I can feel my eyes bug out of my head at her nonchalant response. Is she for real? I just poured my heart and soul out to her and all she can say is “okay.” I must be living in some twisted version of the Twilight Zone because the last I knew, this woman was in love with me. And color me stupid, but I thought when two people were in love, despite one of them being an idiot, they usually fall into each other’s arms after they’ve declared their feelings for each other and start to live happily ever after.

Granted, I did tell her I was going to woo her, and maybe she needs some romance in her life. For all I know, the guys she’s dated before were dweebs who think being romantic is pizza and a lava lamp for ambiance. The only reason I know this is an option is because of my college teammates. They would share their big plans with us about their date nights. That’s not me, it never was and it never will be. If I learned anything from my dad, it’s how to show the woman you’re in love with the fact that you are completely head over heels in love with them. I’m going to pull out all the stops and show Peyton I mean what I say.

My dad told me earlier that Katelyn had decided to go on tour with the band, otherwise I probably wouldn’t be here. I needed her to be alone when I told her my plan, and having her parents lurking by wasn’t going to do. My dad thinks I’m crazy, and I probably am, but I’m going to spend as long as it takes in order to win her heart. If she makes me wait until after she graduates, so be it. I’ll be the one in the crowd holding a sign proclaiming my love for her. Either way, I’m here until she tells me I don’t stand a chance.

“Bet I can beat you,” I say, motioning toward the house where her Madden game is still paused. “I’ll even take his sorry ass team.”

“You’re on.”

Peyton steps forward and I use this opportunity to scoop her up into my arms. Her cane falls to the ground, clanking against the patio a few times before coming to a rest. “I can walk,” she says with a bit of bite to her words.

“I’m fully aware of your abilities, but this gives me a chance to feel you next to me, even if it’s only for a few seconds.” No sooner are the words out of my mouth, am I setting her down on the couch. “Do you want anything? Water, juice, a kiss?” I throw the kiss out there, thinking maybe she’d like a little make-out session. I know I would, but I have a feeling it’s still too early for her.

Peyton laughs and cracks a smile. “Kissing is off limits, but water is good.”

“For how long?”

“Water is always good. It’s a necessary staple for survival. I can’t imagine we’ll live to see when water is bad for you.”

“Smart ass,” I mutter as I start looking through the cupboards to see what’s there. “Are you hungry? Do you want something to eat?” Despite nothing jumping out at me, the shelves are fully stocked.

“Are you going to make something?” she asks.

I smile and tilt my head to the side so I can see her better. “I will if you want me to.”

“Don’t.”

“Don’t what?” I ask.

“Don’t be like that,” she says. “I don’t want you to cater to me because you think it’ll make me happy. Are you hungry, Noah? Do you want to make something to eat or get take-out?” Peyton looks fierce as she gives me the riot act. It’s duly noted she doesn’t want to be waited on. I’m not sure I’ll be able to stop though because I feel like I need to do this for her.

“Take-out it is.” The first thing I do when I pull my phone out is send her a text message. After the fiasco with Dessie, I changed my number. Her nonstop calling grew tiresome, as did her excuses. Telling me she only cheated so I would be happy because she thought she was pregnant when she blurted it out in Peyton’s hospital room. Too bad the messages on her phone told me the truth. She was trapping me into marriage. My dad and Nick say I dodged a bullet. I say I dodged a lot more than that.

I’m in love with you. Someday, you’ll be ready to tell me the same.

I stay back in the kitchen, watching as Peyton opens her phone. From where I’m standing it looks like she’s concentrating, possibly trying to figure out who sent her the message.

Peyton: Stop skulking in the kitchen

“Skulking? What kind of word is that? I’m not skulking.”

“It’s a perfectly fine word for what you’re doing and it’s creepy. Why’d you get a new number?”

Returning to the couch, I set her water down on the table. “Too many unwanted phone calls and text messages. I moved on.”

“Has she?”

Peyton’s question gives me pause, but she’s right to ask it. I can’t expect her to become involved with me when Dessie could be an issue for her. “Has she texted you?”

She shakes her head. “No. In fact, I thought you were still with her.”

I sigh. “Things got ugly. The stuff that she said to her friend… I couldn’t even look at her after I read what I did. I took her phone as evidence in the event she gives birth and tries to pin it on me.”

“Do you think she will?”

“I’m an optimist. Everything will work out in our favor.” I look at her and wink. She holds my gaze for a few seconds, maybe even a minute or so before turning away with blushed cheeks. “I’m thinking Chinese for dinner.”

“Sounds good.”

I place the order quickly and reach for the controller. “You’re the Patriots?”

“Of course,” she says as she scrolls through the many options for her offense.

“Why not the Pioneers?”

Peyton shrugs. “I heard their quarterback has sloppy footwork.”

I try not to laugh, but there’s no use. “Touché.”

* * *

It’s been days since I made my intentions known to Peyton, and she’s still keeping me at an arm’s length. I’m fine with it because it means I have to work harder and I’m not afraid to put in the effort. She’s worth it. We’re worth it. However, something has been weighing heavily on my mind, and while her parents know we’ve been spending time together, they’re under the impression I’ve been checking on her, making sure she’s eating, getting to her therapy appointments, all the stuff Katelyn’s worried about.

Not the case. I haven’t left. When Peyton goes to bed, I sleep on the couch. It wasn’t a decision I consciously made, but that first day, which turned into night, we fell asleep watching a movie. I wish I could say a few of my dreams about her turned into reality, but the truth is, we both stayed on our own sides of the sectional. I’m not even upset about it. As much as I’d love to hold her at night, knowing she’s safe and not alone is far more important.

