Page 74 of The Perfect Deal
Joshua wasn’t there yet, so I sent him a text as I fixed a plate. Everyone looked happy and excited as we began to discuss our plans. Poppy and Landon happened to be sitting across from two empty seats, so I chose a chair across from my best friend, hoping Joshua would get there in time to sit next to me.
All of Poppy’s siblings were sitting near her, Rose and Autumn chatting about their bridesmaid dresses. The boys looked a little bored, though every once in a while, Arlo would grin at me. I had no idea what his deal was.
Joshua came in, fixed a plate, and sat down in the empty chair beside me. I wanted to lean over and kiss him, but I kept myself from it. Landon was right there, after all, and he’d come a long way, but he was still overly protective.
“There he is,” Landon said as Joshua settled in his chair. “We were wondering if you were still sleeping.”
“Sorry,” Joshua said. “Didn’t hear my alarm.”
“You were probably super tired,” Arlo said, snickering. “After last night.”
An electric bolt shot down my back as I braced myself, praying he didn’t say more. Joshua tensed beside me as well. Did Arlo know something? If he did, surely he wouldn’t say anything.
“What’s that?” Landon asked, his eyebrows knitted together as he peered around Poppy.
“Yeah, I mean, the walls are thick here, but they aren’t that thick.” I shook my head as Arlo continued, my willing him to shut his fucking mouth not working. “How was your walk of shame this morning, Liberty?”
There it was. All laid out on the table for my brother, Arlo grinning as he popped a bite of biscuit into his mouth.
“Arlo!” Poppy must’ve punched him in the leg under the table. “Knock it off.”
“What?” Landon’s voice was full of alarm as he looked from his future brother-in-law to me to Joshua. “What is he talking about?”
Joshua’s mouth fell open as the two of us tried to come up with an explanation. It was obvious that Landon was about to blow his top. His face was turning red as the pieces of the puzzle came together. “Is he serious, Joshua?” Landon demanded. “He is, isn’t he?”
Slowly, Joshua’s head rocked back and forth. I felt paralyzed, like all I could do was watch my world implode.
Landon’s fist slammed down on the table, jarring the dishes in a clatter of glass and silverware as the room went silent. “How long has this been fucking going on?”
Joshua stayed calm as he said, “Landon, let’s talk about this outside.”
It was clear my brother was furious as he threw his chair back and flew out of it. “Damnit!” he shouted. “I told you not to fuck my sister.”
The entire room was so quiet, I could hear my heart hammering in my chest, but everything was beginning to blur together. With tears in my eyes, I felt myself beginning to crumble. Joshua asked Landon to step outside, but it was me who bolted up from the table. As fast as I could go, I flew out of the room toward the elevator.
Everything was ruined because of my brother, and there was nothing in the world I could do about it.
45
JOSHUA
Landon was so angry, I could practically see steam coming out of his ears. When Liberty ran out of the room, concern for her almost had me following right behind, but I could tell Landon seriously wanted to fight me. His fisted hands moved back and forth as his face turned an angry shade of red.
“We should take this outside,” I told him, trying to stay calm, “so that everyone’s breakfast isn’t disturbed.”
“Fuck that!” Landon shouted. “I don’t give a damn. I trusted you, you asshole!”
“Landon,” Poppy said, reaching over to put a hand on him, but he jerked away from her, making everyone at the table gasp.
“Outside.” Luke’s voice was authoritative as he gave the direction, a reminder that he was in charge here, not Landon, even if he thought he was always the boss in the situation.
We moved silently down a short hallway to a deserted pool area. Landon came at me, and I took a few steps backward. “Knock it off, man. You’re out of control,” I warned him as Poppy stepped between us and put a hand on his chest, pushing him back enough that I could breathe. “It’s not what you think.”
“The fuck it is.” Landon glared at me. “I heard what Arlo said. The walk of shame? How could you do that to my sister, man? You’ve always been like a brother to me. I thought you cared about her. Instead, you’re just using her to get your jollies.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Now, I was getting angry, too, which wouldn’t help the situation. At least one of us needed to keep a level head, but to hear him spout off all that nonsense with absolutely no proof really pissed me off. “That’s not true. Why would you even say that?”
“If it’s not true then why the hell are you sneaking around behind my back?” Landon wanted to know. “I just gave you permission to start seeing her a couple of weeks ago, and now you’re fucking her? That’s messed up, man.”