CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

Payton

“Ready,” Alex said, and craned his head up.

Lights slid into his hand and he dropped them to the deck.

“Do you need help?” I asked.

“Not yet, babe. Lily okay?” He still didn’t look at me as he went back to the clips on the gutters.

“Yep, she’s coloring.” I bit my lip. “Gordon asked if we want to talk about houses at some point so he can pull a few listings for us to look at.”

“Today?”

“Or whenever.”

He looked at me… finally.

“Can we talk about it when we’re done here, babe?” I nodded and he smiled. “You sleep okay?”

“Yes. You?”

“Not really. Kept getting kicked by little feet.”

I tried not to giggle. “Uh-oh.”

“Hawk, lights comin’ your way.” This came from my brother.

“Ready,” he said and caught another strand as it slid down.

“I’ll leave you to it.”

“Thanks, babe,” Alex said, and I let myself back inside.

Lily was still coloring and I slid her hair behind her ear and lifted her chin. “Are you hungry?”

She shook her head. “Huh-uh.”

“Are you sure? I’m going to make some peanut butter toast.”

“Nana made me some aweddy.”

My mom turned from the sink. “Yeah, Nana’s got it all covered.”

I grinned. “Thanks, Mom.”

“I’m heading over to Kristen’s in a bit,” Mom asked. “Anything you want me to take?”

“No, I’m good.” I dropped a slice of bread into the toaster. “I guess I need to wait for Alex to get off the roof before we plan our day. Is there anything you want to do, Lily?”

She settled her chin in her hand. “Umm, can we go to the movies?”

“Maybe,” I said. “I’ll ask Daddy and we’ll see if something appropriate is playing.”

“What does appwopi-it mean?”

“Basically, it means we’ll find a movie that you are old enough to see.”

She nodded and smiled. “I’m going potty.” She climbed down off the stool and headed to the bathroom.

Alex opened the slider a few seconds later and frowned. “Where’s Lily?”

“Bathroom,” I said, and slathered peanut butter on my toast.

He said nothing and left the room, returning with Lily and lifting her back on the stool. I raised an eyebrow in annoyance at him, but he ignored me.

“Lily would like to see a movie today.”

“No,” he said, and grabbed a glass from the cabinet.

“Why not?” I challenged.

“Lily, why don’t you come help Nana for a minute,” Mom said, and led Lily out of earshot.

He slid his glass under the water maker of the fridge. “Neither of you is leaving this house, Payton.”

“Surely going to a movie isn’t going to put us in danger.”

“You said you’d give me the week,” he reminded me.

“To be all up in my grill, but not to keep me sequestered at home!”

Alex shrugged. “Until I know exactly what I’m up against, you’re here.”

“How are we going to look at houses?”

“We’re not.”

“What about the New Year’s party at Macey’s?”

He shook his head.

“Are you kidding me?” I snapped. “I’m not missing my best friend’s annual party, Hawk.”

“I’m not arguing with you on this subject, babe. Accept it and move on.”

“Bite me.” I stormed out of the room and downstairs.