Hot Summer Nights

9

Chapter Nine

Leah

I told myself it was fine, that I could pretend not to be affected when we delivered the pizza to Tess and Levi's place. I tried not to be, but I knew the second I saw Landon's Jeep in the parking lot what would happen.

My heart stopped when we locked eyes. I hadn't seen or spoken to him since the morning of my freak-out. The morning he asked me to be his girlfriend. His question did funny things to my heart. It should have made me happy. It meant he wasn't interested in anyone else. Right?

Instead of leaning into the happy, giddy feeling that crept up on me, I went full Leah and stormed out. I don't know why I did it. Maybe it was the fact that my burning question was still unanswered. Would it have made a difference? Would it give me comfort or just more confusion?

Fuck. Everything is such a mess.

I watched Landon quickly leave, shooting me one last look before disappearing. I didn't realize I was tracking his movement until I turned away. My friends, however, saw exactly what I was doing. Colin and Tessa were watching me. Their eyes burned with curiosity at what had just transpired between me and Landon.

Shit.

I knew once they caught me alone, they'd have a thousand questions. Many I wasn't sure I'd have the answer to. I slowly chewed my pizza as I pasted a cheery smile on my face, holding up a pizza box. "This is delicious! Come on, dig in!"

Tessa and Colin exchanged a look before edging closer to grab a slice. They continued to eye me as everyone ate and I knew they weren't just going to let this go. The pit that was forming in my stomach started to grow.

~

The sun had already set by the time I got home from running my errands. I ditched my bags on the table and collapsed onto the fluffy cushions of my couch. Usually, retail therapy helps drag me out of my funk, but this time it just wasn't working.

With a frustrated sigh, I opened my phone, resigning myself to a night of scrolling through social media. I was watching a video of someone's dog dancing on two legs when a text came through from Colin asking if I wanted to go out tonight. I declined, telling him I wasn't feeling well- not a total lie, just not the complete truth.

I knew what would happen if I went out. He and the girls would pump me for information on the Landon situation. And I wasn't sure how to handle that just yet. Yeah, it's better if I just seclude myself up here in my tower and wallow for a while.

My phone dinged with Colin's reply- an eye roll emoji. I responded with a shrugging meme and went back to scrolling. When he didn't reply, I thought I was in the clear.

Half an hour later, I heard a knock at my door. As I went to answer it, I felt my heart hammer in my chest. What if it's Landon? What if he came over to talk?

That possibility had my head spinning. Was that what I wanted?

With a deep breath, I opened the door. Standing in front of me were my three best friends armed with my favorite food, wine, and self-care products.

"This is for your own good," Colin informed me as he invited himself inside.

Charlotte followed him, giving me a small half-smile as she passed me. "We care too much to let you wallow alone."