Page 57 of Fear of Love (Falling #3)

LYDIA

T hey all stood there in stunned silence. It took a minute for my words to sink in before they all spoke at once.

“Coach? As in our coach?” Trevor asked.

“Coach, Coach?” Bryton added.

“Woah,” Tasha breathed.

“Wyatt’s mom and Coach Barnum,” Mila said, her eyebrows raised.

“Oh, shit. Wyatt’s mom.” Trevor turned to Bryton. The two of them shook their heads as if they couldn’t believe it.

“I thought I was seeing things, but I saw them leaning against one of the tree trunks. Well, more like pressed…” I trailed off.

“I did say a bit ago that Evelyn looked like she was texting someone. She’s been really giddy the past few months,” Tasha remarked.

“She has been. When we went to the painting class,” Mila looked at Tasha and me, “I saw her smiling down at her phone.”

“I wonder if they’ve been seeing each other for awhile now,” Tasha pondered out loud.

“Landon didn’t see them?” Trevor asked.

I shook my head. “No, he was off with Mateo.”

“Josie and Wyatt are going to walk in any minute.” Tasha glanced over at the tent. Music and guests' voices coming through the openings.

“What do we do?” I asked the group. We all stood there staring at one another, unsure. Bryton and Trevor tugged at their ties, loosening them until they could pop open a button on their shirts.

“Do we tell them?” Bryton asked. I couldn’t even begin to imagine what Wyatt, Landon, or Mateo were going to do, if and when they found out. That was their mom.

“Just go up to Wyatt on his wedding day and be like, ‘Hey, Dude, so your mom was making out with Coach, and we think they’re seeing each other.’ Yeah, that’ll go great.” Trevor shot Bryton a look.

“Wouldn’t it be better than any of them catching the two?” Bryton shot back.

I bit my lip. I couldn’t go up to Landon and tell him. If he was going to find out, it should be from his own mother, not me.

“Maybe Evelyn plans on telling them soon,” Mila butted in. “Maybe she hasn’t found the right time.”

“I say we just wait and see if Evelyn or Coach ends up saying something to them,” Tasha suggested.

“I’m with Tasha on this,” I said. “They’re probably just figuring things out before saying anything.”

“So we just pretend we don’t know?” At Bryton’s words, we all looked at one another.

I nodded. “Yes.”

“Wyatt’s going to kill us if he finds out we knew.” Trevor actually looked a little concerned.

“It’s not our place to tell any of them,” Tasha said in a firm tone. “Let Evelyn and Coach tell them when they’re ready.” She leveled Bryton and Trevor with hard looks. “Okay?”

Both sighed but didn’t look too thrilled about it. “Okay.”

“Wow. I can’t believe it’s Coach. Who knew the guy was a romantic?” Trevor shook his head.

“Evelyn and Coach were not on my bingo card.” Bryton ran his hand through his hair.

“Just act normal.” Mila reached out and pinched her boyfriend's arm.

“Ow! I will!” Bryton yanked his arm away with a wince.

We needed to get back before Landon came looking for us, or even Mateo. With one last look at the boys, I firmly said, “Not a word.”

I could tell we were still reeling from the news as we made our way back to the tent. We walked through just in time for Josie and Wyatt to make their entrance. Guests made their way toward the couple to congratulate them.

With the girls at my side, we headed for the bar. We definitely needed a drink.

“The guys better not spill the beans.” Tasha shook her head as we waited for the bartender to make our drinks. Trevor and Bryton slipped into the crowd, no longer near us.

“And they say women gossip.” Mila scoffed. “Men are so much worse.”

“Seriously,” Tasha chimed in. “I’ve heard Trevor on the phone with Wyatt and Bryton way too many times talking about teammate drama or something going down with another team.”

“They’re girls stuck in men's bodies,” I said.

We laughed in agreement as we picked up our drinks. Tasha snagged an extra one for Josie, and the three of us turned to face the party, pushing what we just learned to the back of our minds. At least for now.

“Let's go find the bride.” With drinks in hand, Tasha started in Josie and Wyatt’s direction.

It took us a few minutes to get to her with all the guests crowding around. I glanced behind me, wondering where Landon wandered off to. Six days of not being around him made me want to glue myself to his side.

