“I said, no. That’s the end of it.” He said wiping his mouth with a cloth napkin.
Whoa, what the hell was that?! My psycho meter didn’t go off at all with Landon. Was he secretly overbearing and controlling? If so, he had the wrong woman. I wasn’t one to be told what I could or couldn’t do.
“Landon—”
“Mother, please.” He said, softening his tone.
“I don’t understand. What did I say wrong?” I asked a little annoyed now.
“I have a call to make. Can we talk about this later?” he asked getting up, and helping his mother.
“No. We can talk about this now.” I snapped, getting up from the table. “Why would you shut down my idea like that?”
“Because it’s not a very good one.” He said obviously getting angry.
This was good for me to see because I knew he was too good to be true.
“If you’re worried about your mom, we can watch her closely.” I whispered.
“Landon, having a picnic by the lake would be nice sweetie.” Miss. Brooks said and I smiled.
“Mom—”
“What’s the harm?” I asked, cutting him off.
“Would you just drop it?!” he shouted, turning to me. “We’re not going to the lake okay?!”
Gasping, I jumped back a bit, obviously scared. I instantly saw regret in his eyes, but it was too late. Landon wasn’t the guy for me.
“Fine.” I whispered shakily.
“Tessa…” he called, as his mother watched.
“No, it’s fine.” I replied as I took off, running out of the room.
“Tessa!” I heard him shout, but I ignored it as I ran upstairs to his bedroom. Grabbing my things, I called Gwen.
“She lives!” I heard her laugh on the other end. “Dish the dirt now. Was he any good??”
“Gwen, please not now.” I sniffled. God, I when had I started crying?
“Are you alright?! Do I have to come pound Mr. Millionaire into the ground?” she asked irritated.
“Can you just come get me, please? I’ll be outside his estate. Just call me when you get here.” I sniffled.
“I’m on it. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” Gwen responded as she took the address down that I gave her before hanging up.
I changed my clothes, and ran downstairs to see Landon standing there. Freezing, I sucked in a hard breath and wiped the tears dry from my eyes. The prick didn’t deserve to see me cry.
“Tessa, please.” he begged, walking over to me, but I backed away. “You don’t understand.”
“It’s fine, really. We’re done here.” I snapped.
“Tess—”
“No, you said everything you needed to when you yelled at me. I am not one to be in any type of abusive relationship. So, this is goodbye.” I said, opening his door and leaving. His house phone rang and I was glad for it. I slammed the door for good measure, and hurried down the long driveway.
Openingmy door, I saw Tyler standing there holding a magazine. The moment he saw the bandages on my cheek, his smile dropped, and he flipped.
“Dude, what the hell?!” he shouted, walking into my foyer.
“I cut myself shaving.” I lied, closing the door.
“Bullshit! Look, I’ve been quiet long enough. I love your mom, I do. She’s like a second mother to me, and you know it. It’s just time to let someone else take care of her.” Tyler said as he followed me into the living room.
“I didn’t call you for that.” I muttered.
“I know, and that’s the problem. You think you don’t need help.” Tyler prodded, as he stood in front of me.
“Because I don’t.” I said looking at the magazine dangling in his hand. Tilting my head, I tried to make out the front cover.
“Is that me?” I asked as if I were shocked.
In reality, I wasn’t. I’d been on so many tabloid covers that you would think I was famous. I mean I was rich, being on the top ten Forbes list confirmed it, but fame wasn’t my thing. But that was neither here nor there; I just wanted to change the subject. My mom wasn’t the issue here.
“Yeah,” he smiled holding it up for me to see. “You and Tessa.”
Sure enough it was a photo of us leaving the restaurant last night. The cover read:
Landon Brooks Finally In Love
Meet the love of his life…
“Soooo, how was the date?” Tyler asked.
“It was perfect…until this morning.” I frowned.
“You’re mother?” he asked, and I shook my head. “Then what the hell happened?”
