Bound Together

by Marie Coulson

  He stood in front of me, grabbed my arms and stared into my eyes, his face so close to mine I could smell the sweet fragrance of his cologne mixed with the scent of his hair product. “Because I’m not him! And because for all the stupid fucking luck, he got you first!”

  My mouth fell open and my chest constricted. I couldn’t breathe. Ollie’s words swirled around in my head like a vortex. Letting go of my arms he turned his back to me and ran his hands through his long black hair. The sleeves of his t-shirt rose up and I noticed for the first time that he had a tattoo. A snake wound its way down his thick bicep. Sinking onto the edge of the bed, he sat with his elbows on his knees and dropped his head into his hands. “Fuck!”

  Lifting his head up to look at me he sighed deeply. “Layla, could you go now, please? I’m sorry I snapped and I’m sorry for everything I said. Your love life is none of my business. In fact let’s forget the whole thing. I’ll save you a seat in class on Monday.”

  Letting out the tight painful breath I’d been holding inside my chest, I walked over and put my hand on his shoulder. “Ollie I…” Standing up he kissed my cheek and hugged me tightly. “Don’t. I’d really rather we just forget it. I’m fine. We’re good. I’m glad you’ve found someone who makes you happy. And I’d rather have you in my life as my geeky, funny, sarcastic friend than not at all. Ok? We’re cool?” I nodded weakly and hugged him back. I really hoped we were ok.

  The thought of losing Ollie from my life filled me with dread. I cared about him deeply and hated myself for hurting him. “I’m so sorry for what I’ve done to you Ollie. I never meant to lead you on.” Holding his finger to my lips he silenced me. “Shhhhh. No. It’s not your fault. You have never led me on Layla. I was the one who thought maybe we could be more than friends but I was misguided, that’s all. It’s cool. I mean it. Now go and pack your shit up and head home. I hope Amy doesn’t expect me to be her wing woman again this weekend.”

  I smiled at him. “Actually I’ve decided to take her with me. I want her to meet Mel.” He raised his eyebrow at me and shook his head. “That’s like hurling gas on a fire if you ask me. From what you’ve told me about Mel she’s a real firework and Amy is definitely a big ole tank of gas. Toxic and lethal.” I laughed and pushed him away from me playfully. “Whatever you say rock star. I’ll catch you on Monday. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. Which these days gives you an awful lot of wiggle room.”

  The men in my life appeared to have developed an interesting habit of raising their eyebrows at me. Jared did it frequently and now Ollie was doing it too. I wondered what it was about me that provoked such a reaction from them. Giving me a wave, Ollie closed the door after me and I walked over to my own room. My heart was hammering in my chest. What was happening to me? For Christ’s sake, I was completely falling in love with Jared and yet Ollie had the ability to get right under my skin. The simmering sexual tension between us was electric and practically scorching with heat. My mind began to wander back to his tattoo, his lip ring pinching into his pink flesh and his delicious chocolate brown eyes. I felt a clenching inside me as I thought about sinking my teeth into those plump lips and running my tongue over his cool metal lip ring. What the fuck was I doing!? I was with Jared and here I was mentally making out with Ollie. I needed to get a grip on this and soon.

  Entering my room I stopped abruptly as I took in the scene in front of me. Sitting on the floor, cross legged in what could best be described as the lotus position, was Amy. Her eyes closed, she hummed quietly. “Uh Amy, what are you doing?” Slinging my bag on my bed I sat in front of her and tried to mimic her pose. It was useless. I was about as flexible as a pencil and as graceful as a bull. My legs barely crossed, I giggled. Opening one eye she smiled at me. “Ommmm…I’m meditating. Omm… you’re home late. Ommmm.” Trying desperately not to laugh I responded in the same fashion. “Omm... I stayed at Jared’s. Omm…we had mind blowing sex on a dining table before fighting and having sex again. Omm.”

  Her eyes flew open and in one swift movement she was on her feet. Rolling onto my knees I hauled myself up. My body was still pretty sore from the sexual adventures of the previous night. Her hands fisted on her hips and her jaw almost scraping the floor, Amy gawked at me. I smiled back at her. “What? We had sex. We had a little fight and then more sex. Why do you have that stupid look on your face?”

