugging her close.
Man, nothing can get better than this night, than this time in my life.
“A walk.” She grins. “It’s a nice night for a walk, don’t you think?”
“I think any night and anytime, anywhere is nice so long as you’re there.”
Her giggle fills the air, and I dip my face into her neck, tickling and teasing.
She laughs louder, pulling away and spinning, walking backward to who the hell knows where. “Someone is playful.”
“Run, baby, let me catch you and I’ll show you how playful I can be.”
Her tongue slips between her teeth and she smiles. She shakes her head like I’m silly, but then she breaks into a sprint.
My chuckle is low, and I pause, watching her get a little farther away. Right when she’s about to turn the corner, I take off after her.
My feet carry me toward her like there’s an invisible tether pulling me in, and she hears me coming, shrieking lightly when my feet pound the pavement just before she reaches the parking lot leading to the practice stadium.
She spinsrightas I reach her, yelping as I take her off her feet, tucking my hands tight along the underside of her thighs. Her ankles lock around me and she weaves her arms around my neck. “Very smooth, Harper.”
I grin against her mouth before giving her a little peck. I go to open my mouth, but before I speak, a flash of red catches my eye and my head whips to the right.
I freeze at the sight because what the hell?
Paige muffles a laugh, and my eyes reluctantly turn her way. The moment they land on her, they narrow.
“Paige. Why is my truck backed up in the parking lot after hours when it should be sitting outside Mason’s?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, but maybe we should investigate?” She forces a frown, but it’s so bad that I almost snort a laugh.
I set her on her feet, and she skips over ahead of me, hopping up on the tire as she spins to face me with a smile.
And I see why when I reach her.
The bed of the truck is loaded down with blankets andpillows, all draped nicely over what looks like a massive pool float.
There’s a mini cooler in one corner and a small speaker in the other.
I look over at Paige as she kicks off her shoes and drops inside onto her ass, a little squeal leaving her.