“I took her to a fancy restaurant, where I happened to see Jocelyn.” I said, and Tyler’s eyes went wide.
“Jocelyn, Jocelyn? As in the girl who ripped your heart out and ate it for breakfast, Jocelyn?” he asked stunned.
“Yeah, that Jocelyn.”
“Shit.” Tyler muttered, running a hand through his hair. “Didn’t she move out of town, claiming it was “too small” for her?
“Mm hmm, apparently her dad is sick. So, she’s back, but I don’t know for how long. Anyway—none of that phased Tessa.” I noted.
“Then what happened?” Tyler asked confused.
“She wanted to eat a burger, so we left the restaurant.” I explained.
“Sounds like my kind of girl. You have to bring her over to meet, Amanda.”
“That’s the thing. I think I royally screwed up.” I pouted.
“Whoa, you really like this girl. I haven’t seen you like this since—well Jocelyn.” He muttered. “So spill the beans, how’d you screw up??”
“We came back here, and I had some trouble with my mom.” I started, and Tyler gave me the evil eye. “And I told her everything that I do, day in and day out…but she helped. She didn’t judge, she didn’t freak out and run away…She actually helped me calm her down. We even made love afterwards.”
“She’s definitely a keeper then.” Tyler said excited.
“I know, but I screwed up this morning.” I pointed out.
“How?” Tyler asked, dragging the word.
“She suggested we all have a picnic at the lake and I freaked, I yelled at her. Tyler, I scared her away. I’ve never yelled at a woman a day in my life, but I yelled at her.” I sighed.
“Did you tell her why?” Tyler asked, and I shook my head.
“I’ve never told anyone, but you.”
“Then you know what you have to do. If you want to keep her, then you have to tell her the truth.” Tyler said point blank and I knew he was right.
Fourteen
My phone buzzed for the umpteenth time, and I groaned. I knew it was Landon because he had called me like a hundred times, and when I didn’t answer, he started leaving texts.
“Maybe he has a chemical imbalance.” Gwen shrugged.
“It still doesn’t give him the right to chew me out, and in front of his mother none the less.” I snapped.
“True—but, at least he’s trying to apologize.” She said, grabbing my phone.
“Gwen!” I shouted as my phone rang.
She was not helping me in my quest to forget the loveable douche. I needed to get out of this town, fast.
“Tessa Winters’ phone, who’s calling?” Gwen smiled, as I tried to grab for my phone. She hustled around the bed, getting away from me.
“Gwen!” I shouted in a whisper.
“Zachary Ryan? Thee Zachary Ryan, of Ryan and Associates??” Gwen asked stunned, and so was I. How the heck did Zachary Ryan get my cell phone number? The guy was the owner of the top law firm in Los Angeles, so why was he calling me?
“Oh yeah, this is her cell,” I heard Gwen say. “I’m just her secretary. Hold for two seconds, please.” She said, before handing me the phone.
“What does he want?” I whispered and Gwen shrugged.
“Beats me…ooh maybe he wants you to set him up with someone!” she shouted and I shushed her, before putting the phone to my ear.
“Hello?” I answered.
“This is she.” I replied.
“So, do you really have a secretary answer your cell phone?” he asked.
“No, Gwen’s my best friend. She is technically my secretary, but she was just using my phone when you happened to call.” I tried my best to explain. I didn’t want him to think I was too full of myself.
“Good to know. For a second, I thought you were one of those “I’ll have my people call your people” types.” He responded and I frowned.
“Never, I’m hands on with my clients.” I said.
“I can tell.” He replied.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked a little annoyed.
“There are rumors circulating that you’re dating, Landon Brooks.”
I paled as I clutched my cell phone. This was exactly what I was afraid of.
“You heard that all the way out there?” I asked, softly.
“It’s on every tabloid and televised gossip show there is. You’re deemed, “The Matchmaker Who Warms the Coldest Hearts”.
“Am I?” I asked shocked. I’d been so busy here that I hadn’t paid much attention to the TV or magazines.
