Safe (Conquering)

by Ryan Michele

  Landon starting walking toward the open benches by the fire, with me following closely behind, giving Brad a small wave. I couldn’t help the relief that flooded me to be away from Brad. “Thanks Landon. I appreciate that.”

  “No problem. Brad trying to put the moves on ya, huh?”

  “You could say that, but his eye contact sucks. He kept looking at anything but me.” I watched as Landon looked down at his hands, but then back at me. It was only a brief moment, and if I wasn’t watching him so closely, I would have missed it. “He asked me in like the first five seconds of talking if I had a guy. He just came off strange.”

  Landon busted out laughing. “Well, it is a good question to get the answer to.”

  “Yeah. I’m sure it is.” My gaze went to the fire.

  “I had a great time last night.”

  “Me too.” I really did.

  “What’s a sweet girl like you doing here in podunk Georgia?” I knew he was being sincere. I had avoided all these questions since arriving. I just couldn’t let him suck me in, which he was doing just by being near me. His smell was like an intoxicating drug invading my entire body. He smelled of leather, spice, and man—very dangerous combination.

  “Just needed a change.” Looking around the fire, I saw that same woman from the other night glaring at me—Meg, I think he said. “Look, I can see the blonde over there is giving me the evil eye. You can go over and hang out with her.”

  The smile instantly left his face. I watched as he looked over at the woman with a scowl on his face. His reaction took me off guard. I actually didn’t know what to do with it—be nervous, happy, scared—for some reason it baffled me and made me wonder about their history.

  Turning, he smiled. “If you can deal with me for a bit, I’d like to sit here with you.”

  Oh God, did I wish I could. His smile was going to kill me. The fire ripping through it was burning me alive just by being this close to him. After the previous night, I didn’t know how much more I could take.

  I knew if I sat here longer with him I would have an inferno on my hands that I didn’t know if I could put out … and then what? How did I know for sure this man wasn’t like Rob? Nice and sweet now, great with his family, helpful … but in a few months, who knew. And those arms could probably crack a tree in half.

  Before I could make a break for it, I heard a familiar voice. Swinging my head around, I saw Renzo and Lukas walking our way.

  Shit. No leaving now.

  “Hey Sadie, how are ya?” Renzo was the first to speak.

  “I’m good,” I said, shaking my solo cup in the air. This caused laughter. I wasn’t trying to be funny, but if it worked.

  Lukas and Renzo sat on the bench next to us. “What do you want?” Landon’s brisk voice caught me. The brothers started laughing again. I guess I was outside this joke they had going on.

  “Chill out,” Lukas cut.

  “Sadie, yesterday was a blast … you liking Williamsfield yet?” Renzo said.

  “So far, yeah.” My gaze focused on the fire. I looked up at Landon from underneath my lashes and smiled. I didn’t know what the hell I was thinking. I shouldn’t be flirting in any way with this man, but I was finding it hard to stop myself.

  His megawatt smile in return had me thinking I was in serious trouble with this one. A little harmless flirting was okay … right? I could never let it lead to anything more than that.

  I listened to the brother brigade talk about random things. I even jumped in a couple times, about the new action movie coming out, that I was dying to see. This surprised them, but whatever. I brushed it off.

  We actually laughed as it was a replay of last night. I found myself laughing more tonight than last. I haven’t laughed this much in … I don’t even remember. All I knew was my cheeks hurt from all the smiling.

  Most of the group made their way over to us and joined in on the conversation. I did a lot of smiling and nodding, but kept it together around all these strangers. They seemed like nice people, but looks could be deceiving.

  “Hey Landon, you bring your guitar?” a guy whose name I couldn’t remember asked.

  “Yeah.”

  He actually started laughing and damn it if it wasn’t a heart pumping sound. “I’ll be back.” As he walked into the darkness, I couldn’t help but watching his tight ass in those jeans. Every step he took was mesmerizing.

  “Sadie!” I shook my head.

  “What?”