I hate leaving her and she knows it. In fact, she’s called me out on what she says is obsessive hovering. My girl is fiercely independent and doesn’t understand that I need to be near her. It’s not because she’s recovering, but because she makes me feel like I have a place in this world, that I’m not Liam Page’s son or the starting quarterback (at least last season) of the Portland Pioneers. To Peyton, I’m Noah. The guy she’s known her entire life and once called her best friend. To me, she’s everything.

And that’s why I’ve left her in the hands of Quinn. It wasn’t easy trying to find out when he’d be home without giving much away, but I couldn’t very well leave her all alone for a few days. I’ve told Peyton my last lie. At best, it could be considered a fib. I told her I had to fly home to take care of business. I didn’t specify said business had to do with her.

If she were any other woman, talking to her parents about pursuing a relationship with her would never cross my mind, but as luck would have it, her father and mine are best friends. Her mother is my aunt purely in the sense our mothers are also best friends. I owe it to Harrison and Katelyn to seek their permission.

I haven’t thought about what I’ll do if they say no. I suppose I’m counting on them saying yes and wishing me luck because they probably know I’ll need it. If they’re not happy… well, I’ll cross the proverbial bridge when I come to it.

The lady at the ticket booth smiles as she hands me my pass. My dad was excited to hear I wanted to attend their concert. When I told him why, he grew silent on the phone, but told me my credentials would be waiting for me.

By the time I make it to backstage, my dad and the band are well into their set. My mom, Katelyn and Jenna give me hugs. I look around and find Eden and Betty Paige sitting in the corner, focusing on their iPads, most likely doing homework. Honestly, I’m surprised to see the girls. I would think school is more important than traveling with the band while they help out an up and coming act.

I tap Paige on the shoulder and motion for her to move over so I can sit between them. Eden smiles and sets the device in my lap and both girls lean into me. Looking at us from the outside shows how tight-knit of a family we are, and some may balk at Peyton and I dating, but to me, it’s the only thing that makes sense. For years, she followed me around and I never discouraged her. I loved having her by my side, on the sidelines for football and in the dugout when I was playing baseball. We were meant to be.

Once the show’s over, we all head to the dressing room. I’m nervous. My palms are sweating. My heart’s racing. And the words I had planned to say to Harrison no longer exist. Inside, champagne is poured and another successful show is celebrated, all while I stand in the corner contemplating what my life would be like without Peyton.

I can’t even begin to imagine.

I didn’t while she was lying in the hospital bed and I won’t now.

“Excuse me, Harrison. Do you think I could speak to you in the other room?”

He looks at me oddly, as he should.

“What’s going on, Noah? Is Peyton okay?” Katelyn asks, her face full of worry.

“Peyton’s great. In fact, Quinn should be with her. Don’t worry, she’s in good hands.” I immediately regret those words even though I’ve yet to touch her.

“Maybe we could go to the hall?” I motion toward the door as I try to avoid eye contact with my mother, whose beaming smile is distracting me. One look at my dad tells me he knows what I’m about to do and for the life of me, I can’t decipher if he’s okay with it or not.

Harrison follows me out into the hall where two security guards block access to the dressing room. I clear my throat, square my shoulders and look into his eyes, while my stomach twists, turns and threatens to expel its contents all over his Doc Martens.

“So you’re probably wondering why I needed to speak with you.”

“I am. Are you in some sort of trouble?”

“No, sir.” I clear my throat again. “I’d like your permission to date Peyton.” The words seem to come out in a rush.

“Say again?” he asks, cocking his eyebrow. “I’m not sure I heard you correctly.”

Taking a deep breath, I make eye contact with him again. “Sir, I’m seeking your permission to pursue Peyton in a romantic relationship. I’m not even going to beat around the bush…” Bad choice of words, Noah! “I’m in love with her and I have been for a long time. I understand your hesitation in giving me an answer because of the situation I was in over the holidays, but I assure you, Peyton is my only priority and nothing will keep me from her… unless of course you tell me no.”

Harrison crosses his arms and glares at me. We’re about the same height, but right now I feel like I’m two feet shorter. “And if I say no?”

“Um… If you say no, I will do whatever I have to in order to prove to you that Peyton is the love of my life. I love her, Harrison. I mean, sir.”

He stands there staring at me. I don’t know for how long, but it’s enough for my stomach to heave and my bladder to beg for relief.

“Are you sleeping with my daughter, Noah?”

Kill. Me. Now.

“No, sir.”

“Waiting for marriage?”

Please don’t tell me to wait.

“If you tell me so, yes we will.”

He nods and runs his hand over his face and adjusts his beanie. “Honestly, Noah, you’re not who I pictured as someone my daughter would be interested in, but I know for a fact she loves you, and I’m not really one to stand in the way of love, so you have my blessing. But, if you hurt her--”

“I won’t.”

Harrison steps closer. “Remember, I know where you live,” he says as he pulls me into his arms. “Let me just say, it’s about damn time.”

I don’t know if I should rejoice or be relieved. I do know Harrison can hug and is squeezing the life out of me right now. “Can’t breathe,” I eek out. He finally lets go and starts laughing.

“That was your one and only warning. Don’t mess this up.”

He puts his arm around me and takes me back into the dressing room. Everyone is looking at us with expectant eyes, but he goes right to Katelyn and pulls her into his arms and whispers into her ear. She looks over and smiles, before rushing over to give me a hug.

“I’ve known it all along,” she whispers in my ear. “Hold onto her, Noah.”

“I plan to,” I say back to her.