I shook my head as I shut off the water and then grabbed my towel. I needed to stay far, far away from Landon. What had happened last night couldn’t happen again. It didn’t matter that I was attracted to him. I was with Joel, and I loved him with every beat of my heart. I needed to get away from this farm and find out what the hell was going on with him. I just hoped that I wouldn’t find him with someone else.
I glanced around the bathroom and groaned when I realized I’d forgotten my clothes in my hurry to pee. At least my room was right across the hall, and no one was home right now. I wrapped my towel around me and opened the bathroom door. As soon as I stepped out into the hallway, I ran headfirst into a very hard chest. I shrieked as I looked up to see Landon staring at me in shock. His eyes scanned my body, and the shock turned into something else—lust.
“What are you doing here?” I squeaked as I pulled my towel tighter around me.
“I, uh…I came to talk to you about last night. I knocked, but no one answered, and the door was unlocked, so I let myself in.”
“There’s nothing to say about last night, Landon. You need to go.”
“I wanted to apologize for what happened. I shouldn’t have kissed you like that.”
“It’s fine. Just go, please.” I was not going to have this conversation while in a towel.
He sighed. “I never meant for that to happen. I wanted the first time I kissed you to be different. I wanted you to be free, so you wouldn’t feel the guilt you felt last night.”
“Landon, I’m in a towel. Leave!”
He grinned. “But, at the same time, I can’t feel as much remorse as I should when you’re standing in front of me like this.”
I tried to walk around him, but he blocked me with his arm.
“Landon, my grandparents will be home soon. Please leave before you get me in trouble.”
“They’re at the church cookout, so don’t worry.” He lifted his hand and ran it down my cheek. “I’m not going to try anything with you again, I promise—at least, not until you want me to.”
“That’s not going to happen,” I stated firmly.
I needed to get to my room—now. The lust in his eyes was making me dizzy, and it was making me want things that were wrong.
“I’ll wait until you’re ready,” he said as he smiled at me. “I’ll leave you alone. I already did all the chores, so you don’t have to worry about them.”
I watched as he turned and walked down the stairs. I didn’t breathe until I heard the front door open and close. I rushed to my room and grabbed a pair of jeans and a shirt. After throwing them on, I ran from the room and down the stairs. I stopped by the door and grabbed the extra set of keys that my grandparents kept there. I prayed that they had taken my grandfather’s truck instead of Gram’s car because I couldn’t drive a standard.
Luck was with me when I opened the garage door. My gram’s Escort was sitting there, promising me the freedom that I was desperately craving. I had to get to Joel and find out what was going on before I lost control of everything. The only reason I’d even noticed Landon was because Joel had completely disappeared from my life. That was the only explanation I could come up with. I’d been with Joel for so long, and never once had I even looked at another guy the way I looked at Landon.
I hurried to the driver’s side and threw open the door. Just as I started to get in, a voice spoke from behind me.
“What are you doing?”
I turned to see Landon standing behind the car. I cursed as I slid into the driver’s seat. “I’m leaving. I’ll be back.”
“Are you going to him?” he asked.
I nodded. “I have to know what’s going on.”
“You know there will be hell to pay for this.”
“I know. I’ll take whatever punishment my parents or my grandparents hand out.”
“I’m coming with you.” He walked to the passenger’s side and opened the door.
“No, you’re not.”
“Yes, I am. If you fight me, I’ll take the keys from you.”
I glared at him. “This is bullshit.”
“Deal with it. I’m not letting you drive that far by yourself. And you don’t know what you’re walking into.”
He’d backed me into a corner, and he knew it. I ignored him as I started the car and backed out of the garage.
“You’re going to be in trouble, too,” I said.
“I don’t care. I have a bad feeling, and I’m not letting you go by yourself.”
