Page 10 of Landon & Shay: Part One

“Rambling,” I coughed into my hand, giving my friend a slight push in her shoulder.

She blushed more and stopped talking. “Yeah, it’s Tracey. Let’s go get that drink.” Before going, she leaned into me, and whispered, “You’re so going to get that pony tonight. Also, since Eric is here, you might as well try giving his pony a ride.” She smirked and winked, feeling proud of herself.

Oh, Tracey.If only she knew Eric’s pony had a no-XX-chromosome-riders policy. Reggie was more likely to get to ride it before I ever would.

They hurried away, and I listened to my friend blabber about everything under the sun as Reggie stole a few glances at her boobs.

“You know he’s going to waste her time, right? He’s kind of a douche,” Eric commented. “I mean, the whole time he was talking to us guys, all he talked about was how much pussy he got back home.”

I sighed. “Yeah, I had a feeling, but you know what they say: the heart wants what the heart wants.” And Tracey’s heart was locked and loaded for her next mistake.

“That’s how herpes happens,” Eric said, making me giggle.

Speaking of hearts, mine did an odd skipping thing the moment Landon entered the room.

I’d be lying if I said he didn’t look handsome. He’d grown up over the years from an annoying boy to an annoying man, and I’d watched it happen from a distance. I wished he would’ve lived a little longer in the awkward teenager-with-braces phase of his life, but I hadn’t been that lucky. Now, he had a perfect smile to go with his perfect blue eyes, messy brown hair, and built body. I swore he’d gone from skinny boy to the Incredible Hulk overnight. His muscles had muscles, and every time I looked at them, it felt like they were flipping me off.

His eyes locked with mine, and he gave me an intense stare, almost as if saying,You really had the nerve to show up, huh?

Yes, Landon, I’m here, and you aren’t going to bully me out with your stupid looks.

He must’ve accepted that challenge because he wandered in our direction, red Solo cup in hand and that same damn smirk on his lips.

I hated how he smiled at me. It always seemed so sinister.

I also hated that a small part of me was attracted to said smile. A part of me craved that smile. Sometimes, I’d study Landon from afar, wondering if his lips would curve up. For the most part, he lived with a constant grimace. If he were a Care Bear, he’d definitely be Grumpy Bear.

Landon eased over like the “too cool for school” person he was and settled right between Eric and me. I hated when he stood so close. The hairs on my arms always stood straight up.

“Eric, Chick, it’s good to see one of you,” Landon commented, taking a sip from his cup. He turned my way and locked eyes with me. “I’m a bit surprised you had the nerve to show up.”

I crossed my arms and tried to ignore the chills he always made race up and down my spine. “Trust me, this is the last place I want to be, but I had to be a good friend for Tracey.”

“You don’t have to make up lies to come to my house, Chick.”

“I have no need to lie to you, Satan,” I spat back. I hated when he called me Chick. I honestly would’ve preferred him calling me plain Chicken. Calling me Chick had a much more demeaning feel to it, as if I was just a girl who wasn’t worthy of a real name, just some chick he couldn’t stand.

Chick.

Chick.

Chick.

Ugh. What a jerk.

He got off on seeing my irritation, too, which was why I worked so hard to keep my emotions in check whenever I was around him. I didn’t want to give him any pleasure from my pain. Sure, perhaps my heart beat out of sync when I was near him, but he didn’t have to know that.

“Will you two screw already and give the angst a rest?” Eric joked, rolling his eyes.

“That’s disgusting.” I pretended to gag.

“I’d rather die,” Landon argued. “Plus, I’m not interested in your sloppy seconds.”

“There’s nothing sloppy about my seconds.” Eric winked at me, and I smiled. He always made me feel like I belonged, even when people like Landon made me feel the opposite. “I’m off to get a beer. Landon, find me later if you want to play some video games or something. Shay, I would invite you, too, but—”

“He hates your guts like I do,” Landon interjected, though I was ninety-nine percent sure that wasn’t what had been about to leave Eric’s mouth. He probably knew I didn’t have much desire to be in the same space as Landon for a long period of time.

Eric gestured toward both of us as he walked away. “Just one fast screw. Penis in, penis out. I’m telling you—get the hatred out in the best way possible.”

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