What if…
Landon closed his eyes, fighting down his anxiety and panic, fighting back his tears. When he opened them, he found Jack sound asleep. He pressed the recline button on the bed and lowered it a little so Jack wouldn’t get a kink in his neck, then he stood from the chair, stretching his back.
Once out of the lobby, Landon decided to forego a cab back to his hotel, instead walking the mile down Fifth Avenue to the Guggenheim. He rubbed at his chest the entire way, toying with his phone with the other hand, his fingers itching to reach out to Gregory but not completely willing.
While in line to buy a ticket, Landon realized this was the second time he’d left Gregory for New York and that realization was a bitter pill to swallow. His heart throbbed, wanting to hear the soothing affirmations that Gregory always lavished upon him after they played. Landon pulled Gregory’s contact up on his phone, his finger hovering over the call button, but he found himself at the front of the line. He clicked the screen off and dropped his phone back into his pocket. He paid the admission fee, ready for something to distract him from the now persistent ache, and absence, in his heart.
29
Gregory
Landon had beenin New York for a week. Well, six days if Gregory were being technical, which he was trying not to. He’d texted Landon a handful of times on Saturday, a few less on Sunday, then once on Tuesday. Landon hadn’t replied, so Gregory had stopped. It didn’t matter if Landon answered him or not because his approach to the situation wasn’t going to change. He was still doing what he thought was best, what he knew was right.
Gregory had done his best to focus on his job, but it had been growing increasingly difficult. Every day this week he’d gotten off work, gone home, changed, then met Verity at Rapture. Verity, who’d graciously agreed with Gregory’s plan, had been showing him the most important aspects of the business that Verity and Landon hadn’t yet entrusted to Callum.
And that was how Gregory found himself at Rapture at six on Friday night with Verity’s keychain in his hand.
“You sure about this?” they asked him, standing on the front steps of the old church.
Gregory rubbed his thumb up the length of the key in his hand and nodded. “Yeah. It’s what Landon needs, so it’s what I need to do.”
“Callum is stellar. He’ll be able to keep the whole front of the house running. You just need to do the recon at the end of the night and follow the checklist on the whiteboard in Landon’s office.” Verity shuffled their weight from foot to foot.
“What time is your flight?”
“Eleven.”
“How is your friend?”
“Probably miserable. He’s more of the caretaker type than the being cared for type. Landon said Jack is driving him up the wall. But he just got discharged on Thursday so he’s getting settled back at his apartment.” Verity chuckled and shook their head like they were recalling some memory of Jack and Landon that Gregory wasn’t privy to.
“Thank you,” Gregory blurted. His voice came out weak, and he cleared his throat.
“For?”
“Trusting me with Rapture.”
“I trust you with Landon, whom I find to be far more precious than this pile of bricks.”
“Is he going to be mad when he finds out?” Gregory shoved the keys into his pockets so he’d stop fiddling with them.
“Probably. But that’s just how he is. That’s why he needs you.” Verity patted him on the arm. “Someone to keep him in line.”
Gregory snorted. “Yeah, I can keep him in line so well he flew across the country instead of having a conversation with me.”
“Extenuating circumstances,” Verity pointed out.
“I know. I know,” Gregory said, resigned. “Well, you should be off. Traffic through the city to the airport isn’t going to be fun.”
“Tell me about it.” Verity adjusted the strap of their bag over their shoulder and offered Gregory a reassuring smile. “Callum will be here at seven. You’re good until then; you’ve been doing it all week.”
“Yeah, but those were dry runs.” Gregory snorted derisively.
“You’ll be fine, Gregory.” Verity backed down the steps with a smile. “Just don’t forget to feed and walk Ed. I assure you, he’s much higher maintenance than Rapture.”
“I’d never forget Ed, Verity. You be safe, okay?”
“Always.” Verity winked, then turned and was gone.
