Landry was the long-time winner and local favorite for years before he left the circuit. He’s so well loved that UBS wanted to make a fucking documentary about him.
Everyone. Loves. Landry.
The back of my neck grows hot and I hook a thumb over my shoulder. “Fine. But I gotta get the groceries put away.” My eyes lift to Jenna’s, and I find her perusing my man like an appetizer on a moving belt. “Jenna, I can walk you out.”
Landry reaches for my pinkie and squeezes, but I keep my eyes on Jenna. She gets to her feet and looks awkwardly between us. “This way.” I jut out my arm toward the front door in a completely unnecessary move, but she obeys, stepping off the porch back into the house. I follow after her.
I didn’t even notice her truck when I pulled up. I was sodeep into romanticizing my new life that I didn’t even look around.
She’s a burst of dust as she revs the engine on her new truck, pulling out of the drive and whipping down the road in a matter of seconds.
Back inside, I find Landry taking the bags off of my arms and walking me to the kitchen. I pull one of the boxes of heating pads out and slide it to him. “I hope this helps. How’s your neck feeling now?” I’m trying really hard not to spin out about a random girl stopping by. Really hard.
He takes the box and fishes the pad out, placing it carefully against his neck after removing the adhesive. His blue eyes sparkle as he dips down, dusting my lips in a soft kiss. “Thank you. I appreciate you.”
Sadie and Petunia run in, and their laughter is just what I need to put this Jenna thing to bed. She stopped by, clearly, and he’s got no interest, clearly. I just need to let it go.
Even though that didn’t work so well for Anna and Elsa.
CHAPTER 33
WHERE THERE’S SMOKE…
We didn’t makelove last night, and I’m telling myself the hurt neck and hot dinner in a hot house was to blame. It wasn’t because Jenna came by and his mind was elsewhere. Why am I even thinking that? Landry may not have been upfront about his financial situation initially, but he was embarrassed and I get that, I really do. He takes pride in his life, and every part of it, and admitting that he was in a place of great struggle was challenging.
We got past that.
He opened up to me.
There are no more secrets.
I know this.
And yet still, as I collect eggs from the old chicken coop wearing my nightgown and pink boots, I can’t shake the nagging in my gut. Big Bertha pecks at my heel as sweat slides down my spine. I’m frustrated, and the only way to not get stuck in my brain is to confront the issue head-on. Especially since talking to my mom only helped before I came home to Jenna at our house.
The screen door creaks as I pull it open, and I refuse to look at my little editing nook until I’ve put this visit with Jenna behind me. It’s so strange. I’m not normally a neurotic, jealous person at all. Maybe it’s because this is my first time being in love? Maybe it’s because I’m less chill than I thought? Or maybe because there’s a reason, because my gut isn’t wrong, and something is up.
But assuming that, or even thinking that, means I’m questioning Landry.
I don’t question him; he loves me.
I place the basket of eggs in the sink and begin running water over them, then turn on the stove beneath the cast iron. Sadie’s still asleep because she went to bed late last night and didn’t sleep well. It was a great night for her not to sleep well because I wasn’t sleeping either.
Landry’s aftershave and cologne hit my nose before his hand comes around my waist and his lips dust my temple. “Morning, baby.” His scruff catches my hair, and his hand comes up to detangle us. Twisting at the stove, I face him, and collect his cheeks in my palms, kissing his lips. The kiss is grounding, his soft moans and gentle grip are just what I need to shake the nagging in my gut.
“It’s a good morning now,” I whisper, pressing my mouth to his again. He collects my hair in one hand and tugs me back gently, taking control of the kiss, my mouth, and my body. “You look so beautiful out there collectin’ eggs,” he whispers. He doesn’t grind against me, but I can feel his erection as he wraps his arms around me, hugging me tightly.
“You were watching me?”
“Mm,” he grunts his response, and releases me from his warmth, moving toward the coffeepot. “Watching you out there woke me up. Thought I’d stop being lazy and get my day started.”
I smirk as I fill a bowl of water and place the eggs inside. “You aren’t being lazy. You’re resting, which is what you’re supposed to be doing.”
He passes me a mug, steaming. “Well, I’m feeling a lot better today. All that rest works, I guess.”
“Oh my gosh,” I breathe, abandoning my egg test in favor of another hug from Landry. “That’s amazing, I’m so relieved. I’ve been so worried.”
He chuckles. “Ah, well, that’s because you’re new to all this.” He sips from his coffee, his blue eyes clear and crisp, the crescents beneath them much lighter today. “Aches, pains, even breaks and sprains—all normal for the sport.”
