by Aven Ellis
Snap! All my puzzle pieces about Kayla fall into place, creating a picture for me. Kayla was after Landon from the start. Landon wasn’t an option, he confirmed it on her fishing expedition, and then she set her sights on Ben.
Ben is simply a placeholder until she can get Landon.
And Landon is completely oblivious to what is happening.
Part of me wants to ignore all of this. To say the meeting was fine, the end. I’m going to work while you get in the shower.
But adulting means facing the truth. Kayla is after him, and while I can’t say exactly that, I can tell him what happened at lunch today.
“Landon, I know she means a lot to you,” I say slowly. “But Kayla and I are very different people. We’re never going to be friends.”
The smile vanishes from his face. My stomach tightens in response.
“Really?” Landon asks, surprise resonating in his voice. “Why, did something happen?”
“She overstepped her bounds at lunch today,” I say, staring him straight in the eyes. “Kayla wanted to discuss our relationship.”
Landon furrows his brow. “What?”
“She was worried about you getting hurt. That I—”
“Livy, I’m sure she didn’t mean anything by that,” Landon interjects. “She’s protective of me, like my sister Emily is. Kayla was probably—”
“No, Landon,” I interject. “Kayla made it very clear that I was going to get hurt in the end.”
“What did she say?” he asks.
“That you weren’t ready to settle down.”
Landon removes his hands from mine. “What? In what way did she say that?”
Frustration builds in me. Landon is going to look for any angle to support his view of her, and it’s starting to piss me off.
“Don’t you believe me?” I blurt out.
“No, Livy, of course I do,” Landon says, reaching out to touch my arm. “But maybe you misunderstood the context of what Kayla was trying to say. She’s a good person. I don’t think Kayla would knowingly—”
“Oh, she sure as hell did!” I snap, losing all self-control. “Kayla is after you. This whole lunch was a set up for her to try and rattle me and make me insecure. Make me believe that you couldn’t possibly commit to me because of your history. Why can’t you see this? You’re the one Kayla wants, not Ben!”
Anger flashes across Landon’s face. “That,” he says, his voice controlled, “is ridiculous.”
“Kayla’s comments about you? Dead on ridiculous. Her comments about me not being enough for you? Also ridiculous,” I say, my voice shaking. “But my comments about her wanting you? Spot on accurate.”
“So let me get this straight,” Landon says angrily, “you think Kayla is dating Ben as the backup plan for me? That’s crazy. You sound paranoid, Livy!”
His words smash straight into my heart.
Paranoid. Crazy. Everything Troy accused me of being is now coming out of the mouth of the man I love.
“And more to the point,” Landon continues, “even if she was after me, do you think I’d cheat on you? Is that where this is coming from? You’re worried I can’t keep my fucking pants zipped? That I’d bang another woman instead of staying loyal to you? After everything I’ve said to you? You actually think this about me?”
“You know that’s not true,” I say, choking out the words as my eyes fill with tears. “This is about her. Not you.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. This is about me. If this is how you feel, I wonder if you’re over what happened back in Seattle with Troy. And if that’s the case, we sure as hell shouldn’t be together now.”
Then Landon turns and storms out of the room, slamming his bedroom door shut behind him.
Chapter 26
TriviaPlayOrPass!
DesignerA, do you care for a rematch with Scott921?
I stare up at my ceiling in my room. I’ve spent the entire evening in isolation here since I had that awful fight with Landon this afternoon. It’s late, the Buffaloes game is over, and I’ve been tortured by my thoughts all night.
My chest aches as I replay it over and over in my head. How quickly it escalated. How Landon completely misunderstood me. How I lost it when he uttered the same words as Troy. How he wouldn’t listen to me and jumped to his own incorrect conclusion.
My eyes blur again and I feel a single tear escape my eye and roll down my cheek. I don’t even bother to brush it away. I left after he slammed his door shut. I called Aubrey to let her know I wasn’t going to the game tonight and why. Then I came home, told Mom and Nana I was sick and wanted to be left alone.
Which isn’t a lie. I do feel sick. My stomach is churning. My head hurts from crying.
But my heart hurts worst of all. The idea of Landon breaking up with me causes me pain I’ve never known. In such a short period of time, he’s everything to me. I love him in a way I never loved Troy. The love I feel for Landon is complete.
My missing puzzle piece.
But now I wonder if our puzzle will remain unfinished forever.
And with that thought, I begin sobbing again.
Suddenly there’s a knock on my door.
“Livy?” Nana says tentatively.
I jerk my hand across my face, quickly trying to get rid of my tears. I roll across the bed and go to the door, knowing I look like crap, and open the door.
Nana is standing before me with a bottle of whiskey in her hand.
I lose it, as I remember she told Landon to never do anything to make me have to do shots with my nana.
“N-N-Nana,” I sputter. “We had an awful f-f-fight. Landon is so mad at me.”
Nana studies me carefully. “I don’t think so.”
I can barely see her though my tears. “How would you know?”
