The place is modern and cavernous, and not at all cozy.
The walls are dark, and the house is quiet. I know Landon is alone inside, and I can’t shake the ominous vibe as I walk tentatively down the hall toward the next open space.
It’s a wide-open space with a staircase to the left and a stylish fireplace up ahead.
That must be the living room, where Hayden said Landon was.
Three steps lead down into the sunken space, and three gray couches are set up with a coffee table in the center.
My heart jumps when I see Landon sitting on the end of one couch, his dark gaze locked on me.
Fighting the impulse to turn around and avoid him—what I would ordinarily do if I ran into Landon in the halls at school—I tip my chin up and walk down the three steps so I can join him on his level.
He cocks his head, watching me curiously.
This is the first time I’ve had to see him since he broke into my house. It feels insane to be in his with him alone voluntarily, but I remind myself why I’m here and dig right in.
“Your dad said you didn’t want to come to the club with us for dinner.”
“Thought you’d be relieved,” he says.
I look down. “I know we’ve had our differences, but they’re really excited to celebrate their engagement,” I tell him. “It’s our first official ‘family dinner,’” I say with air quotes and a faint smile. “We should all be there.”
“No, thanks.”
“It won’t be the whole family without you.”
“Don’t care.”
I try again. “I think your dad would really appreciate it if you came.”
He gazes at me like I must be an idiot. “Is there something wrong with your hearing, or…?”
“I just… I feel like it’s not really that much effort to come to dinner with us, and it would mean a lot to them.”
“I don’t care,” he drawls, as if addressing the particularly stupid.
I pause. “You don’t think you’re being a little selfish?”
He smirks. “Trust me, you’ll all have more fun without me.”
“Don’t do that.” I sigh, dropping my gaze to gather my thoughts, then looking back up at him. “Look, I know this isn’t… ideal.”
“You can say that again.”
“And I know that in the past, we haven’t exactly been friends. I know you hate me, and I don’t even know why, but it doesn’t matter, honestly. Let’s look at this as a fresh start. Whatever I did to offend you or infuriate you, whatever I did to make you feel the way you do about me, I’m sorry. Okay? But this isn’t about us. Our parents are engaged now. I know it’s crazy, and maybe you haven’t seen them together yet, but your dad and my momreallylike each other. I think they could be really happy together, and I would hate forusto stand in the way of that.”
He nods slowly like he’s mulling over my words.
Maybe I’m not as smart as I think I am because I feel an actual spark of hope that he’ll be a decent human being and see reason for once in his life.
Then he opens his mouth and douses it. “And why should I give a single fuck about their happiness?”
My eyebrows rise and fall. “Um… I don’t really know how to answer that. They’re our parents. Don’t you want them to be happy?”
He shrugs. “Their happiness isn’t my responsibility.”
Shoving down the surge of irritation he’s triggering, I state, “No one is saying it’s your responsibility, Landon, but they can’t live together and be happy together if you and I can’t find a way to get along.”