Love Me to Death

by Sharlay

  “You were jealous?” I smirk.

  “No, that’s not what I meant.”

  “Really? Because I’m pretty sure that meant you were jealous. Wouldn’t you agree, Lay?”

  “Sorry, Ned but you sound a teeny bit jealous,” Layla says holding her index finger and thumb up in the air with a tiny gap between them.

  “I thought us girls were supposed to be sticking together right now?” Ned says to her.

  “Sorry,” Layla says with a little smile.

  “The point is that you should not even be here,” Ned says, looking at me.

  “No, the point is that you say that you and Jackson are just friends but look at you, who shows up to meet a friend in a dress like that?”

  “I do!”

  “Gosh, you two have got it bad,” Layla says, watching in amusement.

  Ned turns a deep shade of red before rushing to defend herself. “I have not got it ba—”

  “I’m sorry but would you mind keeping your voices down, you’re disturbing some of the other customers,” a formally dressed man interjects. He appears to be the manager. That’s when I take a moment to look around the restaurant and see all of the disapproving eyes that are staring at us, including Jackson’s.

  “Great, another restaurant I can never step foot in again because of you,” Ned mumbles. I laugh.

  “Sorry,” Layla says to the man.

  “Now, if you’d like to continue this conversation amicably then I can have you moved to one of our booths where you can all sit together?” The man adds.

  “Perfect,” Layla beams with a mischievous smile on her face. “We can take out some time to really get to know each other.”

  I look at Ned’s face and I’m pretty sure that it mirrors my expression. We are not ready for this. My sister can sometimes ask a lot of questions and I am not sure that we can answer them all. Unfortunately, the manager has already left to prepare our booth and Layla is jumping for joy.

  “This is going to be so much fun,” she says.

  “I’m just going to let Jackson know what’s going on,” Ned says in defeat as she walks toward him.

  “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me that you have a girlfriend! I like her,” Layla says with a smile. “And, she’s pretty. I hope you don’t screw this up.”

  “I won’t and yeah, she’s great isn’t she,” I say flatly.

  Layla ignores my tone. “But why does she keep calling you Cole?” She looks perplexed.

  “She just prefers it so it’s kind of our thing.”

  “So cute, you have a ‘thing’ already. You’ve never had an actual girlfriend before; you have no idea how excited I am.”

  I just smile. Oh, I think I can tell.

  The manager walks over at that point and leads us to the booth.

  “I’ll notify your waitress that you have switched tables so there isn’t a delay getting your food.”

  “Thanks,” I say, “And sorry for any problems we caused.”

  “Already forgotten, my friend.” He smiles before walking away.

  Just as the manager leaves, Ned and Jackson arrive. Ned glares at me before sliding into the booth next to me. I do a mental victory dance when Jackson has to sit next to Layla. He doesn’t look too impressed to be here and that makes me very happy. I slip my arm around Ned’s waist and pull her until she is flush against me. I press my lips against her cheek and feel her shiver.

  “Hey, babe,” I say joyfully. I can feel her tense up as though she wants to fight me but she doesn’t. Instead, she grins and bears it to keep up appearances. I’ll pay for that move later but for now, I will enjoy every minute of it. Jackson looks uncomfortable. Perfect.

  “Aww,” Layla coos as she watches us.

  I keep my hand around Ned’s waist and look up at my sister.

  “Jackson, this is my sister, Layla. Layla, this is Jackson, Ned’s ex-lover.”

  I see Ned’s jaw tighten. I honestly want to laugh and jump her since she looks so damn hot right now. No wonder green is her favorite color if it looks this good on her.

  “Oh, you know about us?” Jackson asks me but keeps his eyes on Ned.

  “Of course, Ned and I tell each other everything. Isn’t that right, babe?” I smile.

  “Yes. He knows every detail of our three-year relationship,” she says smugly. Why does that comment make me want to break his neck? The thought of him taking three years of her life makes me mad. She’s mine. I ignore the voice in my head.

