Page 193 of Only With You

“I’ve no plans on murdering anyone.”

“Right, right, I was kidding…” he drawls, a cheery grin splitting across his face.

I narrow my eyes at him, but with Saint, it’s better not to ask questions. Sometimes, I can’t tell if he’s being honest or fucking around.

Polly opens the door and almost crashes against me, but I steady her before she falls.

“Sorry, I didn’t see you.” She sidesteps me, leaving the door ajar. “Prepare yourself,” she whispers.

“Why are you whispering?”

“Julianna’s parents randomly showed up and it’s not looking pretty.” She winces. “I feel so bad for her. I wanted to stay for support, but I knew if I didn’t leave, I’d say something and probably make things worse for her. Maybe you should come back later? Give them some?—”

“No, I’m going in there.”

“Landon, don’t,” she warns. “Whatever you’re thinking, just don’t. I know you’re concerned, but it won’t do her any good.”

“I can be civil.”

She incredulously stares at me. “You and I have two different definitions of what civil means.”

“I can be civil.” I repeat again.

I need to be there for her. Especially after everything she’s shared with me about her parents. I just know they’re talking down to her, making her feel like shit.

She softly groans. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“It’ll be fine,” I say, but I’m not sure if it’s me I’m trying to assure or her. “Is Gabby in there, too?”

“No, she’s working tonight, thank God. You know how soft she is. I know it’d break her heart to witness this.”

I nod because knowing Gabby, she’d somehow try to deescalate the situation. She’s all about peace, love, and unity. I don’t get it, but it makes her feel good.

After a brief goodbye, I step in and immediately feel the energy shift as all eyes fall on me.

Julianna stiffens, but I see the relief in her eyes, but her parents, they don’t bother to hide their contempt. They give me the quickest once-over and dismiss me like I’m not standing here.

“Set the milk down and leave,” her father orders, but doesn’t address me. It dawns on me that he thinks I’m delivering groceries. “Well, don’t just stand there, or were you not paid?”

Julianna jumps up to her feet, offering me the most apologetic smile. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know they were coming,” she feebly says, taking the milk but stands next to me and faces her parents. “Mom, Dad, this is Landon, my boyfriend.”

They sit up straighter. Her mother balks and her father sneers. His attention is solely on me now, assessing me from head to toe, not bothering to hide the disdain when his eyes land on the tattoos on my neck.

“Boyfriend?” her mum patronises, looking a bit disturbed. “When did this…happen?”

I hear her swallow next to me. “Uh, last week, but it’s not what you think.”

She scoffs. “Not what I think? You didn’t come home last week on Thanksgiving because you weren’tfeelingwell. Sothat’sthe excuse?”

“Landon.”

“Huh?”

My annoyance grows, but I force myself to keep it down for the sake of Julianna. “I believe you called methat, but my name is Landon.”

A tight-lipped smile forces its way on her face, but she still disregards me. “So,hewas the excuse? Is this why you want to drop your sorority and why you’ve been so distant? I swear if you tell me you’re pregnant?—”

“No, Mom, no,” she cuts her off, quickly shaking her head. “Landon’s not the reason for it and I’m not pregnant.”

---