Whatever She's Got

by Lyla Grace

  “Awww…are you a momma’s boy?”

  “Maybe,” he says with a wink.

  We each make a plate and sit down at the table. He tells me a little bit about his brother and his wife, how close they have always been. I notice a distance in his eyes when he talks about them, about his high school days, as though something from then upsets him. But I don’t press. I can’t. Because he sure as hell has never pressed me to talk; instead, he lets me open up in my own time. So, rather than ask, I change the subject.

  We continue to talk and laugh and sample every delectable thing that’s on the table. I am so stuffed I don’t think I could move if I tried. Landon maneuvers us over to the hammock. The fabric is soft and plush. I rest my head on the oversized pillow next to Landon’s as the sun beats down on us. It warms my skin and my soul. I swear I have never been more comfortable than I am in this moment. His fingers hold mine firmly in his, his other arm bent at the elbow and cocked behind his head. A comfortable silence hangs over us. I could just lie here all day with him, just like this, and be perfectly content for the rest of my life. Rest of my life? My eyes snap open at the thought and I am instantly blinded by the sun. Did my mind really go there? When did I start thinking “forever” rather than living in the moment? I turn my head to the side. It started the moment I laid eyes on him, that’s when.

  “What?” he says when he catches me staring at him.

  I shift on the hammock to face him. “I want to go to your parents’ this weekend, if you think it’s safe.”

  “It’s about as safe as you can get. But are you sure?”

  “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.” I may be completely out of my comfort zone here, but every time I look into his eyes, I know he’s right--this, us, it’s worth the risk. He pulls me on top of him. “I’m just going to warn you…my mom is going to fawn all over you and my brother …well, he is going to be a pain in the ass the whole time.”

  “You’ve met Sharon and Madison. If I can handle them, I can handle anyone.”

  “You have a point there.” He kisses my lips softly at first, then with a little more hunger and need.

  I consider telling him to stop. Suggest that we take it back to his place. But this afternoon has been so perfect; I can literally feel my walls coming down, all thanks to this man under me. While I may be utterly terrified of my feelings for him and what will happen if this doesn’t work, I feel nothing but calm when I look into his eyes. And every time I do, I lose myself a little more to him. Oddly enough, I am okay with that. Because if there is anything in this world I want to be…it’s his.

  After everything this past week, I want nothing more than to just kick back and relax when we get back to Landon’s that afternoon. Landon has some documents his mom wants him to review, so he heads into his office. Who knew the man was a financial genius on top of being so damn sexy and talented on a football field. I grab my iPad off the counter, snuggle into the couch, and begin some online retail therapy. Nothing makes a girl’s day like a little shopping. Just as I am about to click on checkout, my iPad shows low battery.

  I hop up from the couch in search of my charger. Apparently Landon has a bit of a neat freak in him--everything in its place. I search a few spots I may have left it ,and then I open up the drawer to the sofa table. Sure as the sun, my charger is in there, but that isn’t what catches my eye. It is a photo frame. The frame holds a picture of Landon and a girl at what I would guess was senior prom. The girl was beautiful, blonde flowing hair, flawless skin, and the perfect body. Her dress was far ahead of the times, most likely the work of Gwen. They really were the picture-perfect couple. The most evident thing in the photo was love. You could see it in their eyes, their smiles, pure unadulterated love.

  My curiosity was piqued. Landon had never mentioned being in love before, nothing even about a serious relationship. The only thing he had really touched on was Ashlynn, but I already knew about that, and from what I could gather, it wasn’t anything serious. Why wouldn’t he tell me about her? Had it ended badly? Was he still in love with her?

  “What are you doing?” Frozen by the sound of his voice, I am unsure how to proceed. Do I put the photo back and pretend I didn’t see anything? Do I ask him about it, about her? The last thing I want to do is put any type of damper on our perfect day. He swipes the picture out of my hand and shoves it back in the drawer.

  “That was a beautiful photo. Who is she?”

  “No one,” he says, anger rising in his voice.

