Guess who's back! Many apologies for the wait. But lets get back into the swing of things. Many thanks to my editor, Moaninglover. Forever in your debt, hun.
-Kat
Nate slid Peyton off his lap and stood up quickly. He positioned himself between Peyton and a rapidly approaching Addison.
"What are you doing here?" He said sternly.
"I just had to see it for myself," Addison said as she approached. She stood in front of Nate but glared at Peyton, who stood her ground. "I can't believe this is who you've been cheating on me with."
"Ms. Broughton, I don't know how you found out but Nate and I-"
"Shut up, you no-good slut!" Addison screamed. She stretched out her claw-like finger towards Peyton, but Nate held her back.
"Addison, stop!" Nate said while trying to avoid her thrashing fingernails.
"NO!!" Addison screeched. "I will not stop! How dare you try and defend her Nathaniel! This- this dirty, black whore!"
Nate got a grip on Addison's shoulders and gave her a ruthless shake. "You will NOT come to my home and insult my woman. I will no longer tolerate this craziness from you anymore Addison! Read my goddamn lips: WE ARE OVER! I DON'T LOVE YOU ANYMORE!"
Addison stared at him incredulously. Mascara-filled tears began running down her porcelain-like cheeks. She shifted her gaze back at Peyton.
"You will regret this," she growled. She turned swiftly and started marching back to her car.
"Wait!" Peyton called out to her. "Ms. Broughton, wait!"
"What are you doing?" Nate asked. Peyton didn't answer him, but ran after Addison.
"What the fuck do you want?" The blazing red-head spat out. "And keep in mind that it's only Nate's presence behind your ass that I'm not ripping you limb from limb right now."
"I understand."
"What?"
"I understand you now."
"Bitch, you don't know anything about me!"
"I know that you loved Nate. I can see it in your eyes. You truly loved him."
Addison was silent. She turned her head away from Peyton, but kept listening.
"I love him, Ms. Broughton. In that prospect, we are similar. And because I love him, I want him to be happy. Don't you want the same thing?"
"I want him happy with me."
"And that's where we differ. You need to stop thinking about yourself for once. You did that before with the baby and look how it ended."
Addison flashed an antagonizing look. "You know what? You're right. I did that for me. Fuck Nate. I wasn't going to lose everything I'd worked for over some kid I didn't want in the first place! No amount of him crying then or pleading from you now will ever stop me from doing what I want. I will never change!"
"Then you don't deserve him."
Addison snapped. In a flash, her ringed fingers formed a fist and connected with Peyton's jaw; Peyton tasted blood.
Nate saw and was coming down that next moment. He didn't reach in time to stop Peyton from slamming her fist into Addison's nose. Addison's hand shot up to her face.
"Damn, baby," he said, generally impressed. "You've got some boxer skills."
Addison screamed when she looked into her palms and saw crimson blood. She turned to retaliate but Nate was now between them again.
Addison gave Peyton the evil eye one more time before getting into her car and speeding off. Peyton turned quickly and marched back into the house with Nate in tow.
"Are you ok?" he asked.
Peyton didn't turn around. "I'm fine."
"She hit you pretty hard," Nate reached for her shoulder. "Here, let me see-"
"I said I'm fine!" Peyton snapped. She stormed off into the kitchen, still without looking at Nate. He followed her again.
"Peyton, talk to me."
Instead, Peyton ran cold water over a dish rag and placed it on the left side of her jaw.
"I knew this would happen," she mumbled.
"Well Addison would have to find out eventually but-"
"No!" Peyton said, turning around to Nate. "I knew everything would fall apart. I was too happy. Everything was too great. The rain had to finally fall, pouring my suck-fest life back down on me. I can never hold on to anything this good without-"
Nate held up a hand. "Ok, now it's my turn to interrupt you." Peyton stared up at him, on the verge of tears. "Peyton, baby, nothing has fallen apart. There's no rain falling. I love you now just as much as I loved you five minutes ago. Maybe even more so. Addison knowing about us doesn't matter to me and I honestly don't think it should matter to you."
"But my job-"
"Fuck that job. You have some more experience so you can get another one. This is the city. There are lots of jobs out here. Hell, I'll even put in a good word for you if you need one."
Peyton was quiet. Nate could tell she had calmed. He grabbed a mini towel from over the sink and went to the freezer and got ice. After putting the makeshift ice pack together, he returned to Peyton and gently placed it against her jaw. She winced then smiled.
"It doesn't really hurt," she said. "But those rings. Ugh." She winced again and took the pack from Nate. She placed it on the counter and wrapped her arms around his waist. She felt his strong arms enclosed over her shoulders.
"I'm sorry for overreacting," she whispered into his chest. "I was just scared."
"It's ok, baby. I get scared too sometimes. Like I'm going to say or do something to lose you. But we can both overcome our fears together. I promise."
"Ok, Hallmarks," Peyton quipped. Nate slid his hand down and pinched her ass. She giggled and winced again. "I love you, Nate."
"I love you, too, smart ass."
--------------------------------------------------
Peyton tried not to chew her nails. Everyone was staring at her when she went into work that morning. It was like walking the green mile to her desk. She tried to stay as quiet as possible as she packed up the few belongings she had left on her desk.
"Peyton! Get in here NOW!" came the sound of Addison's voice through her office door for all to hear. A flutter of murmurs and whispers swept through the aisles. Peyton sucked in her gut, ignoring the wave of embarrassment that crept up on her. Nate had suggested she not even coming in today, but she wanted to grab the framed picture of her and her parents that she kept on the desk. And now she was going to pay for it. She strutted with her chin held high, seemingly ready for whatever Addison had to dish. The boss herself was sitting on her desk, legs crossed dramatically. She was already glaring at Peyton. If looks could kill, she thought.
"Come in Miss Cavanaugh."
Peyton entered but stood by the door. Ready for a quick getaway.
"I think it is obvious that your services will no longer be needed here."
"Yup!" Peyton responded quickly. "So I'm just going to get my stuff and-"
"Not so fast, slut." Addison stopped her. "I'm not through with you just yet. Did you believe I'd let you off so easy? After what you've done?"
Peyton cocked her head to the side. "Let me off so easy? You punched me in the face and I'm out of a job. I mean, granted, I hit you back and I'm with Nate but-"
"Don't you say his name, you whore!" Addison squealed. Peyton cringed at the sound.
"Stop seeing him," Addison growled.
Peyton just looked at her. "No," she said simply.
"Peyton Cavanaugh, I am warning you to stop fucking my boyfriend or I'll-"
"Or you'll what?" It was Peyton's turn to cut her off. "Have me tarred and feathered in the street? And for the last time, he is NOT your boyfriend. He's mine now, Addison. And there's not a damn thing you can do about it." Peyton turned on her heel to leave.
"You stop right there, Peyton!" Addison squealed again. But Peyton waved her off and kept walking. When she got outside Addison's office door, she saw eight of her coworkers attempting to disperse, acting like they hadn't just been caught eavesdropping. But Peyton couldn't care less. She was done with this job for good. And she was done with Addison Broughton.