Page 99 of Fear of Falling

“Things are fine,” I said as I took a seat in front of his desk.

Typical Landon, immediately thinking something was wrong. He’s been a father figure my entire life, always there to fix anything no matter what it was.

I wasn’t entirely sure how to go about this. I love my brother, he’s honestly one of the best people I know, but his treatment of Josie at Mateo’s game was uncalled for.

Knowing it was better to rip it off like a Band-Aid, I braced my forearms on my knees.

“About Mateo’s football game.”

Across from me Landon leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, watching me intently.

“What you said to Josie was uncalled for. She didn’t deserve it.” I held his gaze as I spoke.

Josie may not officially be my girlfriend yet, but like hell I would let someone talk to her like that, even if it was my brother.

“Are you sure she isn’t a reporter?” The look he gave me said he didn’t buy it. “We’ve been through this before.”

“Josie is not Lacey,” I snapped.

“That’s what you thought about Lacey until she turned around and wrote an article about your‘relationship’and sold it to every news outlet.”

“That was six years ago,” I said through gritted teeth. “No one even gave a shit about what she said.”

“Because your agent steered your PR to bury it,” Landon said as he leaned his arms on his desk. “Who’s to say Josie won’t do the same to you? You’re finally getting your game back.”

“What is your problem with her?” Now I was starting to get pissed. He was comparing an old fling—it wasn’t even a relationship—to Josie. Lacey was a mistake I’d never make again, and I knew for an absolute fact Josie wouldn’t do what she did to me.

“I’m trying to protect you.”

“Well stop!” I yelled. Remembering there were kids just outside the door, I took a breath before lowering my voice. “I don’t need you to protect me from things anymore. I’m not a kid, Landon.”

I saw the flash of hurt in his eyes, though he tried to hide it.

Fuck.

I hadn’t meant for it to come out that harsh. I knew Landon was trying to look out for me.

I’ll forever appreciate everything he’s done for me, nor could I repay him for giving up his childhood so I could have one.But he also needed to learn I wasn’t ten anymore. Yes, I’d made mistakes in the past with women, but Josie was not one of them.

“Lan,” I sighed. “I know you just want to protect me, and I love you for it. I do. But I’m falling for Josie, and you need to accept that.”

Landon was quiet for a moment before he spoke again. “You’re falling for her?”

It was the first time I’d admitted it out loud.

I was falling for her.

Faster than I ever thought possible, but every day I spent time with her, I found myself wanting more. More of her smiles, her laugh, the way her nose scrunched up when she was thinking. I wanted to wake up every morning, knowing was in bed beside me.

Was it fast? Fuck yes, but I didn’t care. Not when I finally felt like I’d met my person.

“I am. I’m asking her to be my girlfriend tonight.”

Landon leaned back in his chair with a soft sigh. “I’m sorry for how I acted. I just want what’s best for you.”

My anger dissipated at his words. Getting an apology from Landon was rare, even if I was his brother. He didn’t mince words and stood by what he said most of the time.

“I know you do.” That’s all he’s ever wanted for me, and I appreciated it more than he knew. “But I need you to know Josie’s not going anywhere. So what happened on Saturday can’t happen again.”

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