“Giving you half. I know you’re hungry Landon. I know school lunch doesn’t even fill your big ass. Eat it, you have practice today too.” I urged him.
His scowl didn’t change, “you eat your food Lucy.”
I sighed. “I had a salad and half a sandwich I’m good. I’ll cook when I get home. I’m thinking steak and potatoes. It’ll be ready when you guys get home from practice.” I told him.
I heard groans around me. “Can we come too?” the guy next to him asked.
I leaned over and finally asked him, “What’s your name?”
“Ricky and you are Lucy.” He introduced himself. I nodded. “So can we come too?” he asked hopefully.
“NO” Landon replied for me.
“Why not?” he asked whining.
“Because I already have to share my damn food with Nick, and with his greedy ass we have to fight for thirds. Lucy doesn’t feed us enough as it is.” He complained.
I scoffed, “Right, because thirds isn’t enough.” I rolled my eyes. “Anyway I cook for me and Max. You and Nick are just freeloaders.”
Landon shrugged, “free loader or not I’m still not sharing so beat it.” he told Ricky.
“I need a girlfriend. You guys are all domesticated. Sharing lunches…” he glanced over at me sneaking some more of Landon’s soda, “and soda’s. She makes sure you’re well fed. Shit she even said she’ll have dinner ready for you when you get home.” Ricky said.
“We’re not dating.” Landon and I said at the same time.
“So can I have her? I’ll date you Lucy, do you promise to feed me?” Ricky begged.
I laughed, and Landon turned to him, “No you cannot have her. Leave her alone.” He snapped and I laughed harder.
He really isn’t putting any pressure on me. But even with Nick his possessiveness seems instinctual. Like he can’t help himself, and I find it hilarious. He turned and focused his attention on me. He threw one arm behind my chair and the other on the outside of my arm furthest from him caging me in. “What’s so funny Lucy?” he asked.
“You silly.” I told him and bought up a finger and flicked his nose.
“You trying to be cute?” he asked.
I smiled brighter, “I don’t know… is it cute?” I challenged.
He leaned closer where his mouth was almost touching mine, “yes Lucy. I always find you cute, even when you’re being a pain in my ass.” He leaned in like he was going to kiss me and the next thing I knew he was backing up slowly and my mouth was following his. He laughed and broke the spell.
I slapped his chest. “You’re such a punk you know that?” I asked him.
“And you’re the only person who steals my shit, teases me, and hits me without worrying about what I’m going to do to them. You know that?” he threw back at me.
I shrugged, “I don’t know why they’re scared, ‘cause you’re a punk.” I teased.
“Girl got balls dude” Ricky piped in. I laughed and Landon sighed.
He turned his head towards Ricky, “she must, right? Should I teach her a lesson?” he asked then swung his gaze back to me. Oh god, he’s plotting something!
Ricky pretended to think about it and the shook his head. “Na Lucy’s cool. And if you want to keep getting fed I advise you to take any abuse she dishes out.” He commented.
I laughed harder, “you heard the man. I can do whatever the hell I want if I have to feed you. And trust me you eat like 5 grown men I think. Between you and Nick it’s like cooking for a football team…” I pretended to think about it and Landon narrowed his eyes. He grabbed my waist and picked me up to straddle him. I was now sandwiched between him and the table with his strong arms caging me in.
“Now, go ahead and finish that thought. What were you about to say?” he asked.
Oh so he wanted to try intimidation did he? “I was going to say maybe I’m better off feeding the football team instead.” I told him and tipped my chin up in challenge.
I saw him grin and his eyes changed. Ok Lucy, time’s up… he’s about to make his move. And while I thought I was mentally prepared I wasn’t at all. I wasn’t expecting him to tickle me. Oh My God. This is like torture! I was screeching and squirming all over the place. He let up when I’m sure my face was bright red to let me catch my breath. I fell into his chest still laughing and he was chuckling along. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer, and I wiggled my body up his lap to get as close as possible. I was trying to calm down, and normally his arms gave me a relaxed feeling. He leaned his head down and whispered in my ear. “Stop it Lucy. Just so you know, you’re on my lap and you’re squirming around. You’re starting to lead me to a place of discomfort.” I frowned still moving closer when I felt movement and it was like an eureka moment.
