Inhale: Book One (bxb) ✔️

11. Peaceful. Kind. Compassionate.

Everest Pierce

Miami, Florida
November 10th

Landon kept sneaking peeks at me as I drove through Miami. I caught him on several occasions. I believed he thought he was being sneaky about it, but he wasn't. I wasn't sure what was on his mind. After I boldly stated something I almost regretted, he went quiet. Not in a bad way, but like he was trying to piece together what I meant by it. If he asked, I'd tell him. I'd tell him because I always told Landon the truth.

Some thought it was easier to lie your way out of situations, but where did that get people? Sure, my anxiety controlled me and prevented me from spilling my truth, but if he asked, I'd tell him in a heartbeat. It was impossible to lie to him. I couldn't. If he asked if I liked him, I'd tell him the truth. Lying to Landon isn't something I'm physically able to do.

"Can I eat my boiled peanuts?" West asked. When I glanced in the rearview mirror, his hand was already in the bag.

I shook my head with a snort. "I don't dictate your life."

West smirked at me when I glanced again. "Want to?"

"Offering?"

"Always, baby." West chuckled as I took a left turn. "So, we're hanging out with Elijah today? What else are we getting into?"

"Your nonchalance is riveting." Lennox snorted. "Look at that! Stars! They're just like us!"

"You've known him practically your entire life! I'm still adjusting, thank you."

Playfully, I rolled my eyes and focused on the road instead of whatever insane conversation the two of them were having. It truly didn't bother me like I thought it should that Elijah was Landon's brother. I liked the guy, but as I told Landon--I know surface-level things. As opposed to Elijah, I knew far more about Landon. However, it did instill a brand-new fear regarding whether I was good enough for Landon or not.

I mean, his life was full of sunshine, rainbows, and a superstar brother. He was kind to everyone. He offered empathy. I didn't offer much. I still lacked proper communication skills when it came to strangers. I carried around trauma that no one should feel obligated to be saddled with. I still had panic attacks if the darkness grew to be too much.

When I was a child, as punishment, my birth parents would lock me in a closet. I stayed there for days without proper food and hydration. I never was able to bathe properly. When I was younger, I was enrolled in school. Long enough to learn how to read. My only saving grace was reading all the books they'd throw me. If they needed me to do their bidding, in other words, if they needed help with their latest con, they used me as bait. A sad story. They needed me to be educated enough. It helped that they kept me locked away until they needed me because I had panic attacks when I tried to talk to people. It furthered their story.

I don't remember much about the night I was finally taken away by social services. My therapist told me that my memories were spotty because of the trauma I endured throughout my childhood and even that night. Apparently, my Mother overdosed, and I was forced to call the police. After they saw the condition of the home I was living in, social services were called. I didn't remember much about it, though.

I brushed away the thoughts when I pulled up to the address Elijah had supplied Landon with. I parked next to an SUV and cut off the car. West and Lennox were already out of the car, chasing one another to the front door.