Teacher's Pet

XXXV

Mollie

"I know you won't like it one bit, but...I don't think we can do it without Landon's help, Xander. He told me he knew my brother, and when I showed him a picture of Dreven, he recognized him." I began, ready to reason with him.

"When was this?" He gritted his teeth, before letting the words follow a heady breath. His brows knitted together in what seemed like frustration, but more likely jealousy, or whatever vendetta he had in keeping him away. Landon being around or not didn't really matter to me except for this matter now. What he could offer me. I had never sought out a situation to see what I could get out of it. Never. It was always what I could do for someone, what I could give them, help them with.

I felt guilt nip at the back of my conscience, not quite understanding this changed behavior, but if I had to be selfish—just this once—then I would do it. I needed to bring my brother home, to my new home and welcome him in with open arms. I needed to help him, he spent his entire life taking care of me, now I guess it was my turn to return the favor. Whatever mess he was in, I would pull him out of it.

Maybe I could move into Xander's room and he could take mine if he needed to stay here. "I asked you a question." He stated, the husky authoritative tone I hadn't heard in a short while dripped from his voice. His fingers held a firm grip on my chin as he pulled my face to meet his, his eyes boring into mine. He gave me a look that I read as you know better and I felt guilty, again, but also a spurt of heat trickled into the dip between my legs. I've never had angry sex before... No-no this is serious, and definitely not the time for Xander to fuck his anger into me.

"When I...left, I went to a diner not too far away. I just needed space, to be alone, to think. It was a lot to process, baby, at least what I thought was going on." That was new, I felt my cheeks warm at the pet name I gave him. It was always 'Xander, Mr. Thomas,' or 'Sir.' Never baby, but he didn't seem to mind it. In fact, it made my heart flutter.

"I was by myself of course, just wanted to sit down for a bit, and sometimes I stress eat or don't eat at all." I admitted, I twisted the ends of my hair around my fingers. It had always been a problem, but I was just happy I didn't binge eat anymore. After explaining the waitress fiasco, and Landon coming to my table, he was fuming by the time I mentioned I went to his house.

"You shouldn't have gone there, Margaret! I don't know where that little prick lives. What if something happened? What if he came on to you?" He protested, raising his voice with each question. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end for I knew he was right. "I told you I didn't want you anywhere near him."

"It wasn't my fault!—at first, I mean. I didn't know he was there. I promise, Xander! The only fault that I should be held accountable for was going to his house. That was an ignorant thing to do, and I am sorry, but he can help us. Do you know where my brother is?" I asked him, my voice strong for once, but this round-about was painful. I didn't want to fight with him again. I just needed him to understand.

"I'll handle it then." He declared, "you won't be around Landon, and I," he poked his finger into his chest, emphasizing his words, "will be the one to contact him. I assume you received his phone number at the restaurant?" I gave a subtle nod, and went upstairs to grab my cell phone so he could get ahold of Landon.

***

"W-what do you plan on telling him? He'll have to think something is going on between us if you're the one calling him in regard to me." I questioned, looking up at Xander from his lap. He decided he would call him after we had lunch, and I had been stalling by bringing us out to the swing in the backyard. I really wanted to see what he had planted in his garden, but he kept reminding me that 'finding Dreven was more important than a little asshole finding out who I belonged to." I just hoped I could give Landon the benefit of the doubt to not tell the wrong people.

"I don't care if he knows it's my díck you suck or that my heart belongs to you, little one. You said he knows how to find your brother? I'm going to call him and get the answers from him." He said, petting my hair back since the breeze tossed a few strands around.

"Please, at least p-put it on speaker?" I requested. Maybe I could have a better opinion on it if I knew how he would respond to Xander.
The phone beeped when he clicked on his contact—only saved as Landon—and when he pushed on the speaker button. A cold chill pricked my skin as I heard the dial tone ring for a second, and then another. By the third ring, he finally picked up, excitement filled his voice.

"Babe! 'Bout time you called."

"What? No 'hello' first, babe? You can't even answer a phone call properly." Xander replied into the phone, spitting out that pet name with malice like it was poisoned. Gosh, what was their beef with each other? Silence filled the atmosphere, weighing down on my chest like an anvil, and I was afraid Landon had hung up the phone. "Who? What the hell? Margaret? This is Margaret's number right?" I could sense the confusion, and I could nearly picture him pulling the phone away from his ear to check the caller ID.

Xander looked down at me. silently telling me it was okay to inform Landon that it was my phone calling him, I just wasn't the one doing it.

"Y-yeah, Landon. It's me, M-Margaret," I spoke out, trying to let a welcoming tone flow through me. "Who's with you? Are you okay?"

"Mhm, I- we just need your help."

Xander put a hand up, taking the wheel from me and prodded him with different, but important questions. "Yes, this is Professor Thomas. No, it's none of your concern as to why I have her phone, Landon." They were starting to get off track with their back-and-forth no matter where Xander led the conversation to, it always came back to me. "No, absolutely not, she will not meet up with you. Nor is she available, boy. So I suggest you get that fantasy out of your head right now."

"No, I'm not her fucking father but if you are concerned about what, or should I say who she's been fucking then-"

Landon cut him off with a skew of growled obscenities, making Xander's face go beat red with fury. I knew from the moment I mentioned Landon to him, this was going to be an issue. But what other choice did I have? Lie? Sneak behind his back? I didn't think so. I sat up, resting on my knees so my head was level with his and placed a hand on his stubble covered jaw. I brushed his sun-kissed cheek with my lumb, and leaned in to lay a soft kiss to the cheek facing me. I peppered them along his face, jaw, and neck, being ever so quiet, yet enough to remind him I was here with him. When I sat back onto my legs, he looked over at me, frustration contorting his face.

"I love you, Xander." I mouthed, and he closed his eyes and sucked a deep breath into his nose.

"She needs your help, Landon, and it fucking kills me that you can help her in a way I can't. When you saw her at the diner, she mentioned her brother to you. Remember?"

Landon sighed, taking his time to reply to Xander, but I could be patient since we took this step together in finding Dreven. "Yeah, I remember. Dreven, right? He never showed up that night, but I can have some buddies make a run for his stuff."

"That's a start, and better than nothing I suppose. Where should I meet you?" Xander asked him, and I was worried Landon wouldn't agree to it if I didn't come.

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