Bound Together (70 page)
Authors: Marie Coulson
She nodded weakly and I
knew the pain she must have been going through only too well.
Loving someone so much and knowing you can’t be with them was
cripplingly painful.
Falling backwards on her
bed she flung her arm over her eyes. “I’m sorry I screamed at you.
I don’t blame you. Ollie knew he was taking a chance. I warned him
about rebounding but he wouldn’t listen. I miss him already though.
Feels kinda black and white without him. He brought a lot of color
around here.”
I smiled knowing exactly
what he would have thought about his colorfulness.
“
How did you know he was
gone?”
Removing her arm she
sighed deeply. “He called me. Told me he was in Utah safe and
sound. We talked for a while about everything but he didn’t feel
much like discussing it. I asked him if I should give you a
message.”
I held my breath hoping
there was the possibility of some form of communication from him.
Anything would do. Something to let me know we would be
alright.
“
He said no. He actually
said I shouldn’t mention he called. Said the two of you need
distance right now.”
My heart plummeted to my
stomach. Ollie was grieving and I had been the cause of his
bereavement.
Sitting up she draped her
arm around my shoulder and wiped a tear from her eye. “Well I would
say we make a great pair. With Jared breaking your heart, you
breaking Ollie’s and Mel breaking mine, we have three beautifully
broken hearts between us. Two belong to us and the others we can do
nothing about so my suggestion, we gotta pick up those pieces and
start to rebuild. Because I swear, I can’t stand the pain anymore
Layla. From now on it’s just us girls having fun. No men, no fuss,
no mess just good clean fun. Well, maybe we could get a little
dirty.” She winked at me and together we laughed lightly. She was
right. I’d had enough heartache to last me a lifetime. Fiery,
independent and obstinate Layla was buried beneath the rubble of
two broken relationships but she was in there somewhere. And I was
determined to dig her up!
mirror I grinned. My new look wasn’t just totally hot it was life
changing. My long blonde hair was no more. My new chocolate brown
locks had been chopped, hacked and feathered into stylish shoulder
length curls. My eyes had that smoky effect and my bright red
lipstick really completed the look. Per our shopping trip that day,
Mel and Amy had helped me find the perfect outfit for our evening
out. We were heading to a great new swanky bar in town called
Delicia. Amy had met a guy at Benny’s and had scored an invitation
to their opening. Naturally, she’d neglected to mention that we
were only twenty years old and as it was a free bar; she figured it
was a moot point.
My dress was black,
indecently short and with a sweetheart neckline it pushed and
plumped my breasts, giving me a knockout cleavage. We weren’t
looking to score but I still didn’t mind a little attention.
Running my hands over my curves I smiled to myself. It was the
first time I’d been out since Ollie had left and that was almost
three weeks ago. He called Amy from time to time but was eager to
divert my calls. I must have left him a hundred messages begging
for him to talk to me but he never called back. My emails, texts
and letters went unanswered and whenever he called Amy he would
tell her not to mention he had done so. It was painful and I was
beginning to resent him. He’d said in his letter how we were
friends, that he would always be there and yet here he was,
shutting me out. It was a punishment and part of me believed I
deserved it. After all, I had hurt him and those scars were going
to take a long time to heal.
Coming out of the
bathroom Amy whistled at me. “Well look at you hot stuff. You are
smoking! That hair is awesome if I do say so myself.”
I smiled at her. “That’s
because you did it. You don’t look so bad yourself.”
With her hair in a sexy
up do and her hot new pink dress with the plunging neck line, she
looked stunning. Slipping on my heels, I dropped my cell into my
purse, checking for any messages before I hid it away.
“
Amy, did Ollie
call?”
She gave me sympathetic
look. “He called this morning. He’s doing ok. He’s got a part time
job actually. He’s fixing up motorcycles so he loves it of
course.”
I nodded, wishing he
could’ve told me himself. “Anything else?” Walking over to me she
rested her hand on my arm. “He’s in pain Layla. He misses you and
he’s just protecting you both right now. Give him some time. He’ll
come around.” I hoped she was right because I was missing him too.
Badly.
