“Leave it,” Jay said with a glare. His posture did not promise good things in the event Landon pushed him.
Landon closed his burning eyes, feeling a keen pain in his chest. “Can we just be civil? You can punch me later, okay.”
“Landon,” Jay said on a frustrated sigh. When Landon opened his eyes, Jay had deflated, cheeks pinked a little, embarrassed. “I’m not going to punch you. Let’s just drop it for now.”
Landon swallowed and nodded. That was all he could manage. The door behind them slid open and loud laughter from the patio could be heard. Landon turned with a grin and held up the marshmallows. “Dessert!” he said to his mama.
She smiled fondly. “Such a child.” She spoke to Jay next. “We can never have a fire without this one wanting to roast marshmallows. It’s been his favorite forever.”
“At least I didn’t make up roasted hot dogs this time, too.”
“Thank Heavens for small favors,” she said. “I’m just glad you’ve got skewers.” Again to Jay she turned to speak. “He’s made us mess up more than a share of wire hangers over the years just for a hot dog and a marshmallow.”
“Worth it,” Landon chirped, turning to Jay. Jay looked between Landon and his mother with something akin to amusement. The slight thaw was enough to make Landon’s muscles relax.
“You boys go on out. I’ll bring the plates,” she told them. Landon and Jay gratefully fled the kitchen and gravitated back to where they’d been before, Landon frying with his dad, Jay sitting at the table with Landon’s friends.
The rest of the night went fairly smooth. Mitch and Brittany regaled Jay with stories of Landon’s misspent youth, which made Landon’s parents squirm in their seats. Bastards.
The night wound down, his parents leaving not long after dinner and a couple of roasted marshmallows. Everyone got a little more tipsy while Landon worked to clean up. Mitch and Brittany were staying at Landon’s that night, so he decided to let them enjoy themselves.
He was pretty surprised Jay hadn’t left yet, but Jay probably needed to sober up before driving the few miles home. Country roads around there didn’t have traffic often, but they were curvy and narrow, so drunk driving down them was not recommended.
“That bitch,” Mitch grumbled, following Landon in the house.
“What?” Landon dropped the tray he’d been carrying into the dishwasher, then took the plated Mitch held. Mitch looked out the sliding glass door toward the bonfire.
“Damn straight girl comes all the way to the country on a Saturday night and still ends up getting laid.”
Landon’s heart stopped. He jerked his head up from where he’d been watching water push scraps down the disposal. “Say what now?”
Mitch held his hand out toward the doors and Landon followed Mitch’s gaze. Brittany and Jay weren’t touching, but they stood very close. Very. And Landon would recognize Brittany’s I’m getting lucky posture as she listened raptly to whatever Jay said. He was playing the simple country man out there with his beer and his charming smile.
Landon wanted to vomit.
“He’s not really the one night stand type,” Landon said, mostly trying to convince himself. Last time Jay had the offer, he’d not exactly taken it up.
“Why shouldn’t he?” Mitch asked. “She’s hot. And she’s got a soft spot for the wounded country boy routine he’s got going on.”
Landon scowled down at the sink, rinsing off the last of the silverware before placing it in the dishwasher.
“She always did have a thing for divorcees.”
“Ooh,” Mitch said, the sound almost a laugh. “Look at you being a nasty bitch.”
Landon scowled again, then tossed over his shoulder, “No. I didn’t mean it that way.”
“Mmhmm,” Mitch hummed.
“Were there any more dishes out there?”
“No. That’s it.”