  Closing her mouth very briefly she continued to stare at me in shock. “You had a fight? What about?”

  I wasn’t sure if I should disclose the details of our disagreement to her but she was the only girlfriend I had in college and I needed to get things off my chest. “After we had sex on the table he carried me upstairs and I assumed when he took me to bed we would be sleeping together. But he said he couldn’t promise to keep his hands off me and that I was already exhausted. I knew it was such a pile of bullshit so I got really pissed at him and locked myself in the bathroom.”

  “Serves him right! I mean how he could be so cold to you is beyond me. How ridiculous! Can’t keep his hands off you. Did you call him on it?”

  I flushed and brushed a lock of hair behind my ear. “No. I just kind of went off at the deep end and slammed the door in his face. When I came out he had a drill in his hand ready to take the hinges off to get me to come out.”

  She rolled her eyes at me. “So for all you know, it could have been the truth? You’re doubting him and calling him a liar. Now that’s cold girlfriend.” Peeved at her for taking his side I crossed my arms over my chest and scowled. “You’re taking his side now? He fucked me on a dining table and then told me to sleep on my own! He was the one being frosty!” Shocked by my sudden outburst she backed away and rolled her eyes at me. “Oh come on Layla. You still fucked him again after that didn’t you? So it can’t have been as bad as you’re making it out to be. Did you end up sleeping alone?”

  She was right, again but I still would have liked her to have been fighting my corner rather than defending him. “No, he curled up next to me. But I don’t know if he stayed there all night because when I woke up he was making breakfast.”

  She flung herself onto her bed and stared at the ceiling. “You know, Layla, you can be a little overdramatic sometimes. I mean, I love you honey, but maybe next time you could ask questions before you start throwing your tantrums and exploding at him. Ok?”

  I rolled my eyes and nodded weakly. “Yeah, yeah, I get it. He’s so hot headed though, which actually brings me to my next question. Would you come to Pasadena with me for the weekend? Jared doesn’t want me driving alone on my first trip and he kinda made a big deal about it. So I told him I’d take you.”

  Sitting up she gave me a pouty look and frowned. “Oh I wish you’d said something sooner. Daddy called last night and he’s coming to Long Beach on business so were having dinner. Sorry Layla. Will you have to cancel?”

  Scrunching up my nose, I shook my head. “Nah, I’ll still go. I just won’t tell him that I drove alone. He’s working all weekend so he won’t even give it a second thought. But for the record, if he ever asks, I was with you the whole time.” Lying back on her bed Amy sighed, exasperated. “Oh Layla you are playing with fire girl. He’s going to go supernova if he finds out you lied.” I stared at her with a serious expression.

  “Not if you don’t tell him he won’t. And I definitely won’t be saying anything.”

  The drive to Pasadena had taken me a little longer than usual due to me having to pull over twice when Jared called to see if I was alright. It was sweet that he was concerned for my wellbeing but it was also beginning to irritate me. I was a grown woman who was perfectly capable of taking care of herself. Pulling into the driveway, I noticed that dad’s car was missing. He was aware I was coming home for the weekend since I had called him before I’d left campus, so I assumed he’d run to the store or that he’d been called into the shop. I opened the front door and slung my keys onto the table adjacent to it. Grabbing a handful of mail that was stacked on the coffee table, I kicked off m
y shoes and sprawled myself out on the couch. My cell buzzed less than a minute later. Seeing the caller I.D I rolled my eyes.

  “Hi Mom.”

  “Don’t you ‘hi Mom’ me Layla Jennings. I have been out of my mind with worry. Not one call or text to let me know how you are or if you’re ok. It’s as if you have no care for your safety or my nerves Layla. I’m guzzling bottles of Pepto-Bismol like its milk! And your father isn’t much help either. When I call him to see if he’s heard from you he just lectures me on how I should give you space and trust you to make good judgments.”

  I let out an exasperated sigh. This wasn’t going to be a short call. “Sounds like good advice if you ask me mother.”

