Chapter 22: Chapter 22

Dad frownedpart confusion, part irritationand the concern lines on his forehead deepened. Mom's expression seemed more like Xavier had clocked her upside the head with a blunt object. She stood stock still, completely motionless.

"Uh, as in, we're dating," he hedged.

Not a sound. Not even a cricket.

Peyton, head down, exuded the quietest ragged exhale in existence. "I told you," she whispered, setting her wounded gaze on him. Pressing a delicate hand to her midsection, she closed her eyes for a beat.

His gut plummeted to his knees. "Peyton, honey"

"I'm going to take a walk." She offered fake smile number four in her arsenal, the one that said she was trying to be polite and not cry in the process, then turned for the door. "Discuss amongst yourselves. I'll be back in a few minutes."

Unable to move, he watched her quietly walk out and stared at the wood like that would bring her back. After silence hung, he faced his parents again.