Chapter Forty-Three
We were soon sat in the car on the way to this dinner, the car was unusually quiet as we sat there. I was staring out of the window looking at all the trees, cars and people that went by. This time alone, allowing my thoughts of what has been happening to swirl around my head. I couldn't help but feel anxious over what could happen tonight, whenever we're around Markus in his home, something bad always happens afterwards. But I also couldn't help but worry over what Jacob might have me do, yes I trust that him and his team will protect me and the guys if we need it. But what if they don't get there in time?
That wasn't the only thoughts that was swirling around my head, I couldn't shake the feeling that I somehow preferred it in some way when Roman wasn't here. I can't deny that I really liked it when it was just Austin and I, but I just don't know what. I shake that feeling off soon after it came, I'm probably only thinking this because Roman being back has just made it a little harder to deal with Markus.
Austin looks over at me for a second before turning to look back at the road, a sigh escaping his lips as he went.
'This feels like the first time you and I can really talk since Roman got back" he sighs which does get my attention, this only concerning me slightly as I know what he's just said is alongside the same thing I was thinking. 'While he was away, we had the best time anytime that we wanted! But now Roman has decided he needed to come home early, all of that has come to an abrupt stop!" He says which once again I couldn't help but agree with him, I let out a sigh nodding my head to show him I was somewhat agreeing with what he was saying.
I look over at him where I could see every emotion on his face, I could see a mixture of anger but also sadness dominating his expression. This once again makes me sigh as I take a look back out the window, where I feel him look over at me again.
'I know you're thinking that I'm only saying this because you know how I want to be with you, but right now Roman is somehow getting in the way" he says which did make me look at him again, I wasn't thinking that at all. 'I have always known since you two got together that Roman would get in my way, in some weird way I sort of accepted that fact. But now Roman has found out what's been happening while he was away, he's turned into a right jealous prick" he says which I had to hold back a chuckle, I knew now wasn't the time to laugh at what he called Roman.
'I was under the impression that you and Roman had made up" I say giving him a little look to try and lighten the mood, but he only shakes his head placing both hands on the steering wheel.
'Sure we did" he says in a sarcastic voice, I raise my eyebrow at him telling him to elaborate on whatever he was trying to say. 'Sure we made up and he isn't going to punch me in the face anytime soon, but we both know that something is different now, we're never going to be the same" he says which did upset me, I knew things couldn't get back to the way they were after all this has happened, but I was just trying to ignore the fact.
'I wish things could go back to how they were" I sigh looking down at my lap as I spoke, I wonder what past me would think if I was able to have a conversation with her, she probably wouldn't believe a word I was saying.
'For once Payton, I don't agree with you" he says looking over at me, I just stare at him confused on what he means, he would rather be in this situation with Markus?! 'I'm happy that all of this has happened, it gave me the opportunity to finally tell you how I really feel, something that I never thought I would be able to. Yes, I know things can never happen between us, but a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. If I've had to go through all of this to get to this point, I don't care" he tells me which left me lost for words, I'm unsure if I've really took the time to fully think about what Austin told me the other week.
'Roman and I will never be the same again, not just because of all of this or what I told you, but I'm now seeing him for what he really is" he says the annoyed tone of voice making a reappearance.
'What do you mean?" I ask looking over at him very confused, he keeps telling me that Roman has changed and he doesn't like it, but I never know what he means by that.
'As we all had a break from each other, now he's back I can see what he's really like and if I'm being honest, it's starting to piss me off" he says which wasn't exactly answering my question. 'The way in which he controls you! Whenever I want to walk over and talk to you about anything, he has to be there. What does he think we're going to do, start doing the deed on the floor?!" He asks dramatically, this only causing a laugh to leave my lips looking over at him.
He turns his head to also look at me, where his smile lights up his face as he does so. I couldn't help but laugh at how dramatic he was being, of course Roman wouldn't think that we'd do that! Well I hope not anyway.
'That's a sound that I've been waiting to hear" he smiles looking over at me for a second before turning back to the road, his comment alone making me confused.
'Austin, are you on something?" I ask still laughing as I asked, which does make him start to laugh shaking his head at me.
'No, I'm happy that I get to hear that laugh of yours again, it's something that has gone away since Roman got back" he says which only makes the laughing start to fade slightly, what he was saying wasn't true at all.
'There's been so many times that I have laughed when Roman was back" I say trying to defend myself and Roman, he's making Roman seem like this big scary guy that everyone cowers under his presence.
'Were you laughing with Roman or at him?" He asks looking over at me with a raised eyebrow, but his question didn't make any sense and confused the heck out of me!
But before I could ask him what the heck he meant, the gates to Markus's gigantic house comes into view. Austin pulls the car up to the gate where two guards come out, one goes to his side while another walks around the car to talk to me. At first I was nervous, that was until I looked in the guys eyes and knew who he was straight away.
'Hello miss, could you state your name on this form" he says handing me over a clipboard with a piece of paper, I smile taking it from him to see a note on the top section.
'I'll hand you the earpiece" it reads which did make me move the form further away from Austin, I didn't need him to read that!
I sign my name before handing him the clipboard, whilst I was handing it back to him he somehow, slips the earpiece into my hand without anyone noticing. This does make a smirk fill my lips as I look back at him, that was a smooth way to give it me. But I now had the task of somehow putting in my ear without being caught, the times I've done it before went okay so that's something.
'Are you ready?" Austin asks as we drive through the gate and head towards the house, I make sure that my hand was fully covering the earpiece that was concealed inside.
I send him a nod with a smile as he parks the car, he soon sends me one back before I turn to open my door. As I was climbing out, I slip the earpiece into my ear whilst using my hair to cover it slightly.
'If you can hear me yawn" Jacobs voice soon rings in my ear, I do as I'm told and put my best yawn on to show him I could. 'We're getting better at this" he says which I couldn't help but agree with, I wonder how many more times we're going to have to go through the same thing.
'I can see that you're tired, I'll make sure that Markus doesn't keep us here too long" Austin smiles also hearing my yawn, this causing a smile to fill my lips at how thoughtful he was being.
'You also seem to be a good actress" Jacobs comments as I take Austin's arm, a smile still on my lips at both of their comments.