His chin hits his chest as he casts his gaze downward. “I know. I just need to keep the peace until then.”
I lift my hand and brush my thumb against his swollen lip. “This what keeping the peace looks like?”
His eyes lock with mine, his usual light-brown irises now a subdued version. “I don’t have any other choice.”
“You can go to the police. Fight for you and your mother. Prove what he’s been doing to you, and you’ll be able to get him out of the house.”
Landon’s head shakes before I’m done speaking. “If that even works, my mom can’t afford this house on her own, or a lawyer to help her with everything. Dad won’t make it easy on her.”
He’s not wrong. We’re just kids, and we don’t have the means to help our parents do adult shit.
“Plus, the police have already been here countless times. Same shit, different day.”
My bottom lip juts out. “It’s not fair.”
“Hey.” Landon’s hands come up, cupping each side of my face. “Don’t be sad, sweetheart. It’s okay.”
My heart aches at the tender nickname.
We’ve flirted and tip-toed around each other, disguising it with athletic rivalry. Lacrosse made us acquaintances, and thatturned into a friendship. But lately, the closer we become, the more my feelings evolve into something more.
The last thing I need right now is to let things get complicated between us. He doesn’t know I’ll be joining his team in the spring. I haven’t had the guts to tell him. Plus, with everything going on with my father, I just don’t have the headspace or the energy for a relationship. I’d rather keep our friendship strong than chance ruining it over some silly feelings. Soon enough, he’ll be off to college and I’ll be nothing but a memory to him.
But it’s the small, intimate moments like this that make me want to throw caution to the wind.
“Stop looking at me like that,” he whispers.
My gaze falls to his lips. “Like what?”
“Like you want to kiss me.”
My eyes flick back up to his. “Then stop looking at me like you might let me.”
His lips part, and I inch closer, my heart racing in my chest.
An obnoxious horn blares through the air, and we both jump apart.
I swing my glare to Evan and Ivori.
“Do you two want to get a room, or are you coming back to school with us?” Evan calls.
Landon shoves his hands into his pockets as he smiles. “Go, enjoy the rest of the game.”
I shake my head. “Don’t want to. Not without you.”
He nods like he assumed as much. “Then let them go, and sit with me on the porch a little longer.”
That I can do.
Chapter 17
Ainsley
Present
“Areyou sure you know what you’re doing?”
“Pfft.” I wave my hand. “I’ve totally got this under control. Just shine some light in here for me.”
