Page 26 of Landon (In Safe Hands)
“Giveme a break. I was seven,” he defends with a grin.
“Wedon’t have to sell this place.”
Heshakes his head. “No, we should. The bad outweighs the good. I’m happy to leavethis place behind if you are.”
“Farbehind,” I agree.
* * * *
Thefuneral is two days later and after much inner debate, Ethan and I attend. Thesnubbing response we receive from the other mourners isn’t a surprise. Everyonehere is from their church and well versed on how evil the Page family childrenare. It doesn’t matter. We’re just doing our duty here.
Assoon as the coffins are lowered, Ethan grabs my hand. “Can we go?”
He’strying to hold it together, but the stress is clear on his face. Tears streamdown his cheeks when I pull him into a hug. “It’s stupid,” he chokes. “Ishouldn’t care.”
“Don’tsay that. It’s not stupid. You’re a better person than they could ever be. It’sokay to care and to grieve.”
“Ijust want to go.”
“Okay.”We’re almost to my car when Dare approaches us. What the hell? “What are youdoing here?”
“Landonasked me to come and see how you are. He…couldn’t make it.”
Witha sigh, I step around him and he follows me. “Does he always send you to do hisdirty work?”
“Hey.”Dare grabs my shoulder. Ethan looks back at us, confused, and I wave at him toget in the car. “He’s worried about you. And no, he’s never asked me to checkon anyone before. I’m sorry about your parents.”
“Thankyou. You can tell Landon I’m fine. Thanks for coming.” This time when I walkaway, he doesn’t follow.
Ispend the next few days packing and boxing up my parents’ belongings. Ethanhelps me donate most of the clothing and household items to the homelessshelter that helped us. At least we can give a little back.
Ethanleaves for a school trip on Thursday, and by Friday, I can’t stand to be homeanymore. It leaves me too much time to think. I haven’t told Ethan about thelife insurance money because it’s just too good to believe it’s true. I’ll tellhim when we actually have the money. Until then, I have to go back to work.
IfI’m being honest, I’ve missed Landon. It’s screwed up, I know. We agreed to befriends, but he’s still my boss and I shouldn’t be so attached. That doesn’tchange the fact that I have a smile on my face as I unlock his front door.
Hecomes out of his office and gazes at me in surprise. “Zoe? I didn’t expect youback yet.”
Glancingaround the room, I grin. “But it looks like you need me.” An empty chickenbucket sits on top of a pizza box on the coffee table. Has he eaten nothing butfast food all week?
“Ican survive. Really, take the time to be with your family.”
“Thanksfor being concerned, but Ethan is my only family, and we’re doing fine. Sittingaround my apartment isn’t going to help anything.”
“Ifyou’re sure,” he murmurs. “Would you mind starting in the library?”
He’sacting strange. And the reason just walked in. A thin brunette wearing nothingbut panties stumbles into the room and says, “There you are, baby. You comingback to bed?”
Apang I have no business feeling makes me wince. It’s his house and we aren’tinvolved. It’s none of my business who he fucks. “Sorry, I’ll just get startedon the library,” I mumble, making a quick retreat.
Idon’t know whether to get to work or leave. He probably doesn’t want me heretoday. I’m just turning to leave when Landon steps into the library. “I’mreally sorry. I know you told me to take the week off and you weren’t expectingme. I’ll just come back Monday,” I babble, pissed at myself for feeling jealousat the thought of him going back to bed with that woman.
“Don’tbe ridiculous. She just left.” He brushes a lock of hair out of his eyes. “Ididn’t mean for her to still be here. Guess I fell asleep.”
“Notmy business who you sleep with,” I reply.
Hissmile is mischievous. “Then why are you upset? You jealous?”
“I’mnot jealous of some bar skank. Your pursuit of STD’s is your own business. Now,do you want me to get to work in here or not?”
