Landon's Obsession: An Endless Series: Book 3 (Series 3) (7 page)

     She didn’t do such a great job at attempting to ignore
me. As I had noticed before, she couldn’t conceal her emotions worth a damn; her
hands started to tremble, she gave me numerous half-lidded anxious glances, and
her cheeks flushed pink…a very pretty pink. That blush highlighting her creamy colored
skin made her even more beautiful.

     Shit! I didn’t want to notice that right now.

     Suddenly, she slapped her hands on the table in
frustration. “Will you stop glaring at me!”

     “Why, is it bothering you?” I cocked my brow
insolently.

     She glared. “It
is
a little disturbing.”

     I gave her a hard frown. “Do you know what I find
disturbing? Having someone just walk away from me with no explanation.”  

     She flushed further, but looked mutinous, but uneasy as
well. “Well…I was working. There are things I needed to get done. I wasn’t
there to just hang around wasting time like you were.”

     Anger sparked inside me at her attitude.  “I was
helping you. I didn’t have to, but I did.”

     Her eyes slid sideways and I thought I detected shame.
“Yes, you helped me, but I didn’t really need it…” Her gaze connected with mine
for one second before shifting away. “Or want it. If you’re looking for an
apology, then I’m sorry for just walking away, but I’m here to do a job, that’s
it.” Looking back down at the silver bowl in her hand she began rubbing again,
hands still trembling.

     I stared at her in astounded anger. I can’t believe she
was giving
me
a brush-off. No one snubbed me. I’d never thought of
myself as exceptionally snobbish, but the fact was my family was extremely
wealthy and influential. People made every effort to become part of my sphere,
not alienate me.  

     But even though it had never happened before I
shouldn’t be this angry. I wasn’t that narcissistic. If anyone else had said
those words I
know
I would have brushed them off and walked away no
problem. I didn’t give a shit what most people thought about me, but having
those words come from her rankled me for some reason. Especially after the talk
we’d shared.

     I stood up abruptly causing the chair to skid back and
topple over. She jumped and stared up at me apprehensively. “Get that chair for
me, will you?” I sneered walking away.

∞                   
∞                    ∞

     For five days I was barely at the house; I partied,
drank, and fucked. The girls that came on to me I treated like shit, and the
one that put up with it the most I picked for the nights entertainment. It was
amazing to me how much they all put up with just to get a chance at me, hoping
for more.

     Maya hadn’t wanted a chance at me. I’d thought we’d
been getting along really well, but then she’d thrown attitude at me. I wonder
why she didn’t want me near her. I knew I could be a bit of a prick, but I
hadn’t with her…all that much.

     Well, I wasn’t going to be asking what her deal was, or
go looking for her anymore. She’d made it clear that she didn’t want me around
so I’d stay out of her way. If I was anything it was obliging. 

     Fuck, I was drunk; random thoughts of her kept floating
into my head without me being able to stop it. I didn’t want to be thinking
about her, but the alcohol was messing with my head, and resolution. The bonfire
in front of me was also messing with my head. I swore I was starting to see
images in the flames.

     “Hey Landon. You’re looking a little lonely over here.”

     I didn’t have to look over to see that it was Crissy
that had just sat down in the sand next to me. I’d unfortunately heard her
whiny voice enough to pick it out of a crowd. A bunch of us had decided two
days ago to travel down to Virginia Beach to party at Brick’s beach house,
another teammate, for the weekend. It seemed Crissy and several other girls had
found out and followed us, and now there were over three dozen people down on
the beach drinking around a bonfire.

     “I’m not.” I lifted my beer and guzzled down one-fourth
of the bottle.

     “Oh, come on, Landon. Haven’t you forgiven me yet for
sneaking into that bedroom? I’m sorry; I thought you would like the idea.” Her
whiny voice became cajoling.

     Maya had such a soft voice. It didn’t grate across my
nerves the way Crissy’s did.

     Shit! I was not thinking about her. Lifting my bottle I
guzzled more.

     “I
did
get you off, and I don’t believe for a
second you were thinking about someone else, because there’s no one you care
about enough to think of.” Crissy continued.

