Page 17 of Fear of Love (Falling #3)

LYDIA

“ T hanks for having me over.” I murmured as Evelyn gave me a tight, affectionate hug.

“Anytime. I’ll text you guys about going to my painting class.” When she pulled back, there was a weird glint in her eye.

“Please do.” I had a feeling this class was something more than she was letting on.

Stepping back, I turned to Mateo, his smile bright as he held his arms open.

“Come on in, babe.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

“Babe?” I put my hands on my hips.

“Don’t like it? I have a few others I can use.” A mischievous glint twinkled in his eyes. “How about Mommy?”

“Mateo!” I reached out and slapped his arm repeatedly.

“I’m kidding!” He put his arms up but kept laughing.

“No you’re not.” I shook my head at him, but he just continued.

“I’m not,” he agreed, throwing his arms around me in a hug, my face against his collarbone as he held me.

“You know this could be an everyday thing if you’d just agree to be my girlfriend,” he said above me, arms wrapped around my back. Contrary to his words, Mateo hugged me like one would a friend.

“You would make a pretty great boyfriend.” There was no doubt in my mind that Mateo would make a great partner. He was sweet, funny, caring, and treated women with respect. He really was a good kid, flirting and teasing aside.

“So, let’s make it official. I like my women older.”

“You make it sound like I’m eighty.” I stepped back, hitting his stomach with the back of my hand.

“Even if you were, you look fantastic.” His grin was teasing.

“Gee, thanks.” I rolled my eyes.

“Anytime, pookie.”

With another shake of my head, I gave him a look. “Be good.”

“Always.” Mateo winked. Yeah, I didn’t believe that for a second.

Saying bye to the others and promising to text the girls later, I made my way down the front steps to Landon’s truck since he was my ride here after the game. I tugged my coat tighter around me as Josie slid into the backseat beside me. Wyatt sat up front with Landon.

“Don’t have too much naked fun up there,” Josie said as Landon pulled away from Evelyn’s house. I covered my mouth as I snorted, Josie giggling beside me. Wyatt turned in his seat to glare at his fiancée.

I met Landon’s gaze in the rearview mirror, grinning so wide it hurt. I was never letting him live this down, that was for sure.

We only drove for a few minutes before Josie spoke up again.

“So, what’s the story of Mateo at the zoo?” She peered between the two front seats as she asked. Wyatt turned to look at her, a hint of laughter dancing in his eyes. It only seemed fair that we got to hear Mateo’s story after Wyatt and Landon’s.

I sat forward, curious as well.

“Mateo was fifteen and one of his high school classes took a field trip to the zoo,” Wyatt started to explain. “The class had only been there for about thirty minutes before he called Landon.” The glean in Wyatt’s eye had Josie and me leaning in closer.

“Mateo called me from one of the bathrooms because he crapped his pants and needed a fresh pair.” Landon took over the story. “Like a good brother, I got in the truck and went to take him some clothes, only to get a call when I was almost there.”

My lips twitched as Landon purposely paused the story for dramatic affect. Through the rearview mirror, I could see the grin playing on his lips.

“The second call was also from Mateo, saying he ran out of toilet paper and had to use his shirt.” Landon barely got the words out as he started chuckling, followed by the rest of us.

The image of Mateo stuck in a zoo bathroom had me laughing so hard.

“I turned around and had to go back home to get him a shirt. By the time I finally got there, Mateo had been in the bathroom for almost two hours.” Aw, poor fifteen-year-old Mateo. “I had to tell the teacher he was sick and bring him home.”

“Oh no, Mateo.” Josie giggled.

“To this day, he won’t tell us what happened that caused him to shit his pants.” Wyatt laughed.

“Has he been back to the zoo?” I asked.

“Nope, or at least, I don’t think so,” Wyatt answered.

“We should go sometime,” I said, sharing a grin with Josie. It would be funny if we all went and had Mateo tag along.

“Now that would be fun,” Josie agreed.

The rest of the ride to Josie and Wyatt’s apartment went by as we talked about planning a group trip to the zoo. Before I knew it, Landon pulled up to the curb of their building.

As Josie slid out of the truck, I silently pleaded for her to stay, but like the traitor she was, she gave me a wink and a wave before shutting the door. With the two of them walking away hand in hand, it left Landon and me alone in his truck.

“Are you going to sit in the back the whole time?” Landon asked, making me tear my eyes away from Josie’s back that disappeared from view.

“No, I thought I’d just let you live out your dream of being my chauffeur.

” I plastered on a fake smile as I crossed my legs in the back seat.

“Need my address?” I asked when he didn’t move.

He stared at me through the rearview mirror for another second before he pulled away from the curb and started driving.

I realized I didn’t even know where Landon lived. We never hung out at his place, and over the last two years, I made an effort to not know anything about him. He was still a mystery to me.

“You don’t live too far right?” I asked a few minutes later.

“Why? Planning on stalking me?” He glanced at me through the mirror before looking back at the road.

“No.” I shot him a look. “Just wanted to make sure you aren’t going too far out of your way.”

“Don’t worry, Blondie. I only live a few minutes from here.”

I tried to hide my surprise. How did I not know that?

I fidgeted in the back seat as silence blanketed us. Being alone with him gave my brain time to bring forward everything I shoved aside a few hours ago. Hell, the last couple of days.

The one thing that kept popping up in my mind was the look on his face earlier when we were at Evelyn’s. The way those hazel eyes had looked me over from head to toe, a look that could only be described as desire taking over his features. Even from across the room, I felt the weight of his gaze.

My willpower to stay away from Landon and the feelings building in my chest were slowly crumbling with every heated stare. Every dirty thought ate away at my resolve. I was barely clinging to my hatred for him.

I was a strong, independent woman who had no need for a man in her life. Yet for some damn reason, I felt drawn to Landon—the one guy I really shouldn’t want anything to do with. Even a quick lay should’ve been off the table because it would further complicate everything.

Despite all of that, I wanted him.

I was so lost in my head, I didn’t realize Landon was just around the corner of my apartment complex until I felt the truck slow. For some weird reason, I was oddly disappointed we were here already.

I lingered in the back seat for a second, waiting for some sort of remark from Landon but none came. Alright then. With my bag in hand, I opened the door, daring one last glance at him.

“Thanks for the ride.”

I was a bitch sometimes but I had manners.

Not bothering to wait for a response, I hopped out of his truck, shutting the door behind me.

Hiking my bag on my shoulder, I made my way to the front entrance, forcing my eyes forward.

I wasn’t going to look back to see if Landon’s truck was still idling at the curb.

It doesn’t matter, Lydia. Forget today even happened.

I repeated that mantra as I slipped through the doors and headed for the elevators. I needed a long soak in the tub and a glass of wine before binge-watching horrible reality TV. With that plan in mind, I waited impatiently for the elevator.

It opened a moment later. I stepped in and hit my floor, praying no one else decided to step on. I leaned back against the railing and let out a sigh. I was tired from the long day but also the mental gymnastics going on in my head about Landon.

Just as the elevator doors started to shut, a hand slipped between them. It took a second for my mind to catch up as the doors peeled back open, revealing an all too familiar figure.

“Landon?”

Without saying a word, he stepped into the cab and into my space. My hand tightened its grip on my bag as I watched him in surprise. What was he doing here?

His presence seemed to take up all the space in the already small elevator. My breath caught in my throat as he stopped inches away from me, the tips of his shoes touching mine.

I stood frozen in place as Landon stared down at me, hazel eyes blazing. Big hands came up to cup the sides of my face, tilting my head back a little.

“Lan—” I went to say his name again but was silenced as he bent down and captured my lips with his.