“Congratulations, Mrs. Boone.” Tasha’s squeal had me turning to look at Josie. She was absolutely beaming as she stood there in a new dress.

When we went dress shopping, we managed to convince her to get this one as her reception dress, because why not?

The silky white fabric hugged Josie’s body perfectly, with thin straps on her shoulders before dipping into a very low open back, a small section of fabric trailing behind.

It was simple and stunning. Her brown hair was now completely down and curled around her face.

Even her lipstick was a different shade.

They definitely did something before coming in here.

“I can’t believe I’m married.” She looked over at her husband who was talking with Trevor and Bryton. “Thank you guys for being my bridesmaids.”

“Without me, you and Wyatt probably would have gotten married in Vegas or something.” Tasha rolled her eyes. “Someone had to be the voice of reason.”

“I love you.” Josie laughed but didn’t disagree. Tasha barely stepped aside before Josie was swept under an arm.

“You now have my last name.” Mateo grinned as he stepped up beside Jo. Like the others, he had taken his tie and tux jacket off, leaving him in his white dress shirt. “No one would even know that you’re married to me and not Wyatt.”

Josie rolled her eyes but wrapped her arm around his waist in a side hug.

“But, seriously. Congrats, Jo.” Mateo pulled her tighter into his side. “I’m happy for you.”

“Thank you, Matty.”

One by one, Wyatt, Trevor, and Bryton entered our group.

“Hey, have you seen Landon?” I asked after a moment.

“He said he had to get something from his car,” Mateo said, one shoulder lifting. Right on cue, I caught sight of Landon making his way toward us from the entrance of the tent. My gaze zeroed in on the envelope in his hand.

I sent him a questioning look as he approached, everyone finally catching sight of him. The smile he sent me made my cheeks heat up. Who knew me, Lydia Ellis, would get all smitten and giddy from a stupid smile.

“Hey,” Landon greeted. I waited for him to come to my side, but instead, he stopped in front of Josie and Wyatt, who had turned in his direction. “I know things will be a bit hectic after the wedding, so I wanted to give you this.” Landon extended the envelope in his hand to the bride and groom.

Landon’s shoulders were stiff and tight as everyone watched, curious about what he gave them. I had no clue what he was doing.

Wyatt sent his brother a confused look while Josie opened the envelope. Whatever she saw made her eyes go wide, hand coming up to her mouth. Wyatt peered over her shoulder, head snapping up toward his brother.

“Landon, you…” Josie's mouth opened and closed. Tears filled her eyes as she stared down at whatever it was.

“You didn’t have to do that,” Wyatt finished for her.

“I know, but I wanted to,” Landon said, stealing a quick glance at his brother before continuing.

“Usually, the father of the bride or groom does something and since…” he paused, a flicker of nerves crossing his face as he looked at the couple.

We all understood what he meant without him saying it.

Neither Josie or Wyatt had a father to do that for them.

“I wanted you guys to have a proper honeymoon,” Landon explained.

“I can pay for the tickets. You?—”

“I know you can, but this is my wedding gift to you guys.” Landon shifted on his feet as he geared up to say something else. “I’ve watched you grow from a kid to a man who’s done amazing things with his life. Who will continue on doing amazing things. I’m proud of you.”

Landon’s never been the overly sentimental type, yet here was, saying one of the most heartfelt things to his brother. A brother he practically raised while still just a kid himself. For Wyatt and Mateo, Landon was the father figure they never got to have.

“And I’m proud of you for finding the person you want to spend forever with, so take it and have a good honeymoon.”

My throat closed up as Wyatt stepped toward his older brother, wrapping his arms around him in a hug. Josie watched them, silently crying as she held the envelope in her hands.

Landon can be grumpy and prickly, but there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that he didn’t love his brothers. His actions showed how much he cared.

The pair pulled apart a second later, both clearing their throats as if they didn’t just get emotional.

“Thank you.” Wyatt’s voice was raspy with emotion. Landon just clapped him on the shoulder in return.

“Aw, family bonding! Bring it in, bros!” Mateo stepped forward, extending his arms out to bring both his brothers into a hug. He only made it a foot in front of Landon before Landon put his hand on Mateo’s forehead, stopping him from coming any closer.

“Not happening.” The grumpy look was back on his face, making me grin. There was my grumpy man.

