Sweetest Obsessions - Anthology

by Anthony, Jane

  My father wrapped me in his arms again. “That was a very grown-up thing to do.”

  I sighed. “I’ll take another glass of wine please. My heart hurts so bad. Sometimes I can’t breathe.”

  “Sounds like you were in love.”

  I pulled back, wiping my face. “Dad, more wine please.” He filled my glass.

  Still no eye contact. “Thanks, Dad. I’ll be in my room if you need me.”

  My brother was in great spirits that weekend. I slept on our plane ride back to school. The moment the flight attendant said we were landing in Boston. I sat up straight.

  “Vicky, are you, all right? You hadn’t said two words to me the entire flight.”

  The jet wheels brushed the runway. I sighed. “Hayden, junior year is tough. You’ll see. I’m gearing up for finals.”

  I attended Harvard with Owen. Hayden attended Yale.

  “Oh, yeah. Best of luck, sis.”

  I stepped over and kissed his cheek. “Talk to you later, Hayden.”

  He had his best friend back. I had nothing.

  Sitting in the stands, I watched Zander hurl the football down the field to his teammate. I blushed and my heart beat a mile a minute. Yup, you guessed it. I was watching the love of my life live his life.

  Ok, Vicky, after the last quarter tell him you enjoyed the game. I exhaled. Staring at the score board clock, I waited until it read double zero. Walking down the steps toward the field, I halted. Two girls ran into his arms. My smile dropped. Pulling my hood over my head, I vacated the bleachers. Then returned to school.

  Christmas rolled around. I thought maybe just maybe, Zander would join us for Christmas dinner like he’d done over the years. But no Zander. I cried myself to sleep wearing the T-shirt he left behind in Cali. I hadn’t slept in it much. Didn’t want the shirt to lose his scent. After break, I returned to school. I buried my head in my books.

  All I could do was attempt a face-to-face meeting. I needed to grow big balls to stroll through Zander’s dorm building and knock on his door. His eyes widened and his chest heaved. He hated me. Zander stepped back, so I had a good view of his female company.

  The bitch needed to leave he was mine. She pretended to behave rational and sweet. Fuck, sweet. The thought of Zander fucking her made my blood boil. Summer. What a cute little seasonal name. The bitch kissed Zander and had the audacity to glance at me. Rotten little troll be gone, I thought as she disappeared out of his room.

  Why did I ask Zander if he fucked her? He told me he would fuck women once we went our separate ways. I had no one else to blame but myself. The anger that poured over his words as he admitted he had sex with her broke me.

  Broke me like a brittle twig.

  I was brittle. Taking care of myself wasn’t important anymore.

  “Are you eating her pussy?”

  How crazy was I for asking that question?

  Bat shit crazy at this point.

  Tears rolled down my cheeks.

  Zander pulled me into his arms. Inhaling his scent made my pussy soak and wet. He was all I wanted.

  I continued to unravel once we were alone in the hotel suite.

  Victoria Gaster a fucking weak person for a fucking man. Not just any man.

  A man who was off limits.

  A man who was my brother’s best friend.

  I threw the antique lamp, shattering it against the wall. Admitting how he made me vulnerable knarred at my nerves. Zander wrapped me in his arms. He admitted he couldn’t have sex with anyone other than me. How could I let him go?

  We’d built up so much animosity toward each other over six months it was difficult to see how we’d make it through.

  My feelings were still crushed he’d left me in California without saying goodbye. I stormed into the shower and pounded his chest in raged. It didn’t matter he agreed to be with me. My heart was still scarred.

  “I missed seeing your face every day.”

  His words brought me back from my thoughts. The soap lathered over his chest. He smiled and watched intently as I cared for him.

  “My father told me what happened after I left the hospital. You and Hayden argued. Our fathers realized you two were arguing over me.”

  I peeked into his stormy blue eyes.

  “Shit. I was pissed. Not sure what I said. They sedated me after your father pulled Hayden out of the room. My father never said a word. I hate to let down your dad. He’s done so much for me. Was he upset?”

  “He said it was big of me to walk away to make my brother happy. My dad said it sounded like I was in love. He even uncovered you and I were together for the remainder of the summer. He appeared sad for me and you.”

