Page 103 of Until Landon
The rest of the drive is quiet. Neither wants to break the silence. We don’t even listen to the music that always accompanies us. The night is perfect as is. Stars clearly visible in the sky, little traffic. The temperature is warm for ten. His hand reaches for mine, and fingers braid. I hold him against me.
Taking the exit, we head up a winding road. City lights start to twinkle through the trees. The Galaxie rides smooth. I feel like I am in a nineteen-sixty-three Ford commercial. Handsome spokesman and his woman taking the new model for a spin.
He slows and takes a left onto a dirt road leading through a grove of trees. It is darker here. Only the headlights illuminate the way.
“This is kind of spooky!”
He squeezes my hand and lets go to take the wheel.
“I’ll save you from the boogeymen.”
One more twist through the trees, and we come to a clearing on the edge of the hill. A wide view of the city is revealed.
“Good. No one is here,” Landon says, pulling to a stop and putting it into Park.
“Oh! This is beautiful.”
I lift out of my seat and take a good look at the twinkling lights. He pats my behind three times. I turn.
“Did you ever have sex here? I mean in high school.”
“No. Not that I didn’t try. I had a bad blow job once though. Does that count?”
I take my seat. “I thought there was no such thing. Isn’t every blow job good?”
“That is a myth. Some women don’t know how to love a dick. Not like you treat mine.”
“I’m not much in the mood tonight. Even though this would be the perfect setting.”
He doesn’t protest or try to convince me otherwise. “It’s a good spot for talking too.”
Now he has my attention. I meet his stare, and smiles break out on both our faces.
“What are we smiling at exactly?”
A sigh escapes his perfect lips. “I’m smiling because you’re sitting next to me. There isn’t a lot to be happy about otherwise.”
I move as close to him as possible, leaning over the console. A hand goes around my shoulder, and we look out over the city. I speak first.
“I hate that you’re leaving Smyrna. There I said it. Even though I know it doesn’t change how we feel about each other. I absolutely hate it. And the worst part? I understand it has to be that way.”
“I hate it too.”
“I can’t figure out who to be mad at.”
I sit up and angle to him.
“Hear me out. We can have weekends together a couple times a month. And you can come here when you can. I love you so much and believe we can do it. Hunter is at a crossroad right now, and he isn’t quite a man. He has no money, no direction and he doesn’t seem to be too upset about it. Do you get why I would be inemergency mode?”
“Of course I do.”
“Do you think I’m hovering?”
“I know nothing about raising a child. Especially a six foot tall one.” There is a pause. “I’m interested in learning though.”
He is genuine and it moves me. I touch his arm.
“They never grow up, Landon. Not as you think. It’s a lifetime commitment.”
