Page 211 of Only With You

“I’ll get it,” Darius announces and jumps up to his feet. When he opens the door, we’re flooded with familiar voices, but I only focus on one.

I’m immediately drawn to it and my lips lift upward and stretch wide uncontrollably. It only lasts for a mere second before it plummets at the sight of Landon’s face.

There’s a bright red bruise on his right cheek, a gash with dry blood on his bottom lip, and a cut starting from the corner of his left eye down to his cheek.

“What happened?” I’m up on my feet, set the mug on the coffee table, and move to him.

“Cole happened. He showed up, started shit, but Landon ended it,” Jagger summarizes, his voice elated.

“What do you mean Landon ended it?” Polly questions, asking what I’m sure we’re all wondering. “And why do you all look so happy right now?”

It was supposed to be a chill night before they flew out to New York, so the whole team decided to go bowling.

“Hey, Love.” The side of his mouth that’s bruised and bloody tugs ever so slightly in a small smile and his eyes alight.

“Why are you smiling? You’re hurt. We need to clean this up.” I grab his chin and inspect every inch of his face. Other than the most obvious cuts and bruises, he looks fine.

He grabs my hips, inching me closer to him as his roommates veer around us, and I assume take up any of the space that’s available.

“Because you’re here.” He leans down, kissing my forehead.

I pull back, eyeing him skeptically. “Lan, I’m serious. Should I be worried there’s going to be a warrant for your arrest? You didn’t kill him, did you?”

Jayden barks out a laugh. “Don’t worry, Juls, the only person’s wrath he’ll have to face is Warren’s. Other than that, he should be good. After all, it was Cole who attacked him first.”

My brows shoot up, jaw dropping to the floor. “How can you stand there and smile when he did that to you? Why are you so calm about it? Where was the police? Did they do anything?”

“You know, I’ve never seen you this worried for me. It’s turning me on,” he whispers so only I can hear.

“Are you serious right now?” I softly swat his shoulder.

“Yes, it’s hot.”

“Landon, stop playing around. I’m serious.”

“Just a few cuts, but nothing I’m not used to. I promise I’m okay.”

There’s a twinge in my chest at his words because I know what he means by that.

“That’s nothing. You should see Cole,” Malik says carelessly, sitting back on the couch with nonchalance.

“He’s right. I don’t know who the fuck would willingly want to fight him.” Saint points a thumb over at Landon. “I mean, I’d take you, but I’m afraid I’d hurt you.”

“You hurting Landon?” Jayden scoffs, bemused. “Saint, be for real right now. You’re acting as if you didn’t just see Mr. Six-Foot-Nine beat the ever living shit out of Cole.”

“And you’re acting like I’m not just two inches shorter than him,” Saint counters, looking offended.

The guys stare at Saint like he just said the most ludicrous thing in the world and the girls laugh.

“Oh, and don’t forget what Landon told him before he hit him. What was it again?” Jayden animatedly quizzes.

Landon rolls his eyes when the guys in chorus, mimicking his accent, say, “Thanks for giving me a reason to hit you. I’ve really been looking forward to this.”

“Chills.” Jagger dramatically shudders and breaks out into a laugh.

“You said that to him?”

He shrugs apathetically. “It was all in the heat of the moment.”

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