A Guarded Love Read online

  “You have no idea what it’s been like,” Kristin said, under her breath. Figuring most of the calls and texts had to be about the picture, she put the phone on the desk. “I’m not dealing with this now.” She left the room, and as she neared the kitchen, she heard laughter. “I couldn’t study, so I thought I’d join you.”

  Landon, who was loading the dishwasher, turned to look at her. “Great.”

  Lexi put her arm around her shoulders. “This has been hard for you, hasn’t it?”

  “I have twenty-two voicemails and texts. They’re probably all about the picture. I don’t think this is going to be over as quickly as I hoped.”

  “Wow, this photo has been seen by a lot of people!” said Lexi.

  “The person who took the picture was probably paid well.” Drying his hands on a towel Landon faced Kristin. “The tabloid reporters know what they’re doing.”

  Pulling Kristin by her arm, Lexi led her to the piano. “I know what will make you feel better.” She waved her hand over the piano like a showcase model. “Why don’t you play?”

  “I don’t feel like playing. Sorry, Lex.”

  “You need to practice for the concert you’ll have in a few weeks. Start and see where the music takes you.”

  Leaning on the door frame with his arms folded Landon said, “I’d love to hear you play.”

  The thought of playing in front of Landon gave her an adrenaline rush. She approached the piano and tried to calm her nerves. To block out her surroundings, she closed her eyes and surrendered herself to the music. After a few moments, she was completely enveloped in the song. Finally, the song slowed, hushed, and then ended. The room was silent. Everyone sat motionless, still feeling the effects.

  Landon interrupted the quiet. “You’re an incredible pianist.”

  “Thank you.”

  Lexi asked, “Is that the song you wrote?”

  “Yeah, I finished it last week. This is the song I’ll be performing at the concert.”

  Kristin began playing another song and Landon’s phone rang. He went to the kitchen to answer it. When he came back into the room, Kristin was nearing the end of the piece.

  Lexi looked at Landon. “Is everything okay?”

  “That was the head of my security team. He let me know that all the reporters have left. There is still a security team watching your apartment. It looks like you can go home.”

  Kristin pressed her lips tight. The feelings of disappointment surprised her. She enjoyed the safety and peace that Landon’s home provided, but there was something more. The thought of not seeing Landon crept into her mind and she didn’t like that. “I appreciate your help with this.”

  “I’m sorry you’ve had a run with the paparazzi; hopefully it’s over now.”

  “What I mean is you could have left us to deal with this alone, but you didn’t.”

  “I couldn’t do that.” Landon asked, “Are you both ready to go?”

  “I’m ready.” Lexi took a final look around the room. “It’s been a fun day. I can’t believe I spent the day with Landon Ross.”

  “It’s too bad it had to be under these circumstances.”

  Kristin gathered her computer and backpack and followed Landon to his car. Lexi took the front seat and Kristin sat behind her. It was such a different experience driving home, compared to the drive here. The stress was gone, and she didn’t feel frazzled.

  The view of the Sierra Mountains was gorgeous. Yellow was popping through some of the green trees which she had completely missed before. Looking ahead, she could see the side profile of Landon. He seemed so calm and easy going, like he had this fame thing figured out. Then a random thought entered Kristin’s head—how many girls were trying to get Landon’s attention? Probably thousands. That number did not need to include her. She was grateful for his help, and the more she watched him and the way he interacted with others, the more she found herself attracted to him. But, not only did she not need a distraction from school and her career, she wanted a man who only had eyes for her. Landon could have any girl he wanted, and they were probably throwing themselves at him.

  Then there was Sam. As she thought of him, a loud warning in her head screamed at her. When did these warnings start? Did she have them during the year that they were dating? Did she ignore them? Kristin remembered a health class in high school that talked about warnings or “red flags.” They came in various ways to help people escape situations that could bring harm or misery. But too often, people ignored the promptings. This warning was coming in loud and clear. Kristin looked out the window and noticed that Landon had already pulled into the parking lot of her building.

  Landon led them to their apartment. “Let me go first.” He took a quick look around and everything seemed okay. “I know the security team probably did this already, but I had to know for myself that everything was safe.”

  “Listen, if you want to spend time with us, you can call us instead of putting a picture on the Internet. I know we’re pretty hot.” Lexi had a big grin.

  Landon winked at Lexi. “Thanks for spending the day with me.”

  “I’m looking forward to April.”

  “I have an idea. What if you and your friends come backstage after the concert and then we go to dinner?”

  Lexi’s mouth dropped open like a fish. “That would be perfect. What do we need to do to arrange it?”

  “Leave it to me and I’ll get back to you with the details.”

  Lexi was so excited, she lunged forward to hug Landon. He almost fell backward. “Thank you,” she said.

  “It will be fun.” Landon hugged her quickly and gently eased away from her arms to face Kristin.

  Kristin watched Landon, wondering if she was going to get a hug like Lexi. Lexi threw herself at Landon; she wasn’t going to do that. However, she wouldn’t stop him if he initiated it. Based on the sad look in his eyes, she figured that a hug wasn’t coming.

