Fair Play Read online

  “Yeah,” is all I mutter.

  “Do it after we get dinner,” he says with a laugh. “I don’t want to be kicked out without a full belly.” He laughs and takes off running and I just shake my head. But he’s right, I don’t want to screw up Thanksgiving dinner tonight, and ruin it for everyone, especially my buddy, who chose to come with us and support me, instead of going home. Not that I can blame him. He doesn’t need a weekend with his parent riding his ass. Brady is under enough pressure as it is.

  I reach the group, and note Ivy sitting off to the side, plucking at the grass. “Hey,” she says when she sees me.

  “Are you playing?”

  “No, I’m going to sit this one out.”

  “Not feeling well again.”

  “Something like that.” She nibbles her bottom lip, like she has something very important to tell me. I guess it will have to wait. Her father is already putting the teams together.

  “Landon, son, come over here, you’re on my team, and Brady you’re with the others.”

  “I thought you wanted your team to win, David,” Brady jokes with a smirk as he’s introduced to his team members. I’m introduced to mine, and I catch the way both sisters are sitting on the sidelines, opposite each other.

  “We’re a player short, with Ivy sitting it out,” someone on the other teams calls out. “Hey Ella, get on in here.”

  “I do not play football,” she says. “I don’t even know the rules.”

  “We don’t have too many for the game this year,” her dad says with a laugh. “Just get the ball over to the other side of the field. Come on, we need you.”

  She grumbles, sets her camera down and pushes to her feet. “Fine, I get out of dish duty tonight if I do this.”

  “I’ll do the dishes for you,” Brady says.

  “I’ll help,” I call out and she arches a brow at me.

  She points to us. “I am not interested in eating dirt today.”

  “Then you’re on the wrong team,” I say, and she glares at me.

  “Landon—” she begins, and I have to say, I like seeing this playful side of her.

  “I got you, Ella,” one of the guys on her team says. As jealousy rages through me, I size the guy up. He looks to be about my age, and size, although stockier, and his muscles weren’t built in a gym, they were grown on a farm. I hate the way he’s standing so close to Ella and toying with one of her pigtails. He puffs his chest out. “They’ll have to go through me to get you.”

  Oh, is that right. Challenge accepted.

  “Brooks,” Brady yells, likely to snap me out of my trance. “Prepare to be annihilated.”

  “Want to make it interesting, Parsons?”

  “Sure, I’ve got nothing to lose. Right, team?” Everyone is laughing and smiling, enjoying our good-natured ribbing. “What do you have in mind?”

  “Whoever loses cooks and cleans for the next month.”

  He throws his arms out, and his face twists in playful disgust. “Then I have to subject myself to your sub-par meals. How is that a win?”

  I laugh and toss the ball at him. “Let’s play.”

  For the next hour, we have a blast, playing fast and loose with the rules. This game is just about getting out, spending time with friends, and forgetting about the score. Although we are up, and I can’t seem to help the competitive streak in me.

  We all line up again, and the guy with the cannon arms, I think his name is Titus or something, stands close to Ella as they break from their huddle. He says something to her and she smirks. Okay, so she’s the one to watch. Not that I haven’t been doing that all along.

  With the ball in motion, Ella starts running toward me, and I stand there, ready to block her when she turns around and holds her hands out for the ball. Okay, I have two choices here, let her get a touchdown, or tackle her to the ground. While tackling sounds like a hell of a lot of fun, I don’t want to hurt her, so I try to block her. She darts around me, and the ball zings over my head. I could easily have stopped it, but the smile on her face is all the win I need. She catches the ball, and jumps up and down, and my heart swells inside my chest with all the things I feel for her.

  “I got a goal,” she says and dances around.

  “You got a touchdown.” I give her a high five.

  “Wait, how many points is that?”

  “After all the games you’ve recorded for the team, you still don’t know?”

  “Sorry, not sorry,” she says and I laugh.

  “Six points, Ella.”