We were both silent as I drove down the gravel road to Route 7. As I flew around the turns, he tried to talk to me occasionally, but I ignored him. I didn’t relax until we crossed the bridge over the Ohio River and back into my home state. I had no idea what time my grandparents would be home, but once they figured out that Gram’s car was missing, I was sure that my phone would start blowing up.
Sure enough, about an hour later, my phone started ringing. I picked it up to see that it was my mom. I ignored the call and then silenced my phone. I couldn’t deal with them until I knew what was going on with Joel.
Landon stayed silent for the rest of the drive. My palms started to sweat when I saw the exit leading to Columbiana. Just like Landon, I had a bad feeling. We got off the interstate, and I took the back way into town, careful not to pass even remotely close to my house. It was dusk by the time we made it to Joel’s house. My stomach dropped when I saw the cars parked around his house. He was having one of his parties.
“This is it,” I told Landon as I searched for a parking spot.
I finally found one almost a block away. I stepped out of the car and hurried back up the road to Joel’s house with Landon right behind me. Just as I’d expected, the front door was unlocked. We walked through the house to the back door and stepped into the chaos that was Joel’s party. I scanned the crowd, searching for him. I blended in with the crowd, not wanting anyone to alert him of my arrival. Something told me that I needed to surprise him. It was obvious that he was still here, having the time of his life, while I was stuck in West Virginia.
I passed Riley and some chick sitting at a picnic table, wrapped around each other like they were glued together. I rolled my eyes and continued through the crowd.
“Jesus, this is nuts,” Landon said as he glanced around. It was obvious that he was out of place here.
I ignored him as I continued my search. Everyone was either drunk or stoned out of their minds, and several people had separated from the crowd for some alone time. Once I reached the other side of the mass of bodies, I stopped dead, unable to process what I was seeing. Landon nearly knocked me down as he ran into me. I barely noticed. I was too busy staring at Joel. He was sitting in a chair next to the sound system with Tasha straddling him—topless.
“No,” I whispered.
My world crashed around me as I watched his hands cup her bottom to pull her tighter against him.
“City? What’s wrong?” Landon followed my gaze and cursed under his breath. “Come on, let’s get you out of here.”
I shook my head as I started walking toward Joel. I heard Landon calling my name, but it didn’t even register with me as I reached Joel and Tasha. I pulled her off of him and punched her in the face before turning my attention to Joel. His eyes were glazed. It was obvious that he was on something—something strong.
Joel’s eyes widened in surprise a split second before my fist collided with his nose. Everyone froze as I leaped onto him and started hitting every part of him that I could reach.
“You son of a bitch!” I screamed. “I gave you fucking everything, and you do this to me!”
I was crying by the time Landon was able to pull me off of Joel. I curled up into him, unable to breathe. I’d never felt pain like I was feeling right now.
Joel staggered to his feet, blood dripping from his nose and busted lip. “Lexi, what are you doing here?”
“Fuck you!” I shouted. “I knew something was up when you didn’t text me or call me back!
”
His eyes were still glazed, but I could tell that my beating had pulled him from a drug-induced haze. “What are you talking about? Some asshole stole my phone last week.”
“Bullshit! You’re fucking lying. You’ve lied about everything. How could you, Joel? And with her?” Tears streamed down my face as I struggled to get away from Landon. All I wanted was to hit Joel again.
“I swear, I didn’t know you were trying to get a hold of me. I’m so sorry that you thought I abandoned you.”
“Even if you’re telling the truth, how do you explain Tasha?” I screamed as I looked around for her. I wanted to kill her.
His eyes filled with regret. “I fucked up, Lexi. I was lonely, and she kept coming on to me. I snorted cocaine tonight, and she knew it.”
“I hate you. I hate you so much,” I whispered as I fell back against Landon. “Stay away from me. I never want to see you again.”
“Please, Lexi…”
I ignored Joel. “Get me out of here, Landon.”
Landon nodded as he turned me, and we started walking through the crowd. They parted easily for us this time. I let Landon lead me because my eyes were too swollen to see properly.
