Present.

I couldn't believe he was here, with everyone. "Pepper, this is serious, why are you acting like this?"

I stepped back, looking down the alleyway. Brian had this hurt look on his face when I didn't answer him, I just stood there with my arms wrapped around myself, trying my best not to cry. I wanted to jump at him, to smother him in friendly kisses, but I fought against those feelings, remembering the betrayal

“What do you mean why?” I finally asked him, “Do you remember the last thing you said to me Brian? Or did you think it would be all good six years later?”

He sighed, ignoring my questions. “She’s dying Pepper. That’s why I’m here… She’s dying and she refuses to let anyone do anything to help her… I was thinking that if you came back to see her, she’d change her mind.”

I ran my fingers through my hair, and looked at the tall, desperate man standing in front of me now. He’d do anything to make his mom happy, which made me actually think about saying yes. I bit my lip and rocked back and forth on my feet, pondering on the thought of going back.

“Pepps, where’d you go?” A drunk Gideon slurred, bursting out of the back door, hitting Matt in the back.

“Gideon go back inside.” I mumbled, rubbing my arm.

Brian looked back at him, putting his hand on Matts chest, making him move out of the way for the drunk stumbling man. Matt’s lip pulled up in a snarl, but he kept quiet. Gideon almost instantly puffed out his chest when he saw Brian and his buddies. He looked at me up and down, as if they may have injured me somewhere.

“You alright Pepps? Should I go get Royce?” He asked, glaring at Brian.

“Yes, I’m fine. They’re just friends Gideon, go back inside. Tell Royce I’ll be right there,” I walked over to him, putting my hand on his shoulder as I led him towards the door, leading him inside.

He grumbled something I didn’t quite understand, but he listened to me anyways. When the door closed, I turned back around to face Brian and his friends who all decided they were going to light up a smoke. I hit my head gently against the door and I leaned on it.

“Look Brian, I left with no intention of going back there. Mom of all people knew that. Plus, I’m graduating from Law school soon, I can’t just get up and go like that. It’s not that easy,” I told him, scratching the back of my neck.

I watched him clench and unclench his fist- something he did when he was frustrated. “I know I wasn’t really the nicest person ever, but it’s my mom, and I think you’re the only one that she’ll listen to, she never really forgave me for the things I said to you. You were like her only daughter Pepper, I’m not saying you need to stay for long, I’m just saying come visit for a couple days, then you can go back to normal and we’ll go back to pretending we never existed.” He begged, taking a drag of his smoke.

“Uh… Can I get a number and get back to you? My boyfriend is waiting for me inside, probably worried sick because of Gideon. He always blows things out of proportion. So, I need to get back to my friends.” I tried to smile at him, but instead my lips formed a tight line.

He pulled out a cell phone- one of those fancy android phones and handed it to me. “Put your number down, I’ll call you tomorrow ‘round noon.” He said.

I nodded and did exactly what he said to do, and without another word, I hurried back inside.

Part of me wanted to break down and cry, while the other part of me thought about how much of a dick Brian was for pretending I didn’t exist. I pursed my lips and found my way to Royce, crash landing in his arms, wrapping mine around his broad torso.

“Pepper?” He whispered in my ear, returning my hug.

“I want to go home.” I whispered back, trying my hardest to keep my emotions in check.

Kaitlyn and Marina were both watching me as Royce nodded and turned to look at Gideon. They were all staring at me like I was someone they’ve never seen before, which made me more uncomfortable.

Royce said his goodbyes, and then he led me out of the bar, his arm hung over my shoulder. He opened the car door for me, then ran around to his side of the car.

When we got to our place, I went to bed almost instantly, peeling my clothes off my body and falling face first into the king sized bed we had in our bedroom. Royce laughed, and he undressed and then jumped into bed with me, pulling me up to his face. I peered into his light green eyes, watching him trying to figure out what was wrong with me. I leaned down and kissed him, resting my forehead against his.

“I love you Royce.” I whispered, my lips just hovering above his.

“I love you too, Pepper.” He said back, closing the distance between us again.

Notes

Ah, I'm on a roll tonight! After tonight, I'll try to frequently update but I've got school and shit.

I'll try to get another chapter done. If it's not out by tonight, It'll be at least next week till it's out.

Critique?

- Anchor ;