Page 33 of Keep Me Never
My heart aches at her question because I know where it’s coming from. Payton’s relationship before Mason was a rough one. He was a good guy, but his family was vicious and demanding. Deaton, the boy she was in love with, the one who blessed her with her son that Mason is raising as his own, died in a car crash before their little boy was born.
I swallow, answering truthfully. “At first it felt that way, like it wasn’t my choice. He was a bit pushy, and I thought it was coming from a place of privilege because he does have the world at his fingertips. So in my mind, I figured that meant he thought he had me at his disposal too. I don’t come from money and my whole life I’ve had very little of it. I mean, I wasn’t poor or anything, but far from privileged, like, I had to do fundraisers and whatnot to pay for the dance comps I did when I was young, so maybe it was me assuming that someone who did have money would have that sense of entitlement. But at some point, that changed. My grandfather is kind if sometimes a little blunt, and caring, even if his version of soft is different than what my dad’s was.” My hands tighten on the wheel as I drive onto the highway. “I’m enjoying getting to know him.”
Cam and Ari lean forward a bit.
“But?” Ari asks gently.
I sigh. “But thereissomething he wants from me.” I meet their eyes briefly in the mirror, deciding to spill a little. “I’m his only blood, his only…heir, and his company is built on the value and security of family. He literally protects and manages assets of generational money and affairs. Without an heir to step in, there isnocompany, and his life’s work will die with him—or at least that is how he sees it.”
“So he wants to give you everything?”
“Yep.”
“And you don’t want that?”
I laugh lightly, but it’s anxious. “I just never saw myself doing anything but running my youth programs: summer rec clubs with games and easy life lessons, fall dance classes, and winter competitions where all my free times is spent sewing costumes or at late-night practices or early-morning makeup. It’s about as polar opposite as you can get from running a billion-dollar company.”
They’re all quiet a moment, and I nod. “Yeah. It’s a lot.” But that’s not even all of it.
“I hope this isn’t, I don’t know, rude, but does your grandfather appearing and having what he has mean you’ll be able to repair your studio?” Ari wonders.
I swallow and give a simple “no.”
Would he pay for it all? Of course he would, in a heartbeat.
AfterI agreed to his terms.
Some might call that selfish or unfair, but it isn’t. It’s 100 percent understandable. Like me, he’s backed into a corner with only one way out. He needs me and I need him.
But the cost? The cost is high, and I don’t even know that Icanpay that metaphorical fee, even if I decided I wanted to.
The rest of the ride back to campus is pretty quiet, and by the time we’re climbing out at Mason and Payton’s new suitein the family dorms, they’re back to talking outfits for the musical.
“I call red!” Cameron wiggles her brows. “Paige, I get to do your hair and makeup, Miss Minimalist.”
“Should I be nervous?”
“Yes.” Ari nods. “You most definitely should be nervous.” She squeals suddenly, and we all turn to her as she tucks her phone to her chest. “Noah can come to the show! He’s going to fly in and meet us there!”
“Aw, yay.” Payton pushes open the door. “Honestly, guys, I think I’m going to have to pass. I have six-hour sessions all week, so my mornings and evenings are going to be my only time with Deaton this week.”
“He can’t come?”
She laughs. “No way. He’ll be running down the aisle and hanging over the banister in no time.”
“Still obsessed with Spider-Man?”
“Even worse since Mason dressed as him for Halloween last year.”
I laugh, stepping into the little living area, my eyes instantly snapping up and locking onto a pair of green ones. “Hey.” I nearly blush at the low tone the word leaves me in.
Small creases form at the corners of Chase’s eyes, and he looks away.
“Hey.” He pushes to his feet. “Yo, Mase. I gotta go.”
“What?! But we we’re just about to—” He comes around the corner, Deaton in his arms, and stops in his track. “Look who’s home.” He smiles at Payton and his sister, slowly moving his attention my way. He nods, almost to himself, and turns to Chase. “Yeah, all right, man.”
What was that about?