“Lexi, wait!” Joel shouted as he followed us.
I refused to look back. I never wanted to see him again.
Landon led me through Joel’s house and out the front door. He picked me up and carried me back to where I’d parked Gram’s car. I could hear feet pounding on the pavement behind us. Landon put me down and took the keys out of my pocket to unlock the door just as Joel reached us.
“Lexi, please don’t go. I’m so sorry.”
“Go back to your whore, Joel. She’s what you wanted all along, so you should be happy.”
“I don’t want her, Lexi. I want you. I love you.”
“Don’t. You don’t get to say that to me anymore,” I spit out.
“Go back to your house, buddy. She doesn’t want anything to do with you,” Landon said as he stepped in front of me, blocking me from Joel.
“Who the fuck are you?” Joel growled.
“It doesn’t matter who I am. Leave her alone,” he said, his Southern accent more noticeable from his barely controlled anger.
“Fuck you, asshole. She’s mine.”
“Last warning—leave her alone, or I’m going to kick your ass.” Landon’s tone was cold, and I knew he wasn’t messing around.
I had no doubt that he could beat Joel if they fought. He was stronger, and Joel was half out of his mind from the cocaine.
“Mind your own fucking business. This is between Lexi and me.”
Landon shrugged. “Suit yourself.”
Before I could say a word, Landon stepped away from me and threw a punch at Joel. Landon knocked Joel back a few steps, but he caught himself before he fell. He came at Landon and tackled him to the ground. I screamed when he hit Landon in the stomach. That was the first and only punch he got in. After that, Landon flipped Joel over and beat the shit out of him. I screamed for them to stop, but neither heard me as they struggled.
“Landon! STOP! You’re going to kill him!” I screamed.
Landon stopped mid-punch and looked at me. There was a rage in his eyes that made me take a step back. He rose and walked slowly to me as Joel rolled over.
“I’m sorry, City. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
I simply nodded, staring at the blood covering his knuckles.
Riley came running down the street, and he stopped dead when he saw us. “Jesus Christ. What the fuck happened, Lexi?”
“Get him home and take care of him, Riley. I never want to see him again. Don’t let him try to find me.”
Riley helped Joel to his feet, and I turned and opened the car door.
“Lexi, I love you,” Joel whispered.
I squeezed my eyes shut as I sat down on the passenger seat. Landon made sure I was okay before closing my door and walking to the driver’s side. He got in and started the car. I watched Joel lean on Riley as they walked back to the house. I knew it was the last time I would ever see him again. Landon pulled away from the curb and headed back the way we’d come. I didn’t speak, except to give him directions.
We stopped at a gas station and filled up. Landon went inside to wash his hands and get us something to drink, but I refused the water he tried to hand me. I didn’t want it. I didn’t want anything. Everything I’d thought mattered was a lie. Joel didn’t love me. He’d never loved me. He had used me, and that stung like a bitch.
My tears started flowing again once we hit the interstate. “I’m so stupid.”
“No, you’re not. You cared about him, Lexi. That doesn’t make you stupid. It makes you human.”
“I gave him every part of myself,” I whispered.
I would never recover from this—never. Joel had ripped my heart out of my chest. He had been the one person in this world who I trusted completely, and he hadn’t even cared about me.
When we made it back to the farm, my grandfather’s rage didn’t even faze me. I stood there, not saying a word, while he screamed at me. I wasn’t really here. I was trapped in my own head, too filled with anger and heartbreak to care about what was happening around me. I only snapped out of it when he started shouting at Landon.
“No, don’t yell at him. This isn’t his fault. He didn’t decide to steal Gram’s car. I did. He only came with me to keep an eye on me.”
“Where did you go?” my grandfather demanded.
“To hell,” I said simply.
He stared at me for a moment before turning to Landon. “Where did you two go?”
I winced at the hostility he directed at Landon, but Landon didn’t seem bothered by it.
“She went back to her boyfriend.”
