14. Noah
noah
. . .
P eyton and I drive up and down the coastline. Her arm is hanging out of the window and her long ponytail is blowing in the breeze. I figured if we are staying in L.A. until training camp starts, we might as well take advantage of the beautiful weather and rent a convertible. Honestly, I am a bit shocked that Peyton agreed. There’s still some hesitation when it comes to getting into cars, which I try to accommodate with full-size SUVs.
Up ahead, the real estate agent Allen suggested we hire, signals that she’s about to make a turn. I feel bad for her, having to deal with us. We’re excited, eager, and very particular about what we want. The house must have a view, beach access and a pool. We’ve seen half a dozen so far, but none of them are what we’re looking for.
We pull up along the curb and the first thing I notice is there isn’t a gate. Well there is, but it’s more like a fence. There’s no privacy from the onlookers. I’m not sure I like that. Peyton and I look at the house. With the trees in the front, it’s hard to see, but honestly, I’m not feeling it. “I think this is going to be a no for me.”
“Me too,” she says. “I can’t smell the ocean.” Peyton and I get out of the car and meet Phyllis as she’s rushing toward us. She opens the small gate, which we could’ve easily stepped over and waited for us to pass by.
“This home is new within the last two years. It has eight bedrooms and bathrooms and is eight thousand square feet. Now it’s a little different than what I’ve shown you already, but I believe it has everything you’re looking for.”
While she continues to talk, Peyton and I look at each other. We’re not superstitious, but certain things stick out, like the number eight. We rush to get out of the car and follow our agent up the cobblestone steps.
“This home has a traditional New England feel. The builder added cedar shingles and…” She opens the front door and has us step inside. “This is something fun.” We watch as she unlatches and opens the top half of the door.
“That’s neat,” Peyton says. She’s skeptical, I can see it in her features.
“Yes, it gives the house character. Now if you’ll step inside, this is what we call an open-air living home.”
Peyton and I step into the living room and stand there. I don’t know about her, but my mouth is hanging open. The sheer beauty of what I’m looking at, aside from my fiancée, is unbelievable.
“There are numerous sets of pocket doors that slide away, giving you open indoor living areas to the loggia, terraces, the courtyard and main patio where the pool is located. Throughout the main floor, there are skylights to bring in more natural light, vaulted ceilings, and tongue and groove flooring. All the rooms have walk-in closets. The great room has a fireplace, the kitchen is state of the art, and downstairs you’ll find a lounge with a pub bar and wine cellar. As well as a home theater.”
I can hear Phyllis talking, but the words don’t make sense. I’m stuck on the view and the curtains blowing from the light breeze. Peyton and I stand next to each other, overlooking the patio below and the ocean. We may not have direct beach access, but there’s a wooden walkway leading to the beach.
“The beach access is shared by the houses on each side of you,” Phyllis says as if reading our minds.
Reluctantly, we have to finish the tour of the home. Phyllis takes us by an elevator to the basement showing us the six-car underground garage. I don’t even have two cars, let alone six. As I stand there, looking at the pristine concrete, I see myself throwing a football with my son or daughter. I see my children driving those hot wheel motorized cars. I see a happy life developing. The next floor is nothing but entertainment. The wine cellar, home theater, swimming pool and outside shower. Everything we want, with a few things we hadn’t even considered.
“Sunsets from this patio are going to be amazing,” Peyton says as we stand outside. She’s right. Three Adirondack chairs sit perfectly on this small patch of turf, facing the ocean. I can easily see Peyton and I out here, each night, holding hands as the sun goes down. It’s her words that spur me to do the most irrational thing ever.
“We’ll take it,” I say to Phyllis, who just nods. Selling multi-million-dollar homes is her job, nothing fazes her.
“Noah, we haven’t even looked at the rest of the house.”
I kiss Peyton on the tip of her nose. “We don’t need to. We’re already in love with this house. I can see us living here, having our family over. Most importantly, I can see us raising a family within these walls. The minute we stepped into the living room and saw the view, I knew you’d want to live here. It’s like your parents’ condo. The only drawback is that the beach is yards away, not inches, but the view makes up for it. We’d wake up to this every morning and go to sleep with the sound of waves crashing not far from us.”
“I agree, Noah.” She rises and kisses me hard. “We’re buying a house.”
We are, and it feels right.
“I still want to see the rest of the house,” she says to Phyllis, who motions us to follow her.
Bedroom after bedroom, and bathroom after bathroom, we tour our new home. Phyllis is on the phone, yammering about closing the deal, while Peyton and I walk in and out of closets, sit in bathtubs, and marvel at not one but two kitchens, plus a massive laundry room.
“I think Thanksgiving, will be here this year.”
I push down on the countertop in the kitchen and then tug it. “I think we should spend a week christening each room.”
Peyton slaps my chest. “We’ll need longer than a week.”
I pull her into my arms. “We’re really doing this.”
She nods against my chest and tightens her arms around my waist. “This seems like such a bigger deal than getting married.”
