Page 57 of Fear of Love
“You don’t know that. Maybe I do,” Trevor shot right back.
As the two said jabs at one another, I felt a presence slide up to my side. I realized who it was seconds before their hand grazed the back of mine.
“I like that color on you.” Landon’s voice was soft as he stood beside me.
“It’s the only sweater I own that covers my neck,” I hissed, my eyes forward. Last night, Landon decided he wanted to leave a little memento on the side of my neck, not a care in the world that our friends would see the giant love bite. Thank god it was chilly out today, and I could get away with a turtleneck.
“Hm.” Landon just hummed. I jammed my elbow back in response. I grinned at the oomph sound he made as I stepped toward our friends who were headed for the path on the left. I only made it a foot before a sharp pain spread over my ass.
“Landon.” I whirled around, eyes narrowed as he stood there smirking. “You did not just smack my ass.”
“I didn’t. Must have been the wind.” He put his hands in his jean pockets and stepped around me. I tapered the urge to smack him back as he walked in front of me. Muttering under my breath about getting him back tonight, I hurried to catch up with everyone.
“How dare someonetry and hurt these babies,” Josie said incredulously. We stood at the fence of the lion enclosure, threebeautiful felines lying in the dirt, their faces titled toward the sun.
The best part about the Toronto Wildlife Zoo was that all the animals were rescued. Whether that be from actual zoos that didn’t take care of them or from people who thought it would be cool to own one. From what I read on the map, there were even a few that were here because they couldn’t be rehabilitated back out into the wild.
It was unlike any other zoo I’d ever been to. Huge enclosures where the animals had plenty of space to roam. Big trees for shade. At others, there were always little shops and stands to get food or drinks but not here. The air was peaceful and serene, and despite there being kids, it was relatively quiet.
Surprisingly, we’d only been stopped a few times with the guys getting recognized. Most were dads but there were a few kids that stopped in the middle of the path and stared. It was cute seeing them starstruck by Wyatt, Trevor, and Bryton.
Mateo broke the peaceful silence. “I could totally take on a lion.”
Landon shot his younger brother a look. “No, you couldn’t.”
“Yes, I could. Don’t try and tear me down, brother.”
Josie patted Mateo on the back. “You can kick anyone’s ass you want to.”
“Yes, thank you, Josie.” Mateo glared at Landon, who was completely unfazed.
We stood there for another few minutes and watched the lions before Bryton spoke up. “Anyone want to go see the bears?”
“I do,” piped Josie and Mila.
“We’re going to go check out the wolves,” Trevor and Tasha said.
“I was thinking of going to the aquatic exhibit.” I glanced at the map in my hand.
“I’ll go with you,” Landon said, making me glance at him in surprise. “Then we can meet up with everyone else in a bit.”
“Works for us.” Wyatt shrugged. “Who are you going with Mateo?”
I couldn’t help but silently plead he didn’t come with Landon and me. To have a moment, just the two of us, would be nice without our friends constantly around.
“Definitely not the aquatic display,” Mateo was quick to say.
“Is that where you shit your pants?” Bryton suddenly said, face straight as a board. The way the group went silent was comical. Bryton was justwaiting for the right time to bring that up.
“What?” I bit my bottom lip as Mateo slowly looked at all of us, the tips of his ears pink. “That never happened.”
“So, it wasn’t in the aquatic exhibit then?” Bryton pressed. Behind him, Mila was trying her best not to laugh. Ever so slowly, Mateo turned his head to look at Landon beside me, eyes narrowed.
“You made a promise to never tell anyone,” he hissed at his older brother. “You made avow of silence.”
“It was years ago,” Landon responded.
“It was a vow of silence foreternity.” I couldn’t tell if the hurt in Mateo’s voice was real or fake.