“Oh, and you’re modest, too. Definitely a plus, but, give yourself some credit. You’re the first woman Landon Brooks has ever taken out in public, and he did it more than once, I might add.” Zachary chuckled.
“How’d did you get this number, Mr. Ryan?” I asked curiously.
“I have my ways.” He chuckled, again.
“So, I assume you didn’t call me to just chat. How can I help you, Mr. Ryan?” I asked.
“Please, call me Zach.” He insisted.
“Fine, Zach. How can I help you?” I repeated.
“I need you to help me find my soul mate.” He said, and my jaw nearly dropped.
“I’m—I—” I was at a loss of words.
“I can make you an offer that you can’t refuse.” He replied.
I listened intently as there was a knock at our hotel room door. Gwen frowned confused before looking at me briefly. I shrugged, as I pushed her towards the door. She opened it, and I saw Landon standing there with a hand full of red roses.
“I’m guessing these aren’t for me.” Gwen replied with a wry smile.
“Not quite.” Landon smiled, sadly. “But it is nice to see you again, Gwen.”
Gwen turned to look at me, and her eyes went wide with a smile, and I knew what that meant.
“It’s nice to know you remember me, Landon.” She smiled, turning back to Landon.
“In my field, I have to.” He replied, looking over at me. I immediately blushed, and turned away. He couldn’t see the way I reacted to him.
“Well, I think I should hit the lobby and explore.” Gwen said slipping from the room.
“That’s—well over my—” I was cut short, as I listened a bit more. Turning around, I saw Landon standing by the front door, obviously waiting for me.
“Yeah, I’ll think it over.” I said. “Goodbye.”
With that, I hung up. My heart was racing, not only from the phone call that I’d just received, but from being alone with Landon. He was looking all broken like the night before, and I wanted to hug him. Too bad he didn’t deserve it.
“What are you doing here?” I asked bluntly as if he didn’t matter.
“I wanted apologize and to beg you for your forgiveness.” He said.
“Landon—”
“Please? Let me just tell you what I came to say…while I have the nerve, and then I’ll go.” He said cutting me off and walking over to me.
My heart stopped as Landon stood in front of me and handed me the roses. I smelled them, and wasn’t going to lie, I hated flowers. I hated the smell and the reminder it sent through me. It reminded me of the day we buried Dean. The church was full of the smell of flowers, and I hated the smell ever since that day. But I couldn’t tell Landon that. He’d taken time to get me more than a dozen. It was a nice gesture.
“Thank you, they’re pretty.” I smiled fakely.
“I know its cliché, but I didn’t know what else to get you.” He replied.
“They’re fine.” I said as he took them and laid them on the bed.
“I’m sorry about the way I reacted earlier. It wasn’t acceptable and I want you to know that I’ve never yelled a woman like that before. Ever.” He sighed.
“Well I’m glad to be the first.” I said sarcastically.
“I deserved that.” He said, running his hand through his hair.
“Yeah, you did.” I agreed.
“Can you sit on the bed?” he asked, so I did. “Ok,” he huffed turning his back to me.
“Whatever you do—don’t interrupt me until I’m finished ok? This is something I think you need to know about me.” Landon said, turning back to me.
“Landon, you’re scaring me.” I said truthfully as I gripped the covers beneath my fingertips.
“I don’t mean to.” He said nervously as he began pacing.
After sitting quietly for about five minutes, I finally broke the silence. Watching him pace had been nerve wrecking.
“Just tell me what this is about.” I blurted out and he stopped before looking over to me.
“Sorry, I was just trying to see where to begin.”
“Stop apologizing and just tell me.” I bit and he nodded.
“It started with my dad.” Landon responded.
“I thought you said your dad left your mom when you were younger.” I frowned. God, was he a liar too?
“He did, but not in the way you think.” He sighed as I stared at him confused. “My dad left, but when he did, he tried to take me with him. I was barely seven. He woke me up late one night…”
22 Years Earlier:
“Landon buddy, wake up.” I heard my daddy’s voice reply as he shook me.