  I instantly apologize. “I wasn’t snooping, my iPad battery died….”

  He pulls the charger out and slams the drawer shut. I can’t tell if his anger is directed at me or at himself. “I promise I will keep my stuff together a little better,” I reply.

  I expect an apology or at least some form of understanding, but instead he just walks away. The door to the office slams shut behind him. For whatever reason, that photo really affected him. I’m not really sure what the hell happened, and I am in no position to judge with psychotic ex-boyfriends and all. I just wish that he would talk to me, let me be there for him the way he is for me. But I know all too well how easy it is to handle other people’s shit rather than deal with your own.

  Unsure of exactly what to do, I grab the charger and my iPad and head into the guest room. While I have been staying in the master suite with him, all things considered, I feel like I would be violating some sort of sanctity if I went in there right now. So I curl up with my iPad and finish my orders.

  I am not sure how much time has passed when I hear the door handle to the room. “Why are you in here?” he asks from the doorway.

  I sit up straighter in the bed. “You seemed upset earlier. I just wanted to give you your space.”

  “I don’t need space.” He runs his hand through his hair. “Listen, about earlier….”

  “You don’t have to explain,” I tell him.

  He makes his way and sits on the bed next to me. “Livie…” he begins. I put my finger to his lips to quiet him. I’m not sure if it’s because I don’t want him to feel obligated to explain or if I am afraid to hear what he has to say. I just want to be with him, here, quiet and happy. I want to finish our perfect day and put this odd hour behind us.

  “Don’t,” I say to him. “Just kiss me.”

  Chapter 16

  Landon

  Fuck, Sutton, could you have overreacted any more? It’s a damn photo. She looked at it and saw you at prom. She didn’t have the same memories of that night that you did—hell, she didn’t even ask about it. All she did was compliment the picture and you went and skulked off like a fucking pouting baby.

  When I first found her in the guest room, I knew I had screwed up--big. Okay, I knew before then, but finding her in there solidified just how bad a mistake I had made. The hurt and confusion in her eyes were undeniable. I had wanted to explain, even contemplated talking about the one thing I usually will never discuss. But she stopped me; she gave me an out. She made it okay. And damn if I didn’t owe her for that.

  I was throwing some clothes in a bag to head to my parents’ Friday morning, and I could see Livie out of the corner of my eye. She looked nervous. And it made my chest constrict because if she was nervous, that meant she cared. My mom adored her. My dad might be a little bit of a tougher nut to crack, but I am sure once he gets to know her, he will love her as well. I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her back against my chest. “You okay?”

  She lets out a deep breath. “I’m nervous.”

  My lips are on her neck, my palm against her stomach, pressing her close. “There is nothing to be nervous about. My mother adores you. So will everyone else.”

  “I just…I want to make a good impression.”

  “We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.”

  She shakes her head no. “I want to, I do. It’s just been a long time since I have done the whole meet the family thing.”

  “Me too. Livie, trust me…this
is going to be great. But, just to help you relax….” I toss her on the bed. She looks at me expectantly, her eyes hazed over with desire. I climb on top of her, my fingers at her waist. Her eyes widen in shock.

  “Don’t you dare,” she warns. Yeah, right. I begin to move my fingers, tickling her sides, and she squirms and giggles underneath me.

  Three hours later, we pull up in front of my parents’ house. Her eyes are wide, her mouth slightly agape. The expansive brick house set dead center on the lush green grounds is enough to take anyone’s breath away, even mine occasionally. It is hard to reconcile that this is where I grew up when things definitely didn’t start out here. I don’t have many memories of it, but I can still recall the dingy apartment we lived in before here. It was definitely a far cry from this estate.

  Derek’s car is in the drive, and I can hear the faint sound of music coming from the back yard. It looks like the party has already started. That’s probably a good thing. Let Livie ease into the introductions. Dad will be the toughest. He’s definitely a little overprotective of his youngest son--not that I blame him. He saw the worst of what losing Sarah did to me. Since then, about the only woman I have ever met that he didn’t have an issue with was Ashlynn, though I suspect that was because he knew what our relationship was exactly. I wasn’t invested, so there was no risk. Now Livie? She is all risk. A risk I am willing to take, a risk I knew he will be concerned about.

