Page 59 of Landon (In Safe Hands)
It’sso quiet I can hear the fast hard beat of my heart. I didn’t see this coming,but I know it’s what I want. We haven’t been together long, but I can’t imaginemy life without him. His ocean eyes gaze up at me with equal amounts of hopeand fear, but I can’t seem to make my voice work.
“Well,don’t leave him hanging, Zo!” Ethan calls, making everyone laugh.
Theconnection from my brain to my mouth finally re-engages and I nearly shout,“Yes.” He’s on his feet in half a second and I’m in his arms, being kissed likehe’ll never get another chance while everyone hoots and cheers.
Allthe guys hug me. “Welcome to the family, honey. I’m happy for you,” Justussays, grinning at Landon. “And you too, raisin.”
“Raisin?”I question.
Landonscoffs. “A grape that shrivels in the sun.”
Ismack Justus on the chest. “That’s mean.”
“Hecalls me a stripper!”
“Youare!”
“I’man exotic dancer,” he replies, crossing his arms, a smirk on his face.
Landonpulls me into his lap. “Let it go, baby. He’s jealous because he isn’t as goodlooking as I am.”
Forthe next hour or so, we just sit around and talk. It does feel like a family,and I realize how happy I am to be a part of it. To be with people who aren’tjudging me or my brother, whose affections won’t be dependent on whether or notwe agree with their beliefs. Just hanging out with them, I can feel how muchthey care for one another, and I want to be a part of that.
Iguess now I am.
Landontries to get us to stay the night, but I need to get the boys back, and I havea paper I need to work on tomorrow, so we leave a little after nine. After Idrop Colin off at his new foster family’s house, we head home.
We’reup early the next morning to drop the apartment keys off at the manager’soffice. I’ve never been so glad to leave a place behind. Well, maybe that’s nottrue. When we get to the parking lot, Ethan asks, “Can I drive?”
Hehas his permit and has had a few driver’s education classes, so I don’t see whynot. Traffic is pretty light this time of day. I’m surprised how quickly he’slearned when we make our way through downtown. His acceleration is smooth andhe doesn’t hit the brakes too hard. He’s a bit overly cautious, if anything,and I won’t complain about that. At least I don’t have to worry about him onthe road.
“Howdo you feel about me marrying Landon?” I ask.
“Igave him my permission,” he laughs.
Idon’t get a chance to respond before the world is jerked sharply to the right.The sound of shattering glass is nearly drowned out by the squeal of crumplingmetal. Everything stops. My ears are buzzing and there’s some kind of powder inmy mouth. Fear fills me. Is it from my teeth? Did something crush my teeth? Myeyes burn when I open them, but at least the confusion clears. It’s from theairbag. We must’ve hit something.
Ethanis slumped in the driver’s seat, blood trickling from his nose, covered in thesame fine powder. “Ethan? Ethan? Wake up. Oh god.” I manage to undo hisseatbelt just as an unfamiliar face appears at his smashed window.
“Don’tmove him, Miss. I’ve called the paramedics. Are you okay?”
“Yeah,I think so. He won’t wake up.” I can hear the hysteria in my voice. Maybe Ethanheard me too because he groans and his eyes flutter open.
“Zo?”
“Yeah,buddy. I’m here. We were in an accident.”
Heruns his arm across his face, smearing the blood and wincing as his wrist glancesoff his nose. “Shit. Zo, your new car. I’m so sorry. I didn’t see anyone and…”
“Shh.The hell with the car. I didn’t see anyone either. Are you okay? What hurts?”
Hemethodically moves both feet, legs, arms, and wrists before turning to me. “Ican move everything. My head hurts and my nose is throbbing. I think theseatbelt bruised my chest. What about you? Your lip is bleeding.”
“Yeah,from the airbag. I feel okay, though.”
Ayoung man opens Ethan’s door and introduces himself as a paramedic while anolder lady does the same for me. I step out of the car and let her check meover, but alarm grips me when I see them remove Ethan on a board. The ladyparamedic lays a hand on my shoulder. “It’s just a precaution because he has abit of neck pain. It’s probably whiplash, but we have to be safe. Is theresomeone I can call for you?”
Iopen my mouth to ask her to call Landon, but quickly think better of it. It’sdaylight. He can’t come. He’ll send Dare and I don’t think that’s necessary.“I’ll call a friend when we get to the hospital.”
