FOR HIM [Lando Norris] ~ Gridlock Series Stand Alone ~

When You're Near Me, It Hurts. When You're Away From Me, It Hurts.

EVELYN
3 Years Ago

"You sure you can't make it?" I ask through the phone, defeated again.

"I'm sorry, Ev. I'll make it up to him, I promise" he apologises, again.

"You need to stop making plans with him, Charles if you're going to keep cancelling on him"I defend.

"I know, I know, I'm sorry" he blurts out.

I pull the phone away from my ear, blocking the microphone with my sweater, shaking my head at Max as he comes through the front door with Landon.

He sends me a concerned look, doing our best to place charades with our eyes. He gets the idea and takes Landon off into the other room.

"Charles, why this time?" I ask frustrated.

When I hear the mumble in the background, I know exactly the reason. "Somethings just come up. I'm sorry. I really am" he apologises again.

"Is it Charlotte? Is she stopping you from seeing us?" I boast.

"Ev" he whispers. "It's complicated"

"It's really not" I spit before hanging up, throwing my phone onto the couch.

"Everything okay?" Max asks as he comes into the living room.

"Charles isn't coming" I announce.

"You're joking" his face drops. "Why this time?"

I shrug, "he didn't exactly say. But it's her again. It has to be"

"Charlotte?"  He asks.

I nod my head just as I hear Landon's shower cut off.

"Did Charles ever tell her?" Max keeps his voice low as we both listen for Landon to exit the bathroom. 

"Yeah" I admit in defeat, still feeling incredibly guilty. "That's why they broke up the first time, when they agreed to try again, I think it came with some certain rules" 

Max shakes his head in disbelief. 

"Mum?" Landon calls from the bathroom, behind the closed door. 

I walk down the hall, knocking on the door before replying, "What's up bud?" 

"What time is Charles coming?" he asks. 

I let out a frustrated sigh, turning my head toward Max who's joined me down the hall. "Sorry honey, something came up, he asked if he could make it up to you?" I hold my breath waiting for the reaction. 

But there is nothing but silence. 

Max and I exchange a look, "Landon? Honey, are you okay?" 

I hear the faintest sob break from behind the door and my heart shatters for him. I throw Max an annoyed glance before knocking again on the bathroom door, carefully turning the door handle. 

As soon as the door opens, I see Landon sitting on the closed toilet in his race suit ready to go, his head hung low, his arms crossed across his front.