“Because he’s on the front doorstep. And he gave me one hell of an expensive bottle of whiskey.”
I freeze, hardly daring to believe what Nana is saying.
“He’s here?” I whisper, hoping against hope.
Nana nods. “I was reading in the living room. You know what a night owl I am. Anyway, I saw lights in the driveway. And then I see Landy climbing out of an SUV, so of course I let him in. Especially when I noticed he had Jameson Rarest Vintage Whiskey in his hand.”
My heart springs to life inside my chest. If Landon brought Nana whiskey, he’s sorry.
“The boy looks nervous,” Nana says quietly. “The first thing he told me was, ‘Nana, I promise to never buy you another bottle of whiskey again if your granddaughter forgives me.’”
I begin crying again, and I don’t care that I am. I don’t care that my nose is snotty and my eyes are puffy. I should take a minute to pull myself together and go downstairs like an adult woman. One who is prepared to have a calm, rational conversation with Landon about our argument and how to resolve it.
Screw adulting.
All I want is my boyfriend in my arms, right now.
I hurry past Nana down the stairs, grateful that my parents have already gone to bed.
I turn down the hallway and stop when I find Landon in the foyer, pacing in front of the table with all the pictures on it.
And I nearly lose it when I see he has a box of Zingers in his hand.
Landon instantly turns and faces me. The second our eyes meet, I see nothing but fear in them. I know Landon is feeling everything I am.
And before he can say a word, I throw myself into his arms.
Landon drops the box and immediately holds me to his chest, his arms locked around me, as if he’s never going to let me go.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” he murmurs into my hair. “I’m so sorry.”
I’m crying into his dress shirt, the tears falling on to the cris
p white fabric.
“I am, too.”
“I never should have stormed off like that,” Landon says, his arms tightening around me. “As soon as I heard you leave, I regretted it.”
I move back from him so I can see his face. “Landon,” I say, my voice shaking, “I know you would never cheat on me. I know that with all my heart.”
Landon puts his hands on my face, pressing his forehead to mine. “I believe you.”
I swallow hard, terrified to bring up Kayla, but knowing I have to.
“It’s just that Kay-” I begin, but Landon stands straight up and cuts me off.
“I spoke to her,” Landon says quickly.
“What?” I ask, surprised.
“Livy, you were right. Kayla has no business talking about our relationship,” he says. “I set her straight on that after the game. I told her what we have is none of her business, even if it is out of misguided concern. That she was way out of line. Kayla has to respect you. And I told her to never do it again if she wanted to keep our friendship intact.”
I realize Landon isn’t going to agree with me on Kayla’s motivation. At least not now. But part of a relationship is compromise and trust. Landon stood up for me and set a boundary with Kayla.
I also trust this man with my heart. I know no matter what Kayla wants, she isn’t going to get Landon.
And that’s all I need.
“Thank you,” I say tearfully. “Thank you for standing up for me.”
“That was for us,” Landon emphasizes, tracing his fingertips over my tears. “Kayla is a friend, but you are my girl. My only girl.”
Then he replaces his fingertips with his lips and kisses me slowly and sweetly.
I melt into him, finding nothing but comfort in his arms. I break the kiss and smile up at him.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” I say, touching his face. “I hated fighting with you.”
“Me, too,” Landon admits, kissing my forehead. “I like fighting on the ice a hell of a lot more.”
I wince. “I’m sorry I missed your game. I didn’t think you’d want me there.”
“I hated not seeing you there, Sweetheart.”
“I promise I’ll never miss another one.”
“Yeah?” he asks, cocking an eyebrow at me.
“Yeah,” I say, cupping his face in my hands and drawing him in for another kiss.
Our lips meet, and I melt into his arms, feeling happy and secure.
“Why don’t you pack a bag,” Landon murmurs against my lips, “and let me take you home?”
I break the kiss and smile at him. “Okay.”
I take a step back and bam! My foot comes down right on top of the box of Zingers.
“Shit,” I say, bending down to scoop them up. “The Zingers!”
Landon laughs. “Is that what you think of my crappy make-up present? I was limited as to what I could get at eleven o’clock at night.”
I hold the box to my heart as I stand up. “No,” I say, shaking my head. “Your make-up gift is perfect.”
In fact, I’m touched he went out and got something for me. While he could have gone for a card or grocery store flowers, Landon went for Zingers. Which is significant because that is how we found out our identities on TriviaPlayOrPass!
And that Landon went the extra mile to get Nana a gift? Well, I have no doubt about where his heart is as far as I’m concerned.
While I kiss him to show him how much I adore him, I can’t help but think I did some pretty good adulting right now with the man I love.
I’m in the kitchen when I hear Landon’s multiple alarms going off. I smile as I finish chopping the apple for the steel-cut oats I’m making. I’ve never met anyone who hates waking up in the morning as much as Landon does.
Meow.
I glance down and see GiGi sauntering into the kitchen. I pour my apple over my bowl of oatmeal and smile at her.
“Hey, Sweetie Girl, are you hungry?”
