Forever Love

by Chelsea Landon

  When the boys finally arrived we were in the heated pool. Alexa’s parents were cool as hell and allowed us to have a couple of beers as long as we weren’t going to be driving anywhere. I was just opening my second one when Landon snatched it out of my hand and downed the entire can in two gulps.

  “Landon,” I yell.

  He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, “Sorry, baby.” He grins then reaches for another, opens it and hands it to me.

  Landon slides in behind me and pulls me back on his lap, kissing and nipping at my neck. Landon is running on adrenaline, ready for tomorrow’s game and he’s looking to get rid of some it so he can sleep tonight. I know right now that I’ll be up late and I’m craving absolutely anything that he wants to give me.

  Steven is messing around with his music and hooks it up to the outside speakers. I catch him glance over at Alexa who shakes her head smiling and “Ice Ice Baby” comes on. I feel Landon’s hips jolt like he can’t sit still.

  “Show us those moves from the pep rally!” I yell over the music. It’s probably a bad idea but who cares. The boys need a little fun and not have to think about the game tomorrow.

  It’s all fun and games until Cash smacks his elbow showing Madison his dance moves.

  “Whoa!” Steven held up his hands trying to help Cash stand up. “That’s enough. You can’t get hurt!”

  Landon is talking to Steven and Alexa and I suddenly hear a loud flop followed by another. “Did you just strip?” Landon asks.

  Cash and Madison don’t answer, their faces connected as one, and I’m wondering how they’re even breathing right now. It’s dark since we left the lights off but you can still see silhouettes in the night. Landon and Steven drop their shorts and I see Alexa taking her top off. I look away not wanting to see anything. This is the shit I’m talking about. I’m not brave like them. My mind is running over the different scenarios about what will happen if someone catches us or sees me naked.

  I don’t even realize that Landon is swimming over to me until he nudges my legs apart. He kisses my chest right between my breasts. He wraps his arms around me and pulls on the strings of my bikini. I hold the little triangles against my boobs, “What are you doing?” I whisper.

  I see a smirk appear on Landon’s face, “Getting you naked.”

  “Not out here.” I try twisting away but he stops me.

  “Baby, no one can see you.”

  “Yes, they can.”

  “Do you think they care?”

  I think about that for a second, no one would care because they’re all busy worrying about each other. I take a deep breath and bite on my bottom lip before moving my hands and letting my top come off.

  Landon takes it and throws it somewhere behind me before attacking me with his lips. He’s everywhere all at once and all I can do is hold on.

  “Let’s go to bed.” Landon says nipping on my ear lobe.

  I nod because it’s all I can do. My body craves Landon in ways I can’t even comprehend. I’m convinced that he put a spell over my heart all those years ago.

  Landon stands and I wrap my legs and arms around him. He walks over to the stairs and out of the pool. We stop briefly to dry off enough so we aren’t dripping through the house. Landon picks me back up and we go into the house wrapped around each other. Madison and Cash are in one of the spare bedrooms and we’re in the one next to them.

  He lays me down on the bed and then peels the bottom of my bathing suit off. I’m completely naked and Landon rakes his eyes up and down my body, drinking in every inch, slowly. “You’re so fucking beautiful.”

  I blush, “I’m not.”

  Landon moans as he covers my body with his. His erection laying heavy against my core, “Shut up.” He pauses briefly to put a condom on.

  I moan as he grinds against me, he pulls back slightly and does it again before positioning himself at my opening. Landon pushes forward enough so his head goes inside and then stops. “You’re so fucking beautiful.” He repeats.

  I want to tell him to shut up this time but I don’t, I can’t. Landon pulls out and then enters me again. “You’re so fucking beautiful.” He says again. “You get this look on your face that I can’t describe when I’m inside you…it cripples me.”

  I try turning my head away from him not wanting to be under his gaze but Landon puts both of his large hands on either side of my face. “Look at me. When are you going to start seeing what I see?”

  “One day.”

  “Today.”

