He grimaces as he flicks on his blinker to turn. “Figured it was best to rip it off like a band aid.”
“I was so surprised.” I shake my head. “I’d have expected Freddy Kruger to walk through that door before you did.”
Landon grins. “Bet you wished it was Freddy.”
“I was so angry at you for shutting me out back then.” I look down at our hands clasped together. “I thought I was doing the right thing. I thought I was helping you. But I think it was just another way for me to try to control everything. As if I knew best.”
Landon heaves a long sigh. “You were doing the right thing. If I’d have played the rest of that game and gotten hurt, I might’ve been out for the rest of the season. At least I was ableto get another offer from a scout.” He side-eyes me. “I might not have been able to do that if you hadn’t gotten me benched that game.”
“It was difficult keeping your secret all those years. I wanted to run to the police and have your father arrested. I kept racking my brain for something to do to get him away from you guys. But my father told meyou can only help people who want to be helped. And I don’t think your mom was ready yet.”
“I’m sorry I put that on you.” Landon rolls to a stop at a red light, and turns in his seat to face me. “I needed someone to lean on, but I didn’t think about how it affected you.”
“I would’ve carried it all if I thought it would help you.” My eyes bounce between his. “I cared about you so much. It broke me when you left, even if I understood why you did.”
Landon leans over the center console and reaches for me, pulling my lips to his. “I don’t plan on leaving you ever again, Ainsley. I know you don’t trust easily, and I know I’ll need to prove myself to you. But I’m not going anywhere. Jersey is my home. You are my home, my calm through the storm.”
We kiss, and it’s full of pain and passion, surrounded by the truth and the weight of our confessions. I pour myself into him, the years of pent-up feelings, the hurt, and anger, and longing brimming over the edge.
A car horn sounds behind us, and we pull back. I’m quiet while Landon continues driving, and he lets me sink into my thoughts for a while. We spend the remainder of the ride listening to music and snacking on treats Landon brought. The man is truly prepared for everything.
Instead of making fun of him, my heart warms at all the care and effort he put into this date.
“Thank you for this,” I say. “I appreciate you getting me out of the house and out of my head. I know it isn’t easy for you to leave your mom.”
“I think I needed to get out too. I’m always worried about her, and checking my phone to see if she called.”
I nod, totally understanding that. “Nobody prepares you for the part in life where your parents stop taking care of you, and you have to take care of them.”
“You were so strong taking care of your dad at such a young age.” Landon shakes my thigh. “You’re the strongest person I’ve ever known.”
I offer him an innocent smile. “I always told you I was stronger and faster than you.”
He barks out a laugh. “Okay, find some good music so I don’t have to hear you feed your ego anymore.”
“What’s your wager, Golden Boy?”
A devilish gleam flickers in his eyes. “I’ve had some time to think about this.”
“An unfair advantage,” I point out.
“If California wins, you have to wear my old high school jersey for me.” He waggles his eyebrows.
I laugh, scrunching my nose. “Seriously? That’s what you want?”
He gives me a fervent nod. “Oh, yes. Very much so.”
“Okay, fine.” I tap my finger against my chin. “When I win, you have to cook me dinner in nothing but an apron.”
His head falls back as he laughs. “Deal.”
We shake on it, and then the game begins.
I’m on the edge of my seat for the entire first quarter. This game is intense and violent.
And I love it.
Going into the second quarter, California is up by two points, but it’s been a close game so I have no doubt New York will answer back with more goals.