  “This is where you grew up?” she asks.

  “Not always. We actually lived in a small apartment in the city until I was five.” She smiles up at me. I love when she does that. I love everything about her. “You ready for this?” She nods excitedly. Something in her eyes has changed. I don’t know what it is, but I like it.

  “Ready as I’ll ever be.” She stands on her tiptoes and kisses me. “Let’s do this.”

  “Anyone home?” I yell out as I open the door to the house.

  “There you are!” my mom exclaims as she enters the foyer. She radiates happiness at the sight of Livie and me. She pulls each of us in for a hug. Containing her excitement is not an option at this point. Her little boy is happy and well; that just brings out the best in her.

  My dad, on the other hand, stands off to the side his large frame resting against the doorway. I’m not really sure what he’s thinking right now. But the stand-offish attitude better adjust or we are going to have to have a conversation. My eyes meet his, sending him a warning look.

  “Ashton, come meet Livie. Livie, this is Landon’s father Ashton.” My mom performs the introduction, fully aware of but attempting to ignore the exchange my father and I are currently having. Luckily, Livie is completely oblivious.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Sutton,” Livie says, extending a hand to him.

  “So how long have you known my son?” he asks, folding his arms across his chest. Livie retracts her hand.

  Well that’s nice. No hello, no handshake. “Dad,” I say in a warning tone.

  “It’s okay, Landon,” she says. “We actually first met about five years ago when I visited my brother Chase at college. But we recently--reconnected, I guess you could say, about three months ago in Mexico.”

  “Three whole months and you’re already living together? You work fast,” he says.

  “We aren’t living together, sir, I just…” Livie says.

  “Then why did my wife walk in on the two of you having sex on the kitchen counter?” he questions. His tone harsh and the bite of it causes Livie and me to tense.

  “Ashton,” my mother exclaims.

  The horrified look on Livie’s face is more than I can bear. “That’s enough,” I order.

  “What exactly is it you want from my son?” he continues.

  “No…nothing, Mr. Sutton. I care about him very much,” Livie stammers. “Um, I’m sorry. I think it’s better if I go.”

  Livie turns to leave, but I grab her arm. “No. Please don’t go. Mom, show Livie to our room?” I say, stressing the “our” to make a point to my father. I turn to Livie. “Please, I’ll be right there.” She nods and follows my mother up the stairs.

  When they make their way to the top of the stairs I start in on my dad. “What the hell are you doing?”

  He walks into the study just off the foyer and pours himself a drink. “Same thing I always do, Son, looking out for your best interests,” he replies.

  “And terrorizing the first girl I have ever brought home is in my best interests?”

  “You brought Ashlynn home; she is a great girl.”

  “Yeah, she is. But I didn’t care about her, not the way I do Livie.”

  “You don’t care about Livie, Landon. You’re in love with her. I can see it in your eyes. And I just need to make sure that she feels the same. I can’t bear to watch you go through all that pain again. Not for some girl who doesn’t deserve you,” he says, his face filled with emotion.

  I know how much it tore him apart watching me self-destruct after Sarah’s death. I am still riddled with guilt at what I put both him and my mom through. I sigh. “I know, Dad. Don’t you think that after everything I went through I was a little hesitant? There is no way I would just rush into this. But I know what I feel. I love her, Dad, more than I have ever loved anyone. You need to trust me. Please, talk to her, Dad. Make this right.”

  He nods in understanding. “Okay, if she means that much to you,” he agrees. I loved Sarah, but what I feel for Livie…it doesn’t even compare. It’s hard to admit that to myself, let alone him. But it’s the truth.

  I give him a hug and thank him before heading to find Livie. When I find her, she is sitting on my bed silently. I don’t know how to explain my dad’s behavior to her without telling her about Sarah. But I’m not really ready to divulge that story just yet. Today I just wanted to introduce Livie to my family--my loving, accepting family. I’m just not quite sure where I left them. Or why they still seem to think that after ten years I need to be treated with kid gloves when it comes to love.