Swinging the door open,
Mel swanned in. Dressed to the nines in an electric blue dress she
gave us a twirl. Amy smiled as she stared at her. “Wow Mel, you
look amazing. Totally hot.” Grinning, Mel hugged her.
“
Thank you. You both look
great as always. I swear if this little baby doesn’t snag me a man
tonight I’m switching teams.”
I glanced at Amy who
cleared her throat and busied herself with putting her shoes on.
“Mel, our goal tonight is to have a girl’s night out. Fun, drinking
and dancing remember? No guys, well not all night
anyway.”
She laughed and gave me a
salute. “Yes sergeant.”
Nudging her, I rolled my
eyes before grabbing my purse and heading out the door. Waiting
curbside was our cab and as I walked up I couldn’t help but stare
at the empty spot where Ollie’s Ducati used to sit. My heart gave a
thud and I knew it was warning me to get into the cab and forget
about it. Tonight I was Layla again. The fiery, sarcastic,
independent and kiss my ass girl that I had been the first time I
set foot in Cali State. I had missed her most of all.
The bar was amazing.
Florescent blue lights were mounted onto the wall and integrated
into the floor around the whole place. The bar was crystal clear
glass and the blue lights around it made it look as though it were
made of ice. Long slim black bar stools were surrounding it and
several tables and chairs were scattered around the floor. A
staircase led upstairs to a sectioned off V.I.P area with a balcony
overlooking the bar. Downstairs was another large bar and an area
for dancing. The music was pulsing and there were dozens of people
crowding around trying to order drinks. Giving me a wink, Amy
nodded at the bar tender. “Oh my god is that Greg? From
Benny’s?”
“
Sure is. I bet I can
score us some drinks.” Pushing her way chest first through a crowd
of now drooling men, she leaned on the bar. Giving Greg her prize
winning smile and a flash of her cleavage, she got us a round of
drinks and three shots of Sambuca.
“
This ought to get us
started.”
I cringed as the memory
of Amy’s vomit and tequila breath wafted up my nose. Taking a shot,
Mel held it in the air.
“
To being a proud,
independent woman.”
I was more than happy to
drink to that.
After two hours, four rum
and cokes and three shots of Sambuca, I was really starting to let
loose. Sitting at the bar Amy and Mel were in fits of laughter and
I had yet to discover what was so funny. The alcohol clearly had
gone to their heads. Ordering another round of shots, Mel decided
we should play a game. A group of three young guys were sitting
just a few feet away. Sliding out of her stool Mel sashayed over
and worked her magic. Following her over to us, they grinned. “So
Melanie here says you girls are up for a little drinking game?
Personally I prefer strip poker but have you ever played ‘I have
never’?”
I shook my head. “Nope,
you’re going to have to explain the rules.”
His gray eyes glistened
beneath his deep black hair as he spoke and I found them a little
distracting. “Well, each person says something they have never
done, and if you’ve done it, you take a drink. Sound fair?” I
raised an eyebrow at Mel but giving me a wink she nodded. “Ok,
bring it on boys.”
Slamming my shot glass on
the table I sucked the lime hard and winced at my opponent as he
spluttered. “Urgh, damn that shit is nasty.”
I gave him a triumphant
smile. “Give up yet Henry?”
He leaned in and
whispered in my ear. “I never quit.”
Picking up another shot
he gave me a wicked grin. “I have never had sex in a public
place.”
Rolling my eyes, I picked
up another drink and downed it along with Mel, Amy and one of the
other guys at our table. “Wow, how many you had so far now, Layla?
I’m beginning to think you play a little fast and loose with your
morals.”
“
Nope, just like to have
fun.”
Beaming at me, he sipped
his beer.
A buzzing caught my
attention as my purse began to move across the table. Giggling I
grabbed it and slipped my cell out. Oh for heaven’s sake.
What the hell does he want?
Irritated at the intrusion, I opened Jared’s
message.
What are you
doing?
Received:
22.35
From: Jared
What business is it of
yours?
Sent: 22.38
To: Jared
Answer the
question.
Received:
22.42
From: Jared
I rolled my eyes and
sighed heavily. What the hell did he care what I was doing. What’s
more, why did he have an urgent need to know? Henry placed his hand
on my arm. “You ok?” I nodded. “Just have to deal with a little
pest problem.” It buzzed in my hand and I glared at the
screen.
