Page 101 of All Your Dreams

“Yeah, I’m sure.”

She nods over and over, thanking me through fresh tears, promising she won’t mess it up this time. Each promise lands less than the last, but I don’t stop her. I let her talk until words run out. Because after everything, she’s still my baby sister, my family. I love her with all my heart, even if she’s partly to blame for how bruised the organ is.

Once Livia calms enough to be left alone, I excuse myself and find Peyton in my bedroom, folding laundry. She looks up the second I step inside, concern written across her face.

“How’s Livia?”

“Tired. Ashamed. Overwhelmed.” I let out a slow breath. “But I think she really wants to get better this time.”

Peyton sets down one of my T-shirts before crossing the room to me. “I'm glad she came back.”

“So am I.”

I slip my arms around her waist and rest my forehead against her shoulder. The second I have her in my embrace, the restlessness inside me begins to settle. I’ve spent so long carrying everything—Tilly, Livia, the constant worry and the endless what-ifs—that I don’t know how to put any of it down anymore.

But with Peyton here, I don’t have to hold the full weight of everything alone. She doesn’t try to fix anything or tell me it’ll all work out. She just stays, letting me lean into her, and that makes it easier to breathe. For the first time in longer than I can remember, it feels like someone is carrying part of the load with me. I never had that with my ex, so the feeling is new, but so damn needed.

The thought of tomorrow and our holiday plans has been sitting in the back of my mind since Livia showed up. I pull back to look into Peyton’s compassionate gray eyes.

“I need to tell you something,” I say.

“Anything.”

“I don't think I can come to Eli and Rose's beach house tomorrow for the Fourth.”

Understanding softens her expression before I've even finished speaking. “You want to stay with Livia.”

“And Chase is coming over tomorrow morning as planned. I think the three of us Braxton kids need some time together without the whole crew around.”

Peyton nods immediately, not hesitating. “Of course.”

“I still want you to go.”

“Ollie…”

I meet her eyes again. “I'm serious. You've been looking forward to this time with everyone. You shouldn't miss out because my family's falling apart.”

“Handsome,” she says softly, “I can see everyone another time. Right now, I want to be here with you. So stop trying to decide what I should or shouldn’t miss out on and let me make that choice for myself.”

“But you've got enough on your shoulders without the added stress of Livia being here. Go to the beach house. Relax. Swim. Let Eli burn something on the grill,” I add.

“That does sound like Eli.”

Peyton searches my face, her lips pressed together like she’s holding back another argument. After a moment, she exhales and steps closer, slipping her fingers through mine.

“You sure?”

I squeeze her hand. “I’m sure. I'll talk to you every night before bed.”

“You'd better.” Peyton brushes her free thumb across my cheek one more time before reaching up to kiss me. The touch is soft and brief, but says everything we don't.

“You'll be okay?” she asks after.

I glance toward the hallway where Livia is waiting. “I honestly don't know.”

“You don't have to do everything perfectly. You just have to be her safe place, just like you’re mine.”

After years of wondering whether I’m being enough for the people I love, the simplicity of her words nearly undoes me. I swallow around the lump in my throat. “I can do that.”