Chapter 13
Mercy
Imissed having Ben at Christmas dinner, but Landon and Beth did their best to lighten my spirit during the meal. Of course, the two bottles of wine we drank didn’t hurt. Afterwards, we cleaned up and then sat around and split another bottle as we played old board games. I’m pretty sure Beth cheated atClueand Landon cheated atLife, but I couldn’t prove anything, as they both pointed out. Multiple times.
“How do you cheat atLife?” Landon asked, throwing his hands in the air likehewas exasperated withme.
“Very easily when you’re the banker and you keep slipping yourself money,” I snapped back.
“I’m not admitting I did what you’re suggesting I did, but doesn’t the banker deserve a salary? Maybe a little kickback for all of his hard work?”
Shaking my head, I couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re unreal.”
“Oh, trust me, I’m real,” he replied with a wink. “I’ll show you later.”
My cheeks caught on fire. I glanced at Beth, but she was doing her best to ignore us.
And she was smiling.
Around ten o’clock, Beth started yawning. She was having a hard time keeping her eyes open, so we put away the games and Landon walked me home. Expecting him to drop me off and leave, I unlocked my door, thanked him for escorting me, and gave him a quick peck goodbye.
His body stiffened, and he didn’t kiss me back. When I pulled away, his eyebrows were arched. “That’s it?” he asked.
“What’s it?”
“You just used me for sex and wake up calls while you were concussed, and now you’re cutting me loose?”
His voice was loud, and I had neighbors I didn’t want to overhear him and think I was a tramp, so I held a finger to my lips and tried to shush him.
“I will not be silenced. I have rights and feelings and I will not let you turn me into your boy toy.”
Oh, the drama. I loved this side of him, this crazy, ridiculous, fun-loving goofball. He had plenty of serious moments, times when his expression darkened and his gaze saw stuff that wasn’t there, but I’d been seeing more of his mom’s silly sense of humor peeking through the darkness, and wanted to encourage it. I also didn’t want my neighbors to call the cops, so I grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and hauled him into my apartment, closing the door behind us. “You are out of control.”
He shrugged as I released him. “Got me in the door, didn’t it?”
The more I learned about Landon, the more I liked him. Playing games with him and his mom had me rolling with laughter so hard my cheeks still hurt. I suspected they were being over-the-top for my benefit, but I appreciated the distraction for what it was. They were both amazing people.
“I thought you’d want to go home and spend some time with your mom. Maybe sleep in your own bed,” I said.
“I spent all day with Mom, and my bed sucks. It’s too small, and yours is a lot more comfortable. I’m especially fond of your booby pillows.” The humor left his eyes. “Besides, I don’t want you to be alone tonight.”
“Still worried about my concussion?” I asked.
“No.”
He didn’t elaborate, but he didn’t have to. I didn’t want to be alone, either. I’d tried to call Ben after dinner, but he hadn’t answered. Instead, he’d texted me back letting me know he was busy, and would call me after a while. But he never did. Since this wasn’t the first time he’d bailed on a meal and left me worrying, I knew blowing up his cell phone with more calls and texts would only irritate him. Ben would reach out to me when he was good and ready, and not a moment before.
Landon followed me into the kitchen and leaned against the counter. I started digging through the bag of leftovers his mom had sent home with me, pausing when I came across a pair of jeans. I held them up. “What is this?”
“Clothes for tomorrow.” Landon took the pants from me. “Should be a shirt, a pair of boxers, and some socks in there, too.”
I gaped at him. “Please tell me your mom did not slip your clothes in my food bag.” It was obvious Beth wanted us together, but packing him clothes seemed a bit excessive.
“No. She would have, but I slipped those in there when you were saying goodbye.”
“You were planning to stay over all along? Think you’re slick, huh? What if I would have told you no?”
He smirked. “You can’t resist me. And if you tried, I was prepared to pull down your pants and go to town on you with my tongue again. Right there in front of your apartment door.”