  “Don’t take that tone with me Layla. I do trust you. I raised you well and I know you can be a good judge of character as well as make sound and rational decisions. But, it’s the other people I don’t trust. I see the college kids coming into the hospital Layla, drugged to the eyeballs, drinking till they can’t even see straight or form a coherent sentence. Rapes, shootings, stabbings; the list is endless. Don’t get me started on all the pregnancies I’ve had walk in. I don’t want you getting hurt or knocked up. Would a courtesy call to your mother be too much to ask Layla? I mean really?” She was over reacting again but knowing this wouldn’t end until I caved in to her demands, I gave her what she wanted “Ok Mom. I’m sorry I didn’t call I’ve just been really busy with work and college and everything, but I promise from now on I’ll text you a goodnight message every day to let you know I’m tucked in safe and sound. Alright?”

  The line went quiet for a moment and part of me hoped we’d been disconnected, but alas, no such luck. “What’s everything else Layla? College and work I get but what else could make you so busy you can’t call your mother?” She gasped.

  “You’ve met a boy haven’t you? I knew it. I knew this would happen. I’m too young to be a grandma young lady. First thing Monday I want you to go see Dr. Roberts and get on birth control. Do you hear me? Who is he anyway? This prospective father of my grandchildren.”

  Rolling my eyes I rested my head back against the couch and pinched the bridge of my nose. I could feel the beginning of a tension headache in my temple.

  “First of all I’m aware of how to practice safe sex mother. I’ve been on contraception for weeks! And second, he’s not a boy, he’s a man. He’s twenty-two, very successful, runs his own company and treats me like a princess. So stop worrying.”

  “What’s his name Layla?” She clearly wasn’t letting this go.

  “Jared. Jared Garrett. Mother I swear if you even think about Googling him I will never speak to you again.”

  “Jared Garrett. The property developer? Jared Garrett the sole heir to the Garrett estate and fortune? Jared Garrett the millionaire!?” Too late.

  I held the phone away from my ear to avoid the screeching on the other end, as my mother gushed and squealed about how I was going to marry a millionaire. “Mother calm down. We’re just dating right now. I don’t know where it’s going to go. I think we’re a long way from marriage talks. But since we’re on the subject of Jared, I have to go. I promised him I’d call to let him know I was here, safe in Pasadena.”

  I could almost hear her smiling. “Ah see, someone else who worries about your safety and wellbeing. I like him already.”

  “Goodbye mother. I’ll text you tomorrow night. Tonight I’m home with daddy. I love you, even if you are a little unhinged.”

  “Layla!”

  “Goodbye mother.” My tone was curt and she knew my patience was running thin.

  “Goodbye darling. I love you. Stay safe.”

  Holding the cell in my hand, I dialed Jared’s number. He picked up on the first ring. “Layla. You’re safe? You’re home?”

  The sound of his voice brought a wave of warmth through my body. “Yes I’m here. Safe and sound. You can stop worrying now.”

  “I will worry and panic until you are back here with me, in my arms where I can keep you safe myself. Amy settled in alright?” Shit. Fuck. For the first time in my adult life I was going to have to lie. And to Jared. “Yeah she’s fine. A little tired from traveling so she’s taking a nap, but later we’re going out for dinner with Mel and my dad.” Liar, liar panties on fire. He chuckled. “I’m sure that will make for an interesting evening. I’d sure love to be a fly on the wall. Well, have fun my lady and try not to miss me too much. Lord knows I’m missing you like crazy right now. Especially that delectable little ass of yours.”

  I gasped in jest, “Jared!”

  The husky tones of his laughter made me miss him deeply. I wanted to be wrapped up in his arms, cocooned in Jared. The line went silent for a moment as we both caught our breath. Maybe he was thinking the same thing I was.

  “So, what are you wearing?”

  I grinned. “A smile. Goodbye Jared”

  “Tease. I’ll get you for that. Have a lovely evening. Goodbye my lady.”

  Hanging up, I hugged myself. He was utterly perfect. Sweet, caring, his trust and faith in me was unfailing…and I had just fed him a lie. I had made him a promise and if he ever found out how badly I had broken that promise he would be furious. How could I lie to him after I had lectured and chastised him about the need for honesty in a relationship? But surely my little white lie didn’t compare even slightly to his. After all a lie of omission is still a lie. I was going to have to live with this one on my conscience and the thought made me feel queasy.

