Dear Lando - Book Two

𝟸𝟼 ♡ I Want It That Way

I Want It That Way By Backstreet Boys

Lana, Nat, and Theo were sprawled out across the living room, each with a notebook, a pen, and tall cups filled with cocktails they had mixed up in the kitchen. Brooklyn 99 was playing on the TV, and the trio had clearly indulged a bit too much in their own version of Brooklyn 99 drinking bingo. The rules were simple: every time someone got a mark on their bingo sheet, the other two had to drink.

"I just don't understand how Terry hasn't said 'Terry loves yogurt' yet!" Lana threw her arms up dramatically, her voice filled with mock frustration. "I thought that one was a guaranteed win."

"That's a solid pick," Theo agreed, raising his glass in a show of solidarity as he took another sip.

Lana nodded at him, her lips curving into a satisfied smile. "Exactly, thank you."

"I'm still waiting on 'Nikolaj,'" Nat said, deliberately exaggerating the pronunciation to mimic Boyle's voice, drawing laughter from both Lana and Theo.

They all dissolved into giggles, the laughter echoing through the room just as the front door swung open. Lando and Max Fewtrell walked in, their faces a mix of surprise and amusement as they took in the chaotic scene—cocktail glasses, scattered notebooks, and the trio looking positively tipsy.

"What's up, Red?" Lando greeted, his lips twitching with amusement as he nodded in Lana's direction.

Lana blinked, clearly caught off guard by their arrival, as if she'd momentarily forgotten she wasn't in her own house. She gave Lando her most innocent look and, with a slightly blank expression, said, "Brooklyn 99 drinking bingo."

Lando's face lit up with a grin, while Max muttered, "Sweet," clearly impressed by their game.

Realizing they hadn't met, Lando quickly added, "Oh, uh, Red, this is my best friend, Max."

Lana gave Max a warm smile. "Nice to meet you, Max. This is Nat and Theo—my best friends."

Both Nat and Theo immediately put their hands over their hearts, giving Lana exaggerated, mock expressions of love. "Awwww," they cooed in unison.

Lana rolled her eyes, fighting back a smile. "Oh, shut up," she teased, before turning her attention back to Lando and Max. "So, you two gonna play or what?"

"Don't gotta tell me twice," Max announced, already making his way over to the couch, practically shoving his way to sit next to Nat. "I'm in."

Lana shot Lando a "come on, join us" look, her eyes gleaming with mischief. Lando sighed, playfully rolling his eyes before dropping down beside her.

As he settled in, he leaned closer, his voice a soft whisper, almost too close to her ear. "So, should I always expect to come home to a party in my house?" he teased, his lips curving into a smirk.

Nat, who had been eavesdropping with a mischievous grin, immediately chimed in from across the room. "Yup! Always!" she declared, giving Lando a cheeky wink.

Lana chuckled, shrugging at Lando. "Guess you'll just have to get used to it," she said, her eyes twinkling.

Before Lando could reply, the unmistakable voice of Jake Peralta rang out from the TV: "Title of your sex tape!"

Without missing a beat, Lana, Theo, and Nat all whipped their heads toward the TV, pointing and shouting in unison, "TITLE OF YOUR SEX TAPE!!" Before proudly marking off their bingo sheets. 

Lando and Max exchanged amused glances, Lando shaking his head with a laugh. "You guys are something else."