  “I’m sorry, again, about today. I had fun with you and Lexi. I hope you’ll be at the concert.”

  “I’m planning on it.”

  “I’m glad. I’ll see you then.” With a light squeeze to her shoulder, he left.

  A squeal escaped Lexi. “Can you believe we spent the day with Landon Ross? It was the most wonderful day ever!”

  Kristin rubbed her eyes with the heel of her hand. “It was surreal. I can’t believe we had reporters outside our apartment. I’m glad it’s over.”

  “Yeah, me too.” Lexi headed to her room.

  Kristin decided to put today’s events behind her and work on some music arrangements. The first thing she noticed when she opened her computer was that her social media homepage had her infamous picture. It took her by surprise, but she kept staring at it. It did look they were a couple. She decided to scroll down and see what was posted.

  “Oh, no!”

  Chapter 6

  “What’s wrong?” Lexi came running to Kristin.

  “So many people have commented on the picture. THEY HATE ME! Look at this one. They’re saying I’m ugly, and he deserves better.” She read the next one. “’I can’t believe he chose you.’” The next one down was worse. “’I hate her.’”

  Lexi pulled Kristin away from the computer And made Kristin look at her. “It’s time to shut down the computer. You don’t need to be looking at those comments. People are more courageous over the computer because they can hide behind the cloak of anonymity. Some people feel it’s their right to say anything as rudely as they want. You know what they’re saying isn’t true, right? Listen, I’m going to Aubree’s home for pizza and a movie. I want you to get ready. You’re coming with me. I don’t want you to stay here alone.”

  Kristin plopped on the couch, numb. Landon’s fame was hard for her to understand, but it was obvious that the public wanted Landon all to themselves, whether that was an actual possibility or not. “I can’t go out tonight.”

  Lexi joined her on the couch. “Okay, I won’t go either.”

&n
bsp; Kristin didn’t want to spoil Lexi’s night. “No. I’ll be all right. I want you to go. Please don’t stay here because of me.”

  “Do you want me to call Landon to let him know what’s going on? Maybe he can offer some suggestions?”

  Rocking back and forth, she answered. “No. I don’t want to bother Landon. I don’t think we can do anything about the posts. I’m fully aware that freedom of speech is important. I think I’m going to turn in early. My brain hurts from dwelling on this too much. I hope you have fun tonight.” Kristin’s response sounded toneless to her ears. Her movements seemed lackluster, which was evident as she dragged herself to bed. Then curled up in a tight ball. Sleep wouldn’t come.

  Lexi promised to be home early. Kristin didn’t really want to be home alone, so to distract herself, she grabbed a book. Reading was one of her favorite pastimes. Holding a book and smelling the pages brought her comfort. She’d tried ebooks in the past, but it felt impersonal and too sterile.

  Finally, her brain calmed down enough to relax and try to go to sleep.

  ***

  Landon caught himself thinking about Kristin on his way home. Sure, she was beautiful in a Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy sort of way and extremely talented, but there were too many walls around her. He noticed it last night when she didn’t join her friends and seemed to be in a world of her own. At first, he liked the fact that she didn’t know who he was, but after this morning, he felt the disdain dripping from her lips. Toward the afternoon, he had noticed that Kristin was more relaxed and a little kinder. She confused him.

  ***

  Kristin decided to sleep in. She didn’t have anything planned except practice with Jessica, and Jessica texted Kristin to say she could meet her at 11:30 at the Union building. Kristin trying to savor her chance to sleep in, but she heard Lexi rumbling around the apartment.

  Then she was in her room. “Wake up, Kristin. I’m serious. Wake up!” Lexi kept shaking her shoulders.

  Trying to sit up, Kristin asked, “What’s the matter?”

  “Another picture of you is on the Internet. It’s new.”

  “What?” Kristin bounded from the bed and stubbed her toe. Limping to the computer at the kitchen table she looked at her own face, peering up from the screen. “Oh, no. Not again! Where did this picture come from?”

  Lexi nudged Kristin from the chair. “Let me take a closer look at it.”

  Kristin staggered to another kitchen chair. Sitting down, she pulled her knees up to her chest, circling them with her arms. “I don’t think I can take much more of this.”

  “I think this picture was taken yesterday. Look, it’s when Landon helped us into his car, remember?”

  Kristin looked at the picture again, and this time she noticed the details. It looked like when they left the music building. “You’re right. Who would have done this?”

  “I don’t think you’re going to like this. The only person around was Jessica. Did she follow us to the car?”

  Kristin started pacing. “I didn’t pay attention to her once I said goodbye. I had other things on my mind. Did you notice her?”

  “No, I didn’t, but I don’t think there would have been anyone around because Landon’s team would have taken precautions against that. However, Jessica was already with us, and we didn’t have any security. She could have easily followed us because we were distracted.”

  “You could be right. Why would Jessica do this?”

  “Greed? Maybe she needed the money.”

  “I’m too afraid to look outside. Will you see if there are any reporters?” Kristin watched Lexi peer through the peephole.