  Her big blue eyes go wide. “That means we won. We won, Brady!” she calls out and he runs across the field and picks her up. Her team goes crazy and I just laugh as I watch her peacock around the field. With the game over, we take a few minutes to give everyone our autographs and spend a few minutes talking to the families, as Titus drops down into the grass with Ella as she fusses with her camera. It’s easy to tell he’s sweet on her, and she’s so incredibly nice to him. Would Ivy be so nice? I already know the answer to that, and once again, the question of why me pops into my brain.

  We say our goodbyes and we all head back to the homestead, everyone happy and tired. Ivy lags a bit behind, texting. She pretty much texted the whole game, and I honestly hope she’s feeling okay.

  The delicious smells hit as we enter, and I stretch my arms out, desperate for a shower. Ella groans as she catches her reflection in the mirror. “I need a shower.”

  “Go on up,” Corinne says. “Dinner will be about thirty minutes. That will give you all time to shower, and Ivy can help me set the table. Maybe that will get her away from her phone for a minute. What could possibly be so important, anyway?”

  I was beginning to wonder the same thing. We all head up, and Brady heads toward his room. “I need to call home. Dad sent at least a dozen texts,” he moans with a frown as he checks his phone. Ella and I stand outside the bathroom door. “You go first.”

  She arches a brow and toys with the doorknob. “You know, you didn’t have to let me win.”

  I lean a little closer, let her sweet scent tease my senses. “You think I let you win?”

  “I think you easily could have tackled me if you wanted to.”

  “Are you saying you think I didn’t want to tackle you?” I tease.

  “I don’t know what I’m saying, but now you’re stuck cleaning and cooking for an entire month.”

  “I don’t mind. It’s better than taking a chance on hurting you.”

  Her eyes drop, her face falling, a good indication that I already hurt her, which leads me to believe all the more that she’d come back for her phone. Fuck, I want to apologize, I want to explain, I want to make things right between us, but she backs up and closes the door, abruptly ending our conversation. As I stand there staring at it, I vow that before the night is over, I’m going to get everything out in the open.

  After she showers, and heads back to her room, I jump in and pinch my eyes shut, trying to dispel the image of her in here naked, or think about the fact that the soap I’m using on my body had just been on hers. A groan crawls out of my throat and I resist the urge to tug one out in the shower. Brady is waiting for his turn, and it probably wouldn’t take long, but I’m going to wait. I’m going to make things right with Ella and she’s worth the wait.

  I finish up, dress in a pair of nice pants and a button down, and meet everyone downstairs as Brady gets himself ready. Ivy and Ella are both in dresses, and her folks are dressed up too. Tonight, Ella has her hair down, and I love the way it frames her pretty face.

  “How about a beer, son?” David asks as he cracks the can and hands it to me. I take a long pull, as Corinne pours three glasses of wine. She clinks glasses with Ella and Ivy and everyone takes a sip.

  “I love having the house full for the holidays,” she says. “You know you’re all invited back for Christmas.”

  “I’m sure their families will be expecting them home for Christmas,” Ella says, and as I look at all the food on the
counters, Ella continues with, “Mom, did you know Landon is a great cook?”

  Her mom’s eyes light as Ivy snaps, “How do you know that?”

  “Oh, once when I was tutoring, I had some of his pasta.”

  “Are you done tutoring?” she asks.

  “When this term ends, I will be,” Ella says, and I catch something that looks like possession with a hint of anger in Ivy’s eyes before she quickly blinks it away. What the hell? I must be mistaken. These girls are sisters, and Ella would do anything for Ivy. Even steal, which of course is a big secret. She said the only thing she wanted that year was to see her sister happy, but I can’t help but wonder if there was something she wanted from Santa, and if she got it. Brady comes downstairs, interrupting my thoughts, and we all get ushered into the big dining room as Corinne carries in the dishes.

  We talk about nothing and everything as we gorge, and underneath the table, Ivy puts her hand on my lap. My gaze instantly goes to Ella, but she’s busy saying something to Brady. I’m not with Ella, but I feel a huge amount of guilt at the way Ivy is touching me. I ignore it and take a big swig of beer, as conversation turns to Ivy and theater. I don’t follow along. No, I can’t settle myself, can’t stop thinking about what I have to say to Ella once the dinner dishes are cleared and I can get her alone for a minute.