     I finally turned to look at her. The fire highlighted
her heavily made-up face. Maya didn’t wear any make-up, she didn’t need it.
Swearing inwardly at my continued thoughts of her I returned my attention back
to the fire.

     Crissy leaned over setting her hand on my leg and
squeezed. “You look like you need to get rid of some frustration. Baby, I’m
here for you, and you know I like it hard.”

     I actually considered her offer for a second. Using
Crissy hard sounded pretty good right now. But she’d overstepped that night,
and then thought to control me, and the way she was acting right now told me
she hadn’t gotten my point. And the point was that I wasn’t interested any
longer. The reaction I was having to her hand on my leg reiterated that; it
wasn’t doing anything for me.

     “She had dark glossy brown hair, dark chocolate eyes,
and smelled like vanilla and coconut.” I stated before downing my beer.

     “What?”  

     I gave a deep sigh at Crissy’s forgetfulness. Could the
girl not keep up? I was drunk and I was paying attention just fine. I turned
and gave her an annoyed look. “The girl I was thinking of when you fucked me.
She has dark brown hair, brown eyes, and smells like coconut and vanilla. She’s
shorter than you, and has smaller breasts, but I bet they’re prettier. She’s
prettier too.” I grinned evilly, knowing that would set her off.

     Crissy’s face pinched like she was eating a lemon. She
snatched her hand away. “You are such an asshole!” She yelled jumping up.

     I laughed darkly. “I thought you were asking.” She
stormed away and I yelled out after her. “Hey, she’s a bitch too, so don’t get
too upset.”

     “Landon, buddy, I think its time to cut you off.” Todd
walked over and crouched down beside me. He was grinning, but I could see he
was serious, even in my drunkenness.

     “Whatever. I’m ready for bed anyway.” I grumbled.

     “Anyone here you want going up with you? That chick,
Sandy, the one you had last night, is ten feet in front of you and has been
waiting for you to give her any sign of encouragement. I’m sure she’d love to
tuck you in.”

     Burping, I staggered to me feet, “Actually, I’m not
feeling too well. I think I’m going solo tonight.” My gut was not happy with me
right now. I stumbled toward the house. That girl Todd was talking about began
walking toward me but I saw Todd intercept her, warning her off. I gave him a
half-hearted wave in thanks.

     I made my way through the house and up the stairs to
the bedroom I’d been using for the last few days. Without bothering to remove
my clothes I crashed on the bed and was out minutes later…when the room slowed
down to a sluggish spin.

     I woke up—I don’t know how much later—my gut cramping
painfully. For what seemed like hours I suffered through it, hoping it would go
away, but it only got worse. I was nearly in the fetal position it hurt so
badly. Realizing this wasn’t some drunken hangover problem, I grabbed my phone
and texted Todd. He was only down the hall, but I wasn’t up to go searching for
him.

     Five long agonizing minutes…hours…later when he didn’t
get back to me I knew I had to go seek him out. Groaning, I hauled myself to my
feet and lurched down the hall to his room. Not bothering to knock I barged in.

     “Todd.” I yelled.

     He jerked up to a sitting position in alarm. “What…what’s
go’in on?”

     There was a girl in the bed with him and she jolted
awake as well, sans clothes, but I cared less at the moment. “I need you to
take me to the hospital.”

     “What are you talking about?” he mumbled, rubbing his
face.

     “My gut is killing me, man. I need to go to the
hospital.” I groaned.

     “Of course your gut is killing you; you were drinking
like a horse. Just puke it up. You’ll feel better.” Todd grunted, squinting at
me.

     I groaned as another wave of nausea and cramping hit my
lower abdomen. “This isn’t from drinking, Todd. I need the fucking hospital.” I
snarled loudly.

     His brows rose recognizing how serious I was and he
swung his legs around to the side of the bed. “Okay, okay, dude. It sounds
pretty damn bad. What do you think the problem is?” He asked, reaching down for
his shorts and shirt.

     “Hell if I know, but my gut feels like someone’s
twisting the fuck out of it.” I groaned out.