  “Well we're together now.” He kissed my lips.

  “Yes.” I closed my eyes and breathed.

  We didn’t leave the hotel room that weekend. There was plenty of make-up sex.

  Monday, morning I studied in the Princeton business library. Zander gave me a copy of his class schedule. I waited outside his last class of the day.

  Students poured out of the class. Each time the door opened I caught a glimpse of Zander and Summer deep in a conversation. Maintaining my composure, I waited patiently. Not sure why the long conversation. We’re a couple. Bam! End of fucking discussion.

  Zander held the door open for Summer. I stood upon their exit. Her arms crossed her chest. She glared and stalked toward me.

  “I was finally making progress with him. I didn’t know you were the woman who broke his heart until today.

  He was fucked up because of you. Go crawl back into your hole.”

  I stepped closer. “You first,” I snarled through gritted teeth. “You know nothing about us.

  Our history.

  Our love.

  You rebound seeker. Find a man who’s unattached.”

  Zander placed his hands between us. “That’s enough, ladies.”

  I stormed out of the building. Not waiting for Zander. What bullshit did he feed her?

  “Victoria,” I heard his angry, powerful, sexy deep voice at my back.

  Zander snatched my arm, pulling me to face him. “Victoria, I only told Summer we broke up last summer and we hadn’t talked. She knew I was in a bad place. She thought she could help.” He released my arm and caressed my face. “You know you’re the only woman I want in my life. Forever.” The blistering cold wind swept through us. His lips melted into mine. Warming me from the inside out.

  “Come on. I need to get you inside and warm you up.”

  “Yes, warm me up, baby.”

  14

  Victoria

  Zander’s big, strong arms caged me in a dark corner. My eyes scanned the room over his bicep. Students cheered as the ball slammed into the red solo cup on the Ping pong table.

  “Yes, I am the master of beer pong!” the guy yelled, tossing his fist in the air. Students loud banter continued around us. My heart pulsated to the beat of the music, vibrating the Frat house walls.

  Life was spectacular. Zander and I had been together for two years. One more year of college and we’d graduate. I was completing my Masters of Science in Business Administration. Zander was enrolled in classes year-round. He’d soon graduate with his Bachelors of Science in Architecture from Princeton. Next year we’d move back to Atlanta. Zander would transfer to University of Georgia and work toward a Masters of Architecture. He planned to later work on his law degree.

  “Do you love me?” he asked.

  “Oh, baby, do I ever. You make me a good person.” I slipped my tongue between his lips.

  He pulled back and smirked. “Baby, sorry. You’re a spitfire. You don’t take anyone’s shit. You’re actually evil, but I love you anyway,” he stated into my ear in a loud whisper. Zander gripped my ass, grinding his cock against my pussy.

  “Stop before we end up in a random room having sex. Again.”

  “True. We could just go home.”

  “After we dance. We work so hard we should enjoy our one night out. I
’ll grab a couple of beers.”

  “Yup.” He slapped my ass as I stepped away.

  I waved at Abigail as I entered the kitchen.

  She’s sweet. Abigail’s from Savannah, GA.

  A real Southern belle. Nothing like my snarky southern ass. Not sure how we’ve remained friends for so long. Zander’s wrong, I’ve changed a little.

  “Vicky, come here.” Her big beautiful brown eyes lit up.

  I joined her in line.

  “I’m having so much fun. How about you?” she said with a thick southern drawl, positioning a long brown curl over one shoulder.

  “I told Zander I need one more dance and my night would be complete.”

  “You’re so lucky. He’s super-hot. You said he and his brother look a lot alike and he attends our school.” She scanned the room.

  “Yeah, but I hadn’t seen Owen tonight.”

  Zander made Owen promise not to tell Hayden about our relationship. He hated being in the middle because he was friends with my brother too.

  Her eyes lit up. “You’re right Owen looks just like an older version of his brother.”

  I glanced over my shoulder. “Shit!” My eyes bulged.

  Hayden’s eyes met mine. I waved and turned back.

  “Vicky, what’s wrong?”

  “My brother’s here. He didn’t tell me he was visiting this weekend. Abigail, I’ll catch you in a sec.

