9. Fallon

Fallon

Five Months Later-Love Beach S.C.

" T ell me again why we're at the high school football field in the middle of July?"

McKenna is back in town for a few days in between tour stops and the last place I want to be is anywhere that reminds me of Peyton Mann. It took me five months to finally get over him. I drew so many pictures of him that I've run out of places to put them.

Once my obsession with Peyton lessened, I started doing charcoal sketches of the local wildlife. I sell my creation to the locals and tourists at the weekly farmers' market downtown. It's not making me Peyton Mann or McKenna Carlisle rich, but I'm doing okay. In fact, I'm doing so well I'm opening my own art studio in town.

"I know you've been healing, and you're in a good place now, but I think it's time you talked to him."

I don't have to ask McKenna who she's referring to. After the first month I broke down and told her everything that happened between me and Peyton. It was painful but also therapeutic.

I scan the football field with kids of all ages practicing on it. My gaze lands on the familiar man wearing a white t-shirt and blue shorts. "What's he doing here?" I wait for the old hurt to bubble up inside but instead I feel hope and longing.

"He heard about the hurricane we had in May, and he wanted to give back to the community, He's putting on a free football camp as a way to help support our hometown."

"How does he know this is our hometown?" When she doesn't answer I squeeze her elbow and lead her under the bleachers, away from the crowd of young players and him. "Don't make me sit on you and pull your hair like I did when we were kids."

"Okay, okay. Not the hair. It took me all summer to grow out my bangs the last time you got mad at me."

"You're being a little dramatic. Don't you think?" I roll my eyes. I've only had to sit on her and pull her hair once.

"He contacted me in April. He knows he hurt you and he feels awful about it. He wanted to see you one last time and apologize."

Will my heart withstand being that close to him again?

I peek between the slots of the bleachers. My eyes instantly find him in the sea of players and coaches and every feeling I thought I had locked up comes crashing to the surface.

"McKenna, I don't think I can do it." I don't wait for her to reply as I push myself away from the stands and away from Peyton.

A prick of awareness has me turning my head to find Peyton running after me, calling my name. But I'm far enough away from him that I can act like I don't hear him.

Speed walking to the main gate and out onto the city sidewalk I ignore the pain in my heart and the call of my name coming from him.

Coming to a stop in front of Creed's tattoo parlor, I wait for Peyton. If anyone can save me from this disaster waiting to happen, it's Creed. Creed has always been there for me. He was there for me on the first day I returned to Love Beach so broken and hurt I didn't think I could function. It was Creed who gave me the ideal to draw. He helped me once he'll can help me again.