Payton’s POV:
I knew exactly what was going on as soon as she stepped off of the plane in Texas. Just because we were surrounded by my family doesn’t mean we won’t be alone at some point and I won’t pounce on the opportunity to yell at her about lying to me. I watched as she grabbed her bags and headed over to the rental car desk.
“Hi, I’m Joe, how may I help you?” Joe, the rental car guy asked. Looking her over and licking his lips.
“We need a rental car. Nothing flashy and nothing crappy looking.” She said smiling, either totally oblivious to the fact that that just happened or she was ignoring it.
“And who are we?” He asked smiling at her cleavage.
I wrapped my arm around Brynn’s waist. “That would be me. And I would appreciate it if you kept your eyes out of my fiancée’s cleavage. I don’t think your supervisor would like it very much that you were sexually harassing a customer.” I said, deathly calm for the fact that he looked like he was about to piss himself.
“No sir. I’ll get you a car right way.” Joe scurried off and Brynn shrugged out of my grasp.
“Thank you. But no touching, I get we have to do it for your family but I don’t want to even start pretending yet. By the way, how did we meet? When did we fall in love? We need to make sure we know these things because I’m pretty sure your family is going to ask a shitload of questions.”
I smiled a little, she was quirky even though she didn’t like the fact that she was in an arranged marriage, let alone at 16.
“Okay, we met at our family’s Christmas party last year. We hated each other at first. Then out of nowhere we fell in love. You love my laugh, and my smile. You come to every one of my football games and cheer me on. I love your dimples and the way the light reflects off your hair. And I like to spend time on the beach with you hanging out and surfing. Sound good?”
“Dude, if I wasn’t already forced to marry you…I would have purposed then. That’s the most perfect explanation I’ve ever heard.” She said smiling.
“Yes! A real smile and a real compliment. I must have done good with the big man upstairs.” I said laughing.
She glared at me frowning. “Har, Har, Har. You’re so funny!”
“Well, thank you, Princess.”
“It’s about time someone realizes it.”
I laughed and the creepy Joe came back with keys, “These are the keys to your 2010 Dodge Charger SXT Sedan 4D RWD, have a nice day!” He ran away before we could actually pay so I went to another teller and paid for the car and we left.
“So, what should I expect from your family?”
“Nothing really, all southern, really nice. They do love to cook so they’ll try to fatten you up. Even though, you do look good. I like that dress by the way.”
I really did like the dress, I’d probably like it better off of her but I wouldn’t tell her that. Plus, she was wearing the dress to make me uncomfortable, she had no idea what I had in store for her when we got to my grandparents house.
Brynn blushed, actually blushed. “Thanks. Roxie got it for me.”
“You know, I really like Roxie. She’s cool, I feel bad though that she can’t even tell your mom that she’s pregnant.”
“You don’t know what my mom would do to her if she did find out. I mean, she eventually will but not yet.”
“What would your mom do?”
She looked at me like I was stupid, “She would make Roxie have an abortion. Roxie is totally against it but mom would make her do it. She manipulates everyone but me.”
Curious now, I asked, “Why doesn’t she manipulate you?”
“Are we actually having a decent conversation?” Brynn asked smiling sarcastically.
Yet it didn’t take the pain out of her eyes. Her blatant dismissal of talking about her mother made me realize how much they really didn’t have a great relationship. We sat in silence, I glanced at Brynn a few times and she just stared out the open window. Her blonde hair whipping around her face. She looked beautiful…wait. Whoa! No, I don’t want this anymore than she does. I’m done with love and relationships. Sure, I flirt it means I don’t have to get attached. I glanced back at Brynn and she noticed and smiled at me. This girl was going to be the death of me.
Brynn’s POV:
I noticed Payton staring at me as we drove the rest of the way to his grandparent’s house but I didn’t say anything. I stared out my window; I had not so gracefully deflected talking about my mom. She was a touchy subject, and the fact that poor Roxie was scared shitless of her didn’t make me want to talk about her anymore. I realized I had zoned out when the car slowed down.
“Wow.” Was all I could manage to say. Payton pulled up the winding driveway and smiled at my reaction.
“This is your grandparent’s house?” I asked. I stood there awestruck at the mansion in front of me. It was massive and just behind it, probably a mile away, was a farm. The land behind the house was about the size of a mall. And it was beautiful.
“Yep, now, smile. I think I just heard Jessie.” Payton said wrapping his arm around my waist tightly.
