“Where did you think I would be?”
“Wasn’t sure, to be honest. It sounded to me like you acted like a giant shit. I’m surprised he’s willing to take you back.”
There was a muffled sound on the other end of the phone, and to Landon it sounded like Verity smacking Jack. At least, he hoped it was Verity smacking Jack.
“He’s known me almost my entire life,” Landon explained, “he knows how I am.”
“Saint Gregory,” Jack laughed.
“I didn’t call to be patronized.”
“What did you call for?” Verity asked.
“Now that you mention it, I don’t even know anymore,” he snarked.
“Landon,” Verity soothed, the sound of the call changing as Verity took him off speaker. “Are you okay? Are things okay?”
“Uhm, I think they’llbeokay.”
“Is some groveling in order?”
“Probably.” Landon chuckled. “I just got up to make him lunch, so that’s a start, I think.”
“Don’t overthink it. Just do what you do best,” Verity suggested.
“What’s that?” Landon questioned.
“Oh, Landon.” Verity sighed. “I’ll see you in a week, okay?”
“Verity…”
“Bye, Landon. Go serve your man.”
The call ended and Landon glared at his phone, dropping it onto the countertop. He grabbed the plates with the sandwiches and took them outside, sitting them on the picnic table in the yard, then went to brew two mugs of coffee. He set them besides the sandwiches then tiptoed back into the bedroom to wake Gregory.
Landon found him already awake, his long legs stretched out in front of him. Gregory curled his fingers around the headboard above him and rolled his shoulders. Every muscle Landon could see popped with the rotations and Landon licked his lips with want.
“You’re up early,” Gregory said with a grunt, unfolding himself from the bed and standing up.
He was so fucking tall. So handsome.
“I made us sandwiches.” Landon gestured out the bedroom door, suddenly feeling nervous.
“Thank you.” Gregory closed the space between them and stroked his fingers across Landon’s cheek. The touch was so soft and kind, and Landon’s eyes fluttered closed so he could appreciate it fully.
Landon followed Gregory to the yard and took a cautious seat across from Gregory at the table. He felt nervous as he watched Gregory eat his skin broke out in a cold sweat that dripped down the back of his neck even in the cool afternoon. Gregory chewed and swallowed, then took a sip of his coffee. Landon’s sandwich sat untouched.
“Are you going to punish me? Like you said?” Landon blurted.
Gregory looked up at him with an arched brow.
“No,” he said succinctly. Landon’s shoulders sagged with a combination of relief and disappointment. If Gregory wouldn’t punish him, how could he ever atone for what he’d done?
“Besides,” Gregory continued, “There’s nothing I could do that would hurt you more than you hurt yourself the past two weeks.”
Landon stared at his plate.
“Landon, look at me.”
