Saving All My Love || Book 1 (Editing)

Twenty

"You want me to be your girlfriend?" Payton grinned, asking for clarification.

"Chill out wit' all that giggling shit, a'ight? So what do you say?"

"Of course I'll be your girl," she finally answered.

Aaron mirrored her smile and brought her in for another kiss. "Good thing you said yes, cuz I was gon' force you to say it either way," he confessed.

Payton playfully rolled her eyes, and laid her head back on the headrest.

"So..," Aaron began. Payton gave him her attention. "Since you my girl now, you gon'..." Payton's smile dropped and started to unlock her door to get out. Aaron grabbed ahold of her arm. "I'm jokin', Payton. Damn."

"It's not funny. Don't ask me that again," Payton said in all seriousness.

"Whateva'. Close my damn door."

She did as told and crossed her arms.

"Only two damn minutes into this relationship an already makin' me regret it," Aaron mumbled, as he started up the car.

*   *   *  

Simon sat in his car, playing a Mancala game as he waited for Payton to get back. He checked the clock for the umpteenth time and huffed. It was now going on 11:45, which made him worry a bit.

Simon was pissed that Payton just up and left him without saying goodbye, and then had the nerve to just send him a text. But he was nice enough to stay and make sure she got back safely.

Almost dozing off in his seat, he snapped his head towards the window, as a car finally pulled into the lot. Simon got out his car and waited in front of Payton's, as she got out of Aaron's.

"Hey, what are you still doing here?" Payton questioned.

"Just making sure I ain't have to report a kidnapping."

Payton smiled at his silly, yet kind gesture.

"Nah nigga, you ain't gotta worry about her. She in good hands," Aaron chimed in. He mugged Simon before pulling the front of Payton's overalls towards him. "I'll holla' at'chu later, baybeh girl," he said before planting a kiss on her lips.

Payton giggled and waved goodbye as Aaron got in his car to leave.

"Baby girl?" Simon questioned. "So..y'all like a thing now?"

Once Aaron's car was gone, Payton nibbled on her lip and nodded. "Yeah.."

Simon's heart broke a little.

He understands you can't force someone to love you back, which sucks. He mostly hated the idea of her and Aaron being together. Not only because he and Aaron got unnecessary beef with each other, but he feared that Payton would slip away from him and let Aaron change her into something she's not.

And he, for damn sure, wasn't gonna let that happen.

"I'm sorry," Payton apologized.

"You don't have to apologize. I don't have the authority to say who you can and cannot date. If you wanna be with that nigga, then that's your choice," He shrugged.

Payton smiled and wrapped her arms around him.

"Aye, don't get too happy now. Best believe imma keep tabs on y'all."

"Mmm, I can live with that. I could always just block your number," Payton joked.

"Don't do that," he straight faced her, "But for real, just let me know whenever that nigga actin' up, a'ight? I'll handle it."