  “I asked if you liked what he plays, but you were too busy staring at my brother’s ass.” Renzo laughed, and I felt the hottest flush creep up me. Damn. I didn’t want to be obvious, but to hell if I wasn’t.

  Ignoring his comment, I answered his question, “Yeah.” Looking back and forth between the brothers, I couldn’t deny they were totally handsome, but I could see a distinct difference between them and Landon.

  The thought of Landon gave me chills and warmed me up at the same time. I didn’t get that with them.

  Landon was coming our way carrying the same acoustic guitar I saw him use at the show. As he sat down next to me, he began tuning it.

  Just like the night at the bar, he was captivating. As soon as his mouth opened to sing, my body caught on fire leaving a large pile of ash in its wake. His voice was smooth, deep, and flowed beautifully.

  Landon knew tons of songs, from “Sweet Home Alabama” to the newest Luke Bryan song. The entire crowd was singing along with him, including myself, smiles plastered on our faces.

  I didn’t miss the looks from Landon out of the corner of my eye or the smirk of his mouth, and I couldn’t help but return them. Looking around, I noticed that Lauryn was nowhere to be found. I needed to find her, and I kind of needed a break from all the testosterone and Landon.

  As I stood up and brushed my pants, Landon’s singing stopped. “Where are you going?” Landon asked.

  “I’m gonna go find Lauryn. I haven’t seen her in a while. I want to see if she needs help.” I turned, smiling at him.

  “You’ll come back?” he asked.

  “I’ll see what she needs me to do.”

  “Okay. I’ll be here.” He began strumming the guitar again as I set off to find Lauryn.

  With a small smile tugging my lips, I walked into the house looking for Lauryn. She was in the kitchen putting out even more food, chatting away with several people. She saw me coming toward her and parted from the people. “Hi! You having fun?”

  “Yeah. You need some help?” God, please let her need help! I needed to do something that didn’t entail me being consumed by Landon.

  “Nope, I’ve got everything. You go out and have fun! I saw you talk to Brad and Landon.”

  Yeah … saw me talking since you left me. “I was just talking to them. I told you before I can’t get wrapped up in guys.”

  “Well, you should be, at least with Landon. Brad, on the other hand, he’s no good. Now go on back outside.”

  I looked at her inquisitively. “Why is Brad so bad? Not that I don’t agree with you, just curious.” More than curious actually.

  Lauryn looked out the sliding glass door. Following her gaze, my eyes met with the beautiful blue ones that mesmerized me earlier, that same smile playing on his lips.

  With a quick smirk back, I turned back to Lauryn. “You gonna tell me about Brad?”

  “It’s a bit of a story. Some other time. Now go out there. Someone’s waiting for you.”

  I could feel Landon’s eyes burning holes in the back of my head. He must have left the fire and followed me. Filling up my cup, I avoided the sliding glass door. I just needed a little break. I instead went out through the garage. Sneaky, I know, but I needed to keep my distance from him.

  I looked and saw the beautiful lake and began walking toward it. The chairs on the dock lent a perfect spot for me to get some down time. I needed to gather my thoughts and figure out my next moves in this new life.

  The moonlight made the water look so calm and peaceful. It was breathtak
ing, like one of those pictures that you hang up on your wall, although this was real life. This scene would make that awesome picture. The light ripples of the water made the most peaceful sound.

  Closing my eyes, I felt the cool Georgia breeze across my skin. Now don’t get me wrong, it was hot here, but the breeze was nice. I was lost in the calm of my surroundings.

  While I enjoyed talking and singing, I still didn’t know anyone here. They sure as hell didn’t know my past, and I wasn’t going to tell that.

  “Sadie?”

  Jumping up, I twirled, tripping over my feet toward the edge of the dock. I felt strong hands grip my arms, and my instinct was to pull away, but when I tried they pulled harder until my face was smashing into a very hard chest with a smell that I instantly recognized. Even recognizing the scent, I started fighting and pushing, but got nowhere.

  “Sadie, it’s me, Landon. It’s okay.” My mind didn’t register what my body was doing. It began to calm, while my mind was in flight mode.

