The tattoo in this chapter is above!! Just imagine it starts on the left shoulder and cascades to the right side. Btw, this tattoo is something totally random as I could not find one close enough to what I actually had in mind tribal-wise, so bear with me ð
Chapter Sixty-Nine: "Change."
THREE MONTHS LATER.
IT'S THE BEGINNING of April, the weather still cold but semi-tolerable, snow still packed on the ground. There's only a few inches left, but it's supposed to be in the positives this week so hopefully the grass will come back.
A lot has happened in the past few months. I needed to have 'the talk' with Landon at some point, and that was a few days after our kiss in the barn. He was really mad about me sleeping with Taylor, but I think he was even more mad about how Taylor treated me at the diner, which made me go over the edge. I also told him about our kiss outside the taxi. I told him it was strictly a good-bye kiss, and to me that's all it was. I like the new Taylor, but I like the old one better, because he wasn't as. . . hard on me as he used to. Landon was a little distant towards me for that week, but he came back once he realized that I didn't want Taylor anymore like I told him previously. After that, we've been going strong and we came out to the school as a couple a couple months ago. The McGibbon's and all our friends seem really happy for us.
When I told my friends back in California, they were extremely happy for me. Somehow word got around that I was dating a delinquent and Taylor seemed very worried for me given that I dated him, but I reassured him that Landon is nothing of that and he simmered down.
I think he somehow knew that we'd never become an item again.
I was right about my suspicions with Lance and Maya. Turns out, Lance was her shoulder to cry on when her boyfriend was being a douche. Apparently, she ended up kissing him and they started having a secret fling, which was then confirmed on the night I caught her and Lance in the bathroom. The two came out as a couple a couple weeks after that.
I still hangout with Carly and them. Atticus no longer tutors me since my grades have gone up, and I was sent to twelfth grade for second semester. I declined, because I wanted the experience and I liked having Atticus, Carly, and Landon in my classes. Needless to say, we are still close. Some days I sit with them, and others I sit with my boyfriend and his friends. Landon said he wouldn't mind sitting with us, but I told him it was completely unnecessary because of his feud with Atticusâwhich I still have yet to figure out the story behind.
Nobody knows where I live still, except for Maya, Zach, Jacob, and Atticus. I currently don't care if people find out, because I know I have the brothers and their family behind me.
Sadly, things at home aren't going well.
Turns out, the night I came home from L.A. was the night Ella caught Thomas kissing the secretary very inappropriately. A few weeks after that, Thomas was kicked out and lived in town for a week before he came crying back to Ella for forgiveness. She took him back, and the same thing happened: he slept with the secretary this time, and both were booted out of the house that same day. Liam held Ella back from strangling the woman, but I was so overwhelmed about how Thomas could hurt her with a slut that I actually went outside and slashed all of her tiresâincluding the spare.
I have no regrets.
Since then, the house has been somewhat happier, though I can tell the boys still miss their father's presence. Ella, however, is still sad but she's happy she caught him now before it really hurt her. Thomas said that it was only the third time, but that was three times too many for Ella so she dropped him.
Annabelle hasn't tried anything, but she still gives me the eye that she knows something I don't. Little does she know, though, that she's going to be facing the same problem I am.
Yes, I am going to get my revenge for her partially blinding me, and Stacy isn't off the hook, either.
"Will someone please tell this chick to stop?" Louis exclaims. "I'm trying to study over here, and she's cussin'!"
I am currently playing Liam at Mario-Kart and cursing profanities because I keep falling off the damn road on the course Rainbow Road.
"Louis, put some headphones in then." Lance chuckles.
"When is Landon going to be home anyway so she can finally leave?" He grumbles. I giggle and then yell out when I fall off again.
Stupid fucking Luigi and his bumping.
Landon is currently at work, and is soon to return to pick me up to take me to school for volleyball practice. I've actually taken into a sport, and I'm quite good at volleyball compared to when I last tried it a couple years ago.
However, I don't actually have practice until tomorrow. Today, I'm actually going to get my tattoo that I told myself I was going to get in California but backed out when my Taylor and Landon drama happened.
I changed my mind for the tat, though. Instead I'm just going to get a tribal tattoo that spreads across my left shoulder to in between both shoulder blades.
"Four." I reply.
"Eugh!" He groans. "Thirty more minutes to deal with you."
"Oh, shut up you wimp." I retort.
"Make me, taco lady." He shoots back.
