Reaching for Rebecca

Chapter 61

REBECCA'S POV

Nervously, I made my way into the cafeteria while hiding behind Landon – who stalled our arrival there.

"Ryan already kicked them out Becca. You can walk next to me," he chuckled. It wasn't funny, but I peeked around him towards the table and saw everyone except Mel and Izzy.

"Hey beautiful," Ryan murmured and kissed my cheek before reaching for his bagged lunch.

I was going to tell Landon about inviting Bentley to work out with us in History but I was afraid he'd freak out so I waited until lunch, when she was sitting next to him, to do it. I hadn't mentioned it yet when...

"Hey, so where is this gym you were talking about?" Bentley asks me. Landon's eyebrow went up and he looked at me accusingly.

"Uh, well..." I didn't quite know how to react so I turned to Landon to explain. "I thought Bentley could maybe join us for our workout. I meant to ask you but I forgot about it until now." I've seen Landon angry before but I noticed he was really trying to rein it in – probably for my sake.

"One second," he ground out while dropping his pizza to the tray and pushing away from the table. I saw him punch numbers into his phone before holding it to his ear as he left the cafeteria. Feeling Ryan stiffen next to me, I turned to him in shock.

"Babe," he leaned to speak softly directly into my ear, "Landon had to get special permission from his boss to bring you there with him." I instantly felt horrible. I turned to Bentley and she looked awkward too, but before I could say anything Landon returned looking a little bit more relaxed than when he left.

"What happened?" Ryan whispered across me. I was surprised that Mason and Kate hadn't noticed this secret conversation we seemed to be having but now that Mel and Izzy weren't here they'd spent most of the lunch period making out since Kate hadn't had to listen to them gossip...

"Just have another 'meeting' this weekend." I tried to apologize but Ryan cut me off.

"Don't you already have one scheduled?"

"Yeah." Landon kept his attention on his pizza or the empty tray in front of him and avoided eye contact with the three of us.

"I don't have to come along. I'm sorry if I complicated something..." Bentley was mumbling almost incoherently; however, I was able to make out her words and interrupted her.

"No, Bentley, it isn't your fault. Landon, I am so sorry I didn't know you already had to pull strings for me." He told me a little bit about these fights but I didn't understand the entire boss concept yet and how much power that person had over him.

"It's okay Becca," he said honestly and finally looked up so I could read his face. "It isn't a big deal – I promise."

"How is it not a big deal Landon!" Ryan's voice was gravely since he was trying to keep it quiet through the anger. "I have to fucking pick you up after some 'meetings' and you're expecting to do two in one night!"

"My first is a 200 and the second is just a 180. It will be fine."

While I was intently watching the two boys at my sides, I must have missed Bentley escaping from the table because when I looked towards her spot, she was gone.

"Where'd Bentley go?" I ask out loud although I know they didn't see her leave either. "I'll be right back." I quickly head to the closest girl's restroom deducing that that's probably where she headed... it's literally the only place in the school you can find solitude.

"Bentley?" I call out as soon as I'm inside the room.

"Becca," she walked out of a stall and shrugged sadly. "Why didn't you tell me he didn't want me there?"