Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94639 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94639 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
“Nobody thinks you sleep around,” he says. “Everyone knows you’re a one-man woman.”
“We’ve never had sex,” I admit softly. “But I’m pretty sure he has. I went to his house tonight and his mom said Melissa was with him in his basement.”
“Shit,” Landon curses. “It’s probably not what it sounded like.”
“You have to say that because he’s your friend.” I nudge his side.
“Nah, I would tell you if I knew he was cheating on you.” Landon’s eyes meet mine, and in the moonlight, they light up brightly.
I’m not sure why, but for some reason I find it really easy to talk to Landon. He doesn’t seem to have an agenda like Melissa, or mock me like Richie often does. And he isn’t judgmental like my mom. It’s as if he genuinely wants to get to know me.
“It doesn’t matter because we’re over. He’s so selfish and I’m just over it. If he slept with Melissa tonight, that’s on them. We’re done.”
We spend the next couple hours talking about everything and nothing. School, friends, our futures. Landon’s grades are okay, but he’s determined to get drafted into the Major Leagues. Even if he goes to college, he’s sure he’ll end up getting a baseball scholarship. He reminds me a lot of myself, in that his goal is to get out of this small town and go somewhere bigger and better, where he can have a fresh start and make a future for himself.
As he’s telling me about his favorite teams he’s hoping to get drafted to, his phone pings with an incoming text. He reads it then holds it up for me to see.
Dick: Cohen said he saw you bring Harper home. Her mom called saying she ran away. Have you seen her?
“You have him in your phone as Dick?” I throw my head back with a laugh. “I thought you two were good friends.”
Landon chuckles. “Just calling ’em like I see ’em. And I wouldn’t say we’re good friends. Teammates, sure, and I put up with him, but we’re not good friends. He’s just better to have as an acquaintance than an enemy.” Wow, his views toward Richie sound a lot like mine toward Melissa.
“What do you want me to say?” he asks, holding the phone up again.
“Nothing. What I do is none of his concern.”
Landon nods and then types something back. “It’s a school night and I have homework to get done. You can spend the night if you want.”
“Really? Your dad won’t mind?” Then I remember what he said a few minutes ago, that his dad treats him like a friend.
“I have a futon I can crash on. You can take the bed.” He slides off the table and takes my hand, helping me down. “But you have to call your mom and tell her where you’re at.” He extends his hand with his phone.
“Fine.” I dial my mom’s number and she answers on the first ring.
“Hello.” She only says one word, but it sounds strained like she’s worried.
“Mom.”
“Oh, Harper. Where are you?” she cries. “I’ve been calling around everywhere. I called Richie and he said he hasn’t seen you. I even called Melissa, but she didn’t answer. I was about to call the police.”
My stomach flip-flops at the sound of her sobbing into the phone. I assumed she would be mad that I left, but I never thought she would be worried. Leaving without telling her was stupid and immature. I’m better than that.
“I’m with a friend. I’m sorry. I just got really upset when you wouldn’t listen to me. I didn’t smoke, Mom. I don’t smoke. It feels like everything is spiraling out of control with us.”
Just as I’m starting to get worked up, mentally preparing myself for another battle with my mom, Landon takes my hand in his and squeezes it comfortingly. Instantly, my heart rate and nerves calm down. I take a deep breath and Landon smiles softly at me.
Mom’s silent for a long moment, and then she says, “Come home and we’ll talk.”
My eyes meet Landon’s and he nods once, releasing my hand. I immediately miss the feel of his fingers entwined in mine and want to make him give me back his hand. But I don’t. His hand isn’t mine to have and hold.
“Okay. I’ll be home in a few minutes,” I tell her.
We hang up and I hand Landon back his phone. “Thank you for tonight.” I throw my arms around him to hug him, to show him how much I appreciate him being there for me. “Thank you for listening to me.” I tip my face up to kiss his cheek, but he’s a good foot taller than me, so I have to stand on my tiptoes. My lips linger on his stubbled jaw for a few seconds before I let go of him and back up.