He's been calling me that for a while now.
I don't pay attention to him and continue on trying to beat Liam.
In the end, out of the thirty-two games we played, I came in sixth place in total. Liam, who is a cheater, stood on the highest podium in the end, winning the gold trophy for his gay ass coming in first place.
I'm cursing bad words in Spanish when the front door opens and Landon strolls in, his eyes trained on the loud screaming I'm doing, wide with amusement.
He tosses his keys on the table. "Am I missing something?"
"Nah," Liam shrugs. "Just Brooklyn whining about losing."
"I didn't lose, you cheated and I demand a rematch!"
"Baby, he can't understand you." Landon chuckles, making me scowl at him. He disappears for about ten minutes before reappearing, his hair wet and clothes changed. "Ready to go?"
I huff out in annoyance, nodding. "This isn't over." I say to Liam.
"I'm sure it's not," he teases. Lucas takes this opportunity to face off Liam, and the two start a new round while I grab my bag and phone.
Landon takes my bag off my hands as I throw on my Uggs and leave the house.
"So," he starts when we enter the warm truck. "Why practice on a Saturday?"
I shrug. "Tournament coming up." Not a hundred percent lie, we have a huge tourney the week after this. We made it to Internationals, making us verse teams from all across the world, and right in the nick of time for my probation to end. Turns out, I was wrong about my probation period since when I thought it ended at the end of the school year, it actually ended at the end of first term, meaning the second week into February.
Internationals is held this year in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Landon, Liam, Maya, Lance, Carly, and Becca are coming as well, since Maya, Carly, Becca, and myself are on the team and the boys are coming to support us.
We leave on Friday, not coming back until the Sunday the following week. I'm actually very excited, and not because of travelling with my friends. I haven't been to Vancouver in a while, and honestly I miss the Rockies and the Pacific Ocean.
I've told Lacey and the gang about it, and apparently their team made it to Internationals, too, so they'll be there as well. Well, her and Justin I know for sure anyway. I honestly can't wait for them to meet Landon in person, and even some of my friends. Hopefully they all get along.
"You have all week practice still," he says.
"Yeah, they've been holding a couple weekend practices a month getting ready for them. Apparently Bear Creek Memorial is big for volleyball."
"Yes, we are." He smiles. "We've always made the top three in finals."
"Really?"
"Yes, ma'am." He grins.
"Sweet." I grin back.
"Can't wait to see you in your tight little booty shorts." He says, his eyes blazing.
Landon and I haven't had sex yet, even though neither of us are virgins. We've only fondled and made-out, but I'm hoping when we make it to Vancouver, he'll want more.
"Can't wait to show 'em off for you." I say back.
His hand reaches across the center console and grabs onto my knee, keeping it there until we reach town.
When we finally get to the school, I grab my bag and exit. Luckily for me, the tattoo parlour isn't that far from the high school, since we're close to downtown.
Landon parks in the roundabout and we meet each other halfway in a deep kiss. "I'll call you when I'm done." I mumble against his lips.
"Okay," he whispers, pecking me again. "Have fun."
I wink at him before exiting.
***
"Whoa!" I squeal after seeing the ending result of the tattoo. "That's amazing!"
The tribal design kinda looks like wings, just by the way it's spread. It spirals towards my right shoulder blade, where it comes to a sharp stop. It didn't hurt too much, but it wasn't a joyride, either.
I changed my mind about getting the lettering and such, and decided that tribal was just the way to go. Personally, there is no story or symbol behind this tattoo, I just thought it was really nice and wanted it.
The man grins at me before putting some bandaging over the newly painted-on ink. He helps me put my sweater back on before he runs me through the warnings and taking care of it, before we walk to the front of the store for me to pay. I thank him once again for his service before walking back to school, entering through the back entrance since that's the shortcut to the tat place and walking to the front where I see Landon's truck patiently parked.
"Hey." I say, wincing slightly as I reach for the door handle.
He frowns. "Are you okay?"
"Oh yeah, I'm great." I smile.
He nods unsurely before starting the vehicle and driving us home.
***
I wince once we climb the stairs to my room so I can get in my comfort clothes.
"Brooklyn, that's the third time you've winced since I picked you up." Landon says, his voice sounding a little annoyed. "What's wrong? Are you sure you're fine?"
"Yes, I swear."
He stares at me, unconvinced. "Okay, good, because we need to talk."
I gulp. Oh no. "About?"
