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Chapter Thirty Eight

"BOOK! BOOK! BOOK!"

Landon got to me before anyone else. He threw his chubby little arms around my leg and squeezed. It was like the Kayleigh stunt all over again, but for Landon, it was appropriate.

"Hey Lan!" I said. I took a labored step; he came swinging with me. He burst into hysterical giggles and dropped to the ground.

"Hey BooBoo."

Dad took my bag from me and hugged me tightly. I know country's don't have a smell, but dad actually smelled like Australia.

"We missed you sweetheart," mom said. She hugged me tightly. She looked tan and relaxed. I figured after a few more days chasing after Landon, that look would disappear.

"Where's Noah and Pay?" I asked.

"They're at home," mom said.

We got my bags and headed to the car.

"It'll be good to get home," I said.

"Your first show is in three days," dad reminded me. I smiled.

"I know."

We were about half-way home, when I suddenly thought about Kay's necklace. The necklace reminded me about Noah.

"HEY!" I said. It was so sudden that dad swerved. Once we righted himself, he glanced back at me in surprise.

"What?"

"Noah bought Kay a really expensive necklace for her birthday. He said he just got his first paycheck. What's that all about?" I asked.

Dad frowned. "Paycheck? I have no idea..."

Mom looked like she had found a sudden interest in the palm trees out along the boulevard.

"Mom?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you know anything?"

"Mommy knows lots!" Landon piped up. "She knows ciwcles, and twiangles, and squawes!"

Dad laughed. Then he looked at mom.

"Liv, I know that look."

"I know nothing!" she said sweetly.

"Y'know he said he was buying drugs with the rest of the money," I said. I was playing hardball. Mom whirled around in her seat.

"He didn't."

I wasn't a great liar. I felt my face flush. "He...he might have."

Mom rolled her eyes. At her own daughter!

"Liv, c'mon spill the beans," dad said.

"I'm sure he'll tell you eventually," mom said with a smile. "And if he doesn't, you'll find out in a couple days anyhow."

Dad looked confused. I'm pretty sure I looked the same way.

How were we going to find out in a couple days?

-----------------------------------

I realized after two days at home that I might have decided to start the tour too soon. I was having too much fun. Since mom and dad missed the Fourth of July, dad did a fireworks show for us my first night back. Landon almost blew himself up when he tried to shove a lit sparkler up his nose. Mom got a big burn on her hand from yanking it away from him.

I didn't know what it was about Landon. Peyton, Noah, and I were all born in rapid-fire order. Mom didn't have any battle scars from us (well, except Noah since he was a C-section). But, I was pretty sure that Landon was hazardous to her health.

The second day was spent packing for tour. Peyton spent most of the afternoon with me.

"You have so much stuff," she complained as I opened my fourth duffel bag.

"Well, I like to keep everything separated," I said. "Makeup, clothes, shoes..."

Peyton picked up one of my bras and held it up to her. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling. She caught me looking and tossed it at me.

"Don't laugh," she said sullenly.

"I'm not laughing," I said. "What's going on?"

Peyton sat down on the bed. She lifted one of her long legs above her head and wrapped her hands around it for a leg pull.

"I met this boy at the beach a few weeks ago," she said.

I paused. Peyton met a boy? My little sister?

"Oh?"

"Yeah, his name's Robbie. He's a surfer."

"How old is he?"

"Fourteen."

"He's older than you."

Peyton lowered her leg.

"By like four months, dad," she said. I blushed. That had so totally sounded like something dad would say.

"So what's that have to do with the bra?" I asked.

Peyton lifted her other leg and did the same stretch.

"Well, Robbie watched me surf and he said that the best female surfers have flat chests."

"That's stupid," I said.

Peyton lowered her leg.

"No, boobs are stupid."

I laughed. "Agreed. So what did you say to him?"

Peyton looked flustered. "What do you say to that? I didn't know whether he was calling me flat or too boob-y or--"

"Don't worry about it," I said. "Guys are stupid."

Peyton smiled. "Is Trevor stupid?"

I blushed. "Trevor doesn't count."

"Oh, so you're saying he's not a guy."

"NO!" I said. "I, er--I don't know what Trevor is yet," I admitted.

Peyton sat up.

"A boyfriend?" she guessed.

"No," I said. "I mean, not yet."

"Have you kissed?"

"No!"

"Robbie kissed me," she said.

My eyes widened. It was stupid, but I studied Peyton's lips. They looked like the same lips...

I almost smacked myself. Of course they were the same lips. Were mine any different?

"Was this before or after the boob comment?" I asked.

"After," she said.

I didn't know what to say. Fourteen year old guys were confusing. Hell, sixteen year old guys were even worse.

"How was it?" I asked.

Peyton smiled. "Nice. He had just downed a Sunny Delight and it tasted very..." she paused and tilted her head. "citrus-y."

I laughed. I came over and sat beside her. I picked up one of my small square pillows and hit the side of her head with it.

"Peyton's got a boyyyyyfrieeeenddd," I teased. Her eyes widened. She grabbed a pillow. She swung and hit my shoulder.

"I don't!"

We both scrambled to our feet. The pillow war was on. I was singing, she was screaming, and we both ended up on the floor laughing.

"He's not my boyfriend," she repeated with a gasp.

"Was that your first kiss?" I asked. We were both breathing hard from our chase.

"Yeah," she said.

"Would you do it again?"

A slow smile spread across her face. She looked at me, her eyes sparklig.

"Yeah."

I laughed. We both sat up and brushed the hair out of her eyes.

"I'll give you some advice Pey," I said. "If a guy kisses you, I wouldn't worry too much about what he says about your boobs." I paused. "But don't let him touch them."

Her eyes widened. "Ew, gross!"

We both got up and continued to pack. I smiled. I hoped Peyton would think that was gross for at least a few more years.

Because after that, it all started to become confusing.