Landon
FROM ACROSS THE large dining table at my folks’ house, I looked into my sister’s eyes. They were clear, with no signs of the crying she had done only hours ago. I swung my gaze over to Mike. He was talking to my father, oblivious to how dangerously close he was to having my hands around his neck.
I felt Emmerson’s hand on my leg, and I slightly relaxed.
“You’re glaring at him, Landon,” she whispered, her hot breath causing my dick to jump in my pants. That wasn’t anything new when it came to this woman I’d known my whole life, but after having a taste of her and coming so close to more, I was still on edge.
“Emmerson, we need to talk about the engagement party,” Hailey said from across the table.
Emmerson casually removed her hand from my leg and smiled. “Autumn said she’d like to rent out the barn that’s on the McNally’s ranch. It’s a beautiful place. I’ve actually had a client get married there, and it would make for a great venue for the party.”
Hailey smiled as if the news made her day. My sister could go up against any top actress in Hollywood with the performance she was putting on tonight. Mike had glanced over to Hailey and smiled, as if the idea of having the engagement party made him just as happy. Although, I had a feeling my mother sensed something wasn’t right. Addie Lewis could always tell when one of her kids were hurting. It was weird.
“How has the wedding planning been going, ladies?” my mother asked, looking directly at Hailey.
Another brilliant smile lit up my sister’s face, and this time Mike took her hand in his and kissed the back of it. Was that…was that guilt in his eyes? Regret, maybe? The fucker. I wanted to jump across the goddamn table and pound his face with my fist.
“It’s going brilliantly! There’s a reason why our Emmerson here is so good at what she does.”
“Yeah, she had an entire packet for us with to-do lists, numbers for different venues and photographers, as well as bakeries. I’ve got to say, I’m impressed,” Mike said.
The cheating bastard.
“Thanks, Mike,” Emmerson said tightly. “But it’s my job, so I need to be as organized as I can.”
“Emmerson and I are going on a fake wedding cake tasting this Friday.” I wasn’t really sure why I brought it up. My father raised his brows as my mother dabbed at the corners of her mouth.
“Is that right?” my mother asked, looking between me and Emmerson. “Cake tasting, huh?”
Emmerson spoke before I could. “I think it will be really good research for me to see what happens on the other side; plus, this is a new and upcoming bakery. I haven’t had any clients use them yet.”
“And it’ll be great content for your Instagram!” Hailey said, showing the first real sign of excitement since we’d sat down.
My father cleared his throat, and I swore he was attempting to hide a smile.
“I think it will as well,” I said with a grin.
My father caught my gaze and slowly nodded. “I agree.”
When my mother looked at me, too, I saw it in her eyes. She knew the truth. Or she at least suspected something else was going on.
Jesus…what was it about my parents? Did they have some weird sixth sense where they could reach into their kids’ minds and see what was really going on? Because the way my father’s eyes bounced from me to Emmerson, and then back to me, made it feel like he was silently warning me about something.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Hailey pull out Mike’s phone. The way she was handling this was all wrong. I knew she was hurt, and I knew she wanted some sort of revenge or power over the situation…but this was not the way to do it in front of everyone.
I looked at Emmerson, who was staring at Hailey.
“Hailey,” Emmerson said quickly, causing Hailey to glance over at her. “Do you remember that one time when we were little and we were up in the treehouse my daddy made for us in the olive orchard?”
Slipping the phone back under the table, Hailey tilted her head and asked with a laugh, “Which time, Emme? We were up there a lot.”
“The time we promised each other that we would never let the other one make a mistake that could be harmful in any way, no matter what.”
Hailey narrowed her eyes. “I remember.”
“You’ve had my back so many times and kept me from making some stupid mistakes.”
“And pushed her into some pretty dumb ones, too, I remember,” my father stated.
Everyone swung their gaze to him as my mother hit him on the arm.
Emmerson’s voice brought the attention back to her and Hailey. “Don’t do it like this, Hail.”
My sister’s throat worked as she attempted to swallow, tears filling her eyes.
“Hailey, what in the world is wrong? You look like you’re about to cry,” my mother asked. She stood and made her way over to my sister.
Hailey put up a hand to stop her. “Mom, I’m fine. Honestly, please sit back down.” Then she stood and looked at Mike. “If you’ll excuse me and Mike, there’s something urgent we need to talk about regarding the wedding.”
Mike looked confused, but at the same time, the guilt was written all over his face. He slowly put his napkin on the table and stood. He looked down at the phone Hailey handed him and then snapped his gaze back up to meet hers. “Hailey, let me explain. It was—”
Lifting her hand, she said, “Not here.”
Turning, Hailey quickly walked out of the dining room with Mike hot on her trail. Everyone watched as they left.
The sound of the front door shutting had my father clearing his throat and sitting back in his seat. “How long has he been cheating on her?”
I was positive my mouth dropped open.
“I knew there was something wrong the moment she walked in the door,” my mother said with a displeased expression on her face. “Her behavior this evening makes total sense now.
“How…how did you both know?” Emmerson asked.
“I’ve seen enough men in my day get caught with their hand in the cookie jar,” Dad said. “The way he looked at her, it was written all over his face.”
I clenched my fists. “And you didn’t want to kill him? Because it took every ounce of strength I had not to jump over this table and kill him.”
My parents exchanged a look. Emmerson placed her hand on mine and gave it a little squeeze. “Hailey told us earlier at my place, right after she found out.”
“I have a feeling that little walk down memory lane stopped her from doing something she shouldn’t,” Mom said.
With a nod, I said, “She was going to out him right in front of everyone. I think it was just her anger driving that decision. I’m glad you said something, Emme.” I turned and our eyes met. She smiled the sweetest smile, and I had to force myself not to lean down and kiss her.
“Well, I know if I was about to do something stupid, she would stop me,” Emmerson said.
“Ha!” my folks shouted in unison.
I shook my head and looked at Emmerson, who simply chuckled, knowing that she and Hailey had gotten themselves into some pretty sticky situations over the years.
My father pointed his finger at Emmerson. “Do you know the high school principal called us and your folks more times about you two girls than they did about Landon and Noah? You were both trouble!”