"Why you lied to me." He says.
"Ughâ"
"What's the real reason you made me drive you to school?" He interrupts.
I sigh. Damn it. I toss my gym bag on his floor and take a seat on his neatly made bed. "How did you know?"
"I went inside to watch and nobody was in any of the gyms."
I mentally facepalm. I am an idiot. "I'm sorry."
"What'd you actually do?" He asks. He doesn't sound mad, he just sounds confused.
"I didn't want you to argue with me about this, so I figured I'd do it and then tell you about it later."
"Do what?"
I take a nervous breath. I don't have a shirt on underneath my sweater, since I didn't want to wince anymore from removing layers, so I am currently braless and shirtless. I look down at my fingers, playing with them before turning to Landon and pointing at my sweater.
"Take it off?"
He eyeballs me carefully, trying to find a trap hidden within my words. "I don't thinkâ"
"I'll answer your question after you take it off."
I give him a few moments to collect his thoughts, and when he finally catches on, his eyes widen and he gulps. "You're sure?"
"I am."
He barely nods, walking over to the door to close and lock it before scooting closer to me. I turn around, bracing myself.
I feel his fingers at the hem, his warm palms brushing against my skin as he tugs the material closer to my head, and I feel him tense behind me when he reaches the bandaged fabric, that stretches all across my left shoulder, towards my right.
"Did you hurt yourself?" He asks softly. "What's this bandaging about?"
"Take it off." I whisper. It's been a few hours since I got it anyway, about the time the tattooist said it was okay to remove.
He doesn't answer and instead takes my sweater fully off, and I use the sheet at the end of his bed to cover my chestâthose don't need to be showcased right now. When I'm bare, his fingers move at the tape and Landon sucks in a breath when he removes the layer.
"Holy fuck." He gasps. His hands immediately touch around where I got the tattoo, and he's silent while he soaks it in.
I give it five minutes before I break the silence. "Well?" I mutter, my voice barely a whisper. His reaction has me sitting on the edge. "Do you like it?"
"Like it? It's amazing." He whispers, massaging where I know it's red. Landon has a tattoo on his arm, but it didn't require bandaging because of where it was located so he thought I got attacked by a bear again.
I gasp when he gently kisses the skin; I close my eyes while he trails soft pecks around the design, biting my lip trying not to moan because it sends shocks throughout my body.
The contact has me going wild, and for what I'm not sure but I feel so many things whenever he touches me.
Somehow, someway, his kisses are now under my ear and when I feel something hard press against me, I move forward slightly, losing the contact on my neck which makes my skin go cold. I turn sideways, using my fingers to grab his hair and pull him to me so I can stare into his beautiful crystal eyes.
"Soon?" I whisper. Even though I've already done the deed and wouldn't mind doing it again, it was Landon's idea to wait. He said he wanted me, not just my body, and when we finally got past our bumps in the road, he said he didn't want to dive right into sexual acts. He wanted to wait a few months where we actually knew more about each other naturally than just interrogating one another like we used to do.
I had no problem with that, as long as I was getting him and everything with him, I didn't care.
"Very, very soon, love." He whispers back huskily. I smile widely and pull him closer, kissing him.
For the next little while we just make-out and straddle until dinner, and Landon even got some boob action since I was too indulged in his touch and kisses that I managed to drop the sheet from my chest. I didn't care, because honestly, he saw them before and now I'm back to normal with self-confidence and I love my body. I'm still on antidepressants, but Boise said I'm doing extremely well and that I could be getting off them before the school year is up since I'm only taking them when I'm upset, which isn't often.
"Guys! Seriously stop sucking face for five minutes to come eat!"
I giggle as I pull away from Landon and while still sitting on his lap, grab my sweater and throw it on. "I'll be seeing those later, right?" He smirks.
"We'll see." I wink and climb off him.
Landon follows me downstairs, where Ella is cooking up a storm. Tonight we're having steak, mashed potatoes, corn, and squash, and I honestly haven't felt so hungry for food in ages; it feels great.
I hear Landon chuckle from behind me when I moan loudly at the food placed on the table. It looks so damn good, I'm drooling.
Plus, I've never seen so many steaks on a table before; there's gotta be at least two for each person, and I think there's extras for those who want it, and I'm so glad this family had money because this is literally Heaven.
"Someone's eager," Lucas laughs. The little boy is so cute, I can't even hold anything against him. Especially his learning, he's gotten very well with Spanish lessons. He knows a lot, and I can actually have a conversation with himâto a degree, of course.