  “Yeah, no secrets in this relationship, contract bound we are.” I try to hide the anger and sarcasm in my voice.

  “You guys are pretty cute. I can’t believe Brennan didn’t tell me about you two.” Nice attempt at a save, Lay.

  “Brennan? I thought your name was Cole?” Jackson asks.

  “Only Ned calls me Cole,” I say. His look tells me that he hates me. The feeling’s mutual.

  “Ned, that ring is stunning, I have never seen anything like it. Where did you get it?” Layla interrupts. Another “save” attempt.

  “I design rings, it’s from my new collection,” Ned beams.

  “You design rings? That is awesome. It’s beautiful, I can’t wait to see the rest of the collection,” Layla says.

  “It is beautiful,” I agree as I take Ned’s hand in mine and look at the ring a little closer. When you look closely it’s actually a peacock but the head is very small and sits on the part of her hand closest to her knuckles. It’s the feathers that really make the ring stand out. They fan out up the length of her fingers and the green stones sparkle so much in the light. “She’s incredibly talented,” I say genuinely. Ned smiles at me and it feels pretty good despite the tension at the table.

  “Thanks,” she whispers as I keep my eyes on her face. Gosh, she looks beautiful tonight. I keep her hand in mine and thread my fingers through hers, which isn’t the easiest with the size of this ring. I feel her relax against my touch.

  “Where’s the food you ordered?” I ask her.

  “That was just our starters. Our mains are coming here.”

  I nod.

  “So, Jackson, what do you do then?” Layla asks.

  “I’m a fitness trainer to the celebrities.”

  “Seriously? Who are some of your clients?”

  “Kelly Milton, Terry Sift, Yonda Rowley are a few.”

  “Oh my gosh! Kelly Milton? I loved her last album. That is so awesome. No wonder she lost her baby weight so quickly.”

  “Yeah, she’s very committed.” Jackson nods.

  “You must be an awesome trainer,” Layla says. I have to refrain from rolling my eyes. Whose side is she on?

  “I just help people to set goals but they have to do all of the hard work,” he replies. Blah, blah, freaking blah.

  “He’s being modest. He is one of the best trainers I know. How else do you think I’ve stayed in shape,” Ned says softly. Excuse me?

  “You’re her trainer?” I question.

  “Yes, Ned didn’t tell you?” he asks with a subtle smile on his face. My hands would look so good wrapped around his throat right now.

  “Well, he was,” Ned interrupts, breaking the tension a little bit. “Up until he left me five months ago to take a live-in job that pays him ten times what I used to,” she teases, looking at him.

  “You told me to go, so no complaining.” He smiles. I hate his smile.

  “Yeah, well maybe I didn’t think it through. I may have been a little hasty in my decision.”

  “This is my home so I can always come back … just say the word.” He’s not talking about fitness.

  “Don’t be silly.” She’s giggling. Oh my gosh, she’s flirting with him. Not on my watch, babe.

  I join in with the irritating laughter. “Ah, don’t worry Jackson; Ned gets all the exercise she needs with me around. Your services are most definitely not required anymore.” I feel Ned tense under my arm and Layla bursts out laughing.

  “Too much information, li’l Bro,” she s
ays shaking her head.

  Ned glares at me but I am saved when Michelle arrives with our food.

  “Bruschetta?” she asks.

  “Yes,” I say.

  Michelle places the plate of bruschetta in front of me.

  “Lasagna?”

  “That would be mine,” Layla says politely.

  “I will bring the rest in just a moment.” She smiles before leaving the table.

  “Mmm this is good,” Layla voices as she takes a bite of her lasagna.

  “La Vita does good food.” Jackson smiles.

  “You’ve been here before?” she asks.

  “Yeah, there are a few that are already open. This is just the first one in New York.”

  Layla nods.

  Michelle returns with a tray, holding two bowls, in one hand and a plate in the other.

