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

Josh woke abruptly to sobs. It sounded like someone was really hurting. Realizing almost instantly that Payton wasn't in bed, he panicked and sat up looking to see if he could find her. Payton sat on the floor by the closet with her mom's journal in her hands. Grabbing his shorts, he pulled them on and sat next to her. When he put his arm around her, she collapsed into his side and he could feel her shaking as she cried."What's wrong?"She stuttered trying to explain, "My... mom... she... she... dad.""Shh, calm down."Her body trembled as she continued to sob. After a bit, her sobs turned to hiccups, and then she quietly sighed. The whole time Josh did the only thing he could think of, he held on to her as tight as he could."The guy..." she whimpered again, "The guy she was dating was my dad.""But I thought you said..." Josh trailed off not knowing how to finish the thought.She must have known, though, "I did too."He was thoroughly confused, "It doesn't make sense.""From what I

Payton had tried to go to bed over an hour ago, but sleep wouldn't come. She was tossing and turning, and her mind was running a mile a minute. One minute the grief of her mom passing would crash over her and the next the nerves of meeting with Dave would take over. She was a hot mess, and she wasn't sure what to do about it."What's going on in that head of yours?" Hailey asked, startling her."Lots of things.""Payton, it's going to be okay. I know it's crappy for me to say that, but it will be. We're gonna get through this," she told her reaching for her hand.Payton squeezed her hand, "I know, it's just so... I don't know how to explain it. She wasn't really here with us for so long anyway, but it always felt like she could come back to us.""You want me to stay?" she asked."No. Josh is staying, and I'll be okay. It won't be long before we're back at school anyway.""Okay, if you want me to, though, I will.""I know, and I love you for that." After several seconds she said, "What

EIGHT MONTHS LATER Payton didn't know where the time had gone. After Christmas, she and Josh had returned to school and finished out the semester. She'd watched as he graduated and helped him move to a home he'd bought in the town he'd be teaching in. She'd gone with Josh to visit Jackson in New York for a few days, and she enjoyed getting to know him more.The big trip of the summer was for Bryce and Addison's wedding. When one of Addison's bridesmaids ended up not being able to travel due to a high-risk pregnancy, she asked Payton to stand in for her. Payton wasn't sure at first, but she was glad she had. Getting to know Addison and being around Josh's family had felt right.Now she was headed back to school, and she'd be there alone. Well, not alone, but Josh was going to be two hours away, and she'd be stuck still suffering with senioritis. Knowing that it was the day she'd see her friends again, she woke early, hugged her grandparents goodbye, and made the trip with as few stops

"This is so fucking fucked up. What the hell is with me?" Jackson thought as he looked back at his family one more time. He made his way on the bus and took a seat. He'd known Payton since Thanksgiving when Josh had brought her home for the first time. Sure they had some stuff in common, and she listened to him like no one else did. And damn, he hadn't meant to kiss her, but now that he had, he couldn't forget about it. He'd told Josh it was a mistake, and it didn't mean anything, and it was true, but he wished it weren't and it could.Payton was the kind of girl he'd have picked to bring home to the family. She was smart, able to go toe to toe with Bryce, funny, cute, and she was just a decent person. There wasn't anything he knew about her that he didn't like, and that was the problem. Josh never dated women like her, and here he was falling in love with the person Jackson was sure was meant for him."Why the hell am I so hung up on my brother's girlfriend... no, wait, fiancée?" he w