by Celeste Buie
“I know, it’s like they’re in the same club,” I joked. “They probably have a mutual friend, because Trevor doesn’t seem to like Landon.”
“He’s competition, Brynn. Of course he doesn’t like him.”
• • •
Monday and Tuesday passed without incident. Landon came to school, bruise-free from what I could see. Meeting in a public place seemed to work out for them.
I didn’t know how to act around him anymore. I couldn’t help but feel I ratted him out to Trevor. Landon had kept that information from Trevor so he wouldn’t know he was going to my school, but why? It’s almost as though Trevor had been waiting for someone new to come around me since he made a point to ask that question at dinner and then again the last time we talked. Complicating it more, I felt a certain amount of loyalty toward both of them.
I started to feel sick Tuesday evening. It began with a dry cough, and once the sneezing started, I began to worry. A runny, congested nose and a pounding headache sealed the deal. I called it an early night and crashed.
School wasn’t a possibility the next day, and I hated missing school. The work added up quick, and I had to be selective of who I borrowed class notes from, because so many teachers used what they say in class on quizzes and tests. But I was too sick to care.
I traded off sleeping in bed and on the couch. It was the best time to have my favorite movies playing in the background, but I could only stand so much TV every day. In the midst of being half-awake, I spotted Landon sitting in the living room chair. Of course by the time it registered and I looked again, he wasn’t there. My mild fever was high enough to make me slightly delirious.
Overall, I missed two days. On Friday morning, I found Elyse at my locker.
“Glad to see you’re feeling better. I’ve missed you.”
“It’s good to feel normal again. I never fully appreciate my health until I’m sick.”
“So I have to fill you in on a bit of gossip going around.”
“Oh, yeah?” I leaned in. Elyse usually had the juicy stuff.
“Rumor has it you and Landon skipped together.”
I drew back in shock. “What?”
She shrugged. She didn’t believe it. She knew I’d tell her. Eventually. “Just sayin’.” She knew how much I hated missing school and that it would take something pretty important to make me do so.
Landon sauntered over. “Nice of you to finally show up,” he said.
“You should talk. I heard you were out too.”
“What else did you hear? That we were together the last two days?” he mocked.
“How do you hear this stuff?” Elyse asked.
“I pay attention. We don’t want to be late for class. Give them more reason to speculate,” he taunted.
I felt all eyes on us when we walked into the room.
Well, maybe not every pair of eyes, but enough of them. Let them talk. This was crazy. I never skipped with my boyfriend. Why would I skip with a friend? I wondered who started that ludicrous lie.
CHAPTER 22
Imagine Dragons, the band Elyse loved, added a show in a city near us, so we bought tickets and got ready at my house. None of our friends were able to go. Their excuses ranged from having to work, already having plans, or just couldn’t go. Maybe they didn’t like the band enough and didn’t say so because Elyse was so into them. In the end it was just the two of us, and we looked forward to a fun girls’ night out.
I was secretly relieved Landon wasn’t coming. I still hadn’t figured out how to act around him, and it caused me unnecessary anxiety. Should I apologize for telling Trevor? It wasn’t like I knew it was a secret I had to keep, and there really wasn’t a way out of Trevor’s questioning. Plus, having an ulterior motive was not my style, and it felt especially strange to know that he knew I had one, even though I knew he had one, too. Did I pretend he didn’t know? Or did I just accept that he knew? Or did I carry on how I wanted to? Maybe he thought I was upset with him when I was a little distant all week, or maybe he didn’t. I didn’t really care either way. I wasn’t going to ask him to come along with us. This concert was Elyse’s thing, so I let her determine who to invite.
We knew it would be standing-room-only in the small, seatless venue, so we left soon after getting ready. I drove us to the old converted church that functioned as either a concert venue or dance club depending on the night. Spotlights highlighted the tall steeple, making it easy to pick out amongst the surrounding buildings in downtown Pontiac. We parked in the lot nearby and shivered in line waiting for admittance; it wasn’t the best idea to leave our jackets in the car. The bouncer verified our tickets and stamped each of our hands with quick-drying ink to show we were underage. We followed the crowd into the main room, and I couldn’t help notice the piped-in background music didn’t match the genre we were here to see.
A group of guys by the bar made catcalls as we passed. I made the mistake of glancing their way to determine who they had focused their attention on. I met their cold, calculating gazes, and a bad feeling passed through me. Two of the four broke away and followed us, looking overconfident. Elyse and I managed to weave our way between enough people to make it halfway to the stage, but we didn’t manage to lose them. They talked to our backs as if we were participating in the conversation, inviting us to hang out with them after the show, offering to show us a good time.
Neither Elyse nor I acknowledged their presence, although we were hyper-aware of their nearness. Starting a conversation between ourselves wasn’t going to happen while they hovered around us, and I didn’t want them learning one detail of our lives.
Trying to ignore them proved futile so I stood on my toes and searched the perimeter for a bouncer. After I spotted one, I waved my arm to get his attention.
The guy closest to me huffed in annoyance. “Hey, I’m talking to you. It’s rude to ignore me,” he said as he put his hand around my waist and drew me close. His fingers cruelly dug into my side.