  After a moment of relaxing into him, he let go of me, and I instantly pulled away from him. “You scared the shit out of me!”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. Are you okay?” His voice was laced with concern for me. I could pretend this didn’t make me happy, but that would be another lie to add to the pile.

  “I’m fine. Just give me a minute.” I sat back in the chair, willing my body to fully calm down. It wasn’t working so well, but I felt my heart and breathing begin to minimally slow.

  Landon took the other chair on the opposite side of me. Glancing over at him, he was staring at the water. I could only imagine what was going through his mind—hopefully that I was a crazy nut, and he’d do his best to stay away.

  After quite a long silence, he must not have been able to take it anymore. “I’m sorry I scared you,” he whispered.

  “I know you didn’t mean to. I’m just a little jumpy being in a new place and all.” This wasn’t a lie; any sound had me on edge. I knew Rob didn’t know where I was, but the thought of him lurking was never far from the back of my mind.

  “I shouldn’t have snuck up on you. I should have coughed or made a noise or something. You looked so peaceful though.”

  I looked into his eyes. “It is very peaceful out here. Almost like the entire world doesn’t exist.”

  “I can see that. You don’t have a place like this where you’re from?”

  “Not in my backyard.” I smiled at him. His heart-stopping smile followed. Shit. Looking away quickly, I knew I should get away, but my body wasn’t cooperating.

  “Can we play a game?”

  Looking at Landon, he must have noticed my apprehension.

  “Just a little getting to know you. We’re always around people and never get a chance to get to know each other.”

  “So why a game?” I asked.

  “The other night you just seemed more at ease when things were fun. I thought this might be fun.”

  “Sure. What game?”

  “I’ll say a word and you say the first word that pops in your head.”

  “Okay.”

  “Happy.”

  “Mom.”

  “Sad.”

  “Dad.”

  “Why is that?” Landon asked.

  “Dead.” I kept with the one word answers. I didn’t want to go into detail.

  “Fun.”

  “Four-wheeling.” Landon smiled at me.

  “Friend.”

  “Macy.”

  “Who’s Macy?” Landon asked.

  “My best friend from home. Wait … this isn’t part of it. You’re only supposed to say a word not ask me a question after.” I began to feel a bit more comfortable. These words weren’t so hard to answer.

  “Sorry. Okay … Miss.”

  “Seth.” I saw the question in his eyes that he wanted to ask. “My brother.” I smiled. I knew there would be more to that question.

  “Home.”

  “Sad.”

  “Georgia.”

  “Relaxing.”

  “Heart.”

  “Broken.” I stared out at the water.

  “Why is it broken?”

  “This isn’t part of the game.” I smiled at him.

  “I’d still like you to tell me.”

  “It just is. I don’t want to play anymore okay? Let me give you the rundown version of me. Okay?”

  He nodded.

  “I’m from up North. My mom’s still there, dad’s passed on. I have a brother who I love to pieces. He’s serving in Iraq. I studied business in college and love to read.”

  “Thanks for sharing with me.” He seemed genuinely sincere, but I just couldn’t get past that pit in my stomach. It could be an act. I fell for it once, and I wouldn’t do it again.

  “You’re welcome. Look, I don’t want to come off as rude or disrespectful; I just want to be honest with you. I’m not looking for a man in my life. I’m trying to get myself together here, and I just need time to work that out.” Deep down, I was hoping he wouldn’t take this as me being a bitch.

  “Well, we’re in the same boat. I’m not looking for anything but a friend. Can you use one of them?”

  I felt his sincerity. It made me ache. I really wanted a friend—someone I could trust. The only ones I had were Macy and Lauryn, and neither of them knew the real me.

  “Yeah. That would be nice.” I smiled.

  “What are you doing tomorrow?”

  Catching me off guard, I asked, “What?”

  I asked, “What are you doing tomorrow?”

  “Umm … I don’t know yet.”

  “I would just like to show you somewhere. Just as friends.”

  “Like alone with you in a car?”