Her words sink in. She’s right, it does. “There isn’t anything that I don’t want to do with you, Peyton.”
“I feel the same way.”
“Sorry to interrupt, but my colleague informed me that there’s already an offer on the home. It came in about an hour ago,” Phyllis sighs. “They also offered above asking price.”
Peyton’s expression falls, but mine doesn’t. I shrug. “We’ll pay cash and we’ll offer a million over.”
“Noah,” Peyton exclaims.
“What? Might as well put my trust fund to good use.”
“I’ll pay half. I want to.”
I glance at Phyllis and motion for her to let her colleague know this house is off the market. This is where the next generation of Westbury’s is going to start, and there isn’t anyone or anything that can stand in our way.
The downside to buying a house – the paperwork. I thought offering cash would be simple. But no, sign here, dot there, put your blood stamp here. By the time hour four came around, I found myself ordering food from a delivery service because I was starving. Peyton gave me a wicked side eye but had no qualms about helping herself to the greasy bag of burgers that I ordered. I have no shame when I’m hungry.
The benefits of paying with cash and being a celebrity is that the banks want to accommodate us. Once the owners accepted our offer, Phyllis started our paperwork and our lawyer busted his ass making sure everything’s in order and that the house is in perfect condition. Not that I expected the house to have any issues.
Peyton and I arrive at her parents’ to retrieve our bags. It would make sense for us to spend one more night here because it’s getting late, but the thought of waking up in our new home is far too appealing. We bought the house completely furnished, which will save us time and a fortune from having to refurbish. The linens have to change, but Peyton and I can do that tomorrow.
“I think tonight, we sleep out under the stars.”
“There are four beds in the house, we can’t find a usable one?”
“Eh,” I say as I shut off the car. “I take that back. Sleep is not in the cards for us tonight. Naps only.”
“Naps?”
I want to pull her across the console and show her what I mean, but the yelling coming from her parents’ house is alarming. “Stay here.” I get out, slam the car door and rush toward the condo. The door flings open and Katelyn is barreling toward me.
“I’ll kill her,” she yells, causing me to stop dead in my tracks.
“She’s my fucking problem. I’ll take care of it,” Harrison says. We don’t make eye contact as he chases down Katelyn. He reaches for her arm, pulling her to him. “Goddamn it, Katelyn. Stop.”
“I will not. She’s gone too far.”
“I’ll take care of it, Katelyn. I don’t fucking trust her. I don’t want her to hurt you.”
I don’t know what’s going on, but things don’t look good. In the brief moment of silence, I hear the car door slam and before I can intervene, Peyton is rushing around the corner, yelling about Alicia being in town at the Bean Song.
“I need to go to my son,” Katelyn says. “He needs me. He needs to know that I’m his mom no matter what.”
“I’ll drive you,” I blurt out, but Peyton shakes her head.
“No, I’ll go with my mom. Please stay with my dad and make sure he doesn’t do anything irrational.”
“Stay out of this, Peyton,” Harrison admonishes.
“Why? You don’t think I know how you feel about her? Or how Quinn feels? Or Mom? You don’t think I haven’t read the book Sam wrote? This is our life, Dad. For as long as I can remember that woman has lingered in the background, making my brother feel like he didn’t deserve to be loved. For years, Quinn lived in fear that she was going to come in the middle of the night and take him away. We may not share blood, but we’re his family and he needs us. He needs Mom, Elle, and me. He needs to know we’re his family and we’ll do anything to protect him.”
“Alicia…” Harrison sighs. “I’m afraid she’s dangerous. You don’t know her. You don’t know what she’s capable of. I don’t know what the fuck I would do if something were to happen to you, your mom or sister.” He grabs at his beanie and growls. “Fuck. Fuck this shit. I’m going to fucking kill her.”
“Well, hell hath no fury like a pissed off mother,” Katelyn says angrily. I feel like I need to yell out booyah or give her a nice pat on the back for being a fierce bitch.
Peyton walks over to me and collapses in my arms. “I got you,” I tell her as she starts to weep. “I’ll come with you.”
“I’ll be fine. I’ll call you and let you know what’s going on. I’m sorry.”
I pull away and cup her cheeks. “You never have to apologize for wanting to protect your family, Peyton. Our house, it’s not going anywhere, and we still have a few weeks until we have to be back in Portland. Go. Go take care of your brother and let him know I’m here when and if he wants to talk.” I kiss her quickly and nudge her toward her mother, who is waiting at the end of the walkway. I go over and stand next to Harrison and watch as they pull out of the driveway.
“Most of my life is in that car.”
“Mine too,” I tell him. “Do you need me to call my dad or anything?”
Harrison shakes his head. “No, I’m going to follow them. I need to speak to Quinn and figure out where Alicia is, and end this once and for all.” Harrison heads toward the garage and within seconds his motorcycle roars to life.
I’m left standing there, wondering what the hell I should do besides pace. After phoning my parents, pacing is exactly what I end up doing, checking my phone every few minutes for Peyton’s call.