I tasted bile as it rose in my throat. I quickly spun toward him, and the action broke his contact as I’d hoped. “Don’t touch me,” I said through clenched teeth.
Elyse moved closer to my side. She looked over at the guy who followed her and said, “Not going to happen.”
By this time, the bouncer made his way to us and read the situation. “These guys bothering you?”
“Yes,” we answered.
He addressed the guys. “Come on, guys, find other girls, ones that show interest. Plenty of other pretty girls to approach tonight. If you don’t leave them alone, I’ll kick you out.”
The guy who touched me leaned in too close and I cringed. “You’ll see me again, that’s for sure.”
After they left, the bouncer spoke again. “I’ll keep an eye on them. And I really will throw them out,” he assured. “They’re regular troublemakers.”
“Thanks,” Elyse said. “Spencer, right? Didn’t you graduate a few years ago from Lake Orion?”
“Yeah, three years ago. I thought I recognized you two. Seriously, stay as far away from them as you can. I’ve suggested to the owners that they ban them, but they spend so much at the bar it takes precedent. They’re really aggressive, and I hope they leave you alone. I’ll watch out for you as much as I can,” he said and then returned to his post.
Elyse snickered. “Geez, nothing like creepy guys to dampen the fun.”
We shook it off as the opening band took the stage. They had a different sound than the main act, but it was easy to get into the spirit. They played a short set list, and the overhead music started again when they left the stage.
I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were being stared at. It distracted me from enjoying the moment, but I didn’t want to look around and make eye contact with those guys again. The last thing I wanted was to encourage them. And I certainly didn’t want him near me again. If Spencer noticed, he’d throw them out…but they could linger outside the doors or wait in the dimly lit parking lot for us to lea
ve. I could feel them gawking at us but keeping their distance, wherever they were.
The Imagine Dragons took the stage. I recognized the songs and sang along to many of the refrains. Borrowing Elyse’s CDs paid off. They were incredible live.
After playing an encore, the band left the stage. Elyse and I shuffled with the crowd to the exit. I heard shouting before someone shoved someone else between Elyse and me. Spectators quickly formed a circle around the instigators to watch the fight. I scanned the crowd, looking for Elyse. Panic rose as I lingered on each face, searching for her in the sea of onlookers. Voices roared around me; arms and shoulders pushed me toward the fight. I turned around to resist getting thrust into the temporary ring and shoved my way between the rowdy bystanders.
I could see the exit doors down the hall and headed in that direction, passing doors I didn’t notice on the way in. Someone stepped beside me, leaned close and said, “Hey again, gorgeous.” The smell of alcohol poured off him. He grabbed my arm and pushed me sideways into a room. He slammed the door, flipped the light switch, and turned around.
I gasped, recognizing his face and instantly knowing I was in trouble.
CHAPTER 23
My heart broke into a sprint. No one would hear me scream with all the chaos going on just outside the door. I quickly took in the room—my instincts told me I couldn’t turn my back on him. It looked like an office. There would be a phone in here. I also had my cell in my purse. But even if I could make a call before he snatched it out of my hand, no one would get here fast enough.
Elyse! I hope the other guys didn’t catch up with her.
“It’s an honor I picked you. But you refused me. No one refuses me.” His words slurred into each other.
He tried to focus his eyes. He advanced, and with each step he took forward, I took one backward. My mind raced for a solution. I sized him up. He was no doubt stronger than me, and I wouldn’t be able to fight him off for long, but there was no way I would give up without a fight.
“Perfect place to get acquainted, don’t you think?” he asked, advancing a step. I retreated another one, bumping into a desk. I circled around it and stood behind the chair, thankful I had two objects between us.
He gave a creepy smile. “You think I liked watching you dance? Especially since you rejected me?”
He started to round the corner of the desk, so I went the opposite direction, keeping distance between us. He darted in the other direction, and I did the same. I did this with Roxie at home, although it was a fun game in the safety of my house around the coffee table. The stakes were on a completely different level here. Was I fast enough to avoid him catching me if he rushed at me? How long could I do this? Someone had to come in here at some point.
I had to make a break for it before he touched me again. I formed a simple plan. The next time I was the closest to the door, I’d run for it and hopefully open it faster than he could get to me.
It took a few more times around the table to get up the courage. When he stumbled, I took the opportunity and bolted for the door.
My fingertips nearly reached the handle when he grabbed my shoulder. Something feral inside me awoke in that moment. I tried to shake him off, but his grip tightened. I winced from his force. He spun me around to face him, and I used the momentum to punch him. My fist landed somewhere between his cheek, lip, and nose. I didn’t do as much damage as I’d hoped, and he still had his hand on me. I went to knee him, but he used his leg to deflect it.
I screamed in frustration and jabbed him in the throat. It was the quick, reflexive action that gave me the advantage. His grip loosened fractionally. I wrenched my shoulder out of his hand and rushed for the door.
It opened unexpectedly, and I ran into someone. I fell backward. Before I could regain my balance, the newcomer grabbed my arm in a vice-like grip.