Don’t be fucking
difficult Layla. And get his hand off of your arm. Now. It’s not a
request
Received:
22.44
From: Jared
He was here. Shit.
Scanning the bar I searched for him before finally it dawned on me
where he would naturally be. Lifting my head, I glared up at the
balcony. Standing there, drink in one hand and cell phone in the
other, Jared stared down at me. His jeans and slightly unbuttoned
black shirt made him look every bit the playboy once more. I could
see his piercing blue eyes glowering at the back of Henry’s head. I
was not taking orders from him anymore and he had no right to tell
me what to do. Smiling at Henry, I placed my own hand over
his.
“
I think I’ve made my
point.”
Handing me a piece of
lime and another shot glass he clinked his to mine. Tossing my head
back, I drank it down and sucked hard on my lime before taking it
from my mouth and pressing it to Henry’s lips. Raising an eyebrow
clearly amused, he took it from my fingers with his tongue and
sucked. I chanced a glace up at the balcony. As predicted he wasn’t
just staring anymore, he was on fire. Gripping the rail tightly I
could see his fist clenched around his glass. I gave him a
sarcastic smile.
Take that Mr.
Garrett
! My phone buzzed and nervously I
opened the message.
If he touches you again,
I’m going to leap off of this balcony and strangle him with my bare
hands. I’m not kidding Layla. Do not push me.
Received:
22.57
From: Jared
Now I was pissed. I’d had
enough of his patronizing, do as you’re told, my way no high way
option attitude. Snapping my head up, I gave him the filthiest look
I could manage and flipped him the bird. I could see the rage on
his face and it filled me with lust and fear. Game on Jared.
Leaning into Henry’s ear I had to speak up to be heard over the
pumping bass of the music. “I feel like dancing. You wouldn’t make
me go alone would you?”
Immediately getting to
his feet, he held out his hand for me which I took instantly and
got to my feet. Passing beneath the balcony, I made the conscious
effort not to look up at Jared though I knew he’d be watching my
every move.
Amy and Mel had decided
to ambush the two guys left at our table and were now following us
downstairs to the dance floor. The booming bass lines and
electronic trance music filled my ears as smoke machines bellowed
white misty clouds onto the dance floor. Holding onto Henry’s hand,
I followed him out into the center of the floor and began swaying
my hips to the music. His hands on my waist, he pressed close
against me as we danced. It was perfectly innocent and I was having
a good time just drinking, dancing and irritating the life out of
my ex-boyfriend. I was beginning to get into the swing of things
when a familiar dark haired woman breezed past me onto the floor.
Her hair flowing to her shoulders, Alicia began to move to the
music and extended her hand out to someone across the floor.
Closing my eyes tightly I prayed, pleaded and begged for it not to
be him but as I opened them I saw her grab onto his hand and pull
him flush against her chest. My insides twisted as anger and
intense rage built inside me. If he wanted to play this game, then
I was definitely willing to participate.
Amy and Mel hadn’t
spotted the enemy in our midst and I was glad. The last thing I
needed was the two of them starting a fight. The last time I had
gone a round with Alicia I ended up in handcuffs, I wasn’t willing
to do that again. Besides, there were better ways to ruin his fun.
Turning around, I placed my hands against Henry’s chest. He had one
of those fit athletic figures and his black hair made his eyes look
even more striking. Wrapping his arms around my waist, he held me
tightly pressed against him as we moved. My hips grinding to the
music, I chanced a glance at Jared. Alicia’s hands roamed all over
his body sliding over his shoulders and down his back before
grazing her palm over his behind. I thought about his tattoo and
smirked. You can feel him up all you like slut bag but it’s still
my name carved into his skin. With his hands on her hips she leaned
in and I nearly choked on my breath as her tongue slid into his
ear. Furious, I grabbed Henry’s hand and stormed past them to a
table at the edge of the floor. Pushing him back against it I
hooked a finger into the open button of his shirt and leaned in
licking my lips. His eyes sparkled with excitement. Closing the
gap, I pressed my mouth against his. His tongue grazed my lips and
with a quick sideways glance at my ex and his slut, I granted him
access.
knew the pain she must have been going through only too well.