  Laughing, he said, “Yes, you alone with me in my truck. And whenever you say the word, I’ll bring you back.”

  Could I do it? Could I go along with him and not freak out? I had my cell so I could always call. And I would definitely tell Lauryn who I was with.

  There was just something about him that made me feel comfortable. What was this pull to him? Should I fear him or the pull more?

  “Okay.”

  Shit. What in the hell was I thinking?

  Take that back, I knew exactly what I was thinking. It was that fucktard, Brad, talking to Sadie. I wanted to kick his fucking ass. To say I hated Brad, was an understatement. In my eyes, he was the scum of the Earth, and everyone in this town knew I felt this way.

  After what he did to me, I just couldn’t ever look at him with anything but disgust again.

  Sitting at my kitchen island, all those thoughts I had buried came rushing back.

  That stupid piece of shit had been my best friend since we were little. We grew up next door to each other; well, if you called five acres away next door, but to us it was.

  We were inseparable—playing little league, soccer, and everything in between together. We hung out at each other’s houses all the time and got into some serious trouble together.

  Like the time we super-glued all of Lainey’s Barbies to her bedroom floor. Mom was pissed beyond belief. They had to pull the carpet up, and we never got the Barbies off it. Lainey cried like hell, and Brad and I cried after Mom got done with us.

  Mom had us cleaning, scraping, and digging anything and everything she could come up with as punishment. It was one hell of a long week.

  When he committed the ultimate betrayal with Stacy, I didn’t take it lightly. It was a serious blow to me, and I still haven’t gotten over it.

  I wasn’t quite ready to share it with Sadie yet, if ever. I knew she’d hear of my past if I didn’t tell her, but I wasn’t ready. Shit, for all I knew, Lauryn already told her.

  Come to think of it, maybe she knew and realized how messed up I was, but then why would she come with me today.

  I didn’t know why I even cared in the first place, but it was really starting to piss me off.

  When I saw her sitting all alone by the lake, I couldn’t help but a
pproach. Her hair was glowing in the moonlight while she reclined in the chair. With her eyes closed, she looked so peaceful, like she didn’t have a care in the world. Everything was washed away, and she looked even more beautiful than before.

  I felt this draw to her that I couldn’t turn off. It was like a thousand strings pulling me to her, and if I was being honest with myself, I didn’t want to pull away. I was starting to sound like a Hallmark card. Since when did I turn into such a fucking sap?

  I enjoyed laughing and talking to her. Finding out we had the same tastes in movies and music made me want to find out what else we had in common.

  Having her see me play at the bar and going four-wheeling was unbelievable. I knew that I’d hurt her and that I was incapable of giving her a happily ever after. Stacy ruined that part of me, and I vowed to never let it happen again.

  While I knew that she wasn’t Stacy, in theory, I just couldn’t risk it. I could never risk it again; even as dynamic as Sadie was becoming, I couldn’t open up that part of me again.

  When I walked in on Stacy riding my best friend—and yes, I mean riding—on the couch, both naked, my entire world snapped. I snapped.

  In the blink of an eye, I lost my best friend, who had been my third brother and the girl who was love of my life. Well, I thought at the time she was the love of my life. She ended up just being a whore. I was utterly devastated and lost. The thought of my best friend screwing the woman I was planning on spending the rest of my life with was debilitating.

  The fact that Stacy just gave up everything to sleep with Brad incapacitated me. I was numb.

  The whiskey bottle that I kept trying to drown myself in only made it worse. I would keep replaying the scene I walked into unsuspectingly over and over again. It would never go away.

  When my brothers finally had enough of me destroying my liver, Renzo and Lukas stepped in. I fought like hell and that included with my fists. We had months of fights back and forth. It almost destroyed us as brothers, but they never gave up on me. For that, I owe them my life.

  Even though the whiskey was gone, that scene was permanently etched in my brain.

  While I didn’t forgive either one of them, I’d moved past it. Well, in my own way. But I refuse to ever let another woman have that much hold over me again.