Chapter 105 (1/2)
“Okay, I need a few minutes anyway.” Hardin pulls his hair back and drops the messy fringe onto his neck. This is the longest his hair has been since I met him. I like it this way, but sort of miss being able to see the traces of ink that peek up from the neckline of his shirt.
“A few minutes away from me?” I ask before considering how desperate the question sounds.
“Yes. You did just tell me that you are moving across the country and I lost my temper with Landon. I need a few minutes to sort through the shit going on in my head.”
“Okay, I understand.” I do understand. He’s handling this much better than I expected, and the last thing I should do is jump into bed with Hardin and neglect settling things with Landon.
“I’m going to take a shower,” he tells me as I walk into the hallway.
My mind is still in the bedroom with Hardin, pressed against the wall, living in the distraction as I go downstairs. With each step, the ghost of his touch lessens, and when I walk into the dining room, Karen moves from Landon’s side and Ken gestures for her to leave the room with him. She offers me a small smile and a gentle squeeze of my hand as she passes.
“Hey.” I pull a chair out and sit down next to Landon, but he stands just as I take my seat.
“Not now, Tessa,” he snaps, and goes into the living room.
Confused by his harsh tone, I miss a beat. Apparently I’m missing more than that, though.
“Landon . . .” I stand up and follow him into the living room. “Wait!” I shout at his back.
He stops walking. “I’m sorry, but this isn’t working anymore.”
“What’s not working?” I tug at his long-sleeved shirt to stop him from walking away from me.
Without turning around, he says, “This thing between you and Hardin. It was okay when it was only affecting the two of you, but now you’re dragging everyone else into it, and that’s not fair.”
The anger in his voice cuts deep, and it takes me a moment to remember that he’s talking to me. Landon has always been supportive and kind, and I never expected to hear this from him.