Peyton & Noah (Beaumont: Next Generation 3.50)

“How’s the team shaping up?” Ben asks.

“It’s good. Our rookies are going to make a difference and the offseason training the backs did is really showing. My arm is stronger too.”

Ben nods toward Peyton. “Is she going to be a good fit?”

“Hell yes, she is. Even if it’s only for my own benefit.”

“I feel bad for Quinn.”

“Me too. I was just thinking that you and I had it so easy.”

“Mostly you.” It’s like Ben is reading my thoughts. “This girl doesn’t stand a chance with those two.”

“Or her.” I point toward Eden who is running as fast as she can with her surfboard under her arm. This isn’t going to be good. For a while, we’ve all thought Eden was harboring a crush on Quinn, but Jenna says it’s purely a brother/sister type relationship because he surfs with her. By the look on her face, I’m going to go out on a limb and say it’s definitely a crush.

“Shit, this day keeps getting better and better.”

“We’re like a damn soap opera,” I mumble, watching as everything unfolds.

Whatever Quinn says to Eden sends her running toward the water with her surfboard. Quinn looks upset, but JD tells him not to worry. There’s something about her knickers being twisted. Still after all these years, I have a hard time understanding JD’s lingo.

Quinn brings Nola over to the fire and sits down. Instantly, band talk starts, which means I tune out. The music bug didn’t really bite me as much as it did with Quinn. Maybe if I had grown up with it, things would be different. Mom often says I have the best parts of my dad. If I didn’t know better, I would think that she’s not a fan of the Liam Page, but I know that’s not true.

“Nola, where are you from?” Peyton asks her. I reach for her hand and give it a squeeze. She’s trying. More than Elle at the moment.

“I’m from South Carolina but spent the last four years in Idaho for college.”

“Gamecocks fan?” Peyton asks.

Nola nods, and she and Peyton start discussing college football. I’m about to tune out until Nola calls the NFL the ‘no fun league.’ Of course, I’m in mid swallow and end up spraying beer all over the place. My dad starts laughing and Peyton’s eyes go wi

de.

“Did I say something wrong?”

“Noah’s the quarterback for the Portland Pioneers,” Quinn tells her.

She covers her face from embarrassment. “Is there anyone in your family that isn’t famous?”

Many hands go up. “Don’t worry, sweetie. You’ll get used to it,” Katelyn says.

“Are you saying you had no idea who Quinn’s family is?” Peyton asks.

Nola nods. “Up until the other day, I had no idea who Liam Page was.”

Everyone in our circle busts out laughing, except for Nola. I can’t imagine what’s going through her mind right now, but sense that she’ll have no problem fitting in with the rest of us. Still, she has a battle on her hands where Elle is concerned. I’m confident though that Peyton and Nola will get along just fine.

I excuse myself so I can go clean up. Peyton follows. She sits down on her bed and sighs. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m not sure I like her.”

“You just met her. Give her some time to find her groove. Our family is a tight nut to crack.”

“It’s not just that. There’s something… odd. Like who doesn’t know who your dad is?”

I shrug and pull a clean shirt out of my bag. “Maybe she listens to country music.”

“I think you should go out without a shirt on.”