Page 47 of Leave Me Broken
Chanel is older, she’s had years—of most likely getting any guy she’s wanted—of compliments. Luca mentioned her being a retired model, so she’s had years in the spotlight with all eyes on her. Payson has had none of that. I’m in her life now and will tell her daily how beautiful and bloody brilliant she is until she believes it herself, then I will tell her just because she deserves to hear it.
“She is alright.”
Parker mutters something about being blind but I ignore him. He doesn’t understand and I’m okay with that.
Chanel saunters onto the stage yapping about the turnout and since the audience is beneficial to me as well, I’m actually happy about that. She goes on talking about mundane things like how she came across fashion; an excuse to talk about her modeling career. Which she does for ten fucking minutes. I am zoning out when Luca nudges my arm. Chanel takes her seat next to Parker with a disappointed look on her face, I ignore it.
One by one, my girls walk down the catwalk. They look beautiful in the clothes picked out for them. I’m happy they kept it classy and not at all how Chanel dresses; they are teenagers, after all. The most surprising part was how natural Emika walked. It was like she was a trained model herself. She really came to life up there, and for a second, it felt like I had made the best decision doing this. Until Payson stepped from behind the curtain.
I’m not even sure what she did could be called a step, more like a stumble. One that left her wobbling; I was tempted to go save her but she eventually found her footing. She still doesn’t move, though. Payson stares out at the audience with a face of mortification mixed with . . . pain. My eyes drop down her body noticing the swelling in her leg from here. Who the fuck put her in those shoes? I don’t even have to ask because I know. Chanel must have been able to tell my feelings for Payson because she was a bitch to her from the beginning. Somehow, I keep making enemies for Payson without even trying.
Another minute goes by and the murmurs pick up because Payson still hasn’t moved. She’s shaking like a leaf and her fucking knee is twice the size of the other one. At least she looks amazing. Amazing is almost an insult for her right now.
Breathtaking, stunning, gorgeous. Every good word is how she looks standing on that stage. The skirt hugs her round hips like it was bloody made for her and the cropped sweater is the perfect touch of Payson. She doesn’t wear makeup a lot and I love it, but I can’t help but appreciate the subtle smoky eye that makes her large eyes look even bigger. Also makes her look older. Like it’s almost a glimpse into what the future will look with a mid-to-late twenty-year-old Payson. Beautiful. The thought of watching her become this version. I can’t wait to watch every version without rushing to them. While I don’t particularly love that she’s jailbait for me, I love her, so I love everything about her. I can admit things will be much easier after her next birthday, though.
I am too busy picturing my future with Payson, I don’t even see right away who saved Payson from her misery and walks with her. None other than Alyssa Burton. They are halfway down the walk. Payson is leaning into Alyssa’s body, obviously giving her most of her weight so she doesn’t have to put much on her left side. When they reach the end, Alyssa steps back and lets Payson pose. She’s right in front of me but she doesn’t look at me, her knees shake and she’s tearing at her thumb, not enough to make it bleed. She’s nervous and probably trying not to fall in those heels, so I don’t take it personal. The moment she turns, Alyssa is back on her side and throwing Payson’s arm over her shoulder.
Luca and I look at each other in utter shock. Then our smiles grow. People clap right before they disappear backstage, but Luca and I give them a standing ovation. No one else joins in because they don’t understand how big of a moment this is. It’s huge—a turning point, hopefully. It needs to be because I refuse to see Payson hurt again, and if Alyssa knows what is good for her, she will do whatever she can to keep peace.
Chanel takes the stage once again, calling the girls back out but to stand in a line.
“We will be having an auction for the second set of outfits. If you would like to purchase any of the current outfits, please feel free to meet with me after the show.”
I hold Payson’s gaze until Chanel says my name and Payson looks away.
“I’d like to say a special thank you to Ash Pearson for volunteering the Bayshore volleyball team to model my clothes tonight. Don’t they look stunning?” She gestures behind her to all the girls, each of their smiles wide.
