“I told him to go up tonight. He’s been asking me when he should and since you were here”—she shrugs—“I figured it was a good time.”
She cannot be serious. As if she planned on a secret visit while I was distracted. I’m not that absurd. If he would have walked in while I was there, I might not be happy, but at least I know what is being said and such.
Maybe I am that absurd.
“Who is he?” Henry asks. Nosy wanker.
“Clay Kjelberg. Payson’s friend.”
There’s that bloody word again.
Parker lifts his head from the paper now. “Clay? The blond kid?”
“You know him?” Anger bleeds through each word.
He licks his lips before answering, as if he’s unsure if he should.
“Parker,” Janelle warns, and I’m ready to fucking blow.
“Someone better tell me what the fuck is going on right now.”
My mum scolds, but I don’t register what she says with the blood rushing past my ears. Luca, Henry, and even Dad seem to be getting a kick out of this, but I certainly am not.
Parker and Janelle share a secret look, and now I know I prefer when they are ragging on each other instead of whatever this is.
“Fine.” She sighs. “But it’s totally not a big deal, and I swear if you tell Pay I’m the one that told you, I’ll deny it and make up something about you.
“Anyway, a while back, Payson started her period at school.” Yes, I remember that vividly. “She bled through her skirt and had asked Clay to walk behind her so she could go change.”
A growl rumbles through my chest, and Janelle rolls her eyes.
“Will you calm down. Anyway, they tripped on the way to the lockers, they fell and somehow, he got blood on his pants. That’s all.”
That’s all? Is she bloody joking right now. Sure, it might not be the biggest deal, but I have heard nothing about this. If it wasn’t a big deal, then why was Payson keeping it from me?
“Yeah, I walked up just as he was pulling her into the gym.” Parker nods, agreeing with Janelle.
“See, no big deal.” She smiles, but the room is dead silent besides the clock ticking on the wall over her head. She must realize I don’t agree with it being no big deal, so she elaborates, but it doesn’t matter. My fiancée’s pussy touched another guy—at least that’s all I can currently see in my head—and now that guy is sitting with her and I’m here.
What if she wakes up and he’s the first one she sees?
“Clay is harmless, Ash. Payson could strip for him and he wouldn’t bat an eye. He would probably tell her some medical fact about her body, or something. He’s not into her like that, trust me.”
But it’s too late. I’m pushing from the table and grabbing my keys before she even gets the last word out. I refuse to not be there when she opens her eyes. She has to know I’m the one that loves her more than anything.
Payson
“You need to wake up, Jailbird. I . . . I can’t do this without you anymore. Thanksgiving is in two days. Open your eyes, babygirl. Please. I’d be forever grateful.”
“Also, if I hear about your period blood ever touching another man, I’m going to have to kill him, Jailbird.”
8
Ash
“Papa, Dad. I have to get to school.”
I peel my eyes open, confused to see the living room instead of my bedroom. I can’t remember much after getting home. I know I went to the hospital, but they turned me away because visiting hours were over. The only reason I left was because Jethro came out and assured me he was the only one in the room and they let me kiss Payson and say goodnight. After that, I think I came home and broke out the alcohol. Not a foggy idea what happened after.