I stopped moving instantly and in one move he tugged me closer so that I was comfortable and didn’t have to move around. He was laughing at me and thankfully my face was already red from laughing so hard, that no one should be able to notice what just happened. I buried my face into his neck making him laugh harder. He placed a kiss on my shoulder. “It’s fine Lucy. Don’t be embarrassed, I’m the one who’ll have to hide it.”
I nuzzled his neck more trying to literally hide there to escape this moment. I felt like everyone around us knew what happened even though I know it’s all in my head, it’s still embarrassing. “Landon stop laughing at me, it’s not funny.” I whined.
He rubbed circles on my back and continued chatting. I felt someone staring at me for a while, that I had to look up. When I did I scooted back into my chair and looked around. I found the source. Dan was staring at us, his lunch wasn’t touched. His hands were balled into fists and his temple was throbbing. It was a tad bit scary. He must still be touchy about the breakup and thinking it was about Landon. Even though I said it wasn’t, it must be tough to watch this the next day after he proposed to me. I felt like a tool for being so inconsiderate of his feelings. I’ll wait a while for things to cool down, and I’ll see about being his friend. Maybe after a while he’ll understand.
Afterschool I went home and spent time with Max. We did homework and he helped me cook. I remembered how hungry those two beasts will probably be and made sure I made a lot. They weren’t home by the time we finished eating, and Max was a bit tired. I think he might be coming down with something. So instead of going to the living room, we went to his room where he changed into his pajamas and then we went to my room. I threw on a flannel set like his, and we crawled in the bed together. We watched cartoons until he went to sleep lying on my chest. I switched to a movie but didn’t move because he seemed so comfortable with is small arms holding me.
I heard when the boys came in, and they must’ve gone straight to the kitchen to eat. It was a while later when Landon came and found me in my room. He nodded his head to Max, “he alright? It’s pretty early for him.” He said as he walked over to us. On instinct his hand went to Max’s head and I wondered how many times he has taken care of him sick.
“I think he’s coming down with something.” I told him, although it seemed like he had already come to the same conclusion.
He nodded. “He’s going to want to sleep with you. Normally he comes to me, but I think you outranked me… plus that looks like a pretty nice pillow.” He commented.
I looked down at Max’s head tucked comfortably on my breasts. I rolled my eyes. “
Did he use the bathroom before he got in bed?” he asked. I shook my head. He sighed “oh man, I hate this.”
He shook Max. “Max, buddy wake up.” Max groaned and shifted but didn’t wake. “Come on little man you have to go to the bathroom before bed ok?” Max got up slowly and opened his eyes to a squint. He wasn’t steady which meant he was still half sleep. Landon picked him up and took him into my bathroom, and I heard him peeing. God I’m happy he thought about that because we would’ve woke up swimming. I shuddered.
Max came out by himself and walked back to my side of the bed and lifted his arm
s. I picked him up and put him in the bed. Landon left the room and came back a few minutes later in sleep pants and a t-shirt. He closed the door behind him and got in on the other side of max. He propped a pillow up a bit on the headboard and got comfortable. He was mainly lying down but his head was propped up. Max was still trying to get comfortable on me. Landon grabbed me and pulled me up so my head was in the crook of his arm. We were close and I was laying on him, but Max was still between us. Landon put one of his arms underneath his head and I shifted so my head was as close to him as possible. Max tucked his body between us reaching for us both, so we scooted close enough together so he felt us both. He turned his body facing me and threw his arm over my stomach and put his head back onto my breast, and his breathing evened out.
Landon chuckled, “I told you, they must be comfortable. You going to let me try sometime?” he asked. I laughed.
“No.” I told him.