Alarms are still blaring in the bedroom as GiGi rubs around my legs.
“I guess Daddy is tired,” I say, moving to the pantry to retrieve GiGi’s bag of cat food. “I’ll feed you.”
Finally, one alarm is off. And as I pour food into GiGi’s bowl, the second alarm is turned off. Then the third.
I put GiGi’s food away and go back to my oatmeal, sprinkling some cinnamon on top. I love that Landon asked me for a list of pantry essentials for me, and now I can eat how I like whenever I’m at his place.
Which happens to be every single night he’s not on the road.
Finally I hear Landon come down the hall. He enters the kitchen, and I’m shocked to see he’s deathly pale.
“Livy,” he groans, “I feel like shit.”
“Babe,” I say, setting down my cinnamon and going over to him. “What’s wrong?”
I move to feel his forehead but he ducks away from me. “Don’t touch me. I have something, and I don’t want you to get it.”
“Landon, I don’t care,” I say firmly, reaching up and placing my hand against his forehead, which is hot to the touch. “You’ve got a fever.”
“I can’t be sick,” Landon says, shaking his head. “I’ve got to go to practice today.”
“You have a fever,” I repeat firmly. “You can’t practice.”
Suddenly Landon wrinkles his nose. “That oatmeal. I can’t. The smell. I’m—”
Then he abruptly turns and flees to the hallway bathroom, and I hear retching.
Oh, no! Landon has a stomach virus.
I stand outside the bathroom door, then I rap on it.
“I’m coming in,” I say softly.
“No!” Landon yells before retching again.
I don’t care. I immediately pop open the door, ignoring him throwing up, and reach for a washcloth. I wet it with cool water, wring it out, and after he flushes the toilet, I bend down next to him and hand it to him.
“I’m taking care of you,” I say softly, stroking his damp hair. “I’m going to get another cloth for your forehead. You’re so hot.”
Landon wipes his face and manages a weak smile. “Not the kind of hot you signed up for.”
I lean forward and brush my lips against his forehead. “This is exactly what I signed up for.”
“I still have to go to practice,” Landon says weakly. “I need to see the team doctor. He has to check me out and clear me from skating today.”
“Then I’m driving you,” I say firmly, getting up and grabbing another washcloth. I turn on the faucet and dampen it. “And afterward, I’m bringing you right back here and putting you to bed.”
Landon stands up and I gently apply the cloth to his face to soothe him.
“I’ll be fine. Go to the guild,” Landon urges. “I’ll just sleep today.”
“No. You’re sick. I’m with you today, no guild, no shipping, nothing. I’m taking care of you.”
Landon studies me for a moment, and I see something vulnerable in his eyes.
“You will, won’t you?”
I nod. “Yes. Why don’t you get in the shower, that might help, and I’ll get ready to take you to the rink.”
Landon nods. I head back into the kitchen, wash my hands, and then finish my oatmeal. Next, I head into Landon’s closet and grab a hoodie and sweatpants for him to wear to the rink. I enter the master bath and put everything he needs on the marble countertop.
I’m ready to go, as I get up a good hour or even two before Landon wakes. I spend the time on my iPad on Landon’s sofa, reviewing my email and checking Etsy and website orders. I book a class I’m going to teach on working with beads and confirm the date with the organizer. I also shoot my friend Taylor a quick text, telling her how excited I am to be able to see her
when I do that jewelry show in Minneapolis in April.
GiGi is curled up next to me, her head on my lap, and I can’t help but think of how domestic this is. I feel so happy and at home here, not just in Landon’s home, but his life. I like being here and sharing our lives, and I know this is my completed puzzle.
“Yes, you’re both happy,” Kayla says, tracing her finger over the rim of her wineglass, “but the question is, for how long? Do you think Landy is going to be as interested in you once your little domestic life becomes routine? That Landy Holder, famous for chasing women all over Chicago, is ready to settle down forever at twenty-four?”
I blink as Kayla’s words suddenly come smashing through my bliss. Why am I thinking about what she said? Who cares? Kayla’s just mad she didn’t get the domestic bliss with Landon that I have.
But I can’t help it. Yes, Landon is happy now, but is there a chance she might be right? That he’s truly not ready for this? Where I’ve given my heart to him, and I can see forever with a clarity I’ve never known, Landon hasn’t even fallen in love yet. And this is a whole new world for him—one that might not end in forever with me.
Suddenly I realize what I’m thinking and snap myself out of it.
“This is stupid,” I murmur to GiGi, stroking her sable fur. “I know what I have.”
GiGi purrs in response, and my heart lifts. We’re his girls. That is all I need to know.
“Hey,” Landon says, entering the living room. “I’m ready.”
I furrow my brow. “You look like death,” I say, noticing he still looks weak and pale.
Landon cocks an eyebrow at me. “But sexy death, right?”
I flash him a smile. “I’ll drive my car. I don’t want you to throw up in a Ferrari or Range Rover.”
“I think I can make it to practice without throwing up,” Landon says. “And I’d rather puke in my car than yours.”
