Unguarded Love

25-Peyton And Phoenix

I nod because I do know, because I have that with a certain brunette who I wish was in my bed right now but instead is having a similar conversation with her own best friend. 

"I just wish she'd dump that loser. You know he tried to convince her to drop out and go to community college with him?" Ridge scoffs and I'm taken a back by what he just said. I wonder if Percy knows this. 

"This girl has a four point oh and is studying biochemistry and that loser wants her to give it all up for him. I mean she wants to be a chemical engineer and instead of supporting her he tears her down about it. That piece of shit will never deserve her."

I can tell how much this is affecting Ridge. People have assumptions about him but he's one of the best guys I know, which is why I know no matter what if Peyton gave him a chance he would give her his all. He's loyal to his core when he cares about someone. 

Ridge doesn't do anything half way so if he's serious about some girl you know it's legit. He might seem sleazy because he only ever sleeps with girls but they know what they're getting when they're with him, he doesn't sugar coat things or give out empty promises. 

So when he says, "I would never let her doubt a thing about herself." I believe him. 

"So how long are you willing to wait?" I ask. 

He groans leaning his head back, "For her? Fuck I'd wait forever."

And I believe him. 

* * * 

Persephone

"Babe it's for my birthday.." Peyton says as she shows Brendan the dress she got over FaceTime. 

In a few weeks it's Peytons birthday and I already have the whole day planned, to end it however we're going to this fancy underwater dinner place...which is why I told Peyton to get a nice dress for that night. 

What she doesn't know is Phoenix found the place and booked a reservation without talking to me first. 

He claimed it's non refundable - whether thats true or not - we're going to an underwater fancy restaurant for Peyton's birthday now. 

On top of that though I had a coupon for an escape room in town, if I got more than six tickets they would be half off. 

So now it's going to be me, Peyton, Asa, Phoenix, Miles, K.J., Tanner, Kylie, and Peyton's sister Baylor. 

I'm a little nervous about Baylor being here. She's cool and all but she is a thousand percent a man stealer and K.J. is her type. 

He might be in a committed relationship but Baylor knows how to work her charm on guys. 

"But it's so short and your tits are going to be falling out of it." Brendan whines. 

"She is her own person Brendan and she's going to wear whatever she is happy in." I call out and Peyton sends me a glare. 

I shrug before pulling my phone out and checking my messages. 

I forced Asa to talk to Phoenix about what's going on with him and Peyton. 

If the situation was different I would be hoping nothing was going on between them but in this instance I hope something is. 

Sure I have only known Phoenix for a short period of time but he's someone I can see Peyton with in the long haul. 

He's set for his future and doesn't have insecurities he'd project off onto her. I mean the man is six seven and a football God for heaven sake.

Peyton might not see it but I just want her to be with a guy she deserves, if Brendan was that guy she would hear no complaints from me. 

"You're part of the problem Seph." He calls out, "You encourage this slutty behavior of hers."

I clench my jaw, thinking of all the ways I am going to murder Brendan Gack tonight in his nightmares. 

"Don't be mean." Peyton tells him, "The dress is simple and is not slutty."

I give her an encouraging thumbs up. 

"Whatever I gotta go." Brendan says before hanging up. Asshole. 

Peyton sighs as she sets the dress down on her bed. 

"It's not slutty is it?" She asks and I shake my head, "No, but even if it was it's your birthday you could wear your birthday suit if you wanted and no one could judge."

She laughs at that, "Well that might get me arrested for public indecency."

I shrug, "Maybe."

Peyton sits down beside me on the bed and I feel like its the prime opportunity to bring up Phoenix. 

"So I want to ask you something and I don't want you to get all defensive, no matter what you say I won't judge you ok?"

She nods slowly, "Okay.... what is it?"

"Is there anything more than friend like going on between you and Phoenix?" I ask, gauging her reaction. 

She sighs, "No,"

"But?" I can sense her hesitation. 

Running a hand through her hair, Peyton flops backwards on my bed. 

"But he's this very compassionate guy. I won't lie when I first met him I thought he was just this shallow tool who only cared about himself but that's not true and I feel so conflicted. Like I want to explore things with him but I can't just give up on Brendan you know? We have so much history and it almost feels selfish."

I shake my head, "Pey, that man is the most selfish man on the planet. He doesn't, not for a second, deserve a girl like you and the mistake wouldn't be letting Brendan go, the mistake would be ending things with Phoenix before they even started." I tell her honestly. 

"But what if I do that? What if I let go of Brendan and Phoenix doesn't want what I want from him?"

I shrug, "Then he's stupid and you deserve better. Don't settle because you think that's all you can have or what you deserve. The guy for you won't put you down every chance he can, he should make you love yourself more and more."

"Like Asa?" She asks and I blush. 

"Yeah like Asa." I tell her. 

He's never made me feel like shit or put me down. Sure he has some things holding him back which in turn is holding me back but it's never against me. It's his own demons he's battling with internally. 

Asa would never make me feel worthless or like I'm not good enough. 

"I don't know what to do Seph." She sighs and I give her a sad smile. 

"All you can do is what you think is best for you." I say honestly. 

And I mean it, no one can make choices for her but God I hope she makes the right decision. 

And that decision isn't staying on the path she's on now. 

____

Edited