If You Make a Deal With a Shadow...

Chapter 54

"But when it hurts, I can make it better. Girl, if it works, it's gon' be forever. We been though the worst, made it though the weather. Our problems and the pain. But love don't change."

- Love Don't Change by Jeremih

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A FEW MONTHS LATER...

"Okay, mom, yes..." Payton sighs. "She already told you a million times that she's not mad. It's not your fault, mom... No, I'm not mad either. I'm just glad they caught the bastards... Okay... Yes, I'm fine. I love you too, mom," he hung up the phone and sighed.

"She still thinks I blame her?" Aubrey asks, a light smile forming.

Payton shook his head. "Yes, and I don't see how. You've must've told her a million times it wasn't her fault."

"How could it have been? She only invited me. She didn't shoot you. She's silly," Aubrey stands to help him out of bed. "Slowly, Pay, you're still healing."

"Baby, I feel fine. I'm tired of using that dámned walker and going to physical therapy. That shít hurts," he complains.

"I know. Now watch your mouth," she scolds. "We have to have you better by my graduation in a few more weeks."

"I will be. I'm already walking. I just need to be walking by myself. You must be crazy if you think I'm gonna' be walking in your graduation with a walker like an old man. Especially knowing people will recognize me."

Aubrey laughs at him with an eye roll. "Yes, I understand, Payton."

They finally made it downstairs and to the dining room table. Junior runs over to Payton and hops onto his lap. "Hi, buddy," Payton laughs, bouncing him lightly.

"Can we go get ice cream today, pleaseeee?" Junior begs with his bottom lip out. Aubrey kissed her teeth knowing Payton was automatically going to give in. He could never say no to Junior.

"Of course, June Bug. We can go after I get home from my meeting," he kissed his forehead and sat him back on the floor. "Now, go eat."

"I already did. I'm going to play FIFA," Junior exclaims before giving his mom a hug and running off.

Aubrey put Payton's plate in front of him. "I'm about to go upstairs and get in the shower. Finish your food and I'll be back," she leaned down and he grabbed her face. They were lip-locked for a good 30 seconds before he slapped her butt. She yelped and looked at him with a angered look.

"Love you, baby," he winked with a wide smile.

Aubrey rolled her eyes. "You are so barbaric," she whispered and he laughed.

She take two at a time up the stairs to get in the shower while Payton finished with his food. Junior played FIFA for a little while, but that didn't last long. Him and Payton were in the middle of an intense match of Miss Sue, the hand game, when Aubrey walked into the living room. They were on the part where they had to freeze so Aubrey wanted to join in on the fun. She splayed herself across Payton which, of course, resulted in his body moving.

"Ha! You lost!" Junior hollered.

"Hey!" Payton shoved Aubrey and she fell to the floor with a thud. "You cheated!" he looked at her and she stuck her tongue out at him. He huffed. "You're lucky I can't do certain things or you'd be in for it," he mumbled.

She laughed.

"It's okay, you lost fair and square," Junior did a celebratory dance and they both chuckled at him.