Page 70 of Fear of Love
On my way to the bar, I noticed Josie and Wyatt were off to the side, wrapped up in each other as they talked to Mila and Bryton, both couples completely smitten and in love I hadn’t seen Tasha and Trevor for awhile but was pretty sure they snuck off somewhere to do god knew what. I also saw Evelyn standing pretty damn close to Coach Barnum. I raised an eyebrow at how cozy they looked. Interesting.
With a wave to the bartender for another drink, I turned around to face the room. Over the last hour, it had gotten louder, conversation and drinks flowing. Everyone seemed to be having a nice time as the night went on.
It became abundantly clear I shouldn’t be here. My friends were busy, and I knew they didn't mean to leave me alone, but with them all being in love, I was the outcast of the group. There was truly no reason for my attendance.
With the feeling that I was imposing, I pushed away from the bar. My eyes roamed the room one last time, snagging on one person. My chest tightened at the sight of Landon, who seemed to be deep in conversation with a woman.
She was beautiful with tall legs that appeared a mile long and big bouncy brown curls around her face. The way her dress hugged her figure made me envious. She could’ve easily been a model and most likely was. I watched as she laughed at something he said. A smile graced his face. A smile usually reserved forme.
Unable to stomach the sight, I quickly apologized to the bartender for my untouched drink. With a hand holding the bottom of my dress, I headed for the exit. Everyone was too busy to notice me as I slipped out. I loved the girls, but I didn’t need them to try and convince me to stay.
I walked down the hallway, by passing a few people coming and going. Riding the elevator down to the lobby, I opened my clutch and sent Josie and the girls a quick text telling them I left so they wouldn’t worry.
The image of Landon with someone else was front and center in my mind. A wave of jealousy crashed over me, stronger than anything I’d felt in a very, very long time. I was jealous. Jealous of someone else getting to see a side of Landon that felt like mine. Jealous of a smile that should’ve been meant for me alone.
20
LANDON
Where was she?
I spent the last hour watching Lydia flirt with every available hockey player in the room. It took everything in me not to march over to her and go caveman on her ass. The urge to keep her glued to my side was so strong. But now I couldn’t seem to find the blonde that occupied my head nonstop.
Spotting Josie, I made my way toward her. Out of everyone, she’d know where Lydia went. On my way, I found my mom mid-conversation with Coach Barnum, laughing about something. The sight had me narrowing my eyes, but I couldn’t focus on that right now.
“Hey, Jo,” I said as soon as I was close. “Have you seen Lydia?”
“Oh, she texted me about five minutes ago and said she left.”
My jaw clenched at her words. I had to stop myself from asking if she left alone or not. The thought of her with someone else pissed me off. We hadn’t flat out said we were exclusive, but it was pretty much implied. It was one thing to flirt in front of me but another to take someone home.
“Thanks,” I grunted. I was too focused on leaving to see Josie’s questioning glance as I stalked off. I didn’t bother to say bye to the others as I headed for the elevators.
I wasn’t sure if going to Lydia’s place was the right decision but I didn’t care. I spent all day keeping my distance from her and reached my limit. Seeing her touch another man’s arm while laughing like he was the funniest guy on the planet had me seeing red.
I didn’t mean to snap at the poor kid getting my car, but all I could focus on was getting to Lydia’s place. I needed to remind her that she could ignore me all she wanted in public, but I was the only one who belonged in her apartment.
The ride to her place seemed to take forever. I hit almost every red light, which made the short drive even longer. Pulling into the parking lot, I forced myself to take a moment before I did something stupid, like storm in there and check her place from top to bottom.
After a moment, I stepped out of the car and stalked for the building. I noticed Lydia’s car, so she definitely was home. The concerned part of me that was worried about her driving home in the dark eased.
I was beyond impatient as I waited for her building’s elevator. I was seconds away from taking the stairs when the doors finally opened. I was almost scot-free, the doors nearly fully closed, when a hand slipped through and stopped them.
Clenching my jaw, I stayed off to the side as a young couple entered. I had to stand there as they whispered to one another, giggling like I wasn’t present. When they started to kiss, I wanted nothing more than to throw myself out of the elevator.
Maybe this was my punishment for being a dick and showing up to Lydia’s place after she flat out ignored me all night.
When the doors finally opened to Lydia’s floor, I shoved past the couple. I wasted no time in striding toward Lydia’s door. Ididn’t even hesitate before I knocked. I jammed my hands in the pockets of my dress pants to stop myself from doing so multiple times.
A second later, the door opened to a pissed off Lydia on the other side, her gorgeous green eyes blazing. She was still in her dress from the party, the fabric wrapped around her body like a glove. Those pretty red lips set in a hard line as she glared at me.
God, I loved when she looked at me like that. With that fire front and center. She could burn me for all I cared.
“What are you doing here?” Her tone was biting.
“You left.”
“Yes.” She gripped the edge of the door. “Anything else?”
