Harry and Payton

Chapter 9

    Payton climbed into her Dad’s large black SUV and moaned as she plopped onto the seat, placing her head against the head rest. 

   “Long day?” Damien asked, smiling at her as they slowly pulled away from the busy airport. Payton nodded and opened her eyes, reaching to turn on the radio as her Dad glanced over at her.

   “How’s things with that boy, Harry?” Damien asked, smirking. Payton mock-rolled her eyes and looked over at him, slightly shaking her head.

   “Really, Dad?” she giggled.

   “What?” he asked, laughing with her.

  “Is he really all you want to talk about?” Payton enquired, raising her eyebrows as one of her songs came on the radio, catching her off guard. 

   “Well, I mean, you never know when things will work out between you two, did you at least meet him?” Damien enquired. Payton looked down at the paper airplane necklace that hung around her neck and quickly tucked it into her shirt, not that her oblivious father would make the connection.

   “Yeah, I met him, Dad.” Payton sighed, fiddling with her thumbs as she nervously bit her bottom lip, wondering how to tell her Dad.

   “Well that’s good, you see your brothers already approve of him and can’t wait—” 

   “I’m dating him, Dad.” Payton spat out quickly, catching him off guard as she rushed to turn down the radio. Damien’s jaw dropped slightly and his eyebrows shot up in surprise. He let out a small chuckle before looking over at her as she bit her lip, watching his expression.

   “Wow,” he breathed. “That was fast.” he added with a small smile as he continued to stare straight ahead, his eyes glued to the road even though he was clearly distracted. Payton nodded slightly, fiddling with her thumbs as they continued to drive along in silence. 

   “I know.” she whispered, taking her turned off phone out of her pocket. She quickly turned it back on, eager to text Harry and glanced out the window as the phone took its own sweet time turning on. 

   “Well, when do we get to meet this boy?” Damien asked in a serious tone. Payton mock-rolled her eyes, giving him a small smile.

   “Oh, so now you’re over protective, what happened to the Dad that drove me back home with the girls a week ago?” Payton chuckled, cocking an eyebrow as texts came in from the girls and some of the boys. 

   “I’m sorry, hun but I need to know these sort of things.” Damien replied, giving her an apologetic look. Payton sighed noisily and slightly shook her head, scrolling through her messages.

   “Forget it.” Payton mumbled, as she quickly texted Harry.

    Payton: Miss you already, love:(

    Carlito: Miss you too, coming to visit next week;)♥

    Payton: Yayy! Can’t wait:D xx

   “I just want to make sure he’s the right guy for my little girl.” Damien said, looking over at her as they quickly turned into the long driveway. Payton rolled her eyes and looked over at Damien, giving him a reassuring smile.

   “Well you’re in luck, he’s coming to visit next week,” Payton replied, giving him a small grin. Damien took in a deep breath as he parked the car and took the key out of the injection. “Relax, Dad.” Payton muttered, smirking as she climbed out of the car. 

   “Payton, you’re sure you’re ready to just walk into a relationship with this guy?” Damien asked, opening the trunk for Payton to grab her suitcase. She gripped the handle and looked over at him as her phone vibrated in her pocket.