Page 66 of Justus
It’sa fair question. Since he can’t go out during the daylight, Landon often staysout all night and sleeps half the day.
-Whatdo you want, Miley?-
Asshole.I’m never going to live down that wrecking ball performance.
-I’mcoming by.-
-Bringbeer.-
Myphone beeps with another message as I grab my keys and lock the door.
-Andpizza.-
Beerand pizza it is. It’s a small price to pay if he can help me smooth over thingswith Sadie.
* * * *
Zoeand her brother, Ethan, are leaving just as I park my car in their driveway.“Hi.” Zoe waves. “Go on in. Landon’s in the kitchen waiting for his deliveryman. His words not mine.”
“Thanksfor the warning. I’ll be sure to lick the top of his beer.”
Ethanlaughs, and they both get in their car while I let myself in the house.
“Pizzaand beer from The Way Too Damn Sexy Delivery Service,” I announce, sitting thefood on the table.
“Iordered a woman, not a guy with hair like a woman,” Landon says, grinning at mefrom the sink where he’s wiping a dish.
“Youknow you’d blow me if I offered. Look at you being all domestic and shit.” Igrab a beer and lean against the wall. “Teach me how to be whipped.”
“Fuckoff, stripper. So, what’s up? You bored today or did Sadie wise up and ditchyour oiled ass?”
Damn.That hit a little close to home. “The second one.”
Dryinghis hands, he stares at me. “Seriously?”
“Sortof. She said she’d be back, but…” I spend the next ten minutes filling him inon the last twenty-four hours, feeling like a chick for spilling my guts. Wemigrate to the living room where a video game is paused on his TV.
“Wow.You come off as a real dick in that story.” Landon grabs a controller andtosses me the other one.
“Thanks.I figured that much out for myself. What the hell am I supposed todo?”
“Doyou love her?” Landon asks as we start playing. I’m glad for the distraction.It’s easier to answer questions like these when we’re not looking at eachother.
“Yeah,I do.”
“Youwant her to yourself? No other women?”
“Ionly want her.” I manage to hit the button a split second before Landon andblow up his player.
“Thenstop second guessing yourself. I get what you’re saying. I thought the same waywhen Zoe and I got together. Shit, man, I never thought any woman would bewilling to be with someone who lives like a vampire because of a disease. Andthen when I learned she could see past that, I didn’t think she’d want me onceshe realized I can’t give her a kid without the risk of passing it on.
“Ialmost ruined everything because I just assumed I knew how she felt.” Shakinghis head, he shoots me a sideways grin. “They’re women. We never know how theyfucking feel.”
“Shesays she wants to be with me, be there for me while I’m helping Hannah througheverything.”
“Thenyou just have to make a decision. Decide what you want and stick to it. Youcan’t run from her when things get rough. She helps you, you help her. It’ssimple, really. And trust me, no matter what kind of shit we talk, we all needback up. Hannah needs you, but you’ll need someone to fall back on, too.”
Helaughs as he blows up my character on screen.
