“I do. Let’s go.” I move in Reed’s direction but Landon grabs my hand, linking our fingers.
“Not yet.” His fingers crush mine and I fight not to cry out. "We were going to talk.”
What is he doing?I just told him—
“What the fuck, Landon?”
“Hayley wanted to talk and we’re going to talk. Right,Hayls?”
Is he crazy?His nails bite into the palm of my hand and my eyes water, but I smile wide to stave off the tears, turning to Reed. “Reed, baby. I won’t be long. I—”
My words cut off as Reed's face drops and my panic makes way for full-blown hysteria, desperately needing Reed to stay calm, hoping he’ll understand. I mouth “call the police” and his eyes widen. But instead of stopping, he pulls his phone from his pocket, pressing the buttons as he jogs down the stairs.
“Please,” I beg out loud this time, and Landon releases his hold, raising his hands in the air.
If he’s pleading his innocence, it’s too late.
The second he reaches us, Reed grabs Landon by the shirt, curling his fists into the material while Landon laughs, shaking his head.
“You’ve got it all wrong,Reedy boy.” He uses my occasional nickname for Reed and I feel nauseous. How often has he been watching us? “I’m trying to help you both,” Landon continues. “Like Hayley said, I’m her hero. And to do that, I have to tell you, this isn’t right. You’re not meant to be together.”
“What the hell? What’s going on?”
Landon’s smile drops before he scoffs. “You’ve changed, Reed. Even you can admit that. And Hayley deserves better.”
Reed’s grip tightens as he growls. “Who the fuck do you—”
“I’m just trying to help you. Like you’ve helped me.”
“The fuck.” Reed walks him backward, putting some distance between us, and I watch on in horror. I’m struck silent, but when Landon slides his hand into his pocket, I scream.
“Help!” I call out as Reed throws Landon against a wall, shoving his arm into his neck. “Reed, please. Let him go. I’m okay. Let’s—”
“Can’t you see it?” Landon croaks out, his wild eyes not really focused on anything. “Exhibit A. The golden boy wouldn’t do this. Are you jealous?”
“You think this is jealousy, asshole?” Reed tightens his hold on Landon’s neck, and I reach out to grab his waist, trying but failing to drag him away. “I’m doing this to protect my girl.”
“That may be sonow, but what happens when she does something you don’t like? I think you’ve been holding on to a lot of anger and you’re ready to unleash it. Just look at what you did to her stalker.” He laughs again and my eyes widen.It was never Cam.He was telling the truth. “What happens if you do something to her?” Venom coats Landon’s voice, and I frantically shake my head.
“Reed, no. You—”
“Stay the fuck away from her,” Reed yells, his anger rising just like Landon said it would. “I don’t know what the fuck you think you’re doing, but it’s not going to work.” Reed clenches his fist at the same time I catch movement somewhere down the road. And I’m about to call out when Landon lunges forward, his hand no longer in his pocket.
“Reed!” I rush ahead, slipping between them as Landon reveals a knife, the blade stopping inches from my face. “Don’t do this, Landon.” I try to stay calm but my voice trembles with fear. “Please. I’ll come with you. I’ll—”
Landon stabs the knife toward me, and my eyes slam shut as I’m pulled backward. I wait for the sting, but I’m thrown to the side, opening my eyes when I slam into a hard chest, turning in time to see Reed double over, clutching his side before he falls to the ground. Landon raises his knife again, but before I can react, I’m forcefully shoved away and Zane runs past me, tackling him to the ground.
“No!” I cry out, but I’m not sure what I’m yelling about because it’s too late.
Dropping to the ground, I crawl to Reed, my knees scraping against the rough concrete as I reach for his hand, pulling it away to find it covered in blood.
“My phone,” he rasps, handing me his bloodied phone, his voice barely audible. I check the screen to find it connected to911 and glance up to catch Zane slamming Landon’s head into the pavement.
“Hello,” I call out into the phone as nausea consumes me. “I need help.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
Hayley
