Back Where I Belong

Chapter 49

Zoey's pov

"Prom time already?" Ashton asks, "my little sister is all grown up." He dramatically flops backwards onto the couch.

"Get up, drama queen," Bryana says, holding Connor on her hip. Ashton sits up and she sits down beside him.

"Hey Zoey. You look nice," Calum says,  entering the room.

"Thank you Calum," I reply, checking my text messages. Peyton was going to be here in a few minutes.

"I bet Peyton will think you look nice too. And just remember, you two already have one child. You don't need another," Michael says, trying to steal Connor away from Bryana.

"Michael Gordon Clifford! You are so inappropriate! I should smack you for that comment. But instead, Bryana, make sure that Michael doesn't get to hold Connor tonight," I say, blushing. Bry nods and holds Connor closer to her. Michael pouts.

"Hey gorgeous," Peyton greets, pecking my cheek.

I smile, "Hey Peyton. You look nice."

"So do you. Are you ready to go?" He questions, wrapping one arm around my waist. I nod and walk out to the limo with him.

"This is actually a lot better than homecoming ever was," I state, looking around the gym.

"I never went to any home comings, but I guess it is. I assume that they would spend more time on prom than home coming," Peyton says, looking around as well.

"Hey Zoey," Riley says, walking up to me with his arm around Natalia's shoulders.

I roll my eyes, "What do you what Riley?"

"Well someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed. What? Did you baby keep you up all night crying?" Natalia asks, her voice dropping with mock sincerity.

"No. I'm actually just tired of you two," I reply, smirking.

She draws in a deep breath, then turns on her heel, stomping away with Riley.

"You have no idea how long I've waited for the day when I'd actually stand up to her," I breathe, a smile forming on my face.

Peyton smiles back, "I know you had it in yo-"

He's cut off by his own phone ringing.

He sends me an apologetic smile, then hits the answer button.

"You better not do that," I hear him say as he walks away, a frown on his face. My eyebrows scrunch together.

Who better not do what?

Thirty minutes later, he returns, a distracted look on his face.

"Who was that?" I ask, curious.

What? I'm a nosy girlfriend. Sue me.

"Jace," Peyton answers, providing me with no further explanation.

"What do you not want him to do?" I question, pushing.

Peyton shakes his head, "Not now, Zoey." I frown, shocked by his commanding tone.

"Peyto-" I start.

"Zoey, I said not now," he snaps.

I recoil. Then immediately replace my hurt expression with blank one.

"Peyton, I'm going home," I state. My boyfriend doesn't follow as I stand up and leave the building.

When I got home, I was greeted by loud sobs. But they weren't coming from Connor.

They were coming from Charlotte.