  “Four cheese pizza?”

  “Thanks,” Jackson says before she hands him the plate.

  “And I’m guessing the cannellonis are for you two,” she says smiling.

  “Aww, they even order the same food,” Layla teases.

  “Actually, he is just copying my exquisite taste in food.”

  I roll my eyes but don’t deny it.

  “My taste in food is as good as my taste in women.” I wink. She blushes. Jackson scowls and Layla gushes.

  I pull my phone out of my pocket and start typing as I eat.

  Me: Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?

  Moments later I hear Ned’s phone notify her of a message. She gives me a sideway glance before pulling it out of her purse. I take another bite of my cannelloni which is nice but nowhere near as nice as Paradiso’s. I glance at Layla and Jackson but they are both focused on their food. I watch as Ned types out a message and then rests her phone in her lap.

  Ned: Is that your way of saying sorry?

  I read her message before typing my own.

  Me: No, that’s my way of saying you look beautiful tonight. Babe, is English not your first language?

  Ned: You and I are not on speaking terms right now. I can’t believe that you followed me here. And take your arm from around my waist!

  Me: We need to fix that … we can leave right now and have make up sex, your choice? I prefer Paradiso’s cannelloni anyway (ps. We are so going back there). Technically, I didn’t follow you. I just decided to eat at the same place. And the arm stays.

  “So, what is it you do, Cole?” Jackson asks.

  I try not to scowl. “I’m an actor.”

  “Oh, that’s fantastic, have you been in anything, recently, that I might know?” he asks in a patronizing tone.

  “Other than Ned, probably not.”

  I hear Ned start to choke on her food. I pat her back but she swats my hand away while giving me a look of death. I look across the table and see a red-faced Jackson who has clearly been stunned speechless while Layla is doing everything in her power to suppress a laugh.

  “I’m so sorry, Jackson, sometimes Cole has no filter,” Ned says once she has caught her breath. I smile unapologetically.

  “No need to apologize,” he says trying to regain his composure.

  Ned glares at me as I mouth the word what. She ignores me and I know that I am going to be in big trouble later. Oh well, it was worth it to see the look on Jackson’s face.

  The rest of the meal is pretty silent. I think that everyone is too afraid to speak. I pull out my phone again since nobody is conversing.

  Me: Was that a no to the make-up sex?

  Ned: You just don’t know when to quit, do you?

  Me: Ah come on you can’t seriously still be mad at me …

  Ned: Of course I’m mad! Jackson is a good friend and you’ve been rude to him all night.

  Me: He’s not your friend, Ned, he’s your ex and his only mission where you’re concerned is his fastest track to pantyville. I don’t like him.

  Ned: Do you really think that all men are as shallow as you?

  Me: Yes!

  Ned: Then you’re a bigger idiot than I thought.

  Me: I can’t believe our first argument is over Jackson.

  Ned: It’s not about Jackson, it’s about you and the way you have behaved tonight. Why does he bother you so much anyway?

  Me: Because he’s a slime ball who is only after one thing.

  Ned: Why do you care?

  Me: I don’t.

  Ned: Good, because Jackson and I are going out for a drink after this and you are not invited!

  Me: Like hell you are!

  Ned: Watch me!

  “Jackson, are you still up for that drink tonight?” Ned asks with a sound of determination in her voice.

  “Yeah sure, if you want.” He smiles in my direction.

  “I do.”

  I stare at Ned for a few seconds before standing to my feet.

  “Ned, can I have a word please?” I say looking down at her. She looks at me defiantly but nods her head.

  “We won’t be long,” she tells Jackson and Layla.

  She walks ahead in silence until I say, “turn right.” She obeys and walks toward the restroom. Once we are in the hallway and I am confident that no one is around, I lay my hand on her stomach and push her gently against the nearest wall.

  “What are you doing?” she asks in shock.

  “You’re not going out with him tonight,” I say quietly.