  Landon pushes all the way in and I cry out from the pleasure. We make love so slow that I’m convinced my body has become boneless when he’s done. He’s completely worked my entire body from head to toe. Never would I have thought that Landon Hayes, the bad boy himself, would ever fall for me.

  He may have taken my virginity but he didn’t give me his. I know that Landon has been with other girls but he doesn’t flaunt it in my face. He makes me feel like I’m the only one there ever has been. He tells me I’m the only one who matters when I try to talk to him about his past. I both love and hate him for it.

  “You’re mine, baby.” Landon says when he comes back from using the bathroom.

  “Forever.” I answer and place a kiss on his chest before falling asleep.

  December 4, 2010

  Game Day

  Steven, Cash and Landon are quiet all morning and remain stoic even through breakfast. This is the normal for them. They are in their own heads thinking about the game, getting pumped up.

  I get up early and cook everyone, eggs, ham, sausage, bacon, and hash browns for breakfast. The boys need a big breakfast before a big game like this. Landon already started drinking his Gatorade the second his eyes opened. I couldn’t believe he drank last night. Seemed pointless to me to drink and then replenish but that’s Landon.

  Once they’re done, the boys take off for school so they can catch the bus to the field with the team. When they leave, the three of us get ready to head to Portland later that morning.

  The game at times had me biting my nails but now that we’re in the fourth quarter, the score is 41 to 34 with two minutes left on the play clock, and I feel like I can breathe again.

  The guys are all in a huddle right after the two minute warning. Madison, Alexa and I are up on our feet cheering our boys on, our team on, these state champions on. We’re soaked from the rain from head to toe. I can feel my toes surrounded by water every time I jump up.

  Cash is trying to run down the clock so even if the Lake Oswego gets the ball back they aren’t going to have time to score. Cash hands the ball off and they make a few plays pushing the game down the field towards their end zone.

  There are only seconds left on the clock and I know, I just know, that Cash is going to try to make one last epic pass to close out their season. He wouldn’t be him if he didn’t. They break the huddle and line up, the ball is snapped moments later. Cash steps back in the pocket while Landon sprints down the field. I’m impressed that the boys are playing so well in these cold, rainy conditions. Cash throws the ball deep and Landon, who is down by the twenty-yard line, reaches for the ball.

  Madison and Alexa both grab onto my arms and with no time left on the clock Landon hurdles mid-air over a bunch of players and rolls into the end zone.

  They won. 47 to 34.

  The crowd goes absolutely insane, so much so that I swear I’m not going to be able to hear for a week. Everyone is up on their feet dancing around hugging each other. In this moment no one cares that we’re soaking wet and that our limbs have turned slightly numb and our noses are red.

  Canby High School is the state champions for the first time in twenty-two years. What a way to close out the season of our senior year. Another memorable milestone to add to our growing collection. We won’t have this again, not as high school seniors at least, so some celebrating is definitely in our immediate future.

  After the game, the boys are whisked on to the bus so most of Canby can congratula
te them when they arrive back home. As soon as I spot Landon, I take off for him and jump into his waiting arms.

  “I’m so proud of you, baby.” I kiss his lips, his cheeks, and then his lips again.

  Landon hugs me so hard it’s impossible to breathe but I don’t care. I’m so fucking proud of him and the whole team for how they played tonight.

  Landon sets me down, “You ready to get out of here?”

  I look into Landon’s eyes that are practically glowing. “Let’s go.” I’m so entranced that I don’t even care about the game anymore. The only thing and person I care about is Landon Hayes in this moment, nothing else even comes close to comparing.

  On the way to the car Landon lights a joint. He smokes practically every day, he says it keeps him calm and helps him focus. He has backed down a little since the start of the playoffs though. Honestly, I don’t know that I’ve ever known the Landon who doesn’t smoke. He cups my face with his hands and starts leaning in for a kiss but it causes him to drop the joint on the wet pavement.

  “Ah, damn it.” He sighs looking at the ground. “Hey, Madison, you got another?” Landon yells up to my sister who’s ahead of us.