Loving someone so much and knowing you can’t be with them was
cripplingly painful.
Falling backwards on her
bed she flung her arm over her eyes. “I’m sorry I screamed at you.
I don’t blame you. Ollie knew he was taking a chance. I warned him
about rebounding but he wouldn’t listen. I miss him already though.
Feels kinda black and white without him. He brought a lot of color
around here.”
I smiled knowing exactly
what he would have thought about his colorfulness.
“
How did you know he was
gone?”
Removing her arm she
sighed deeply. “He called me. Told me he was in Utah safe and
sound. We talked for a while about everything but he didn’t feel
much like discussing it. I asked him if I should give you a
message.”
I held my breath hoping
there was the possibility of some form of communication from him.
Anything would do. Something to let me know we would be
alright.
“
He said no. He actually
said I shouldn’t mention he called. Said the two of you need
distance right now.”
My heart plummeted to my
stomach. Ollie was grieving and I had been the cause of his
bereavement.
Sitting up she draped her
arm around my shoulder and wiped a tear from her eye. “Well I would
say we make a great pair. With Jared breaking your heart, you
breaking Ollie’s and Mel breaking mine, we have three beautifully
broken hearts between us. Two belong to us and the others we can do
nothing about so my suggestion, we gotta pick up those pieces and
start to rebuild. Because I swear, I can’t stand the pain anymore
Layla. From now on it’s just us girls having fun. No men, no fuss,
no mess just good clean fun. Well, maybe we could get a little
dirty.” She winked at me and together we laughed lightly. She was
right. I’d had enough heartache to last me a lifetime. Fiery,
independent and obstinate Layla was buried beneath the rubble of
two broken relationships but she was in there somewhere. And I was
determined to dig her up!
Chapter
44
Fired Up
mirror I grinned. My new look wasn’t just totally hot it was life
changing. My long blonde hair was no more. My new chocolate brown
locks had been chopped, hacked and feathered into stylish shoulder
length curls. My eyes had that smoky effect and my bright red
lipstick really completed the look. Per our shopping trip that day,
Mel and Amy had helped me find the perfect outfit for our evening
out. We were heading to a great new swanky bar in town called
Delicia. Amy had met a guy at Benny’s and had scored an invitation
to their opening. Naturally, she’d neglected to mention that we
were only twenty years old and as it was a free bar; she figured it
was a moot point.
My dress was black,
indecently short and with a sweetheart neckline it pushed and
plumped my breasts, giving me a knockout cleavage. We weren’t
looking to score but I still didn’t mind a little attention.
Running my hands over my curves I smiled to myself. It was the
first time I’d been out since Ollie had left and that was almost
three weeks ago. He called Amy from time to time but was eager to
divert my calls. I must have left him a hundred messages begging
for him to talk to me but he never called back. My emails, texts
and letters went unanswered and whenever he called Amy he would
tell her not to mention he had done so. It was painful and I was
beginning to resent him. He’d said in his letter how we were
friends, that he would always be there and yet here he was,
shutting me out. It was a punishment and part of me believed I
deserved it. After all, I had hurt him and those scars were going
to take a long time to heal.
Coming out of the
bathroom Amy whistled at me. “Well look at you hot stuff. You are
smoking! That hair is awesome if I do say so myself.”
I smiled at her. “That’s
because you did it. You don’t look so bad yourself.”
With her hair in a sexy
up do and her hot new pink dress with the plunging neck line, she
looked stunning. Slipping on my heels, I dropped my cell into my
purse, checking for any messages before I hid it away.
“
Amy, did Ollie
call?”
She gave me sympathetic
look. “He called this morning. He’s doing ok. He’s got a part time
job actually. He’s fixing up motorcycles so he loves it of
course.”
I nodded, wishing he
could’ve told me himself. “Anything else?” Walking over to me she
rested her hand on my arm. “He’s in pain Layla. He misses you and
he’s just protecting you both right now. Give him some time. He’ll
come around.” I hoped she was right because I was missing him too.
Badly.
