Chapter 28 Reconciliation

• I was on fire. Anger boiled hot in my veins. Not at the fact that Luke had brought Peyton here, but that he was trying to force us to have some fake ass make up so that he could feel better about himself. I was so mad the words spilling from my mouth had become nonsense and I spit fire at Luke. Tears poured heavily from my eyes, and I fought the urge to break down. I wanted to be mad, I didn’t want the sudden sadness that was flooding me. Luke stood frozen before me, his hazel eyes wide in horror. Just as I thought he might try to come closer I was folded into a warm embrace. Peyton pressed his full form to my back, encircling me with his arms, his head nestled into my neck.
• “Breathe…” his hot breath fanned against the shell of my ear “Relax, Kay. You are safe here… no one is going to hurt you… breathe.” The panic began to seep from my body, and I felt myself going limp in his arms. He held me upright, the firm pressure around me calming me. “Close your eyes… breathe… that’s right…. Good girl… relax…” The tears slowed as Peyton’s low words soothed me. I’d had a panic attack. It had been so long since my last one that I had forgotten they were even a thing. I felt his lips grazing my neck softly and I allowed my eyes to rest, my head tilting back into him. We stood that way for what felt like a lifetime. When my head was clear and my breathing had leveled, Peyton pulled away from me, stepping back slightly to give me space.
• “I’m sorry.” I whispered hoarsely. He looked down at me, understanding in his deep blue eyes. He knew I wasn’t just talking about today.