39. Cassian
Cassian
Iwatch Landon hold the door for Viv as they head outside for their run, and I want to wring the jerk’s neck. How does he not know that Viv prefers to run alone? Maybe he just doesn’t care.
Right before he pulls the door shut behind him, he tosses me a condescending smile and a nod. “Thanks, Cassian.”
I return his nod with the smallest movement possible without looking rude.
Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that if you piss off guys like that, they have the means to make your life miserable as hell.
I can handle whatever he wants to dish out, but I’m scared of what he might do to Viv if I upset him.
I’m pretty sure she didn’t invite him here, and I doubt she wants him to stay.
If their relationship really is just an act to please her parents, she’ll send him packing before the end of the day.
And everyone else is heading back to the city this afternoon, which means I’ll have my girl all to myself tonight.
We spend the day much like we did yesterday—laughing, playing games, eating. It would be a great day if stupid Landon wasn’t spending it with us. He’s like an uncooked noodle and has the sense of humor of a toad.
I wanted to enjoy the weekend with my friends, not watch a piece of cardboard try to relax on the sofa or pretend that his fiancée loves him. So far, Viv is managing to distance herself from Landon as much as possible, which means I don’t have to watch too many sickening displays of fake affection.
Time slowly drags by until everyone begins packing up their things and loading the cars. I can’t help the shiver of anticipation that comes from knowing Viv and I will be alone again soon.
We exchange goodbyes, and I flip Bash off as he pulls out of the driveway.
He laughs and sticks his hand out the window of his GranTurismo to return the gesture.
Revving his engine, he drives into the grass and roars around Shep’s 1992 Defender, which is already halfway to the road.
Shep lays on the horn and takes off after him.
I shake my head and grin. God, what a bunch of idiots.
Landon’s BMW is still parked in front of the house at a perfect ninety-degree angle. I curl my hand into a fist so I don’t give in to the urge to key it. If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll soon be heading back to his sleek little bachelor pad and his cushy office chair.
When I turn to go back inside, he’s still standing with Viv on the front stoop, waving to everyone as if they’re his friends and he’s lord of the manor. She looks perfectly at home next to him, her dark waves contrasting with his blonde coif.
My jaw clenches, and I skirt around the side of the house, because I’d rather gouge my eyes out than watch the two of them exchange goodbyes. If he kisses her in front of me, I can’t promise I won’t rip his throat out. The thought of his lips on hers makes my blood run cold.
I make myself scarce for the next few hours, taking my time replacing the latch on the garden shed door until it gets dark.
I never heard Landon’s car leave, but I’ve also been wearing my AirPods the whole time.
I have no interest in walking in on the two of them having some kind of romantic dinner before he leaves, so I eat with my dad and don’t head back to the manor until I’m ready to hit the sack.
Monday morning rolls around before I’m ready, but I tell myself that at least I won’t have to share Viv with anyone today.
Everyone has gone back to the city, and the two of us can go back to the way things were, although after everything that happened this weekend—the kiss, Bash finding out, dancing in the rain, telling her about my half-sister—I’m not sure there’s a normal to return to.
I yank a T-shirt over my head and stumble down to the kitchen to pull several shots of espresso. At least the day is promising to be sunny. If I were stuck inside with Viv due to rain, my self-control might not hold out.
Yawning, I rub a hand over my face as the hot java drips into my cup.
“Good morning.”
I whirl around to find Landon standing in the doorway in a cashmere sweater, pressed trousers, and leather loafers. His hair is already perfectly styled.
“Morning,” I say, turning back to my coffee. What the fuck is he still doing here? I press my palms against the counter, my mind whirring for an explanation. Viv never explicitly said he was leaving last night. I just assumed she wouldn’t want him to stay.
I refuse to think about why he might have chosen to spend the night.
“Any chance you’d pull a shot for me?” Landon asks over the scrape of stool legs on tile.
Flexing my jaw, I nod. “Sure.” No doubt he expects me to cook breakfast for him too, but I have a long list of things I need to tackle today, and if he gives me any shit, he’s going to be at the top of that list.
“Thanks, mate,” he says.
