“Why, what?”
“Why are you together?” he asks, his expression genuinely confused. “It doesn’t make sense.”
“You’re right, it doesn't.” My chest tightens as I think back to our last conversation and self-doubt enters my mind. He thinks I’ve changed Reed. I saw it in his eyes. “You know…sometimes great things don’t make sense.” I smile again, hoping that's enough to stop him from telling me I’m not good for Reed, but he shocks me when he finally speaks after a moment of silence.
“You deserve better.”What? I stare at him blankly. “Everyone says he’s in love with his best friend.”
Oh. “That was a while ago and—”
“Can we go somewhere and talk?” He cuts me off, his voice quivering before he nods confidently, and an unexplained panic runs through me.
“What?”
“Can we go somewhere to talk? I just want to make sure you’ve thought this through. You know Reed’s been mentoring me,right? Well, we’ve gotten close. I’ve seen and heard things that I think you should know.”
“Oh. Ah. I appreciate you wanting to help. Always a hero.” I force a smile. “But I’m okay. I’ve thought about this a lot and—”
“Now, Hayley.” He shakes as he speaks and while my panic rises, I contemplate reasoning with him. That is until he taps his pocket and I freeze.What the hell is he insinuating? Does he have a weapon?He just played football.What the hell is going on?
“Landon, I—” He grabs my wrist this time, his hold painful as he shifts onto the step above me, towering over me in a power move.
“I’ve been watching you both,” he admits and my skin crawls. “You’re not right for each other. And you need to see that.”
With panic and confusion coursing through me, I stare up at him as his words register.I’ve been watching you both.
“Did you know I was coming today?” I ask, wondering how closely he’s been watching, unable to hide the shiver that runs through me.
“Nope.” He shakes his head. “It was a nice surprise.” His voice turns light and his demeanor instantly changes. But while he seems calmer, it doesn’t make me any less nervous.Where the fuck is Reed?
“Okay, but you doknowthings, right?” I want to glance toward the hotel doors, but that will only draw attention to the possibility of Reed coming back.
“I do know things. Like I said, I want to talk. Come on. I’ll fill you in over a drink.” He points behind him and I shake my head.
“I don’t think that’s a good id—”
“You’re coming.Now,” he snaps again, shaking his head, until his anger makes way for a smile, his expression morphing in front of me. “I just want to talk,” he adds calmly, and it hits me that he might be a lot more dangerous than I realized.
“Okay. Sure.” I change tack. “Let’s talk. I just have to tell Reed where I’m—”
“No. He’s not here. You can text him when we get there.”
“He’ll be back any second.”
“Let’s go, Hayley.” He tugs on my arm, but I pull him back.
“Okay. But please let go of my arm. I promise, I’ll come with you. Happily. I’ll listen to what you have to say. But if you’re holding my hand and Reed sees you, he’s not going to like it.”
“That just proves my point. He used to be a good guy. And now…” He trails off and I cringe.
“Please.” I tug against his hold, hoping to delay our walk. But when I remember his pocket, I change my mind. “Actually, it doesn’t matter. Let’s go.”
Landon eyes me suspiciously, but he drops my arm seconds before Reed walks out the door. “What are you doing out— Landon, hey.” Reed smiles as he moves toward the steps. “Sorry that took forever; that woman can talk.”
I fake a smile as Landon stiffens beside me. “You’re too nice,” I say before my gaze shifts to Landon, catching his bitter expression when Reed looks away.
And I’m at a loss as to what to do.
“Do you still need your ID?” Reed grins as his eyes flash to the door, and I take that as my out.
