Just Convenience

Chapter 11

Emma's POV: 

The Twins game was honestly one of the most magical things I had ever experienced. Peyton was magical. I couldn't help but feel like this was turning into something more than fake dating. Sure, we had only been in this agreement for a few weeks at this point, but the more and more I learned about Peyton, the more I started thinking about a future between the two of us. It was fake, but the kisses felt real... we felt real. 

We were watching the final inning; all the guys in the group, except for Peyton, were standing inches away from the glass, and all the girls were sitting around talking. I was drifting in between the groups, wanting to watch the game but also wanting to keep up with the girls' conversations. We were planning the next gathering, which would probably be when Lorine went dress shopping. I made a few suggestions of places I knew in town where she could go if she wanted to come back to Minneapolis, or I would make the trip back to Park Rapids. 

Peyton was sitting in a black high-backed chair, watching everything with partial interest, and I wondered what was going through his brain. It never really bothered me, our age difference, but when I took time to think about it, like now, I couldn't help but feel a little weird about it. He was so mature, and I was, well... a 23-year-old with 23-year-old drama. Walking over, I set my mixed drink down and sat on his lap, telling myself it was what a girlfriend would do, and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "Thank you," I whispered. 

"Whatever for?" he asked with a smirk, clearly knowing what I was talking about. I studied the white streak in his hair and the surrounding grey hair before running my fingers through it. I always thought that I wouldn't like it when someone went grey, but Peyton was different; I actually preferred his hair like this versus the pictures I had seen of him with just regular dark brown hair. 

"For everything," I replied with a smile, and he hummed, laying his head back against the chair. His hand found my thigh, and he started rubbing the muscles softly. "When this agreement ends, I have to wonder if I'll ever find someone as good as you." 

"I'm not good," he said almost right away, shaking his head, "You've only seen part of me. Believe me when I say that my past relationships always failed because of me." He was adamant about it, and I didn't want to anger him by arguing, but I couldn't see how it was all his fault that his past relationships ended. 

The boys at the window cheered over something and started talking about "How good the game was," so I assumed it was over and we would be heading home soon. 

"You are good," I said softly before pushing myself off his lap and joining the group. 

Lorine gave me a hug, as did Abby, "This was awesome, Em," Abby said, and I smiled. 

"Yes, I couldn't have imagined a better time," Jeanie said in agreement. 

"It was all Peyton; I had nothing to do with it," I said with a shrug, looking back at him. He was still sitting in the chair, watching me with an expression I couldn't quite read. 

Some of the girls scoffed at my comment, and Megan said, "He did it for you; it's very clear to see; you are a lucky girl." 

I supposed I was, so I agreed with a smile. 

We made our way out of the stadium and said goodbye to the majority of the group as they were heading back to Park Rapids and the surrounding area. I gave everyone a hug except for Katie, and I hoped she didn't notice, but it felt awkward to try and act like I liked her. Then Lorine, Peyton, and I piled into Jake's car and headed to Peyton's house. 

When we arrived, Peyton showed them around the house while I put some popcorn into the microwave so it would be ready when they got back. We were going to watch another movie, and I was actually excited to watch so many movies. I normally never got the chance just to sit around and do nothing with friends. When they came back into the kitchen, Lorine squealed, "You and Peyton have the best house!"