I groaned before pulling my covers up more over my head. It was late, dark, and I was sleepy. Why was my dad trying to get me up? Shaking me again, he tugged my cover down, and I whined.
“Daddy!” I moaned, sitting up and blinking away my drowsiness.
“Ssh.” he said, with a wry smile. “We wouldn’t want to wake mommy now would we?”
Yawning, I shook my head, no.
“Why’d you wake me?” I asked drowsily.
“I wanna take you somewhere.” He smiled, and I could smell the funny drink he’d always drunk on his breath. I hated the smell, it was harsh. Looking at my window, I saw it was still too dark outside, and I hated the dark.
“But—it’s not morning.” I said, nibbling my bottom lip nervously.
“It’s somewhere special, trust me.” He smiled, grabbing me from the bed and picking me up. It wasn’t like I had a big choice in the matter anyway.
He carried me through the hall as he tiptoed, and I clung to him tightly. My mom was always telling me that my daddy was sick, so being with him alone scared me a little bit.
“Daddy, I don’t wanna go.” I whined, and he stopped to look at me.
“Why not?” he asked and I could hear the anger in his voice. I didn’t wanna make him mad. When he got mad, I got scared because he liked to yell a lot.
“Maybe we should let mommy go too.” I insisted.
“No!” he shouted, taking me down the dimly lit hallway.
I looked back, and wanted to scream for my mom, but knew it would only make things bad. Dad was in scary mode, and I knew not to go against him. I stared at the pictures on my wall as we got closer to the door. Cassidy started to cry, and I knew mommy would get up and check on her. I hated to hear my baby sister cry, but right now, she made me a bit relieved. Once my mom saw us, she would stop daddy. I just knew it.
Daddy cursed under his breath, and hurried to the garage with me.
“I don’t wanna go!” I cried this time, and he sat me down on the ground, before kneeling to me.
“No crying, buddy.” He smiled, wiping my
tears away. “I promise you’ll love where we’re going.”
“Then why can’t mommy and Cassidy come?” I sniffled.
“Father, son stuff,”
“But I’m in my jammies.” I pointed out.
“I know, and they’re your favorite right? The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are cool.” He replied, and I half smiled. “Now be a big boy and stop crying.” He insisted.
Nodding, I wiped the new falling tears dry from my eyes and took his hand as he picked me up and put me in the car. We drove out of there, and my dad drove like a maniac into the night.
Now:
“So, what happened?” I asked a bit confused. Had his dad taken him to live with him on the run? I hated hearing stories about kids who got taken from their home by an unstable parent.
“My dad tried to leave with me…he wasn’t right in the head. My mom used to tell me that all the time, but I didn’t understand it until that night.” He said in a whisper. I just stayed quiet as he continued.
“I was scared, and he wouldn’t slow down, even though I begged him to.” Landon said as I felt a lump in my throat. I didn’t like the way this story was going.
“Everybody said it was an accident—but I knew better.” He said falling silent, with his back facing me.
“Said what was an accident?” I finally asked, breaking my silence.
“My dad drove off a bridge…with me strapped in the backseat.” He mumbled, and my heart stopped.
“Oh my God,” I gasped, before covering my mouth in total and utter shock.
“He just kept saying we were going to stay together no matter what.” Landon muttered, grabbing the chair in front of him. Shooting to my feet, I immediately went over to him.
“Things have never been the same since. My mother blamed herself for not doing anything about his behavior. But, she didn’t know he was mentally ill until after they did his autopsy. I don’t blame her, I understand. She did everything she could to protect me…I blame myself—if I had just screamed for my mom or—”
“No.” I said taking him in my arms and holding him tight. “You were just a kid, Landon.” I reassured.
“That doesn’t matter.” He protested.
“It does matter.” I snapped, looking him in the eyes. I saw they were red from crying, and that shredded me inside even more.
Finding His Mrs. Right (Mending Hearts Series) Page 9