14. Langdon
Fourteen
Langdon
I watch Delia saunter away, eyes locked on her ass and toned legs. Her ass in those shorts is enough to make me have wet dreams for the rest of the week. Any other day, I would have been pumped to have my friends show up at the river. Today, I was irritated.
And Hailie. A groan slips out as I back out of Heath’s driveway. I don’t know why she won’t leave me alone. I’ve told her I’m not interested, but she doesn’t seem to hear the words.
I seriously don’t know how I’m supposed to finish my hours at Viv’s with Delia there. Torture. Then again, if I don’t go to Viv’s, I won’t see her at all and I’m not sure which causes me more distress .
Niko’s car is in my driveway when I pull in. I scrub my hand down my face annoyed because I don’t want the scrutiny I know he’s going to give me. Anderson’s body hurtles itself out the front door as I climb out of the truck and straight at me.
“Sup lil man?”
“Do you have a girlfriend?” he asks breathlessly. I chuckle.
I shake my head at him. “No. Why?”
“Niko said you were at the river alone with a girl. A pretty girl. But he also said not as pretty as Hailie.” Anderson makes googly eyes at me.
Jesus Christ! Dude can’t keep his mouth shut for five minutes.
“Uh no. I was at work remember? Niko is playing with you.”
My mom will kill me if she knows I wasn’t at work and didn’t tell her where I was going. Niko knows this, yet still, he can’t seem to shut his mouth.
I stomp into the house. Niko’s made himself at home on the couch, flipping through the TV channels like he’s at his own house.
“Dude. Not cool,” I growl. Anderson tosses himself on the couch next to my best friend.
“What’s not cool?” Anderson asks.
Niko rubs Anderson’s head and chuckles. “Yeah, Lang. What’s not cool?”
I roll my eyes and head up to my room knowing Mom will be home in the next fifteen minutes or so. Niko follows. When Anderson tries to run in, I close the door in his face.
“Not you,” I say.
He kicks the door and curses at me before his stomps echo down the hallway.
“Are you trying to get me in trouble?” I ask.
Niko just laughs and lays back on my bed. “Naw. Just playing with you. But seriously, what’s up with you and New Girl? You looked pretty cozy when we rolled in.”
I sit in my desk chair and lace my fingers behind my head. “Her name’s Delia, and nothing. We’re not anything.” Although, I’d like to do some things with her. She was finally relaxing when my idiot friends showed up and ruined everything. “But honestly, if I had been making a move, you guys showing up was a massive cockblock.”
Niko snorts. “Judging by the pink in your cheeks, man, you wish you were, though. She’s cute. But you know Lang, you’re in a position to have anyone you want at school. Don’t settle. And what’s up with Heath having a grand kid?! Did not see that coming. Juicy.”
I sigh and spin in my chair and ignore his comment about my cheeks. “I don’t know. We were there for dinner last Sunday and Delia and her mom walked in. My mom knows her mom. And it seems like they knew each other kinda well. No idea why they’ve never been around before now. Never heard my mom mention this chick either. Kind of a mystery.”
“Downright scandalous. Wonder where they came from. What’s she about? Think she’s down to hang? Have some fun?” he asks.
I roll my eyes at him. “I think you should leave her alone unless she talks to you.”
Niko waggles his brows at me. “Is that a challenge, Bro? ”
I pin him in his spot with a glare.
“Dude. Chill. It’s not me you have to worry about. Hailie could smell that you like this chick from a mile away. She will destroy her to get to you.”
He’s not wrong. Hailie can be downright diabolical when she wants something. But as long as I don’t give Delia the time of day at school it shouldn’t be an issue.
“Ugh. Fuckin’ Hailie. I have zero interest in her. You know that right?” I ask.
Niko shoots me a sad smile. “Yeah, I know. Just giving you shit.”
I roll my neck and shoulders feeling tense. “Why don’t you just ask her out already. It’s a win-win. You get the girl and I get rid of the girl.”
Niko blows out a breath. “She wants you. No point in sticking my neck out until she stops throwing herself at you.”
Cracking my neck I see mom’s car pull down the driveway. “Mom’s home. Do not mention the river and definitely do not mention Delia.” I stand up knowing we’re about to be asked to help get dinner ready.
“Delia who?” he laughs and slaps me on the back.