  “Yes, I am.”

  “Ned,” I warn.

  “You are not my boss, Cole. I’m yours, it’d do you well to remember that,” she says, pushing my hand away from her.

  “You were with him for three years?”

  “Yes, is that a problem?” She huffs.

  “Yeah, it’s a damn problem.”

  “Why?”

  Yeah, why, Cole?

  “Because you want me to follow the rules of your stupid contract but you’re the one that is jeopardizing it.”

  “By going out with a friend?” She looks perplexed.

  “No, by going out with an ex who clearly still has feelings for you.”

  “Trust me, he doesn’t have feelings for me.” Her tone sounds off but I can’t figure out why.

  “You know, you are the dumbest smart person I’ve ever met.”

  “And you’re the biggest jerk I’ve ever met!”

  “I can’t do this,” I growl.

  “Then don’t,” she hisses.

  “You know what?” I ask angrily.

  “What?!”

  I smash my lips into hers. I don’t know why but I do. This is not a part of the contract. What are you doing? You need to stop. I can’t. I angrily force my tongue into her mouth. It’s like all the rage goes into this kiss. She kisses me back with equal amounts of passion. I don’t even think that I can call this a kiss. I’ve kissed many girls and nothing has ever felt like this. This is something else. This is more. This is nameless. Right now, this room is suffocating me and she is my oxygen. I pull her closer and her hands slip into my hair. She kisses me like her life depends on it. I groan into her mouth.

  Suddenly, she pushes me away and the spell is broken. We stare at each other as we try to catch our breath. She looks mad and confused; probably because what we just did had nothing to do with the contract. I’m confused. I don’t know what the hell came over me but I know that I don’t want her to kiss anybody else like that, for the rest of her life. I know that she’s about to say something that will make me mad, so I speak first.

  “Enjoy your night with Jackson,” I say before turning and walking away.

  I pull my wallet out of my back pocket and take out enough money to cover mine and Layla’s meal. When I get back to the table, I throw it down and look at Layla. “We’re going.”

  She looks confused but nods.

  “Where’s Ned?” Jackson asks perplexed. I ignore him and walk away without looking behind me.

  “Bren, slow down. Where are you going?” Layla asks as she attempts to keep up with me. I don’t look back at her.

 
“Home, Layla,” I say. “Home.”

  Layla and I have been driving in silence for the last five minutes before she finally breaks it. “Are you ok?”

  “I’m fine,” I lie. Why the hell the idea of Ned going out with Jackson is annoying me this much, I don’t know but I know that I need to get it out of my system.

  “For an actor, you are really bad at acting. You know that, right?” Layla adds making me smile.

  “Honestly, I’m fine.”

  “You don’t like Jackson much, do you?”

  Oh, you picked up on that?

  “I don’t really know him.”

  “Yes but you know Ned, right?”

  “Your point?” I ask in frustration.

  “My point is that if you know her then you should trust her not to do anything wrong.” Things are not that easy, Sis.

  “Yeah.”

  “Relationships are about trust, Bren not game playing. So, if you don’t want her to go then you need to be real with her and let her know.” I did!

  “Honestly, I couldn’t give a damn where she goes or who with for that matter. Right now all I’m thinking about is getting so drunk that I don’t even remember tonight when I wake up.”

  “That can’t be your answer to everything,” she says softly.

  “Says who?” I smirk but she can see right through me.

  “Says life, Brennan. One day the games are going to have to stop. I just hope that sinks in sooner rather than later. And before you lose something you really care about.”

  “Ok, I know you’re just trying to help but that’s about all I can take of the mushy stuff, Sis. It’s true, I don’t like Jackson he’s a leech but honestly Ned can do whatever she likes … it’s not that serious,” I say.

  “Ok.”

  “Ok,” I repeat.

  “Your stop,” she says, smiling at me.

  “Thanks. Talk to Jamie,” I say before stepping out the car.

  “I will. And Bren?”