Chapter 32: I Need You Here

Josh had been on an emotional rollercoaster ever since he stepped off that plane, and the last couple days had been the worst. They'd done nothing but wait, but it was filled with so much tension and anticipation, he was sure that he was going to crack. As he got to know Martin and Nora, his worry about being around so much was put to ease. They had let him know many times, and in many ways, that they were glad he was there.

As he felt more accepted, he wondered why Payton's mom hadn't told anyone about the man she was seeing. Surely everyone wanted the same kind of happiness for her that they did for Payton. Payton had told him many times that it wasn't the fact that her mom was dating that had upset her; it was the lying about it. How might things be different if that man were around now?

It had been a week, and there had been no change. At first it seemed like everyone expected something to happen, and everyone stuck around close. As the days wore on, Payton started to get hopeful t