The Promise of Us (Sanctuary Sound #2) - Jamie Beck Page 0,71

to confess.

Claire remained silent.

“I know he spent the night here, and then you had an argument. Given the crush you’ve always had on him, I suspect you have hopes regardless of what you’re telling him or yourself.” When Claire didn’t respond, Peyton added, “I’m concerned.”

This pitying look was exactly what Claire had wanted to avoid. “Don’t be.”

“I can’t help it. I don’t think his intentions are bad. He’s always liked you a lot, Claire, and it seems he’s grown more attached to you now. But we both know that when he realizes I’m well enough to survive without him, he’ll go right back to his old life.”

“One that won’t include me.” Claire raised one brow.

“Well”—Peyton cleared her throat—“given your preference for staying close to home, it would seem so. And apparently you told him as much. Still, none of us are smart when it comes to our hearts, and I’m worried that you might be in over your head.”

Claire closed her eyes and clamped her mouth shut to keep from shouting. She blew out her breath and opened her eyes, controlling her voice as best she could. “Peyton, I don’t want to get into an argument, but, honestly, your concern is ironic given how little regard you had for my feelings when it came to Todd.”

Peyton nodded but didn’t shy away from the accusation. “It’s because of Todd that I don’t want to see you hurt again.”

Claire crossed her arms and tried to remove the scowl from her face. “If Logan were hooking up with Steffi, would you be concerned? Assuming Steffi wasn’t with Ryan, of course.”

“Probably not, but Steffi’s never been as quick to give her heart.”

“Well, I’m a grown-up, just like her and you and the rest of the old gang. I’m no different from anyone else who’s been hurt in the past, so I’d appreciate it if people would stop treating me special, whether I’m walking on ice or wading into a relationship. For almost sixteen years I’ve lived with extra scrutiny and pampering. For once, I want to be normal.” Claire flung her arms out from her sides. “Whatever is or isn’t happening with Logan is between him and me, and I will handle the fallout on my own. I don’t need kid gloves. Got it?”

Of course, she was being a hypocrite, because if she really meant everything she’d just said, then she needn’t have sent Logan packing so soon.

“Loud and clear. I’m sorry I overstepped. I was trying to be a friend.” Peyton looked down at the ground. She didn’t say it, but Claire heard the unspoken sentiment—that she wanted to be the friend she hadn’t been a year ago.

Claire wanted to reject the idea that Peyton actually cared. That she’d come here with good intentions in her ongoing campaign to mend fences. Then a memory of Peyton pranking Beau Miller junior year surged forward. She’d signed him up for a bunch of weird Craigslist stuff after he called Claire gimpy.

Before Peyton reached for the door to leave, Claire asked, “If it weren’t for the fact that I’ve been a homebody, would you still think I’m a bad fit for your brother?”

Peyton stared at Claire, neither smiling nor frowning. “Does my opinion matter to you?”

“I’m not sure.” She hugged herself. “You do know Logan better than anyone else.”

Peyton flashed a sad smile. “But I don’t know you as well anymore.”

“True.” An ocean of conflicted emotions rolled through the living room like a tidal wave.

“I shouldn’t have butted in, especially since there aren’t any guarantees when it comes to love . . . or life, for that matter.”

Cancer. Whenever Claire thought about what Peyton was facing, she felt not only weak for her attitude about risk but also petty for her inability to be more forgiving. “Logan said the same thing.”

Peyton smiled. “Well, we are a lot alike.”

That’s exactly what scared Claire, but it was also probably why it seemed like she knew Logan better than she otherwise would based solely on the time they’d spent together.

Peyton must’ve read Claire’s mind because she quipped, “Don’t hold that against him, though.”

Under other circumstances, Claire might’ve chuckled at her friend’s sarcasm. But she had been holding it against Logan, even if subconsciously.

“You look a little better than you did the other week.” Claire’s abrupt change of subject caught Peyton by surprise, judging from the way she quickly opened and closed her mouth.

“I suppose a backhanded compliment is better than none at all.” She winked and then sucked her