Brooklyn.“Hi, there, Q.B.”My eyes roll skywards at the name, I don't even need to turn around to know he is the one. Instead, I slam the car door shut and bring out my phone.Alan steps into the passenger seat and twists back to look at me.My eyes lift up to him as my nose crinkles, “what?”He smiles, shrugging before turning front. He taps on the driver who brings to drive away from home and my sweet mate.Shrugging, I look back to my phone when it pings. My eyebrows furrow when I see that someone is sending me mail. Intrigued, I tap on it and the message tab opens. My eyes part open softly when I see Landon's Gmail address as the sender.I read through it. I gasp softly at what it entails. Alan looks back at me, but I ignore his concerned looks. Is he serious, right now??? To be sure, I read it again.Dear Brooklyn McBroom,I hope this message finds you well.This is to formally invite you as one of the chair holders of the council members for the innate inauguration of the chair
BrooklynOkay.Who asked me?Why didn’t I just keep quiet??Why did I have to suggest meeting a crowd of people???There are over 10,000 heads out there right now!Oh, goddess.Can I back out?!A delicious short laugh — one I’d rather not hear right now — comes from beside me. I glare sideways at him, and it vibrates into a long laugh.“Damn, stop acting cute.”“Cute?!” I swerve in my seat, eyes wide and mouth open in shock. I’m having the worst internal panic attack of my life, and he calls it cute??“Really?!”“Okay.” I see the laughter dancing in his eyes, but he dares not let it out.“Let’s take a deep breath.”He breathes in, and I do. Landon glances at me, then back at the road.“Good. See? It’s just people.”And the panic returns.Does he seriously have to remind me immediately after?He chuckles.“Stop looking so constipated, Brooklyn.”I snort, smiling.“Constipated, really? Here I thought I was acting cute a minute ago.”He swaps his right hand for the left one on the steeri
LANDON“You’re not thinking straight,” my dad says before he crosses the doorway of my office. I continue to scribble angrily on the paper. He shuts the door behind him. “You are putting the people in danger,” he adds, trying to make me see sense.I cling to the pen, the clenching of my fist around it makes it snap, and I let the broken pieces fall on the table. Forcing in a deep breath, I look up at my father. “If it were Mum, would you tell me this?”He looks taken aback by my question and flounders for an answer before sighing. “No.”Sweeping the broken pieces aside, I grab another pen from its holder. “Anything else?”“Son—”“Father,” I call out in warning. Maybe he is King. He’ll do worse or better—I don’t particularly care. But I am King, and when it comes to the ones I hold dearly, I’ll do anything. Anything. “Anything else?” I repeat.In resignation, he steps away from my table. “I hope you know what you’re doing.” With one last contemplative look my way, he walks out of the o
BrooklynFor some reason, I look to Maddie for approval before going to the front door to let Mike in… and Alan. I pause when I see more than just a head there.“I didn’t know you’d be coming,” I say, referring to them.“Landon didn’t mention us?” Mike asks in confusion.“He did—”“That solves it, then,” he answers, pushing me aside and stepping inside.I gawk at him, but it’s nothing new. I let Alan and James walk in.“Queen,” they bow in greeting.I nod tentatively before trailing after my friend, the guards behind me. However, Mike freezes when he sees Maddie in the kitchen, eating ice cream.Quickly, he recovers himself and approaches her, smirking.“Who do we have here?” Mike Ross glances back at me, his eyes crinkling at the sides. “I had no idea you know her.” Without waiting for a response, he leans toward her. “Hi, Mads.”I try to hide my smile as I go for a bottle of water. The idiot likes her.Maddie’s face turns crimson, and she looks away from him, a permanent scowl on he
BrooklynI sit by the window, counting the minutes until Landon’s return, even though he didn’t mention when he would in his letter.The letter. A little blush coats my cheeks as I recall it. It’s already imprinted in my mind because I read it over five times, not willing to get over it yet. My breath comes out short as I realize the fact again: I love him.The front door opens, and someone walks in. I frown but don’t move from my spot. From what I know, only Landon and I have access to the front door.A familiar scent that’s not yet stabilized in my mind floats in. I look up at the face. Maddie. She smiles widely when she sees me, and I try not to grimace.“How did you get in?” I choose to ask instead.“I live here,” she says like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. I lift my eyebrows. Funny how Landon, in his sweet full letter, forgot to mention that we’re taking in his baby sister. She watches me.“You didn’t know?” Then scoffs. “Of course, you don’t. I’ve been staying here f
LandonTop of the morning to you, lover.When you get this note, I’ll be gone. I wish I could stay with you until I see those pretty eyes—those eyes I call mine—but you look so peaceful and sweet that I don’t want to disturb you. I fear I can wait no more, and how that saddens me. But on a bright note, I should be back home early.Please, eat your meals, take as much breathing space as you need, and rest. Mike will drop by later, as well as Alan. Maddie and Riley may be here too. I’m sorry I packed so many people around you, but if I’m not there to watch you, they will. And I trust them. I told them to give you space, though. When you ask for it, it’ll be yours.And try not to miss me too much.Laters, babe.Xoxo,Landon.I drop the note by her phone, where I’m certain she’ll see it immediately when she wakes up and doesn’t find me beside her.My gaze falls on her once more, and I feel my body slowly relaxing—though I’m certain it’ll tense right back up once she’s out of my sight. Her