  She looked through a small divide in the curtain. “No one is there. Stop reading what people are saying about the picture. This entire thing is being taken of context, but the fans don’t know it. Close the computer. I’m calling Landon.”

  Kristin listened as Lexi explained to Landon about the new picture. Lexi joined Kristin at the kitchen table. “Landon had already seen the picture and his security is aware of it. He’s sending the head of the security team over here. His name is Rob. I guess there was a threatening comment that had been tied to other celebrities who had been injured. Landon wants to take precautions to protect all of us.”

  “Okay.” Nausea hit Kristin. She didn’t know what she would do if someone hurt Lexi just because she’s friends with her. “Lexi, I’m sorry you’re getting more and more involved in this.”

  “I have to admit this is getting out of control.” Lexi tried to smile. “You better go get ready.”

  Not wanting to look like a bedhead, Kristin went to change her clothes and take care of her hair. Staring at herself in the mirror, she noticed dark circles under her eyes. Being betrayed by Jessica made her feel lonely and heavy-hearted. The picture on the computer caused her to feel a constant foreboding. Who could she trust?

  When the knock finally came, Kristin opened the door to be greeted by a man in his early thirties. Muscles covered his six-foot frame. He definitely looked like a military man with his hair shaved so short, it was hard to see that it was blonde. With this man as the head of security, she felt very protected.

  “Are you Kristin?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m Rob. Landon Ross asked me to check on you.”

  “Yes. Come in. I’m glad you’re here.” She opened the door so he could enter her apartment.

  “Can I look at your computer?”

  “Sure. It’s over here.” Kristin led him to the kitchen table where he worked in silence. No small talk for him, which she didn’t mind. He was completely focused on the task.

  Rob quickly turned to face Kristin. “This picture could get the paparazzi excited again and we don’t want that to happen. I’d like to assign a bodyguard for you. I understand that you have a roommate. She’ll need protection too.”

  Lexi heard that and came over to join them. “I have to have a bodyguard? Why?”

  “They will try to get information from you. I can see you in this picture, so they might try to contact you. What do you girls have planned for today?”

  “I have to go to work,” answered Lexi.

  “I’m meeting a student for music practice at 11:30 at the Union building.”

  Turning to Lexi, Rob said, “I’d like to have someone drop you off and pick you up from work. What hours do you work?”

  “Noon till eight p.m.”

  Rob wrote down the information that Lexi had given him on a small notebook he held in his pocket. Turning to Kristin, he continued, “We need to have someone go to the Union building with you. Is there anything else you both planned on doing today?” Rob looked between them.

  “I wanted to go grocery shopping,” Lexi said.

  “Do you have a grocery list made?”

  “Yes.” Lexi walked to the refrigerator and pulled off the list, handing it to Rob.

  Taking a deep breath and running her hand through her hair Kristin said, “I don’t want an escort to practice. I don’t mind you being where I can’t see you, but walking me to different classrooms is too much.”

  Rob looked her directly in the eyes. “We’ve been assigned for your protection, and this is what I feel is best.”

  Swallowing hard, she met his gaze. “Landon explained that there were a lot of security men around here, but I can’t see them. It seems to me that I’ll be protected enough. Is there any way I can walk to practice on my own?”

  “It’s harder to protect you when you aren’t close to us.”

  “I appreciate your help, but I feel like a prisoner.”

  Rob pulled out his phone. “I need to make sure we have security at the Union building.”

  “Do you really think someone will hurt us, just from those comments?”

  “We don’t want to take any chances because there were death threats and hate mail. We’re just doing our job, ma’am.” Rob turned his attention to the voice on the other end of the phone.

  Kristin started chewing on her thumb
nail. She could feel her heart beating. It was a rapid sensation that she had never experienced before. How could this be happening over a silly picture? Would any of Landon’s fans truly hurt her?

  Lexi leaned close to Kristin. “This is crazy.”

  “I’m freaking out,” Kristin whispered back.

  Rob finished his call and turned to the girls. “Okay, I have a personal guard for you, Lexi. Be sure to exchange phone numbers with him. He will be here at 11:15.” Turning to Kristin, he stared her down. “It’s been decided to let you walk to your class without security, so I have a route for you. There will be people behind and to the sides of you, at a safe distance, so no one will know that they are protecting you. I need you to promise me that you will not deviate from the course that we have mapped out for you.”

  Squaring her shoulders and meeting his glare, she said, “I will take the route you tell me.”

  “Good. Here’s my business card for each of you. If you have any more problems, call me. I’m also going to need both of your schedules for the next few days, so we can make sure to have protection stationed ahead of time.”

  “Okay,” said both girls.

  Kristin put Rob’s number into her phone.

  Rob partially opened the door to leave, then paused and turned around. “I’ll be back in forty-five minutes to go over your route. If I can have both of your schedules when I come back, that would be helpful.”

  After Rob left, Lexi giggled and started pacing. “That was intense. If I weren’t so scared, I’d think it was cool to have a bodyguard.”

  “I don’t like this at all.”

  “I don’t either, but we don’t have a choice. We need to do this to be safe. Come on, we should write out our schedules. Then I need to get ready for work.”