Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“I don’t want to intrude.”
Landry gives me a look that tells me he’s not going to let me get out of this. Not that I want to get out of it. I wanted to make it known he doesn’t have to feel obligated to invite me. I like the idea of being included in going back to his place with everyone to hang out. Maybe, if I’m lucky, I’ll get a goodnight kiss.
“I’m going to hit the showers. I want pizza, by the way. I’ll stop and pick it up on my way over,” Reid says.
“I’ll send you some cash,” Landry says, pulling his phone out of his pocket.
“Nah, man, this is on me. I’m pretty sure it’s my turn anyway.” Reid nods at me before climbing off the treatment table and leaving us alone.
“Are you sure you’re all right?”
“Positive. He came in demanding we end things, but he didn’t get to spew his hate because Reid intercepted him.” I smile when I think about Reid’s tactics. “He called him Chazzy boy, and me Rowie. Told Chaz that he and I were besties.” I chuckle. I can’t believe I’m able to laugh about this.
Landry moves toward me, and with each step, his eyes grow more heated. When he’s close enough to reach me, he slides his arm around my waist and presses a kiss to the corner of my mouth. “Is Reid going to be a problem?”
“What? No, he was just helping me, so I wasn’t alone with Chaz.”
“Figures, not only do I have to worry about your ex, now I have to worry about my friends too,” he says, shaking his head.
“Stop.” I laugh, pushing at his chest. He holds me tight, smiling down at me. “Do you want to leave your car here? We can come back to get it later?”
“No, I’ll just drive to your place.”
“No stops along the way. I don’t want him to follow you and catch you out on your own. I live in a gated community, so he can’t come past the gates.”
“Good thing I have gas,” I tease.
He shrugs. “I’d just take you with me. In fact, I prefer that. I should have picked you up today and brought you with me.”
“That’s out of your way and would have been a waste. I’m perfectly fine to drive here on my own.”
“I know, but I worry about you. I don’t trust him. My gut tells me he’s not going to let this go. He’s not going to let you go. I mean, he requested to be traded here and took a pay cut because he knew this was where you were. He’s not going to just accept defeat.”
I nod. He’s right, and we both know it. However, the thought doesn’t scare me as much as it used to, not now that I’m no longer dealing with him all on my own. For the first time in my life, I have a support system.
“Let’s go find John and get out of here.”
“You don’t have to wait for me.”
“I’m waiting.” He reaches for my hand just as John enters the room. I try to pull away, but Landry holds firm.
“Good game, Reynolds,” John tells him.
“Thanks, man, appreciate it.”
“Rowan, you’re all set to head out. No injuries and no additional treatments are necessary. We all came out winners today.” John laughs.
“Thank you, sir,” I reply. He nods and turns to walk back out the way he came.
“Do you have anything to take with you?”
“Yeah, I always keep a change of clothes on me.” He releases my hand, and I walk over to grab my bag, purse, phone, and keys out of my locker before turning the combination to lock it back up. “All set.”
Landry nods, places his hand on the small of my back, and keeps it there until we reach my car in the parking lot. He makes sure I’m buckled in and tells me to wait to pull out so that he can follow me to his place.
His demands make me feel appreciated and cared for. Nothing like what I’m used to. I wasn’t sure what to think when he told Chaz that he and I were dating. Unknowingly, having Landry Reynolds in my life is precisely what I needed. He’s healing me in a way I never thought possible.
“Oh shit,” Reid says, scrunching up his nose.
We all turn to look at him. He’s sitting in the recliner with Camden sleeping on his chest. He’s been a baby hog most of the night.
“What?” Baker asks.
“Shit. Literally. Daddy Sin, you gotta take him,” Reid says while trying not to breathe through his nose.
“What? Uncle Reid can’t handle diaper duty?” Baker jokes.
“How can something so cute and so damn cuddly make that stench?” Reid gags, and we all laugh.
Corie stands from where she’s been sitting on Knox’s lap. “Aunt Corie will do it.” She takes Camden from Reid and rests him against her shoulder. “I didn’t feel like kicking their behinds in Name That Tune anyway,” she tells the baby, and I grin. She really does kick our asses every damn time.