  “Hey,” I say as I sit next to her.

  “You lied,” she says quietly.

  She was right, I had. I knew my dad would be a tough, but that? What happened in that foyer was not something I expected in the slightest. “I know, and I’m sorry. I really didn’t expect him to behave like that,” I tell her. “He just gets a little overprotective sometimes.”

  “A little? Landon, he basically insinuated that I am some gold-digging whore,” she cries. The tears that have welled up in her eyes run free. I move to put my arm around her, but she pulls away. “I think it’s best if I leave.”

  “Please don’t,” my dad’s voice says from the doorway. “I owe you an apology.” He enters the room and stands before Livie and me. “Will you give us a minute, Landon?”

  I look to Livie for permission before getting up. I give her hand a quick squeeze, “I’ll be downstairs if you need me.” I share a knowing glance with my dad as I pass him.

  I make my way down to the kitchen, where I find my mom. We don’t speak. She only gives me a small smile, promising me everything will be okay. A few minutes later, my dad and Livie enter the kitchen. I don’t know what he said or did to get himself out of this mess, but Livie is smiling. Underneath it all, my dad’s a great guy, and he must have turned on the charm full force--definitely a trait D and I inherited from him. It’s no wonder my mom fell for him the way she did.

  “Landon, why don’t you show Livie the back yard,” my mom suggests. “Derek and Brooke are out there.”

  “Are you okay?” I ask Livie as we make our way outside.

  “Better than okay,” she says as she takes my hand in hers.

  “What did he say?” I ask, more than curious about their conversation.

  “A lot, actually. But mostly that he loves you and wants what’s best for you,” she says. “I told him that I wanted the same thing, but you still chose me and I can’t fight it anymore.”

  When we make our way onto the back patio, Brooke is
lying in the sun by the pool ignoring whatever idiotic thing my brother is currently trying to do a few feet from her.

  “All these years, and I still don’t have a clue why the hell you are with him,” I shout as Livie and I make our entrance.

  “Because the good brother was already taken,” Brooke replies as she jumps from her lounge chair and pulls me into a hug. “It is so good to see you, Lando. And who do we have here?”

  I am suddenly very nervous as I begin to introduce Livie to Brooke and D. Maybe it’s because we were all connected to Sarah, we were all best friends. Maybe it’s because I hope they can accept and love Livie the way they did Sarah.

  “Brooke, this is Livie. Livie, this is my sister-in-law Brooke,” I begin. I point over to where Derek is. “That idiot over there is my brother Derek.”

  Brooke pulls Livie in for a hug instantly as Derek makes his way over. “Supply closet girl?” he asks. Brooke’s elbow connects with D’s stomach the minute the words leave his mouth.

  “Dammit, Derek!” Brooke and I scold.

  Livie laughs. “Guilty as charged.”

  “You’re such an ass,” Brooke says. She turns to Livie. “Why don’t I show you the grounds?” Luckily it seems my worries are a moot point. Brooke has already dragged Livie off to “bond,” when we all know she is just trying to save her from D.

  “Damn, Lando, you didn’t tell me she was that hot. You did good, little brother--damn good.” I can see him eyeing Livie up and down through his sunglasses.

  “You better watch out. B catches you, you’re going to be in deeper shit than you are with me for checking her out.” And I know without a doubt that he is way more terrified of his wife than he would ever be of me.

  He and Brooke have known each other since we moved into the house. The three of us became fast friends and spent a lot of time growing up together. Brooke and Sarah had been best friends, and Brooke had been the one to introduce us. We were like the Four Musketeers, we did everything together. Except on prom night, the night that all of our lives changed. If only things had gone the way they were supposed to that night, everything would be different right now. Going back, reliving that night was my fantasy for so long. But now, having met Livie, I wonder if Sarah and I would have lasted. If what I thought I wanted then would be what I want now.