I bite back the urge to tell him we are nowhere close to being mates. I can’t do that to Viv. If I piss him off, it’ll only put her in the middle, forced to try to work things out between us. She has enough on her plate without worrying about whether I get along with her wanker of a fiancé.
“Here you go.” I set the espresso in front of Landon.
“Thank you.” He lifts the cup to his nose and sniffs. “Cassian, can I talk to you for a second?”
I glance at the clock on the wall. “I actually have a lot to do today.”
He chuckles and leans back in his chair. “Relax. I’m not going to ask you to make me eggs. In fact, I’m thinking about taking Viv to the village for breakfast. Any place you’d recommend?”
I stare at him. “I don’t know, man. I don’t eat in town very often.”
“No worries. I’m sure we can figure it out. I also wanted to thank you for everything you’ve been doing. Vivienne and I are both so grateful for your help with the wedding.”
I’m glad I haven’t eaten yet, because hearing him talk about the two of them as if they’re a real couple makes me want to vomit.
“No problem,” I mutter. I gulp down my espresso and move to the door. “Happy to help.”
Now get your ass back to the city and leave Viv and me alone.
I’m working on a fence row that has needed repairing for the better part of two years when I hear the sound of hooves pounding the ground.
My heart picks up speed, matching their pace.
I glance up, expecting to see Viv riding toward me.
Instead, two riders crest the hill, and my heart slams to a stop.
Viv’s form is unmistakable, and so is that of the person with her. The bloody bastard is still here. I grip the pliers even tighter and snip the wire I’m holding, imagining it’s his fingers instead. He’s riding Blaze, and I want to smack the douchebag off his back.
An hour later, I pass by the stables and see Viv schooling Rhya in the ring out back, several of the trainers observing. There’s no sign of Landon, but I’m sure he’s not far away. I want to offer to stand up to her father again and insist on canceling her shows, but I know she’ll decline.
They’re still working on jumps the next time I see them. I glance at the time on my phone. It’s been three hours. Viv must be exhausted, and I don’t trust that bastard Landon to feed her.
I cook fajitas at my dad’s house, then wrap a plate in foil. “I’ll be right back,” I tell Dad as I head for the door. I can feel his amused smile behind me, but I don’t turn around.
When I reach the kitchen at the manor, I set the plate on the counter. I debate leaving a note but decide against it in case Landon happens to see it. Viv will know who it’s from.
After eating and playing a round of checkers with my dad, I return to the manor, hoping to finally get the chance to talk to Viv alone. But when I glance out front, Landon’s car is still parked there. Without even bothering to go inside, I hop on my bike and ride into town.
The dive bar on the south side is practically deserted. I order a beer, but it does little for my mood. When I’m halfway done eating, a woman wearing a tight T-shirt straddles the stool next to mine.
“This one taken?” she asks, looking at me through lowered lashes.
I shake my head and return to my drink. She’s barking up the wrong tree. Even if she were attractive, I have no desire for a hookup.
She’s still shooting her shot when I drain the rest of my beer and walk outside. Coming here didn’t clear my head the way I was hoping it would, but it did kill some time. Time that I don’t have to spend watching Viv and Landon cuddling on the sofa or laughing together over a bottle of wine.
I hesitate at the stoplight on my way back.
I could take a right and head to the warehouse.
There’s probably a fight going on, and it would feel so good to release some of the tension that’s been building up.
Alcohol is no match for it, but pounding some sorry fucker into the ground is exactly what I need.
But when the light turns green, I turn left. I promised Viv I’d stop fighting, and I have no intention of breaking that promise, regardless of whether she ever finds out or not. Enough people in her life have let her down. I’m not going to be one of them.
As the manor comes into view, I see lights on in Viv’s bedroom window.
The rest of the house is dark. My insides give a sickening lurch, and I pull off the driveway and let my bike fall onto the grass.
Scrambling into the brush, I empty the contents of my stomach.
I stand there long after I’m done heaving. I’m in no hurry to get inside.
Eventually, I park out front and make my way through the dark house to the kitchen.
Bash brought several boxes of liquor with him and left it all here.
Lucky me. I grab a bottle of Rare Hare and pour several fingers into a tumbler.
I don’t bother replacing the cork. It’s going to take a lot to get through the night.