“Who is Jessie?” I asked just as the door opened and a short strawberry blonde charged at Payton. I narrowly escaped death as I pulled away and she leapt into his arms.
“Payton! It’s been so long!” She cried, her southern accent making me smile some.
“Hey Jessie. I know, I won’t be here for long but I promise to visit soon enough.” He said smiling. Then he turned to me. “Jessie, this is my fiancée Brynn. Brynn, my cousin Jessie.”
I stuck out my hand and instead she pulled me into a tight hug. I liked her already.
“My, my. Aren’t you just the cutest thing I’ve ever seen?” She drawled.
“Thank you. You are too. By the way I am in love with your accent.” I said laughing.
She winked, “Doesn’t do a thing for the guys here but in LA it does a lot.”
“Enough of that. I don’t want to get in trouble with the rest of the family so let’s bring this inside.” Payton said grabbing my hand and leading me inside.
It was weird, I loved the feel of his hand in mine. His hard calloused hand in mine, my soft hand in his. It was almost reassuring. Almost, because I knew he was faking. We both were weren’t we? I sighed lightly, this sucked. At least I didn’t have to deal with my parents for the weekend.
“Guess who’s here?!” Jessie shouted running ahead of us.
“Payton!” I heard a rush of people. Who the hell was his family? The freaking city? They all stopped when they saw me. All smiling and giving me a once over, some of the guys looking a little too long on the way down and back.
“Hey everyone. This is Brynn. My fiancée.” He said smiling. And just like that I was thrown in a rush of people.
Between the all the complements and the congratulations I was beginning to feel the jet lag. I was really exhausted. I found out that I was meeting Mrs. Emerson side of the family. I met cousins, aunts and uncles, friends of the family and his grandparents. And not once did Payton let go of my hand.
I was really nervous when his grandmother walked up to me with no expression on her face. Maybe I should have worn a longer and looser dress. She continued to look at me up and down and I felt Payton squeeze my hand.
“So, how did you meet my lovely grandson, Brynn?” She finally asked.
Whew, an easy one. “We met at my parent’s Christmas party.”
“When did you guys fall ‘in love’?”
“Well, we actually hated each other and because of our parents we were constantly pushed into talking and hanging out. Finally he confessed that he really loved me and he couldn’t stand to not see me. Then I reluctantly agreed.” I said smiling at Payton.
“She’s lying. She secretly loved me the whole time and she tricked me into admitting it first.” He said smirking.
I shrugged, and Payton leaned down and gave me a quick peck on the lips. My stomach did flips and my heart started racing. What the hell? This was so wrong. I can’t fall for Payton. I was in love with Ronan. I shook off the feeling and smiled sweetly back at him.
“So, what do you love about her, Payton?” His grandmother asked, still undeterred.
“I love her dimples and the way the light reflects off her hair. And I like to spend time on the beach with her just hanging out and surfing.” He said, not missing a beat.
“How about you, Brynn?”
“I love his laugh, and his smile. I come to every one of his football games and cheer him on. I haven’t missed a game.” I smiled.
She returned the smile, “I like you. You treat him good.” Then she turned to Payton, “Look, you’re lucky to have this girl. Don’t you dare treat her badly.” With that said she walked back into the living room to sit.
“Why are you guys getting married so young?” His Uncle, I think his name was Tim or something like that.
“Well, seeing as I graduate this year I want Brynn to know I’ll be faithful to her even though I might be far away. Plus, the wedding isn’t until after she graduates. I just couldn’t wait. I love her too much.” Payton lied easily.
If only I didn’t know that Payton was lying that would have been the sweetest most romantic thing anyone has ever said to me. I heard everyone “Aw” and Payton sent me a quick wink. Making my heart do a back flip. I wasn’t supposed to fall for him. I was supposed to make him go away.
“Why can’t more guys be like that?” Sherry, Payton’s younger cousin, asked sighing.
We all laughed. “Okay, let the two love birds go upstairs to their room and freshen up. Payton, you know what time dinner is. We’ll leave you two alone.” Jessie said smiling.
She led us up to the room Payton and I were going to share and left with a very suggestive “see you later” and a wink. I dropped to the bed and closed my eyes while Payton put up the clothes. I was nearly asleep when I felt the bed dent in and I looked up to see Payton over me.
“So, what did I tell you about hanging out with Ronan?”
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This chapter is for RPerna176 because without her, this story wouldn't be as great as it is. Keep reading. :) its gonna be awesome
P.S
The engagement ring is on the side. :)