I didn’t think my grandfather could get any angrier, but I was wrong.
His face turned red. “What happened? Why does it look like your knuckles went through a shredder, Landon?”
Landon hesitated, looking at me. I knew he was asking for permission to tell my grandparents. I shrugged. It didn’t matter. He could tell them. They already knew I was a fuck-up, so he might as well let them know the extent of it.
“Lexi found her boyfriend with another girl.”
My grandma’s eyes widened.
“She beat the crap out of him, and we left his house. He followed and refused to leave her alone, so I stepped in.”
“Lexi, are you okay?” Gram whispered. It was the first time she’d ever used my nickname.
“No,” I answered truthfully. “I’m going upstairs. I can’t handle anymore tonight. Do what you want to me tomorrow, but please leave me alone tonight.”
My grandfather looked like he wanted to say more, but Gram gave him a look.
He sighed and motioned toward the stairs. “Go. I need to call your parents and let them know you’re safe.”
I turned and walked away. I couldn’t even remember walking up to my room, but somehow, I ended up in my bed. Now that I was alone, I let my tears fall again. I was ashamed at how stupid I’d been. Joel had fooled me completely. I would have done anything he asked—anything.
I jumped when I felt arms wrap around me. I looked behind me to see Landon. “What are you doing here?”
“I thought you might want some company,” he said as he pulled me against him.
“You shouldn’t be in here. You’re in enough trouble already because of me.”
“Your grandma knows I’m here. She knows I won’t do anything.”
I nodded, satisfied with his answer. I didn’t want him to suffer my grandpa’s wrath because of me, but if Gram was okay with Landon being here, then so was I. Right now, I really didn’t want to be alone despite what I’d told my grandparents.
“Want to talk about it?” he whispered.
I shook my head. “There’s nothing to talk about.”
“Well, if you change your mind, I’m here.”
“I know. Landon?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks for beating the shit out of him for me.”
He chuckled. “I enjoyed it, trust me. I never want to see you hurt like that again.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll never get that close to someone again.” My words had a bitter edge to them.
Landon was gone when I woke up the next morning. I remembered falling asleep in his arms, so he must have snuck out while I had been sleeping. I stared up at the ceiling, unable to get out of bed. I knew I was being pathetic, but I didn’t care. My whole world had come crashing down around me last night. I deserved to lay here and have a pity party.
Of course, that wasn’t in the cards for me. The second I thought the words pity party, my door swung open, and Landon walked in. He’d been gone for a while. His hair was still wet from a shower, and he had on clean clothes.
“Morning, sunshine.” He walked to the bed and threw the covers off of me.
I groaned and rolled onto my stomach as I pulled my pillow over my head. “Go away.”
“Nope. It’s time to get up. We have stuff to do.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“Not happening. Now, get up.”
I pulled the pillow off my head and threw it in his general direction. I didn’t even come close to hitting him. Instead, I heard it drop to the floor. I didn’t have it in me to look and see if it had done any damage. All I wanted to do all day was lie in bed and mope.
I yelped as I felt myself being lifted from the bed. “What are you doing?”
“If you won’t get up on your own, I’ll help you. Now, go shower, so we can get shit done,” Landon said as he set me down.
“Landon, leave me alone. Please.”
He shook his head. “Not a chance. Grab your clothes, and go shower. If you don’t, I’ll go through your underwear drawer and find something for you.”
I glared at him as I walked over to my dresser and jerked open a drawer. I pulled out a bra and underwear before stomping to my closet to grab an outfit. “You’re an ass.”
“You’ll thank me later. I’m not going to let you think about him today.”
“Too late for that,” I grumbled as I walked to the bathroom.
I took my time in the shower. I wasn’t ready to face this day. I wasn’t sure if I would ever be ready. I finally shut off the water and dried off before dressing. Landon was waiting out in the hall for me. I ignored him as I walked down the steps and pulled on my new boots.
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