Swinging the door open,
Mel swanned in. Dressed to the nines in an electric blue dress she
gave us a twirl. Amy smiled as she stared at her. “Wow Mel, you
look amazing. Totally hot.” Grinning, Mel hugged her.
“
Thank you. You both look
great as always. I swear if this little baby doesn’t snag me a man
tonight I’m switching teams.”
I glanced at Amy who
cleared her throat and busied herself with putting her shoes on.
“Mel, our goal tonight is to have a girl’s night out. Fun, drinking
and dancing remember? No guys, well not all night
anyway.”
She laughed and gave me a
salute. “Yes sergeant.”
Nudging her, I rolled my
eyes before grabbing my purse and heading out the door. Waiting
curbside was our cab and as I walked up I couldn’t help but stare
at the empty spot where Ollie’s Ducati used to sit. My heart gave a
thud and I knew it was warning me to get into the cab and forget
about it. Tonight I was Layla again. The fiery, sarcastic,
independent and kiss my ass girl that I had been the first time I
set foot in Cali State. I had missed her most of all.
The bar was amazing.
Florescent blue lights were mounted onto the wall and integrated
into the floor around the whole place. The bar was crystal clear
glass and the blue lights around it made it look as though it were
made of ice. Long slim black bar stools were surrounding it and
several tables and chairs were scattered around the floor. A
staircase led upstairs to a sectioned off V.I.P area with a balcony
overlooking the bar. Downstairs was another large bar and an area
for dancing. The music was pulsing and there were dozens of people
crowding around trying to order drinks. Giving me a wink, Amy
nodded at the bar tender. “Oh my god is that Greg? From
Benny’s?”
“
Sure is. I bet I can
score us some drinks.” Pushing her way chest first through a crowd
of now drooling men, she leaned on the bar. Giving Greg her prize
winning smile and a flash of her cleavage, she got us a round of
drinks and three shots of Sambuca.
“
This ought to get us
started.”
I cringed as the memory
of Amy’s vomit and tequila breath wafted up my nose. Taking a shot,
Mel held it in the air.
“
To being a proud,
independent woman.”
I was more than happy to
drink to that.
After two hours, four rum
and cokes and three shots of Sambuca, I was really starting to let
loose. Sitting at the bar Amy and Mel were in fits of laughter and
I had yet to discover what was so funny. The alcohol clearly had
gone to their heads. Ordering another round of shots, Mel decided
we should play a game. A group of three young guys were sitting
just a few feet away. Sliding out of her stool Mel sashayed over
and worked her magic. Following her over to us, they grinned. “So
Melanie here says you girls are up for a little drinking game?
Personally I prefer strip poker but have you ever played ‘I have
never’?”
I shook my head. “Nope,
you’re going to have to explain the rules.”
His gray eyes glistened
beneath his deep black hair as he spoke and I found them a little
distracting. “Well, each person says something they have never
done, and if you’ve done it, you take a drink. Sound fair?” I
raised an eyebrow at Mel but giving me a wink she nodded. “Ok,
bring it on boys.”
Slamming my shot glass on
the table I sucked the lime hard and winced at my opponent as he
spluttered. “Urgh, damn that shit is nasty.”
I gave him a triumphant
smile. “Give up yet Henry?”
He leaned in and
whispered in my ear. “I never quit.”
Picking up another shot
he gave me a wicked grin. “I have never had sex in a public
place.”
Rolling my eyes, I picked
up another drink and downed it along with Mel, Amy and one of the
other guys at our table. “Wow, how many you had so far now, Layla?
I’m beginning to think you play a little fast and loose with your
morals.”
“
Nope, just like to have
fun.”
Beaming at me, he sipped
his beer.
A buzzing caught my
attention as my purse began to move across the table. Giggling I
grabbed it and slipped my cell out. Oh for heaven’s sake.
What the hell does he want?
Irritated at the intrusion, I opened Jared’s
message.
What are you
doing?
Received:
22.35
From: Jared
What business is it of
yours?
Sent: 22.38
To: Jared
Answer the
question.
Received:
22.42
From: Jared
I rolled my eyes and
sighed heavily. What the hell did he care what I was doing. What’s
more, why did he have an urgent need to know? Henry placed his hand
on my arm. “You ok?” I nodded. “Just have to deal with a little
pest problem.” It buzzed in my hand and I glared at the
screen.