"Are you kidding?" I squeal. "This is like Christmas except it's food!"
"Well hopefully we can see you for Christmas this year?" Lucas says hopefully.
I smile back. "I'd love that."
"So would I," Landon whispers in my ear, sending shivers down my spine.
As of yet, I still haven't chosen what I want to do yet. I have many reasons to go back to California, but I have just as many reasons for staying in Canada. Maybe not Thunder Bay, perhaps, but maybe someplace more. . . warm. And less snowy. I've come to hate snow with a burning passion, and though it may be beautiful, it just isn't for me.
I blush at his words and start eating. Oh my God, this is so, so, good.
***
"Come on, you two." I grin at the two Piebald ponies. Little Paint now has a real name, Dexter, and he is now just over three months old. Estrella is about seven months old and she and Dexter have been inseparable since I brought her little brother into the same stable. They made a very powerful bond, and it's very rare that they're apart. Estrella still, thankfully, remembers me and our connection so whenever I do chores or practice some training with her, she gives me her full attention.
Landon has been the sweetest lad and has offered to be my helper with breaking in and training Dexter and Estrella since I know some information about riding and training, but not enough to the point where I could break them in and train them very well. Landon, however, has broken in about six horses hereâexactly the ones I met when he first put me in the field when I first arrived here and all those horses swarmed me.
The two horses stop chasing one another around the field behind the house, and run towards me instead.
I squeal in surprise, about to move out of the way because I know they're both going too fast that they won't be able to stop in time, when suddenly I'm jerked to the side, right as the two goofballs have slowed enough to not crash into the wall once they're inside the barn.
"Jesus Murphy," I gasp, holding my hand against my rapidly beating heart.
"Easy there, tiger. Try to stay clear of the danger zone, okay?" Someone whispers in my ear, and I gulp, struggling to catch my breath.
When I finally compose myself, I'm set free. "Yeah," I say, spinning around to see my saviour.
"Hey, I'd rather not have my girlfriend broken and in pieces." He replies.
I giggle and wrap my arms around his neck. "Thank you."
"Nope, no thanks for me. Never a problem; not when it's you."
"Can't you ever just be normal and say 'you're welcome' like a normal human being?" I demand.
He chuckles. "No, I'm afraid not. Have you met my family? We're the complete opposite of normal."
"I've noticed." I grin cheekily.
He leans down and places a sweet kiss on my lips. "What else do you gotta do?"
"Put the chains on their halters and I'm pretty sure that's it." I say, thinking hard about my chores. I already let the horses in, watered and fed them, and cleaned their stalls. As far as I know, that's all I had to doâat least for today.
"Did you A.I. the pigs?" Landon asks me.
I frown. "A.I.? What pigs?"
"The pigs in Barn 1. Didn't my mom tell you?"
"Tell me what?"
He chuckles. "I guess not, then. Well, Baby Blue, you have to A.I. You know, artificially inseminate."
"I know what an A.I. is, Landon. My question is, why do I have to do it?"
I don't really have a problem doing the pigs since there isn't much to it: stick the tube up their opening, put the semen attachment on the tube, squeeze to get 'er goin' and move onto the next one. The only downfall I hate about it is that sometimes the tube won't go in easily so you'll have to massage her vulva to loosen her up.
"It was my dad's job, and Lucas still can't get it right." He explains. "If you don't want to do it, that's fine I'll take over."
I sigh, and scratch my head. "No, it's fine. I'll just have to go in earlier."
"I know it's more difficult considering you have to shower every time you have to do them, but Lucas can't remember and we have customers that want us to showcase a few of our horses in a huge Show Horse tournament coming up andâ"
"Landon, I know, it's fine and I said I'd do it. Stop making me feel bad." I cut him off, offering a small smile.
He smiles back and hugs me again. "You're amazing, you know that?"
"How can I forget when you tell me all the time?" I tease.
"Good point. Go halter those horses and I'll meet you back at the house. I still have some chores to do so I'll see you in a bit; I just wanted to check up on you."
I notice his eyes unfocused, and grab his arm. "Hey, are you okay?"
"Hmm?" He hums and reverts his gaze back to mine. "Me? Oh yeah. I'm good."
"You sure?" I ask, unconvinced.
He kisses my lips, trying to reassure me but I know too well that it's not something someone can hide easily from me. I'm very good at reading people, and I've been hiding secrets for so now that I've mastered it and it's easy for me to recognize when someone is trying to do the same thing.