“We’ll see,” was all he said. Nick popped his head in probably trying to see where everyone went. Landon asked him to shut the lights, and he met my eyes and gave me a genuine smile. I wonder what he was thinking looking at the three of us snuggled together in bed. Max had went into a deep sleep and shifted to lay down low on the pillow. I made sure that Max was fully covered with the blanket, when he shivered I turned to my side and held him. Landon must’ve noticed because he lay down fully and pulled Max over so his head was on his chest. Max sighed and threw his arm out so I went over Landon’s chest. Staying snuggled with Max I followed and spooned him hoping to keep him warm. I hope it’s not the flu. I rested my head in the crook of his shoulder. He shut off the TV and I caught the time out of the corner of my eye. It wasn’t even 9:00 yet. He was only going to sleep because of us. He placed a kiss to both of our heads before letting out a breath. I kissed Max and Landon’s shoulder.
“Goodnight Landon.” I whispered.
“Sweet dreams angel,” he whispered back.
It was 4am when I was woken up from my sleep.
“Lucy,” I heard my name said on a moan. “My tummy doesn’t feel so good.”
Max! I jumped up, and my movement startled Landon awake. I sat up and pulled Max onto my lap. I rubbed his back, “what’s wrong?” I asked.
Landon sat up in the bed and scooted closer to us. Max clutched his stomach and dry heaved. Landon jumped out of the bed and grabbed Max running to the bathroom door. A minute later I heard him throwing up. I got out of bed and went downstairs to the kitchen to get Max a cup of ice chips and water. At the last minute I decided to grab some crackers too. I made my way back upstairs to find Dean in the doorway of my bedroom.
“What happened?” he asked.
“Max crashed early last night and we thought he wasn’t feeling well. He just woke up and started throwing up.” Landon explained. Dean walked into the room and sat on the edge of the bed and I followed him in. I put the crackers and water on the night stand and handed Landon the cup of ice.
“Here, let him chew on these.” I told him.
Dean leaned towards Max, “Come on let me get you to your room. Lucy and Landon have to go to school in a few hours.” Dean said.
Max threw his arms around Landon’s neck and held on tight shaking his head. “Nooooooooo,” he moaned. “I want Lucy and Landon. I don’t want to go I want to stay in here. “He begged tucking his head into Landon’s neck.
I touched Dean’s shoulder, “don’t worry about it. It’s ok, he can stay and that way I can watch over him.” I reassured him.
He looked up at me in surprise, “You’re going to let him stay in here sick and throwing up?” he asked. I nodded. “He can be a bit needy when he’s sick you know…” he informed me.
I smiled, “its fine. Let him stay, I’ve got him some water and crackers and things. I’ll go get the bucket and fill it up to put it by the bed in case he gets sick again. I’ll watch him, no worries.”
“Thank you Lucy. I have a meeting early tomorrow morning I need to cancel. I’ll see you guys in the morning.” Dean said, but didn’t move. He continued to stare at me.
I gave him a questioning glance, “what?” I asked.
“It’s just you don’t have to do these things. Watch him for me, cook every time he asks, play with him… take care of him while he’s sick. It’s just besides Erica who’s been gone for two years now and Landon, no one else really cared about him, about them. I’m sorry if I come off weird, I’m just not used to it. But their fond of you and you all seem to genuinely care about each other. I’ve been trying to get your mom on board but she’s not coming along easily. Just know that I appreciate it. I don’t know what’s going on with you and Landon…” he trailed off with a raised eyebrow.
Ahh so he wanted an answer, I laughed “we’re not dating.” I told him.
“But you guys sleep together and kiss and …” he stopped himself.
I laughed a little harder, “yes, that’s about it.” I told him.
“Well you kids are weird. In my day, we would call that going steady. I don’t know about you kids. Either way, it’s unconventional I guess giving the circumstances… you know the both of your parents being engaged. But regardless I support… “he waved a hand between us, “whatever the hell it is you two are doing.”
I heard Landon laughing. “Thanks Dean.” I said, and with that he nodded and stood up. He gave me a hug and kissed Max on his head.
“I see I’m not needed here. I’ve officially been overthrown I guess. But I’ll grab the bucket for you Lucy go on back to bed” He said and left the room.
When he came back Landon joked, “Don’t worry, I have been too replaced too. It’s all about Lucy.”
