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I rinse everything in the sink and unstack it, but when I turn around, I’m startled to find Landon holding a half-empty bag of Twizzlers and some of the other snacks we had out for the movie.
You’re helping?nearly bursts out of me, but I hold it in and offer a much nicer, “Thank you for your help.”
He drops the snacks on the counter without a word.
“Did you like the movie?” I ask, trying to keep things friendly.
He grabs a Ziploc bag out of the cupboard and puts the Twizzlers in it. “I’ve seen it before. I knew I liked it.”
I grab the M&M box and tuck the tab in the little slot to close it. “Oh. Right, that makes sense. I suppose if your dad likes the movie…”
“What’d Hannah say?”
“She’s on her way.”
His mouth tugs up at the corners. “Of course she is.” He shakes his head as he slides another bag closed. “I can’t believe you called a chaperone.”
Ignoring the implication, I reiterate the excuse I gave to Mom and Hayden. “Hannah hasn’t seen my new room yet, and I thought—”
He cuts me off. “You can save the bullshit for someone who might believe it.” He drops the bagged candy on the counter and turns toward me. On impulse, as he moves toward me, my eyes widen and I back away. “We both know why you want Hannah in your bed tonight.”
I swallow, my gaze darting to the opening of the kitchen.
Our parents aren’t there, but they could be any second. I can’t play his stupid intimidation games right now. The night may not have been a total success, but it wasn’t a total failure, either. He could change all that right now.
I sidestep him, and thankfully, the kitchen is big enough that I have plenty of room to get around him.
It helps that he doesn’t try to chase me.
My heart still pounds, my mind half-expecting him to grab me around the waist and yank me back against him, but then the doorbell rings, and relief floods my body.
Hannah’s here.
“I got it,” I call out cheerfully, quickly making my way to the door.
Hannah’s waiting on the other side with her hair down and a large tote purse slung over her shoulder, likely with tomorrow’s clothes inside.
“Hey,” I greet her cheerfully. “Perfect timing.”
“Movie just end?” she guesses as she steps inside. “I looked it up online and saw how long it was, so I tried to time my arrival right when it ended.”
I nod. “We were just cleaning up. Have you ever seen the movie? It was really good.”
“I have not.”
“We’ll have to watch it someday.” I stop at the end of the cavernous hall since Mom and Hayden are standing in the living room. “Hannah, this is Landon’s dad, Hayden Atwater. Hayden, this is my best friend, Hannah Dupont.”
Hannah offers a friendly smile, and Hayden offers one back. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Hannah. I’ve already heard so much about you.”
“Some of it was even true,” I say lightly as Landon saunters out of the kitchen. Back to the parents, I say, “We’re gonna go upstairs.”
“Have fun,” Mom says as I start up the stairs.
I hear Hannah’s light footsteps behind me, but I hear Landon’s heavier footfalls, too. I’m not worried about him following me up these stairs tonight even if he has been drinking because Hannah is between us, and I know he won’t mess with her. It’s only me he messes with.
Chapter Sixteen
Landon