  Soon our plates are empty, and Corinne smiles at us all. “I hope you all left room for pie.”

  “I’ll get it.” Ivy jumps up. Everyone seems surprised by that. “Landon, will you help me?”

  “Sure.” I push from my seat and follow her into the kitchen. Once we’re alone, she tugs me to her. “About time I got you alone,” she says and I put my hands on her shoulders, about to push her away, tell her I can’t go there with her, but what she says next, the two little words that slip from her lips, turn my world inside out and prevent me from speaking. I grip the counter to stop the spinning, to stop myself from falling as my rattled brain works to catch up. Fuck. This changes everything. Like every fucking thing.

  So much for talking to Ella after the dishes are cleared and getting everything out in the open.

  19

  Ella

  “What’s taking them so long?” Mom asks, and I cringe to think they’re in there making out. She reaches for the water pitcher. “I’m getting thirsty.”

  “I’ll get it.” I jump up. One I don’t want Mom walking in on them, and two, I’m a masochist at heart, obviously that’s already been established.

  I catch Brady’s eye, the curious way he’s watching me, and as I walk to the kitchen, my legs are stiff, everything about me suddenly self-conscious, like I’m being judged. The French door leading from one room to the other is open, and I push through it, only to come to a resounding stop. What the hell? My throat tightens as I listen to them talk in whispered words, and a part of me hopes, prays, I’m hearing them wrong.

  Ivy is pregnant!

  What the ever-loving fuck. My sister is pregnant, and the man I’ve been crazy about forever is going to be her baby daddy. I must be hearing things. How can this be real? Oh, because they’ve been sleeping together, Ella. A noise I have no control over crawls out of my throat, announcing my presence, and as my brain kicks my ass into gear, I plaster on a smile and bounce into the room, pretending I haven’t heard anything. Yeah, I’m good at pretending. Good at pretending that I don’t care about Landon, that we didn’t sleep together, didn’t share many moments over the last few months, or the real biggy, that I didn’t witness Landon and Ivy in bed together. Who knew I was the award-winning actress in the family?

  “Are you going to share that pie or eat it yourselves?” I joke, my voice light and chirpy despite the storm raging inside me. I walk around them and fill the pitcher, hoping the running water will drown out the sound of my heart crashing against my ribcage.

  “On it,” Ivy says, one set of footsteps on the floor as she heads to the other room. I don’t need to turn around to know Landon is still standing there, probably shocked in place.

  “Are you coming, Landon?” Ivy asks.

  “Ah, yeah. Ella, do you need help with the water?”

  “I scored a touchdown,” I remind him, attempting a lighthearted tease. “I think I can handle a pitcher of water.” What I can’t handle is seeing Landon’s face right now. I might just burst into tears. How could Ivy have gotten herself pregnant? For as long as she’s been sexually active, she’s been on the pill. I snort. What the hell am I saying? Why am I putting the blame on her? It takes two. This is just as much Landon’s responsibility as it is hers. Another thought hits. What the hell does this mean for the future, for their careers? Will she keep it? Does she want it? Does he? Are they going to tell my parents this weekend?

  I’m about two seconds from dumping the entire pitcher of water over my head to slow down my thoughts, when laughter comes from the other room and shakes some sense into me. Clearly, they’re not in there sharing the news, because I don’t really think this is a laughing matter. How either of them can go back into the dining room and pretend all is right in the world is beyond me. I know I can’t pull it off. I guess the Oscar really does go to Ivy.

  I try to keep my hand steady as I carry the pitcher of water to the table and set it down. “Are you okay, Ella?” Mom asks, as she blinks up at me.

  “Just so tired. It’s been a long semester, and a long day. Is it okay if I call it a night? I’ll do all the dishes tomorrow.”