I hit him with my elbow. Dean stood there for a second looking at us in bed back into the same position as before, both laying on Landon with his arm around us. Dean scratched the back of his head, “I’m not going to lie. This does look a little weird kind of like Max is your kid…” he thought for a second and shook his head, “I need sleep. Goodnight kids.” And with that he left to his room.
Max woke us up once more at 5 when he got sick. I checked him for fever and thankfully he didn’t have one. When I finally woke up again I looked over at the time and saw it was a little after 9. I shot up in the bed, and cursed under my breath. We were going to be super late. We usually woke up for school around 7 to get there by 8:15.
Landon opened his eyes slowly. His eyes met mine and he gave me a small smile. I got out of bed leaving Max asleep with Landon. I headed into the kitchen to find Dean sitting there with coffee and his laptop.
“Morning.” He greeted me.
“Hey, good morning Dean. I know we’re late, I just want to get some stuff together for Max and then I’ll get ready to head out.” I told him. I was thinking of how long it would take me to whip together a soup for him.
“I didn’t wake you guys because I figured you had a long night, and Max will probably cry if you left him. If it’s ok with you and you won’t miss anything important at school you can stay home. I can pick up you and Landon’s assignments. I took the day off to be here also.” He informed me.
I breathed a sigh of relief, “thank you that sounds great actually. I was worried about how I was going to make him soup in such a rush.” I told him.
His eyebrows went up, “your main concern is how to make sure he has soup while you’re at school?” he asked.
I nodded, “Of course. And I assumed Landon was staying home with him when he didn’t get up. I would not subject him to Landon being in charge of feeding him.” I cringed, “I’ve seen the boy try to cut a cucumber, I don’t think you need to worry about running to the ER when you have a sick kid.” I told him in all seriousness.
He laughed, “Yea, Landon can’t do anything but reheat.”
I started taking out everything for soup, and started some cream of wheat for breakfast.
“You don’t mind me sitting in here while you … cook?” he said waving a hand at all the crap I already took out.
> I chuckled, “Nope your fine. Knock yourself out.”
About 45 minutes later, Landon came into the kitchen with a sleepy looking Max in his arms. He put him down when he came in and took a seat. Max came over to me, “Lucy I think I’m hungry… but I don’t want to be sick again.” He informed me. I nodded.
“That’s ok. I made you something like oatmeal. It shouldn’t hurt your tummy. You can have some water with it. If you keep that down we can try some juice next with some crackers. I’m making you some soup for later. You have any requests little man?” I asked him.
He nodded, “Can you make chicken soup? I like that.” He asked.
I nodded, “sure can.” I went to take out some chicken to prepare for the soup. I had a bunch of the vegetables already cut up. I made Dean, Landon, and Max a bowl of Cream of Wheat for breakfast.
“Mmmm, is this what I’ve been missing going to work? I’m about to quit and stay home. I see why you guys are home every night. I was surprised but I see why.” Dean commented taking another spoonful, “what did you put in here that it tastes like this?” he asked.
I smiled and winked, “Some vanilla and raisins. Tell anyone my secret and that’ll be your last meal mister.” I threatened.
He chuckled and Landon said, “No dad. Why does everyone want some of my food now? I already have to share with Nick because she,” he pointed an accusing finger at me, “fed the man without my permission and now he just welcomes himself and she doesn’t deny him. Not you too.” He complained to Dean.
Max and I laughed at him. “She made it for me Landon, I’m sick.” Max corrected him.
Landon shrugged, “I know, but you like to share with your big brother right?” he asked.
Max nodded in response and kept eating. I began cleaning the chicken, I wanted it ready for lunch time and I wanted to make sure there was enough for dinner which means I was making a lot. If Max was subjected to soup and light stuff, then so would everyone else. The guys finished their food and I collected their bowls and washed them. I gave Max a cup of ice chips and Landon went to get his crayons and coloring book. He came back down with Max’s stuff and some of his school books. I continued cleaning chicken, when my mother entered the room.
Losing Her (The Lexington Series Book 1) Page 26