“Come on." Mateo tried to step closer, but Landon just pushed him back. “I want a bro hug.”

“Get married and you’ll get one.” I knew what was coming the second the words left Landon’s mouth.

“Tasha—” Mateo started.

Trevor cut in before he could even finish. “No.”

“Mila—” Mateo tried again.

“No chance,” Bryton intercepted.

Mateo turned to me. “Lyd?—”

“Finish that sentence and you’ll feel my foot up your ass,” Landon said with a glare.

“You guys are rude. I’m going to find mom and tell her.”

“Yeah, you go do that.” Landon shooed him away with a wave. With a huff, Mateo walked off, no doubt going to find Evelyn. All the guys watched him go, shaking their heads.

“Enough serious talk. It's time to party!” Tasha announced with a grin, her wine glass in the air.

Grabbing Josie’s hand, Tasha tugged her toward the dance floor. Wyatt tucked Landon’s gift in his tux pocket before slowly following after his wife, watching the two with a smile. When Landon and I were the last ones left, I turned to the side and held out my uninjured hand.

“Care to dance with me?” I never got the chance to dance at my wedding, or any event like this before, and I wanted my first time to be with the man I loved.

For a second, I thought Landon would say that he didn’t dance, but he slid his hand in mine. “I’d love to.”

I felt like a schoolgirl all over again, giddy as we headed for the dance floor. It made me feel like I was going to prom with my date, about to have the best night of my life.

As we stepped onto the dance floor, Landon lifted my arms and lopped them around his neck, his hands settling on my lower back. The song playing wasn’t exactly a slow one, but neither of us seemed to mind.

We swayed together, side to side, lost in our own little world while the crowd moved around us. I caught a glimpse of Trevor spinning Tasha, her head thrown back in laughter. Nearby, Bryton and Mila mirrored each other’s ridiculous moves, grinning like they didn’t have a care in the world.

To our other side, Wyatt and Josie were wrapped up in each other. Wyatt leaned in, whispering something low that made Josie’s smile stretch even wider. The two of them looked so lost in each other.

I truly had Josie to thank for everything. If she hadn’t gotten stuck in that elevator and met Wyatt, I never would have met Mila, who’s become one of my best friends, or Trevor, Bryton, Evelyn, and Mateo. But most importantly, I wouldn’t have met Landon.

We might have gotten off to a rocky start, but deep down, I always sensed he was going to mean more to me eventually. It was wild to think it took all that to bring us here.

“What are you thinking about so hard?” Landon asked, bending his head closer to mine.

My fingers grazed the skin at the nape of his neck. I gazed up at him, memorizing every inch of his face. I traced the light scar on the bridge of his nose that he got in a fight on the ice while in uni. I wanted to continue staring at his face for as long as he’d let me.

“Are you sure this is what you want?” I found myself asking. I know we cleared it up a few hours ago before the wedding, but I needed to hear the words. “You. Me. Us?”

“Lydia.” Landon’s hands on my lower back pulled me a tiny bit closer. “I’ve wanted this for awhile now. I just wasn’t sure where your head was at about it. We have a lot to talk about. Things we need to work through, but if you’ll let me, I’ll be right here every single day.”

We did have a lot to work through and talk about as we went forward, but there was no one else I’d rather do that with.

“I know I can be a bit… difficult at times,” I admitted. “I have some things I need to work through on my own, but I want to do it all with you.” I took a deep breath as I looked into his eyes. “I love you.”

That was the first time in well over six years I said those three little words. I wasn’t even sure I was capable of feeling that way for someone else after Jared. Yet here I was, in the arms of a man I’ve fallen completely head over heels for.

Landon’s hands left my lower back and cupped my face. He stared down at me with the softest smile.

“I wanted to be the one to say it first, but I guess I’ll go second.” He tilted my head up just a tad. “I love you Lydia Ellis.”

The feeling that washed over me was indescribable. There were no words for how I felt hearing him say those three words. Landon was the last person I thought would love me, but he was also the right person to love me.

Not trusting my voice, I did the only thing I could at that moment. I pressed my lips to his, gripping the back of his head as I poured my love into him.

In the middle of the dance floor at our best friend’s wedding, we kissed like the whole world vanished. For the first time, I felt loved, seen, and cared for. It was because of Landon Boone that I no longer feared love.