My heart warms seeing my girls look happy up there. Even Payson’s grimace is almost believable. I’m not sure if it’s because of the attention or her knee.
“The money raised tonight will be going toward their . . .” She trips up on her words, obviously forgetting what it’s for.
Luca jumps up before I can and strides onto the stage and politely grabs the microphone from her. He explains what the money is for and what Week of Pink is about. At the end of his speech, I’m even wanting to pull my wallet out. Luca has always been the better public speaker, and this proves it. He always said I was too aggressive with my face.
“Thank you, Luca.” Her words are tight, probably embarrassed she needed saving. “Let us get on with our show!”
Payson’s ass is something to drool over. Especially in that tight little skirt. I would buy it just to see her wear it all the time, but I know my girl, and there is no way she’s putting that back on her body after tonight.
Luca leans toward me. “Thought you should know, the mayor and his shadow are in the audience.”
Looking around the room for the first time, I find Chuck and Jethro in the back row. My fists tighten. It’s bad enough the rest of the audience gets to see my girl in tight clothes showing off her assets, but arguably, most of the audience is female.
Chuck seeing Payson, hell, Chuck seeing any of these girls in these outfits has me on edge. The wanker is a pervert. I mentioned the whole situation in his office to Luca and he was as weirded out as I was, so at least I know it wasn’t just my feelings for Chuck making me think a certain way. Luca is not a fan either, but he hasn’t been around him as much as I have to fully understand the nature of Chuck. If there is anything I’ve learned about politicians, of any level, they are master manipulators.
Him catching Payson and me at the bus is probably the worst thing to happen. Payson has a level of vulnerability about her when she is with me. She lets herself go and feels everything to the highest degree. Chuck even witnessing several seconds of that is too much. The thought of him going home and imagining himself in my place makes me want to walk across this room and blind him from seeing anyone ever again.
Bright green eyes lock onto me as her gorgeous legs carry her my way. Everything else fades but her and that fucking dress. It’s dark green but in the shadows looks black and in the bright light it shimmers, and the closer she gets, the easier it is to see the soft material of velvet hugging her body. I bet it would feel like butter under my hands as I drag them up and down, feeling every curve and crevice she has to offer. I can imagine the whimpers she would let out because she loves my hands on her as much as I love them being on her so bloody clearly. It’s long sleeve, and the neck dips enough to show off her beautiful chest. Payson is short but with the dress hitting just higher than mid-thigh, her legs look a mile long. She’s able to walk by herself with the lack of heels and I wonder if that was her decision or Chanel’s. Either way, it’s more Payson, she’s not in pain and I love the flats even more. I didn’t plan on spending money on any outfits tonight but if I’m not able to rip that dress off her body, I will be in a terrible fucking mood.
Hearing a string of Italian curses from Luca, I know it’s worse than I thought. Payson is catching the eyes of everyone, including my best friend.
“Watch it.”
“You know I am just looking, brother. I would never overstep that line; I quite enjoy my women to be legal.” Wanker. “Besides, Payson is too infatuated with you to notice how sexy I am.” He winks.
Parker elbows me and leans my way to mutter something about “he gets it now.” He has the eyes to enforce his feelings too.
Everyone is fucking jarring tonight. Payson turns and I swear the room lets out a bloody sigh. Maybe it’s in my head but I know what I’m taking my anger out on as soon as she’s off that fucking stage. I need to be careful with her knee, but I’ll make do with what I can.
Everyone in the room must know who Alyssa is and who her dad is because her applause is by far the loudest. Alyssa has been better than I imagined sitting the bench. I haven’t heard one crude remark or a complaint since. She’s not even looked at me once. She’s merely accepted her punishment for what she did. It’s the bottom of the barrel, yes, but more than what I expected from her. Plus assisting Payson on the first walk. I do believe if this was a few weeks ago, Alyssa would not have done the same. Her good mood might have to do with guilt more than anything, but anything that levels her out is fine.