  She holds her hand up and I see Landon’s shoulders slump in relief.

  Inside Steven’s moms’ SUV, Madison and Cash sit in the back. Landon and I are in the middle seat, Steven is driving and Alexa is in the passenger seat. Landon is all over the place and refuses to put on a seatbelt. He’s groping me and trying to get my bra off. His shirt is already off and his pants are unbuttoned. Somehow this doesn’t surprise me but I’m not having sex with him in this car, that’s for damn sure.

  Madison reaches in her purse and pulls out a joint, lighting it. She smokes and I hate it. I tell her all the damn time to quit but she says she likes it too much.

  Landon looks back when the smoke drifts around him.

  “Put your clothes back on!” I tell him, shoving his shoulder adjusting my bra.

  Landon laughs and grabs his flannel putting it on but doesn’t button it. “I’ll be takin’ yours off soon.” It’s a promise and I’m going to hold him to it once we make it to the house. We’re celebrating tonight.

  December 5, 2010

  2 AM

  I don’t have any idea what time it is, all I do know is we’re just outside of Buxton, Oregon. My eyes are drifting closed and I know time passes but I’m not sure how long. Landon is still going full force, wild and crazy. Madison is barely able to keep her eyes open but somehow she’s hanging in there and seems to have found her second wind. Steven is bopping his head to the music, his eyes on the road. I think Alexa has fallen asleep but I’m not sure. Cash is in the backseat and when I turn my head to look back there he has his hand down Madison’s pants. I blush turning back around attempting to gain control over Landon. Someone needs to.

  Minutes later Madison is jumping over the seat trying to get to where Landon is.

  “Landon, get back in the car!” I yell tugging on his shirt. He’s got a bottle of beer in his hand and he’s dancing hanging out of the sun roof with Madison now. “There’s a car coming get down.” I yell again but it’s no use. He’s wild and there is no taming him. Landon takes the joint Madison was smoking.

  Headlights illuminate the whole inside of the car blinding us all momentarily.

  “Landon, get down!” Alexa yanks on Landon’s jeans. He looks up and sees the car coming and tries to get down but Madison is there and he can’t.

  Steven swerves into the oncoming lane. “Landon, get it! It’s burning my back!” Fuck, Landon dropped the joint down his back.

  Madison falls down on to Steven when he swerves and then falls back into me, hugging me. Landon falls down on Steven next, then into Alexa before landing practically on top of Madison and me.

  I see the accident before it happens. I see the headlights, Steven swerves, and his hands are frantic to find the joint that’s burning him. I see Landon fall, Madison laugh. They have no clue what’s coming.

  I brace myself for what I know is coming. All I can think is everything’s about to change.

  When I try to open my eyes I quickly shut them again. The pain in my head causes me to lose my breath and makes me feel like throwing up. I try again but my eyes burn. I raise my arm to try to wipe at my eyes but immediately put it back down. Fire and pain overtake my whole body and I heave now. There is so much pain. I attempted to lift my head from the seat but it’s no use. I’m in that in-between place of knowing we were in a wreck and honestly not knowing if I was alive or dead. A surreal moment until I hear movement next to me.

  Landon’s door opens with a creak and he falls out. I start crying though it’s making my eyes burn even more because I don’t know what’s going on. It’s too quiet. Landon comes around to my side of the car because my sister is laying on the floor boards and Cash is trying to wake her up. Landon picks me up out of my seat and I wince as my head rests against his chest. He sits me on the side of the road and shrugs his shirt off.

  He holds it to my face, “I know your arm is hurting but you need to hold this up to your nose.” I do as he says. “I think your nose is broken.” That explains the burning feeling in my eyes.

  The quietness that I was yearning to be ceased now erupts to levels that are equally as deafening. Landon opens Alexa’s door and she’s screaming and fighting him trying to get around to the driver’s side of the car to Steven. I can’t see inside the car from this angle but I know enough that Steven isn’t moving.

  All I hear is Alexa screaming and glass crunching as Madison stumbles over to me and sits down.