Don’t be fucking
difficult Layla. And get his hand off of your arm. Now. It’s not a
request
Received:
22.44
From: Jared
He was here. Shit.
Scanning the bar I searched for him before finally it dawned on me
where he would naturally be. Lifting my head, I glared up at the
balcony. Standing there, drink in one hand and cell phone in the
other, Jared stared down at me. His jeans and slightly unbuttoned
black shirt made him look every bit the playboy once more. I could
see his piercing blue eyes glowering at the back of Henry’s head. I
was not taking orders from him anymore and he had no right to tell
me what to do. Smiling at Henry, I placed my own hand over
his.
“
I think I’ve made my
point.”
Handing me a piece of
lime and another shot glass he clinked his to mine. Tossing my head
back, I drank it down and sucked hard on my lime before taking it
from my mouth and pressing it to Henry’s lips. Raising an eyebrow
clearly amused, he took it from my fingers with his tongue and
sucked. I chanced a glace up at the balcony. As predicted he wasn’t
just staring anymore, he was on fire. Gripping the rail tightly I
could see his fist clenched around his glass. I gave him a
sarcastic smile.
Take that Mr.
Garrett
! My phone buzzed and nervously I
opened the message.
If he touches you again,
I’m going to leap off of this balcony and strangle him with my bare
hands. I’m not kidding Layla. Do not push me.
Received:
22.57
From: Jared
Now I was pissed. I’d had
enough of his patronizing, do as you’re told, my way no high way
option attitude. Snapping my head up, I gave him the filthiest look
I could manage and flipped him the bird. I could see the rage on
his face and it filled me with lust and fear. Game on Jared.
Leaning into Henry’s ear I had to speak up to be heard over the
pumping bass of the music. “I feel like dancing. You wouldn’t make
me go alone would you?”
Immediately getting to
his feet, he held out his hand for me which I took instantly and
got to my feet. Passing beneath the balcony, I made the conscious
effort not to look up at Jared though I knew he’d be watching my
every move.
Amy and Mel had decided
to ambush the two guys left at our table and were now following us
downstairs to the dance floor. The booming bass lines and
electronic trance music filled my ears as smoke machines bellowed
white misty clouds onto the dance floor. Holding onto Henry’s hand,
I followed him out into the center of the floor and began swaying
my hips to the music. His hands on my waist, he pressed close
against me as we danced. It was perfectly innocent and I was having
a good time just drinking, dancing and irritating the life out of
my ex-boyfriend. I was beginning to get into the swing of things
when a familiar dark haired woman breezed past me onto the floor.
Her hair flowing to her shoulders, Alicia began to move to the
music and extended her hand out to someone across the floor.
Closing my eyes tightly I prayed, pleaded and begged for it not to
be him but as I opened them I saw her grab onto his hand and pull
him flush against her chest. My insides twisted as anger and
intense rage built inside me. If he wanted to play this game, then
I was definitely willing to participate.
Amy and Mel hadn’t
spotted the enemy in our midst and I was glad. The last thing I
needed was the two of them starting a fight. The last time I had
gone a round with Alicia I ended up in handcuffs, I wasn’t willing
to do that again. Besides, there were better ways to ruin his fun.
Turning around, I placed my hands against Henry’s chest. He had one
of those fit athletic figures and his black hair made his eyes look
even more striking. Wrapping his arms around my waist, he held me
tightly pressed against him as we moved. My hips grinding to the
music, I chanced a glance at Jared. Alicia’s hands roamed all over
his body sliding over his shoulders and down his back before
grazing her palm over his behind. I thought about his tattoo and
smirked. You can feel him up all you like slut bag but it’s still
my name carved into his skin. With his hands on her hips she leaned
in and I nearly choked on my breath as her tongue slid into his
ear. Furious, I grabbed Henry’s hand and stormed past them to a
table at the edge of the floor. Pushing him back against it I
hooked a finger into the open button of his shirt and leaned in
licking my lips. His eyes sparkled with excitement. Closing the
gap, I pressed my mouth against his. His tongue grazed my lips and
with a quick sideways glance at my ex and his slut, I granted him
access.
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