Page 93 of An Unexpected Turn
“What time is it?” Peyton croaked out, her voice still rough with sleep.
“Eight. When you get up, we’ll pack and head to my house.” I sat back on the bed, brushing the hair off her face to get a better look at the bandage. “How are you feeling?”
“The stitches are pulling. My cheeks are probably still ugly, but not as sore. I can smile, see?” She peered up at me with a sleepy grin.
“Nothing about you could ever be ugly.” I took her hand and kissed the top of her wrist.
“You sound like you have it bad, Mr. Russo.” Her hand drifted down my face.
“I do,” I whispered, kissing her fingers when they grazed over my mouth. “It’s incurable.”
“Are you sure Mike is okay with me staying with you?”
I nodded. “I just let him know, and this is what he said.” I turned my phone screen for her to read his text. “He’s fine with it, and I’d like to point out that he didn’t offermeany donuts.”
She squinted at the screen, a slow smile spreading on her lips.
“Tell him anything chocolate, and when we’re outside of school to please call me Peyton.” She yawned, sinking her head back into the pillow. “Can I have a few more minutes?”
“Sure, sweetheart.” I brushed a kiss to her lips and pushed off the bed.
I let out a yawn as I trudged into her kitchen and toward the coffee machine. I was used to functioning on little sleep, but I needed to wake up until I brought Peyton home with me. If her pain subsided and she wasn’t dizzy, I was all for an hours-long nap when we arrived at my house.
When I turned on the faucet to fill up the pot, a loud knock behind me jolted me awake enough for tension to radiate across my shoulders. I wasn’t surprised when I spotted Keith’s SUV in Peyton’s driveway as I peeked out the window.
“Hey” was all I said when I opened the door, steeling myself for whatever his reaction would be.
“Hey! Thanks, Russo,” he said as he slapped my shoulder and pushed past me to go inside.
Thanks?I studied him as I shut the door behind me.
“What are you doing back?”
“I called the station to check in, and they told me about the fight at the high school and how my niece was a casualty.” He snickered as he leaned against the counter. “Poor kid, I bet she didn’t count on punks this brazen when she moved here from Brooklyn.”
“I guess you heard everything.”
“Mostly,” he said with a shrug. “The officer I spoke to said that Ron didn’t get her statement because you told him Peyton needed treatment and to rest. The guy can’t take a hint, so I’m sure she was grateful. How did you know she was there?”
“Mike called me.”
“Oh, right.” He nodded. “One of the kids was his friend. I didn’t know the other name they told me. Anyway, Maya and I took two cars in case I got called in, so I left her at Jason’s with the boys. Donna is in Atlantic City, and honestly, my niece probably has enough of a headache already without her mother coming up, so I didn’t even tell her. I came back to take care of her myself. If she’s got a concussion, she shouldn’t be alone.”
“I agree.” I folded my arms, surprised Ron didn’t rat me out to everyone, but I guessed Keith only knew whatever was in the report I hadn’t let Ron finish.
“Thanks for staying with her. It’s good that the boys are gone so she can rest in the quiet.”
“I told her to stay with me for the weekend.”
“I appreciate it, but that’s not necessary. Besides, isn’t your spare room still used as an indoor toolshed?” He chuckled. “Where would she sleep?”
“In my bed.”
His brow furrowed for a moment before he shook his head, still not absorbing what I meant.
“That’s generous, but I’m back now to take care of my niece. You don’t have to put yourself out—”
“Babe, I take it back,” Peyton called out, trudging into the kitchen with her hands over her eyes. “I said my head didn’t hurt, but that was before I sat up. I need to eat something before I take the pain pills they gave me.”
