Page 16 of Worth the Risk

“What I’ve noticed is you’re making an effort to call him Gregory, which is the name he prefers now, instead of Greg like you always have.”

Shit.

Had he been doing that?

“That’s courtesy.”

“Why do you owe someone who abandoned you as a teenager any courtesy?” Verity questioned.

Landon groaned and finished off the wine. He hated when Verity got like this—all wise and knowing. Verity took the bottle from him and set it on the coffee table.

“He made me promises.” Landon was ready to tick off the list of things he and Gregory had promised each other the night before their high school graduation.

“And you had made him promises, too. A big one.”

That you didn’t keep was the last part of the sentence that Verity kindly kept silent.

“So what are you trying to say?”

“All I’m saying is that Gregory is here now, like magic, and he’s still a Dom and you’re still a sub, and youknowhim, and he obviously wants to talk to you, so why don’t you just talk to him and see where things go?” Verity rubbed at their eyes softly with the pads of their pointer fingers then glanced at the clock on the wall.

Landon opened his mouth and Verity shot him a dark glare.

“If you so much as say he abandoned me one more time without hearing him out, I’m never going to play with you again.”

Landon widened his eyes and stared in shock at Verity. “Are you fucking serious right now?”

“Dead serious.” Verity sighed softly and leaned in closer to Landon’s side, wrapping him in a side hug. “You know what we do for fun isn’t going to last you forever, and as long as I continue indulging you, you’re never going to look elsewhere.”

Verity paused as though they were carefully debating the merits of their next words. “It’s not fair to me, either.”

That was the knockout punch Landon had been scared of, and Verity knew it. He would give anything, do anything, if it meant Verity would be happy and here it was.

“You don’t…” Landon felt self-doubt creep into his voice.

Verity shifted their weight and sat cross-legged on the couch then took Landon’s face in their hands. They stroked their thumbs across his cheeks and smiled. It was a small and tired thing.

“I love you, and I love playing with you—being what you think you need, but I need more, you know that. And you need more, too. You need someone who is content in the role you need them to fill, and we both know that’ll never be me. And besides, I don’t want to sleep with you.” Verity chuckled and swiped at Landon’s lower lashes.

“I hate when you’re right,” Landon griped.

“I know you do. And Landon, I’m not saying it has to be Gregory. I’m just saying it can’t be me anymore.”

“What about when I…?” Landon’s voice fell away and he gestured at his chest.

What if I get anxious and I don’t know how to calm down?

What if I feel overwhelmed?

What if?

What if?

“I’ll always be your friend. I’m not going anywhere, Landon. Don’t be so dramatic.” Verity’s eyes crinkled around the edges and they unfolded themself from the couch then took Landon’s hand and pulled him up.

Landon’s knees wobbled and he swayed, the wine rushing through him. Verity steadied him and guided him up the stairs to the second floor then walked him into his room and tucked him safely under the covers.

“Get some rest.” Verity kissed Landon’s forehead before retreating and pulling his bedroom door closed until only a sliver of light from the hall shone into the room.