Vicious Circles - By Leann Andrews Page 0,31

a place you never stay at.”

“I like to keep my options open.” He grinned at me. “So, what are the big plans you and Lynn were whispering about yesterday?”

“Nothing really. We’re having lunch and probably some car shopping…”

“Car shopping? I thought we discussed that.” More like he’d discussed the fact that he liked driving me around and I could use his car anytime.

“Mason, I can’t rely on you forever. That’s just ridiculous.”

We’d finally reached his car and he lifted our suitcases into the trunk. “I just don’t like the idea, Fallyn. That’s all.”

“Let’s not talk about it then. Let’s talk about what we’re eating because I’m starving.” My stomach growled loudly.

He turned to me as I got into the passenger seat and smirked. “In and Out?”

I laughed and put my seatbelt on. “Sounds perfect.” It was good to be home.

***

“You absolutely need a car in Los Angeles. That’s just common knowledge, Fallyn.” Lynn had both my hands in hers, trying to talk some sense into me.

“Can I really afford this damn thing? What if I don’t get any more work after this movie? Then what?” I stared at the bright blue car with lust in my eyes. It was perfect for me.

“This better not be because Mason thinks it’s a bad idea. You can’t listen to him!”

OK, maybe part of my hesitation was Mason’s reaction to the whole idea. “No, well…not exactly.” I ran my fingers along the smooth metal of the hood.

“Think about this. Mason is prepping for a tour and you’re about to film your first movie. You two are both busy and he can’t possibly drive you around everywhere. He’s being unreasonable.” She narrowed her eyes at me and I knew she meant business.

“Lynn, I don’t know what I would do without you.” She and I hadn’t been friends long but I was thankful for her. Compared to Jill, Lynn Taylor was a saint.

“You would be relying on Mason Chance to get around which is the equivalent of taking the city bus.”

We both giggled and I got the salesman’s attention. I bought my first car that day and the payments were crazy but I had my very own car that I could park at my very own apartment. Mason actually liked the damn car so we ended up driving it around more than his. He seemed content with the fact that we were still inseparable even though we both had our own transportation. When I started filming for my movie, he started band practice for his tour. Neither of us could complain about the time apart because by the time we got together in the evening at my place, we were tired as shit.

Lynn claimed the time apart was healthy for us as she was sticking to her original observation; we spent too much time alone together. Everything seemed to be balancing out and it seemed like I was happy but I still questioned myself. It seemed too easy.

I had never missed a day of filming, but a week or so after I got my car, I called in sick. My head was pounding and there was a dull ache in my stomach.

“I feel like shit,” I admitted to Lynn over the phone. “I could just throw up right now.”

“Well, wait until I hang up. Then feel free, by all means.” I could hear the LA traffic through her Bluetooth. “I bought you something last night. I was on Rodeo and I saw this scarf that will go with that cute pink top you found in Vancity; you’ll love it.”

The pain in my right side started up again and I groaned. “There’s this pain in my side that won’t go away. It’s like my insides are clawing their way out.”

“Fallyn, do you have a fever?” She sounded worried all of a sudden.

“I don’t know. I don’t have anything to take my temperature with. All I know is I can’t keep anything down and the pain is getting worse.”

“I think you should go to the hospital. It sounds like appendicitis. Where’s Mason?” I’d never heard Lynn so concerned.

“Mason is at band practice, where he always is lately. I couldn’t even go in to work today. Wait, can I die from appendicitis? I feel like I might die.”

“You are not funny, Fallyn. I’m only ten minutes away. Get dressed, we’re going to the ER.” Lynn ordered in a business like tone.

I did what she said because the pain was hard to ignore. It gradually got worse and I was