Page 13 of Fear of Love (Falling #3)

It took a minute of shuffling before we all sat down. Of course I was next to Landon. It was like the universe was purposely putting us together.

“I got the posters,” Mila said, grabbing the four we made the night before. They were leaning against the concrete wall in front of us, blankets on all of our laps.

“He’s gonna love these.” I said, laughter lacing my voice, as I passed the signs down to Josie and Tasha while taking in the phrases on each one—Mateo, marry me, I love the QB, and #10 is my BF. Each had exclamation marks and hearts littered around the words.

“That, or be super embarrassed by us.” Mila laughed. That one was more likely.

“Twenty bucks says he ignores us,” Trevor said.

“Forty says he’ll come over and wave,” Josie countered.

I was more inclined to go with Josie on that one. Even embarrassed Mateo would still acknowledge us.

“Anyone want anything before the game starts?” Wyatt asked the group a moment later.

While the girls told their boyfriends their food orders, Landon turned to me. “You?”

“Me?” I pointed to myself.

“What do you what?” Landon asked. I narrowed my eyes at him. He never offered to get me something.

“Why are you being nice?”

“I’m always nice.”

I scoffed at his answer. Landon being nice, yeah, right.

“First an apology, then paying at Rick’s, a beer at the hockey game, and now this. I’m starting to think you really did hit your head.” I tilted mine to the side. “How many fingers am I holding up?” I raised three.

“So fucking funny,” Landon muttered, which only made me grin. “Do you want something or not?” His tone was gruff.

I could mess with him all day, but I decided to be nice.

“I’ll have whatever you get.” All I got was a nod before he stood and slipped out of our row along with the guys.

“The sexual tension between you two is insane,” Mila commented next to me.

“Landon and me?”

“No, you and that guy over there.” She deadpanned. “Of course you and Landon. Just sitting by you guys, I’m getting hot.”

“We aren’t—” I started to say but got cut off.

“I can feel it over here,” Evelyn remarked, leaning around the others. My eyes widened as Landon’s mom added into the conversation.

“I…uh…” I couldn’t seem to find words.

“We told her she should do something about it,” Tasha added.

“I’m not?—”

“She needs a little push,” Josie also chimed in.

I sat there listening as they talked about Landon and me getting together.

I should’ve probably been mad at them talking about my love life, my nonexistent love life, but I couldn’t bring myself to be that upset.

I knew if I told them to stop, they would. Plus, it wasn’t like they were wrong.

There has always been an attraction with Landon. Sure, most of the time I was trying my best not to throttle the asshole, but I would’ve had to be blind to not notice how attractive he was.

My mind flashed back to the moment where things between Landon and me almost changed. There were multiple instances in Australia where things weren’t so… innocent. The others don’t know, but Landon and I kissed while we were on vacation.

I never said anything to anyone because I wasn’t even sure what to make of it. It was our final night in Australia. We went to a club to celebrate Josie’s engagement, and I had one too many drinks as I danced with the girls.

Everyone had gone back to the hotel, leaving Landon and me alone. The two of us walked back in silence, our hands brushing with every step. He was almost pressed against my side, probably to catch me in case my drunken legs decided to give out.

When we got to my room, the same room I was sharing with Tasha, the tension between us crackled with energy that made my head fog even more than it was. One second I was standing there, staring up at Landon, and the next, I grabbed the front of his shirt and yanked him down for a kiss.

I could still feel the tingle on my lips. Even in my drunken stupor, I had known kissing him was unlike anything else. He only hesitated a second before grabbing me by the waist in a tight grip and smashing his lips against mine.

And then it was over just as quick as it began, but it hadn’t stopped me from feeling it all the way down to my toes.

I remember the look on Landon’s face afterward.

The one that told me how much he regretted it.

Before I could say a word, he wished me goodnight and left me standing there, staring at his back.

The morning after, Landon pretty much ignored me the entire plane ride. When we got back to Toronto, things went back to normal. I only saw him when we all hung out, and he went back to being an ass.

We haven’t spoken about it since. Maybe he thought I was too drunk to remember, or he truly thought it was a mistake.

There was no point in telling anyone when it was just a stupid kiss.

It wasn’t like he declared his love for me or anything.

Plus, I did everything I could to shove that night into the back of my mind and not think about it again.

A nudge on my arm jerked me out of my thoughts.

“Hmm?”

“Daydreaming about your man,” Mila cooed.

“Oh, fuck off.” I rolled my eyes. Everyone laughed, but thankfully, the conversation seemed to go elsewhere. Thank god, because the guys showed up next, armed with drinks.

“Here.” Landon extended a can of beer as he sat down. I looked at it in surprise. A Molson. I guess Landon did have good taste.

“Thanks.” I reached to grab some cash from my pocket when a hand on my arm stopped me.

“I got it.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but Landon shook his head. I wanted to argue, but he turned to talk to his mom. I was trying my best not to overthink him buying me a drink when he didn’t have to. Just accept the beer, Lydia.

I wasn’t used to people doing things for me. Even something as small as getting a drink. It was throwing me off-kilter. I learned a long time ago it was better—safer—to only rely on myself. It didn’t help that it was Landon who was doing it.

Swallowing the sudden ball in my throat, I looked out at the field, sipping the beer Landon got me.

I wasn’t about to let one little sweet action turn me into a crying mess.

It was just a beer. I knew better than to think it was anything more than that.

Just because Landon did a few kind things this past week didn’t mean anything changed between us. He still couldn’t stand me.

At least, that was what I was telling myself.

Thankfully, the sound of the crowd getting louder drew me out of my thoughts. Beside me, Mila nudged my arm, her face glowed with anticipation. “It’s time!”

Just like at Wyatt’s hockey game, the excitement in the air grew as movement came from down on the field. Putting my beer down in a holder, I grabbed my sign, along with the girls, ready for when Mateo came out.

Players ran out onto the field, a mix of boos and cheers echoing around us. Based on the gray and green colors on their uniforms, it wasn’t Mateo’s team.

I moved to the edge of my seat as I waited. To think only a few years ago, I could care less about sports events, and here I was, excited for a football game. Just like I was for the hockey game the other day.

Moments later, players clad in red and white ran out onto the field. The crowd around us stood and cheered. I lifted my sign above my head and waved it around, Mila, Tasha, and Josie doing the same.

The sound of blow horns had me wincing, yet the grin on my face didn’t slide off. My eyes searched for the number thirty-five and the last name Boone.

“There he is!” Josie yelled, pointing at a tall figure jogging toward us. It only took Mateo a second to notice us. He had his helmet off, and a huge grin spread across his face. Lifting his arm, he gave us a wave before he joined his team.

As the crowd quieted down, I heard Josie say to Trevor, “You owe me forty bucks,” followed by a curse.