Page 17 of Landon & Shay: Part Two

“I’ll let him know, Mima.” I kissed her forehead.

“Oh, wait! Let me pack him up some leftovers—just wait here.” She hurried into the kitchen to get Tupperware, leaving me alone with Mom and her displeasing looks.

I sighed. “Okay. Go for it,” I offered, giving her the floor to flood me with her disappointment. “Please, go ahead and tell me how I’m making the biggest mistake.”

“You’re making the biggest mistake,” she echoed. “I know you think this is all fun and games, but I want you to be careful with your heart,” Mom scolded, the same scolding I’d been getting for almost three years now. “He’s long distance and rising to fame. Women surround him day in and day out. He’s living in a world where unfaithfulness is so easily achieved.”

Ever since Mom had found out about Dad’s cheating all those years ago, she was convinced everything with a penis had misplaced values.

I hadn’t cared much what she thought, though, because she only saw my relationship from the outside looking in. She didn’t experience the warmth of Landon’s love, the comfort he delivered me even when he was miles away.

Sure, our situation wasn’t typical, but it was ours, and I knew better than to let my mother’s thoughts taint my relationship. The moment you invite others into your personal affairs, they come with their toxic opinions and poison your story. I wasn’t going to let that happen with Landon and me.

Whatever we had deserved the love and respect of our own privacy.

* * *

“Oh my gosh, tell us everything.”Raine beamed as she sat across from Landon at the dining room table with her chin on her hands in amazement. “Tell me everything about being famous.”

That privacy I thought Landon and I would get?

Not going to happen with Raine living in the same place as me. She was so giddy seeing her best friend, and I couldn’t blame her. I was just as excited—even more so than her.

Landon looked so good, so grown-up.

He had facial hair that was groomed to perfection, and he smelled like sex appeal and honey. Since he’d arrived, I hadn’t allowed myself to be far from his side.

I sat in the chair next to him, and he hadn’t removed his hand from my thigh, massaging it up and down.

“I’m not famous.” Landon chuckled, giving Raine a smile. “I honestly don’t know what’s been happening to me, or why it’s been happening to me, but I feel like I’ll one day wake up and it will all be a dream.”

“You know what I hate?” Raine asked, crinkling her nose up.

“What’s that?” Landon replied.

“When really famous people claim they aren’t famous. That’s like when rich kids are like ‘Oh, I’m not rich, my parents are.’ Like, shut up, Susan. You can’t say you’re not rich while driving your Mercedes Benz wearing your Gucci shoes. That’s not how that works.”

I chuckled at my dramatic friend. “She is right, though. You are famous, Landon. The world has seen your tushy in boxer briefs. That’s the top layer of fame.”

“And what a cute little tushy-wushy it is,” Raine mocked, leaning over to pinch his cheeks. “I’m a proud big sister.”

“For the millionth time, I’m older than you, Raine,” Landon remarked.

“By age, not by maturity.” She darted her eyes back and forth between the two of us. Then her stare moved to Landon’s hand caressing my upper thigh. “Is this about to get a little PG-13? Should I leave?”

“You should probably leave,” I joked.

She nodded in agreement. “Okay, well, don’t make plans tomorrow night, Landon. We’re going to have everyone over for a reunion. Now, go do whatever it is you’re planning to do, you two lovebirds—but remember, these walls are thin, and my bedroom is right next door to Shay’s.”

I laughed. “I know, and I’m reminded of how thin the walls are every time Hank stays the night.”

She gave me a smile and a wink. “We broke the headboard the other night.”

Landon jumped in. “And I think that falls into the realm of too much information. I don’t want to think about Hank and you banging and breaking headboards. You are like a big sister to me, after all.”

Raine walked around and patted him on the back. “You’re old enough to know that your sister gets laid, Landon—at least four times a week in many different positions.”

“Raine,” Landon groaned, slapping his hand to his face. “Too much information.”

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