  And I’ll introduce you to Owen.” I smiled.

  She ran her hands over her short red dress. “Ok.”

  I sashayed across the kitchen in my studded Jimmy Choo’s, and silver and white short dress. My hair was swept off my neck in a ponytail.

  “Hayden!” I wrapped my arms around his neck.

  “Vicky, I didn’t realize I was coming until a couple of hours ago.”

  He stepped back. “I know you said to call if I’d need a place to crash. Troy and I wanted to hang. Owen said he knew of this killer party happening tonight. The entire gang is here.”

  I held a tight grin on my face. “Hey, Troy, Zander. Owen, whom I see often.”

  They nodded.

  Zander stuffed his hands in his jeans pockets. He looked like he was going to shit himself.

  “Owen, I take it they are crashing at your place.”

  His jaw ticked. “Yeah, we’ll continue the party at my pad.”

  “I’m hooking up with a chick later. I’ll hang for a sec, then I’m leaving,” Zander stated.

  My brother glanced at me and his eyebrows wrinkled.

  My arms crossed my chest, and I raised a brow. “Wolfman, I’m not surprised. You and your pack are always hooking up with chicks.”

  “Vicky, always the jokester.” Hayden snickered.

  “Your wolfman jokes are lame after all this time, don’t you think?”

  I chuckled, staring him up and down. “Never,” I dragged out the word.

  “Owen, my friend Abigail would like to meet you.” I tugged his arm, walking across the kitchen.

  “We’ll be right back, Hayden.”

  “What the fuck, Owen?”

  “It’s not my fault. You do realize he attends school two hours away.”

  “For a minute I thought he suspected Zander and I.”

  “How long do you two plan to keep this shit going?”

  “I’m not sure. Hopefully once we move back to Atlanta, we can sit Hayden down.”

  “Yeah, ok. Your brother has to get over it.” He ran his fingers through his short black mane.

  “It’s hard for him. Zander is like a brother. They grew up together.”

  “Maybe if he realizes you two aren’t breaking up, he can come to terms with y’all relationship.”

  “Wait!” I grabbed his arm. “What about my friend?”

  He turned, flashed his handsome dark smile, and waved at Abigail. “Shit, I’ve seen her around. I’m trying to avoid her.”

  “Why?”

  “Don’t mention this to her. She’s the kind of woman who will fuck up my head. She’ll want to settle down, something I said I’d never do. She’s fucking beautiful. Nope. Can’t do it. She’ll fucking destroy my permanent bachelor plans.”

  “Owen, why are you afraid to settle down?”

  “Think about my parents, then ask that question again,” he grimaced.

  My smile dropped. “You and Zander aren’t your father. Y’all are really good guys. I hope you change your mind. Abigail is sweet. She’s met several assholes throughout college. She needs a good man. Like you.” Our blue eyes met.

  His hand ran along the back of his neck. Owen flashed a smile at a tall, blonde, slender woman in passing. “I’m out,” he grunted and stalked off.

  “Fucking rude,” I growled.

  I stepped over to Abigail. “Sorry, Owen’s in a bad head space right now. I am not sure he’s the settling down type.” I grinned.

  “Don’t let this go to your head. He thinks you're cute, but he’s emotionally unavailable, right now. Forget about him. You’re beautiful. The right guy is out there waiting for you.”

  “Ugh.” Her button nose wrinkled. “Thanks, Vicky. I probably dodged a bullet.”

  “Yeah. I’ll see you in class, Monday.”

  We hugged. I turned on my heels. Zander and his buddy’s vanished.

  Great. My brother swept away my man. Zander and I owned two condos. One in Princeton and one in Cambridge. If my brother popped up at my house unannounced, I ran around closing closet doors and throwing pictures in drawers. Our condo was in no condition for guests today. We left food containers on the kitchen counter before leaving the house. Zander was only in town every other weekend because his class load was overwhelming.

  There was no need to hang around my brother. He wasn’t there to see me. He wanted to hang with his friends.

  Sitting in the tub, I sent Zander a text.

  “Hi baby, I miss you.”

  “I hope I’ll see you soon.”

  He replied with a winky face.