Page 79 of Run the Play
“How about a shower?” Landry asks. I nod, and he takes Camden from my arms. He smiles down at the baby before passing him to Corie. “We’ll be back,” he says, not offering further explanation as he guides me to his bedroom.
“I’ll wait out here for you,” he tells me.
“What? No. I want you with me.”
“Are you sure?”
“Unless you don’t want to see me….” My voice trails off.
“Baby, I never want you to leave my side again. I want to be stuck to you like glue. I didn’t want to push you or make you feel uncomfortable.”
“I need you to help me erase him.”
His throat bobs as he swallows hard. “I’ll give you whatever you need.”
Stepping into his space, I place my hands on his cheeks. “I need you, Landry Reynolds.”
He bends, pressing his forehead to mine. “I’m yours. All yours, Rowan.”
I don’t know how long we stand here, foreheads pressed together, hands clasped. Eventually, I pull away and lead us into the bathroom. Quickly, I strip out of my clothes, ignoring the aches and pains, and turn on the water. I don’t look back to see if Landry is stripping. I know he is. I know this man. He’s a part of my soul and owns every single piece of my heart. When he says he’s mine, I believe him with all that I am.
Once the water is warm, I step under the spray, letting the hot water rain down on me. Tilting my head forward, I let the warmth penetrate my shoulders. My neck and shoulders are stiff, my head hurts where he was yanking on my hair, and my arm is bruised from where he grabbed me and pulled me into the shower room with him. My knees are throbbing, and I’m surewill bruise as well. As I mentally catalogue my injuries, I remind myself that it’s over. I’m safe, and have a house full of people who care about me. A set of strong, muscular arms wrap around me gently, and I don’t hesitate to lean into him. I hiss in pain, and he tries to move away, but I place my hands over his arms to stop him. “Don’t go.”
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Not holding me would hurt me.”
“Your injuries,” Landry says, his voice cracking.
I turn in his arms. “You saved me.”
“I should have been there. I’m so sorry, my love,” he says, his voice gravelly.
“You were there, Landry. You came for me. You fought for me. You and the guys, and even Coach. This time I wasn’t alone.”
“Fuck,” he rasps, bending his forehead to press against mine.
I’ve had several unfortunate events with Chaz, like the one I experienced today. However, today is different. Today, I have the love and support of my family and this amazing man behind me. I didn’t have to fight him alone, and that makes all the difference.
I ran before, but this time, I’m not running. When I first found out that Chaz was being traded, that’s where my mind went. Not anymore. Never again. I won’t run from him. Instead, I’m going to stand up and fight. I’ll tell my story and pray justice will prevail.
“I don’t want to run,” I tell Landry.
“Please don’t,” he says, his voice pleading.
“I hate that your name is going to be dragged into this.”
“I don’t fucking care about that shit. What matters is how you’re coping with all of it. I’ll be beside you every step of the way.” There’s determination in his voice, and I know it will be shining in his eyes.
Pulling back, I tilt my lips into a small smile. I see his resolve, but I also see a tenderness he doesn’t show everyone. I see love, so much love, and it makes my heart skip a beat.
“I love you.”
His eyes widen, then soften as his lips curve upward. He rests his palms against my cheeks while I press my bare hands against his hard chest. Hard on the outside, soft and gooey on the inside, that’s my Landry.
“I love you so fucking much.” He bends to press a kiss to my lips. I accept it eagerly. Hungrily. “The moment I walked into that room and saw you,” he says, pulling away, “my heart dropped to my feet. I wanted to scream the words to you. I wanted you to know that I was there and that I love you so fucking much. You’re my entire world, Rowan.”
“This is going to be a fight,” I tell him. I know he’s with me on this. I can see it in his eyes, feel it in his touch, but for me, I need to make sure he knows he can walk away. “I won’t blame you if you want to walk away.”