     He rushed toward me pulling my arm over his shoulder.
“Have you been puking? Do you think its alcohol poisoning?”

     I hadn’t drank that much. “No, it’s something else, but
I do feel like I’m going to puke.”

     He guided me down the hall. “Could it be your
appendix?”

     I groaned as the pain hit me hard. “Maybe…I don’t
know…I just feel like shit on shit.”

     He gave a worried laugh. “That does sound bad.”

     “You have no idea.” I grunted.

     On the way to the hospital Todd called my parents. My
dad said he was on his way and would call the hospital to make sure I was seen
quickly. Sure enough, when Todd pulled up to the emergency doors orderlies were
waiting to take me in.

     Within minutes of checking me out the doctor was
convinced it was an acute appendicitis and rushed me into surgery. 

∞                   
∞                    ∞

     “Mother, you don’t need to stay home with me. The
doctor said I’m fine; all I need to do is rest and take it easy.” I growled
irritably.

     I had my surgery at three A.M. on Monday morning, and
the hospital had discharged me twelve hours later. It was now Tuesday morning
and my mother was threatening to stay home with me.

     I’d rather go through the surgery again.  

     “You know you wouldn’t be in this condition if you
hadn’t been partying and drinking so much.” She complained for the thousandth
time.

     I rolled my eyes. “So now you’ve come up with the cause
of appendicitis when the rest of the world is still struggling with the cause?”

     She frowned down at me. “Landon, don’t be smart.”

     “I can’t help it, it just comes naturally.” I smirked.

     “From the attitude you are giving me I believe that you
are fine to stay home without me.” She straightened from my bed, smoothing her
dress, and then leaned down to kiss my forehead. “While you are resting and
taking it easy for the next ten days you should take the time to rethink
working for you father for the rest of the summer.”

     I held back the eye roll…until she turned away. She was
going to use this next week to hound me into changing my mind. I really needed
my drawing supplies.

     My mother stopped at the door. “Stay in bed today. If
you need anything call for Rita.”

     I scowled as she walked out the door. My mother’s idea to
change our housekeeper’s name still didn’t sit well with me.

     Removing my blanket I shifted my legs slowly to the
edge of the bed, and then to the floor. The new incisions in my lower abdomen
pulled and the muscles protested painfully, but it wasn’t unbearable. Standing,
I shuffled my way over to my desk, and after gathering my drawing supplies I shuffled
back.

     Blowing out a sigh of respite I relaxed back against a
mound of pillows. Turning on my stereo for background noise I started to draw.
The fire from Sunday night popped into my head so I focused on that, if it was
in my head I needed to get it out or it would bug me incessantly.

     A few hours later I began to get tired, from the meds
and recent surgery, and dropped off to sleep. When I woke up there were a
couple of bottles of waters on ice and a bowl of soup set on a heating plate to
keep it warm. I was under orders to eat soft foods, hence the soup. I
appreciated that the food was waiting and that I didn’t have to call down for
it. Maya might have been the one to come up and I didn’t want to see her. I’d
made the decision to just stay out of her way for the rest of the time she was
here. Actually, I’d planned to not be in the house at all, but it was still
feasible to stay out of her way with how large the house was.   

     The next few hours I watched television, texted a few
people, and sketched some more, before falling asleep once again. This next time
I woke up my father was in the room and we watched some lacrosse together.

     That was my first day.

     The second day I knew if I stayed prone all day I would
go nuts. One day of inactivity was fine, I could handle that, but I couldn’t do
it again. I needed to get up and move around, even if I did shuffle like a
geriatric.

     Grabbing my drawing supplies, my phone and ear bud’s, I
made my way downstairs. I figured I’d sit by the pool and soak in the warm
weather until I couldn’t handle it any longer and had to seek air-conditioning.

     I was hobbling past the kitchen when I heard the voices
of Maya and her mother. Unable to help myself I stopped to listen.

     “It’s unfortunate that Landon will be stuck at home for
the week. You will have to take extra precautions to stay out of his way, Maya.
He’s going to get bored and you will be a perfect target for that boredom.”