  “You don’t have to do that. You helped enough today.” Mom stands, and in typical Mom fashion, she puts her hand to my forehead. “You are feeling a bit warm. Go lie down and we’ll take care of this. I’ll come check on you later.” I give her a kiss on the cheek, and keep my eyes off everyone else as I walk through the dining room and head for the stairs. I dash up them, push open my bedroom door and throw myself onto my bed.

  With my insides tight and tears pounding behind my eyes, I stare at the ceiling for a long time, until the sun sets and the house settles. I roll to my side, and look at my phone through the blur of tears. Reaching for it, I run my finger over the screen, wanting to call Peyton and tell her. Heck, I tell her everything. But this isn’t my news to share. I groan, and indulge in a pity party for a little longer, then push to my feet, and work to ignore the ache inside my body, right around the vicinity of my heart. Hugging myself, I walk to the window and glance out into the dark night.

  I guess Ivy is going to need me now more than ever, and I can hardly believe I’m going to be an aunt. Dammit, I’m going to be the best aunt. If she decides to keep it, that is. Landon’s mother is a minister. I can only imagine she’d expect Landon to do the right thing, and have the child. My God, does doing the right thing involve marriage too?

  My forehead thumps against the cool window and I pinch my eyes shut, considering all the scenarios. My phone pings and I nearly jump out of my socks. I hurry to it, and scoop it off the nightstand as I plunk down on my bed. My pulse jumps when I see a message from Landon.

  Landon: How are you feeling?

  Me: Much better, thanks for asking.

  Landon: Is there anything you need?

  Another groan crawls out of my throat. There is plenty I need, but I don’t think we get to do a do-over in this lifetime. Landon slept with Ivy, and now she’s pregnant. The sooner I accept and deal with it, the better.

  Me: No. I’m good. Why are you still up?

  Landon: I could be asking you the same question.

  Me: I’m just getting ready for bed. You should do the same.

  Landon: In bed. Can’t sleep. Lots on my mind.

  I run my finger over his words, touching them. Do I ask him what’s on his mind, and pretend not to know?

  Landon: I was thinking of a walk through the orchard. Want to join me?

  I stare at my phone, and while I want to say yes, in my heart I know I need to say no. The less time I spend with him the better. Then again, if he’s going to be a part of the family, there’s no escaping, is there?
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br />   Landon: I’m afraid I’ll get lost in the orchard and never find my way out.

  Me: Okay, meet me by the apple bins.

  Landon: I could meet you in the hall.

  Me: I don’t want to wake anyone. Just meet me outside, and go out the front door, the back screen door squeaks.

  I stand, shove my phone into my back pocket and tug on a sweater. This is a mistake. I totally know it, but I suspect he might need someone to talk to.

  I stand at my door listening, waiting for him to make it downstairs, and then quietly open it. Keeping the lights off, I make my way down in the dark. I step outside and take a big breath of night air, letting it soothe the anxiety inside me. I peer into the dark, and can make out Landon’s shape out near the barn. I head toward him, the night sky bright with stars.

  “Hey,” I say when I reach him. I can’t quite see his face in the dark, but can hear the stress in his voice when he says hello. “You want to go for a walk?”

  “Sure.”

  Grass and hay crunch beneath our feet as we head out into the orchard. A comfortable quiet surrounds us as we walk, both lost in our own thoughts. Finally I break the quiet and say, “Most of the trees are picked clean by now, but a few of the later apples are still on them. Want to go grab one?”

  “Sure,” he says and I chuckle. “What?”

  “That seems to be your word of the night. What happened to that great vocabulary of yours?”

  Our knuckles brush, and I can almost feel him relax beside me. “Just a little lost for words tonight,” he says and I nod in the dark, even though he can’t see me.

  “Come on,” I urge, and take his hand, sensing he needs a reprieve from reality, if only for a little while. “Let’s go do something fun.”

  “Fun is good.”

  We walk and walk and walk, until we reach our neighbor’s farm. I put my hand to my lips to make sure he stays quiet. “Where are we?” he asks in a whispered voice. I take my phone out and put on my flashlight app. I shine it on the corn stalk maze.