A goofy smile appears on my lips when we pull away, and trying not to make him get curious, I nod. "Alright."
Landon kisses my forehead before he leaves the barn and I quickly chain the ten horses that came inside, thinking about why he seems to be acting somewhat. . . distant and in a daze. It's only been a few days since he's been like this, but it still worries me. Whatever it is, I know it's bothering him and I just hope that he's not in any trouble or that I've done something wrong.
The last thing I want is a repeat of history.
***
"Brooklyn, I need to talk to you."
My ears perk up from my Chemistry textbook and I turn my head to the door, wondering what's happening.
My heart starts to race and I find myself thinking about all things I've done wrong in the past week that could result in this here moment. The desperation in Landon's voice has me thinking I've done something wrong, which makes me feel like utter crap because we've been doing so well since I've returned.
When he comes downstairs, I look up at him to see his eyes wide, chest heaving, and a nervous bounce in his toes. He doesn't look angry or upset, so I feel like I can relax more and take it that I'm not in trouble.
I frown and take my glasses off, rubbing my eyes. "Are you okay?" I ask. "You look like you've ran to town and back and never stopped."
"I'm okay," he says, his voice a little hoarse.
I get up from the barstool at the island and walk over to where he stands near the fridge. I stop when I'm a few feet away, leaving him some distance to collect himself and not feel overwhelmed.
"Landon, are you sure?" I question again more softly.
"Okay, no, I'm not. Well, I am, but I'm also not."
I scrunch my eyebrows up in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"I'm actually okayâeverything is fine, I'm just. . . overwhelmed, I guess? I don't know what word to use but I feel like I've just come to some huge realization, you know?"
I smile gently. "Yeah, actually I do."
He sighs and takes the few steps towards me, grabbing my hands. His are cold. "Come talk."
I let out a nervous breath and nod, leading him to the living room. The house is empty, which isn't often nowadays because Thomas and the secretary are absent now. We've been alone maybe twenty minutes, and I decided to study while Landon went up to shower. We have at least another hour before someone comes home.
"What's up?" I say when we sit down.
"Look, I know we leave tomorrow, but I want to get this out now because I can't hold it in much longer," he explains, and I breathe in, nodding for him to continue. He gathers my hands again and kisses my knuckles. "You've been here, what, six months?"
"Seven," I correct him.
He chuckles. "Right, seven. Anywayâwait, have I told you what I felt when I opened the door to you?"
I purse my lips, thinking about it. As far as I know, he didn't. "No, no I don't think so."
"Okay." He huffs. "Well, when you knocked on the door, I was really confused because, you know, we live in the middle of nowhere and it's not really often we get companyâespecially unexpectedly so I just assumed that my mom or dad just forgot to tell us we had family stopping by." He starts. "Anyway, so when I seen it was you, my confusion grew even more and when I saw your face, all bruised and black, I felt immense anger towards whoever it was who hurt you. Why someone would want to do something to a beautiful face like yours was beyond me and I didn't like how I felt that way when I hadn't even spoken a word to you.
"I honestly don't know why I played the cocky card, but I actually felt pretty bad about it since I didn't know the story behind it or anything, and I didn't want to set you off in anyway. I'm not going to continue it because I know you still haven't told me, and that's totally okay, andâ"
"Okay," is all I can say. "It's okay."
He clears his throat before continuing. "Um, so, anyway, I don't even know how to explain it but I felt. . . compelled to know you better, I suppose? I don't know why but I felt this huge attraction towards you to get to know your deepest thoughts. I guess in a way attraction definitely was a key component in this situation but I think as another was that you weren't from here and were all mysterious. It was hot. You got me hot and bothered so many timesâ"
"Are you about to reveal some weird sex fantasy you have?" I question, almost teasingly, just to lighten up his mood because he seems awfully flustered about this. On another note, if he was, I wouldn't mind knowing. He seems like someone who can make you have a good time, if you know what I mean.
He chuckles dryly, shyly, and I grab his arm. "I'm sorry. Continue." I press.
He coughs. "Right. Well, to get down straight to my point is to say that. . . I like you. A lot. A lot to the point where it scares me and that I oftentimes find myself dreaming of waking up to you beside me."
"Oh, Landonâ" I start, only to get cut off.
"Blue, this is me telling you that I'm. . . falling for you. Hard."