  There is blood pouring from a gash in her head, she turns quickly and vomits. I rub her back; it’s the only comfort I can offer because at any minute I feel like I’m going to puke as well.

  Landon stumbles, his arm is bleeding from scratches and gashes all over his body. He leans over, his hands on his knees as he vomits, at the same time dropping his cell phone.

  Having no idea where my cell phone is, I stagger over the wet pavement and pick up his phone dialing 911.

  “911, what’s your emergency?”

  I try to talk but no words come out at first. I clear my throat and try again. “There was an accident. Uh…We’re on Sunset Highway…” I look around and spot the mile marker, “mile marker ten.”

  “Can you tell me if anyone is injured?”

  I look around taking in the scene, a lump forming in my throat. This can’t be happening. It can’t be. This is a dream. I mean a nightmare. It has to be.

  “Ma’am, are you there?”

  Is anyone hurt? How I wish that no one was but it’s not the reality.

  “Ma’am?”

  “Yes---”

  Alexa crying hysterically screaming at Cash and Landon, “Save him!” stops me from talking anymore.

  “Can you tell me what happened?” The operator’s voice is calm and even just like they are trained to be. “Are you there? Ma’am, are you there?”

  I hold Landon’s shirt up to my face again briefly when I taste the metallic blood running into my mouth. “We…uh…we were driving west bound down the highway and hit an oncoming car.”

  “Is anyone injured?”

  “Yes… there’s a guy… on the hood. I think he’s dead. And Steven…”

  “Steven what? Is he injured?”

  “Yes.” I cry out, Madison squeezes her eyes shut when she sees Cash take his hoodie and shirt off and pushes it inside the car in between the door and Steven. “Steven… he’s bleeding out from his side.”

  “Okay, compress the wound. I’ve dispatched aid vehicles. They’re five minutes out. Take a dry cloth and press it against the wound.” I yell out the orders to Cash, he’s already doing that. “If he bleeds through that, put another one on top of that. Don’t remove the first one. Just keep applying more and don’t move him.”

  I tell Cash everything they’re saying and look to Landon, his hands are on the pavement as he kneels on the ground. He vomits agai
n, maybe from the adrenaline rushing through him.

  Cars stop and ask us if we’re all okay. No one answers. We’ll never be okay.

  I start crying harder and I think the dispatcher knows this and tries to calm me. “Ma’am, stay calm. We’re sending help, please stay on the line with me.”

  “Okay… ” My voice trembles. In the distance, I hear the faint sirens and breathe a little easier.

  Cash puts one arm around Alexa and whispers in her ear. She’s fighting him and I see his mouth moving, speaking in soothing tones, trying to talk to her but she’s not having it. He’s so calm and collected you’d think he’d been in an accident before like this. I fear the worst in that moment like everything is suspended in life and we’re waiting for the inevitable impact.

  Steven dying.

  Landon is standing there hunched over just staring at the car, his eyes wide. He doesn’t know what to do. I want to go to him but I don’t.

  What do I say? What do I do?

  Madison lays her head on my shoulder and I feel the warmth of her blood soaking through my hoodie.

  Cash shakes his head walking away from Alexa. He comes over and wraps his arms around Madison and me. I rest my head against his shoulder, suddenly feeling too heavy to hold up. Alexa screams so loud I flinch and I feel Madison jump too.

  An older couple comes over to us a few minutes later after Cash walks away. The woman is asking Madison and me questions but neither of us are answering. What’s the point? It’s not going to change the events of tonight. There is some guy sitting next to Landon in the middle of the street and there are a bunch of people around Alexa and Steven.

  It’s too late…I want to scream but what’s it going to do? It won’t turn back the clock, lives have altered and been utterly ruined.

  The sirens from the cops, fire trucks, ambulances fill the quiet. There’s lights shining over the wrecked cars and it’s then that I see how bad the accident really is. It’s a miracle that the five of us made it out alive.

  An EMT bends so that he’s level with me. “Ma’am,” I look up, it’s all I can do. “Can you come with me, please, so that we can assess your injuries?”