Saving All My Love || Book 1 (Editing)

Twelve

Omniscient

Taking the duffle bag out the back seat, he closes the door with his foot and followed Darius up the porch. Before Darius rung the doorbell, he turned to give Aaron a stern look.

"You betta' not act a fool while we in here."

Aaron smacked his lips. "Don't worry bout me, I'm straight. Now hurry up and ring the doorbell. It's cold as fuck out here." he complained.

Shaking his head, Darius rung the doorbell. As they waited, they could hear laugher getting closer to the door.

"Hey! Merry Christmas." Payton happily hugged Darius. As she stepped aside to let him in, her face frowned a bit when she saw Aaron come in. "Hey." She dryly said and locked the door back.

"I know yo' ass ain't bouta' walk away without givin' me a hug too." Aaron pulled her to him and wrapped his arms around her. His hands had a mind of its own and slid down to grab her ass. She immediately pushed him off her and headed back to the living room.

Aaron huffed and snatched his bag off the floor and followed in her tracks.

"...and that's Aaron." Payton told her cousin, Naydean and her two kids, Sydney and Caesar.

Aaron greeted them and looked around. He felt relieved not seeing Simon's face anywhere. Charles came out the kitchen wiping his hands on a napkin. He greeted Aaron and Darius with a pat on the shoulder.

"I'm glad y'all came to join us. Go ahead and make y'all selves comfortable. Payton, show them where they can put their stuff for now."

Payton nodded and got off the couch to lead the way. She opened the coat closet and pointed. "Y'all can just put'em on top of the others." She instructed.

After Darius put his bag inside, he stepped out the way to let Aaron do the same. "So when my present gon' get here?" he asked her.

"She'll be here soon." She answered with a smile. "Don't worry."

Aaron waited until Darius went back to the room so he could talk to Payton. She began to walk away as well but he pulled her back.

"Quit fuckin' wit' me, Payton. What the hell's  yo' problem?"

"I don't have a problem." She murmured and looked down to examine her nails.

"You do gotta' problem since you wanna walk around here like you ain't happy to see me. You invited me, didn't you?" She refused to answer him. Getting pissed off by her silent treatment, he slapped her hands down. "Look at me when I'm talkin' to you!" He demanded.

Rolling her eyes, she started to walk away. Aaron pulled her back once again and clutched onto her neck like he did before.

"Don't make me fuckin' strangle you in this hallway." He threatened. "Fix yo' face."

"Payton?" Kimberly called as she came around the corner. Aaron pecked Payton's forehead and let her go. "Oh, hey Aaron. I'm glad you guys made it." She approached him for a hug.

Payton rubbed her neck and walked passed them to go answer the door.

"Hey girl." Kelly greeted hugging her. She then pulled out a card that was gift wrapped. "Merry Christmas."

"You know you didn't have to get me anything." Payton sighed.

"I know. That's what friends are for." She smiled, stepping in. "So, where's that boy you was telling me about?" She whispered.

"He's already waiting for you on the couch."

"You know I love you right?"

Payton nodded. Noticing Aaron leaning on the wall watching them, Kelly acknowledged him with a wave. He nodded back with a simple 'Sup'.