Return to Tacoma Falls

Advice

Payton pulled into Tom and Julia's place and got out of the truck. He walked up to the door and knocked only to be met with a girl Cassidy's age, April.

"Hey cousin Payton."

"Hey April. Is your folks here?"

"Sure. Come on in," she said opening the door to him. He walked in and followed her to the kitchen. He found hem sitting at the table peeling apples for pie.

"Hey Payton," Tom said peeling an apple.

"Hey Tom. I was wondering if we could talk for a minute?"

"Yeah sure." He handed the apple to Julia and grabbed a towel wiping his hands. He gave her a kiss telling her, "I'll be right back."

They walked out of the kitchen, out back taking a seat on a swing. Tom looked at Payton, "what's up?"

Payton stared out into the distance, "I'm going to get right to the point. I think my boys are involved in a love triangle." He let out a deep sigh, causing Tom to let out a low whistle.

"And?"

"And I want to know how to stop it. I don't need them fighting over a girl. Dalton already hit Sawyer."

Tom took a deep breath and finally said, "Payton, you and Ember are going to have to let it play out. Ultimately, the girl will decide who she wants to be with," he said to him.

"That's the thing Tom, I want to stop it before it starts."

"You're asking for a lot." He let out a low chuckled.

"Come on. Help me out here."

Tom let out a deep sigh, "look, all I can tell you is a woman's love for a man runs deep. Whomever this girl chooses to be with is because that's where her heart lies. Just like Ember. She chose you because deep down, you were always the one."

"Yeah only because you backed off," Payton said to him.

"I didn't back off but in the end I knew you were the one she would end up picking. I knew that when I saw you two dancing at the county fair. A love that runs that deep, there is no denying it and there is no competition," Tom said to him.

"I just hope that whatever happens doesn't split my boys up," Payton said.

"I don't think it's your boys you have to worry about."

Payton looked at him.

"I think it's the circuit."

"That's the thing Dalton quit the circuit."

"Payton you and I know that boy loves the circuit and it's only a matter of time it comes calling again. His downfall will be choosing between a love for a person and a love for riding," Tom said which didn't set well with Payton.

He knew how Dalton felt about riding. It was the same way he felt. Ellie didn't get it but Ember did. It was a thought that passed by his mind. Even if there wasn't a love triangle between his boys, it would come down to choosing his lifestyle or a woman. The thought pegged him.

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Dalton's POV

Hitting Sawyer was not like me. I let my anger get the best of me and instantly felt regret for my actions. We didn't speak afterwards. What could I say, sorry for slugging you?

I just hated having someone interfere in my life especially when it came to a girl. That's how it was on the circuit. Girls throwing themselves at me which was ever so tempting but I wasn't there for them. I was there to ride. Plus, I had a girl back home. Well, I did.