An inconvenient attachment

Chapter 65

"Lando?" my dad asks confused. Without waiting for an answer Lando sits down next to me. He holds his hand out for my dad to shake. When Noah wants to shake his hand Lando acts like he didn't see him. Noah quickly recovers himself. "Yes, nice to meet you" Lando says. "Sorry, i'm a little surprised, I didn't realize you were also joining us" my dad says, he's at least trying to sound happy. "I thought I would surprise you guys. Wouldn't want to miss the chance to meet Mia's dad" Lando says.

"How nice of you. I didn't realize you were together still. Mia told you me you guys broke up" Noah says, closely watching our reactions.

I clench my glass with my hand. I wonder what would happen if I were to smash this glass against his head. Would he cry? Like all those times he made me cry? Would he bleed? Like all those times he hit me so hard I would bleed. Maybe he would even need stitches. I wonder what sound it would make, the glass hitting his head. My hand tightens on the glass, fuck. Lando puts his arm around me, getting me out of my thoughts. His arm leans on my chair.

Lando doesn't seem fazed at all. "All fine here" Lando says with a fake smile on his face. "Glad to hear it" Noah says sarcastic, his face focused on me. God help me.

"You ok?" Lando whispers in my ear when my dad and Noah are talking to each other. I nod. Lando grabs my hand under the table. This is both the best and worst thing to happen. I'm glad Lando's here, I think. But it's my absolute nightmare for Lando and Noah to meet. I wonder how Lando knew where we were. I look over at Kate and she mouths that she's sorry. Well, guess that mistery is solved.

"So Lando, I heard you're a racing driver?" my dad asks, trying to make conversation. "Yes, I am" Lando says. "Dangerous" Noah says softly, but just loud enough for everyone to hear. "It's pretty save these days actually" Lando says nicely. He shouldn't have to defend himself, especially against Noah. "Well, I just don't get the point, but that's me I guess" Noah says. "Yeah, it's not for everyone" Lando answers.

"Like, risking your life driving so fast. Do you know how many people die from car accidents?" Noah asks. "Noah, stop it" I warn him. My dad looks uncomfortable, well he's not the only one.

"Guess you surprised me the most, Mia. I would have never thought you would date someone who risks his life driving a car" Noah keeps pushing. I look at my dad to see if he'll tell him enough is enough. But his silence says enough. "Noah, enough" I stammer. I look at my dad, almost begging him to say anything. But he keeps silent. Nothing. Not a word.

"You're really not going to say anything?" I ask my dad. He shrugs his shoulders. "You agree with him?" I ask. And again, dad keeps silent. Sometimes silence says enough.

"Oh sorry, you probably didn't know Mia's brother died in a car accident?" Noah asks, focusing his attention on Lando. "I did know, actually" Lando says, his hands clenching the table. I see he's trying to hold back. "And still she chooses to be with a racing driver, fascinating" Noah almost spits out his words.

"Well, rather a racing driver than someone who beats his girlfriend shitless" Lando says. Now my dad is awake. "Wait, what?" he asks. Noah seems like he's ready to punch Lando. "Oh, you didn't know? Yeah. Well, dear Noah used to hit your daughter" Lando spits out. 

"Mia? Is that true?" dad asks, clearly not believing Lando. I look at Lando and then focus my attention on my dad. "Not such a nice guy after all, is he?" Noah looks at me like he can't believe I just said that. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"You just heard the guy who's sitting next to you beats your daughter, and that's your question?" Lando asks, very angry now. "I.. I" my dad stammers. "You are going to let him tell all this nonsense?" Noah asks, trying his last rescue. "Noah stop it. Enough is enough. I'm done" I say. I'm terrified, but at the same time relieved. The secret I kept all those years. Just because I thought I deserved it. A weight falls off my shoulders.

"You dumb boy," my dad says to Noah, "My son would he ashamed of you."

"At least I don't risk my life and the life of others driving recklessly in a car" Noah says, trying to get the attention back on Lando. "I might be a racing driver, but I would never, and I mean never, put a hand on my girlfriend" Lando says, shoving his chair back and standing up. He grabs some bills out of his wallet and throws it on the table. "Dinner is on me" he says while grabbing my hand. I quickly stand up and together we walk out of the restaurant. I look around, only to see if Kate is following us. She holds up her glass and makes a gesture, saying she'll see me later.

Lando opens the door of the car, which is parked on the pavement. "You're lucky you didn't get a ticket" I say when Lando sits down. "Couldn't give a shit about a ticket. Are you ok? Like really?" he asks, holding my face with his hands. "I'm fine" I say, trying to hold back my laughter. "Are you laughing right now?" Lando asks, clearly confused. "Sorry, I do that sometimes when i'm nervous" I say, still laughing.

"What a fucking shit show, hé" I say when Lando starts driving. He grabs my hand. "I'm sorry I told your dad. I tried to keep my mouth shut, I really did" he says. "It's fine. He had to find out eventually" I say.

"He didn't even say anything" I mumble. He didn't even try to stop Noah. He didn't even help me when I asked. He just kept silent. Sometimes that says a thousand words. "I know. I'm sorry" Lando squeezes my hand.

"Where do you want to go?" he asks. I think for a second. There's one place which always clears my mind. It relaxes me. "The beach."

"You got it" Lando says, pushing his foot on the gas.

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