Page 25 of The Secrets We Keep

Dear Evie, I’m so very sorry. I never had intentions to hurt you. I hope one day you will give me a chance to explain and hopefully forgive me. Love, Landon.

I push back the tears that are on the brink of falling. Sighing, I slip the card back into its place and try to distract myself with filing.

The rest of the work day goes by quietly. Only once did Sam stop when he noticed the flowers. He glanced between me and them and continued on. I’m grateful he didn’t pry because I was already on edge most of the afternoon thinking that Landon would stop by or even Jessy. Neither of whom I want to deal with at the moment plus, I have no idea where Sarah went. She could have returned home for all I know.

Landon is waiting by my car as I walk out for the evening, wonderful. I’m really not ready to detail with him.

“Hi.” He says bleakly.

I just look at him and take him in. He’s gorgeous. There’s nothing about him that I would change, besides the fact that he has lied and crushed my heart. I’ll be honest, deep down I’m fighting hard to not break down. Part of me wants to know why he has hurt me so badly, but then the other part tells me to act strong and show no weakness. I’m trying to go with that strong act, yet I know I’m failing at it.

“Look Evie, I’m really sorry about what has gone down, it’s not the way you think it is.” Landon runs a hand through his hair, that damn hair of his. His arm flexes in the process. It’s sexy and my body wants to betray my heart. Stay strong, I remind myself.

“Landon, I really don’t want to hear it. You’ve lied to me. I don’t want to associate myself with someone who can’t be honest with me.”

Sarah’s voice replays in my head, reminding me I’m no better. I push those thoughts back as I hold my head high and motion for Landon to step back so I can unlock and get in my car. He steps back with no hesitation. I’m almost relieved he didn’t put up a fight until I opened my car door. Before I can climb inside Landon is on me. Kissing me hard. My damn body betrays me then, as I melt into him. I’ve missed his lips, his touch. I allow my hands to claw at his shirt, then move to his hair. I fist it and allow him to continue on. His hands are all over me, from gripping my neck and ass to holding my face. Never once does h

e take his lips off mine. It’s powerful and intoxicating until my brain catches up and I push him away.

“No Landon. Kissing me can’t fix this.” I motion between us. What a mess.

I hear him curse under his breath as I get in the car and shut the door. Fuck if that wasn’t hard to do. I force myself to look straight ahead and not in my rearview mirror as I drive away. I have to convince myself the entire drive to not turn around and go back to him.

I arrived home completely drained. I lay my head on the steering wheel for a moment to try to gather my thoughts. My life is a disaster, nevertheless I still have such strong feelings for Landon. That kiss is really playing with my emotions. I want him and miss his touch. I miss just hanging with him doing nothing. I groan and slowly force myself out of the car.

Walking the hall to my condo, I receive a text from Jessy:

Hey you! Did you fall off Earth? Haven’t heard from you in days. Call me.

Shit, I’m the worst friend. I’ve been so busy with my own crap that I haven’t bothered to check on her to see how her date went. I send a quick text back asking,

Lunch tomorrow?

I slide the phone in my purse and pull out my keys to unlock the door. I look up, noticing a figure, it startles me and I drop the keys from my hand. I’m face to face with my greatest fear. I gasp as I slap my hand to my chest, panic runs through me instantly. Chet Baker is standing at my door.

Chet is staring me down, wearing a sinister smile only the devil should wear across his face.

“Hello Eleanor. It has been a while.”

I’m frozen in fear, so I say nothing in return. How the fuck did he find me?

“What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue?”

I shake my head, “No, just wasn’t expecting you.” I swallow, hoping my words don’t give away how terrified I really am.

“Ah, I figured I would drop in and pay you a visit. You know, it wasn’t that hard to find you and your address. Sarah should do a better job at creating passwords for her email account. I should give her credit though, she has spent countless hours trying to find you.” He pauses and cracks his neck before continuing on.

“Speaking of my girlfriend, she left me a voicemail. Something about a nightmare and you calling out my name. So… tell me, why would she be leaving such a voicemail?” I take him in, he really is a piece of work. The jerk snooped through Sarah’s personal stuff, now I know how he found me. God knows what else he is capable of.

I look him in the eye, “I don’t know Chet. I had a dream, she claimed she heard me call your name. I woke up not remembering my dream. I’ve told her this.” I throw up my hands like I’m frustrated, I am honestly. I am over this entire situation. I’m sick of living this paranoid life with nothing but lies and secrets all because I caught Chet with his pants down.

“Now if you’ll excuse me, I have stuff I need to do.” I state firmly with my hand resting on my hip in annoyance.

“Of course, don’t let me hold you back.” He motions his hand toward my door.

“Just remember what I told you Eleanor. Don’t fuck with me. Do you understand?”

He looks smug and it makes me want to knock his teeth out. Instead I smile, “Chet if my sister is too blind to see you for the asshole you are then that’s her problem not mine. Now excuse me.”

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