I twisted and pulled, ready for a fight, figuring it was one of his loser friends. I didn’t care that I’d have bruises there to match the ones on my shoulder.
“Brynn, it’s me.”
I froze. I knew that voice. I looked up at him, confused. It took a second to register that it was really Landon.
“You’re safe. It’s okay,” he said, gently pulling me toward him.
I took an unsteady step and clung to him, shaking. He wrapped one arm around me and rubbed my arm with his other hand. He stretched his leg to shut the door, putting us all in the room together. “It’ll be alright. Have a seat here.” I fell into a nearby chair.
He turned to the guy who had trapped me. “Apologize to my friend,” he demanded. I’d never heard his voice as cold and harsh.
“Or what, you gonna make me?”
Landon didn’t answer, but I imagined he raised an eyebrow in a challenge.
“Bring it, little boy,” my would-be attacker said. His eyes sliced to me, raking me with a cold, hungry expression.
Landon stood eerily calm and collected, waiting for him to make a move. Tough Guy shifted his weight from foot to foot and pushed up his sleeves, measuring Landon.
He charged and swung his fist at Landon’s head, but Landon dipped to the left. In a flash, Landon adjusted and gave the man two quick left jabs, followed by a solid right cross, connecting with his nose, which gave an awful crunch. Tough Guy stumbled back two steps, grunted in pain, and steadied himself for another go.
Landon readied himself, waiting for the attack. Tough Guy sprinted toward him, telegraphing his desire to tackle him, but Landon kicked his foot, and connected with Tough Guy’s leg, just above the knee. It gave a sickening snap. The man groaned and collapsed to the floor. He clutched his leg and swore in agony.
The fight was over in less than a minute.
Landon towered over him. “Don’t even think of getting up. I’ll make sure both legs are broken. Or worse,” he threatened. He composed himself, the anger in his face faded away, and his eyes flashed to me.
I let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding and felt my shoulders relax. Landon wasn’t hurt.
He crossed the room in a few quick strides. Suddenly he was in front of me, pulling me out of the chair. I wrapped my arms around his waist and leaned my face against his neck, trying to return my breathing to normal.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Yeah,” I managed, jerkily nodding. “I didn’t know you could fight like that. Thank you. I’m glad you can.” What I was saying?
He gave a soft chuckle, squeezing me tight and swaying side to side. “Me too. You’re not frightened of me now, are you?” he asked cautiously.
“No. You wouldn’t hurt me,” I said, placing my palm over his heart. “Why would you ask me that?”
“Well,” he turned and swept his hand toward the guy on the floor and swiveled back to face me. He stared at me, quickly scanning my face and shrugging. “Just checking. Can you try calling Elyse? I don’t want her wandering off and running into his friends.”
“Sure.” I extracted my phone and dialed her number. “Hey. Yeah, I’m okay. Long story. Where are you? Be right there.”
I slid my phone in my pocket. “You came just in time. How did you…I thought you couldn’t come?”
“Almost didn’t. It was a very last-minute decision to show up here.” He sounded apologetic and held the door open for me.
I walked out of the office, and he closed the door behind him. The venue was nearly empty. Only the bouncers and staff remained, cleaning up. The stage crew busied themselves dismantling the band’s set while the bouncer swept the floor. The same background music played. They must only have one CD on file.
Elyse’s expression went from worried to smug in seconds. She looked me over, clearly thinking of what she could say to embarrass me now that she could see I was all right. Her expression changed again. She looked accusingly at Landon, but instantly dismissed him as the cause. I wondered what she had seen on his face to make her change her mind so quickly.
“Oh my God! What happened to you?” she shouted while we were st
ill twenty feet away.
I glanced at my arm. It had a large red handprint on it.
Landon and I walked the short distance before I responded. “When the fight broke out, the obnoxious guy from earlier forced me into an office. Landon burst in the room and neutralized him before anything happened.” I almost laughed. Neutralized was a very weak description of what he had done. I shrugged my arm. “My only injury.” Then I remembered my shoulder and hand. “My hand kinda throbs from punching him.”
She looked at Landon with approval and admiration. “Well done, hero.”
“A hero walks away without unnecessary violence,” Landon countered.
“He deserved whatever you did to him. You didn’t see how horrendous he was earlier.”
He looked patronizing for a second, but his expression changed to worry. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
It took a few seconds for me to register that he was asking me. “Yeah.”
“You’re going to have to convince me better than that if I’m going to let you drive home.”
“Really. I am. I’ve stopped shaking, and my breathing is back to normal. See?” I held out my hand steady to show him.
“I’ll escort you two to your car. I can’t have anything else happen to you tonight.”
He walked us to my car and waited for us to get in, buckle up, and drive off.
“He seems more shaken up about what happened than you. How are you not freaking out?” Elyse asked.
I shrugged. “I was nearly out of the room and away from him when I ran into Landon. And as soon as I realized he was there, I knew it was going to be alright.”
“I would be a mess right now.”
“It didn’t take long to calm down after it was over. I shook for a bit, but he…” I stopped myself short of saying the words out loud as I thought of our embrace.
“What?”
I searched for different words. “Was really comforting.”