  Hearing a key rattle in the door I glanced over the back of the couch to see dad putting his keys onto the table next to mine. “Hey baby girl. Sorry I wasn’t here when you got in, I had to go to work. You been here long?” Leaping over the back of the couch I ran to hug him. He staggered back at little as the force of my body hit him like a wall but he smiled widely. “I’m pleased to see you too. So what’s been happening with you?”

  Collapsing back on to the couch I sighed loudly. “Got a call from mom earlier, being her nervous self, as usual. I promised I’ll text her every night before bed so that she knows I’m safe.”

  “Thank god. Maybe now she’ll stop calling and hassling me. I mean I understand she worries but…” The chiming of the phone in the hallway stopped him from finishing his sentence. Eying the caller I.D, he groaned. “Of course. Speak of the devil and she’s sure to be calling your phone.” Begrudgingly he answered. “Hello Diane. Yes she told me you called. No I don’t think she was quite aware of how worried you were but now that that’s all straightened out, you can stop calling me every hour on the hour for an update.” Mom was obviously giving him a hard time but dad had always been particularly skilled at cutting her off during a rant. “Diane I really don’t think it’s any of my business who my daughter does or doesn’t date. Why do you torture yourself? Yes of course I knew she was seeing someone. She tells me everything.” Peering over the back of the sofa he raised his eyebrows at me and gave me a look that told me we would be discussing this as soon as he could get rid of my mother. I sank down into the large soft cushions wishing the floor would open and I’d be sucked into oblivion. “Alright Diane, I’ll talk to her. Ok. You too. Bye.” Hanging up he made his way over to his usual chair, opposite the couch. It was an old brown leather recliner, which he had positioned strategically so that not only did he have the best view of the TV, he could see the front door and the stairs without having to move an inch. It had been designed so that he would be able to see me leaving and coming home whenever I was out with friends.

  “So you have a boyfriend. Naturally your mother has Googled him and told me everything about his social, financial and political status, but I want to hear it from you. What is he like? Where did you meet? How long have you been dating and why didn’t you tell me about it?”

  Taking a deep breath I straightened up and faced him. “He’s really sweet, caring, generous and a little overprotective, but in a good way. We met at the coffee shop. I accidently got coffee all over his shirt and kinda, almost, brok
e his nose. We’ve only been dating for a few weeks but I feel like I have known him all my life. We really connect. He treats me like a princess daddy and you have nothing to worry about. He’s very responsible and as a successful business man he is focused and driven with a lot of ambition too. I didn’t tell you because there was nothing to tell. I wouldn’t even call him my boyfriend. He’s just a guy I’m seeing. Now enough about Jared, I’m going to get Mel and then we can all go out for dinner.” Jumping to my feet I pecked him on the cheek and hurried out of the door. Ok, so I’d played down the whole relationship thing but I was doing it to protect dad. Besides, I really wasn’t sure where things were going yet. I hoped that would be the end of our discussion about Jared but I had a feeling Mel would be bringing it up again at dinner. That girl had no filter between her brain and her mouth. Telling dad how wonderful he was had made my deceit feel that much worse. This guilt was going to eat me alive and I still had dinner and a whole night’s sleep to get through. Unable to stand the nauseous tension in my stomach I decided to tell him the truth. Tomorrow, I thought, when I was back on campus, safe and sound and thus proving what a perfectly capable driver I was. I just prayed he wouldn’t be too mad.

  Chapter 21

  Oh What A Wicked Web

  Dinner at Mamma’s Little Pizzeria was as delicious as usual. Thankfully, Mel’s presence had distracted Roberto’s attention from me. He’d always been a little sweet on her and I was sure she had a soft spot for him too. But typically, Mel’s self-esteem issues had always stopped her from asking him out. She was infuriating. She was one of life’s natural beauties and yet she convinced herself that she was some kind of ogre. I was still exhausted from spending Friday night with Jared and hadn’t felt much like talking through dinner. Guilt was still turning my stomach and had dissolved my usually ravenous appetite. Dad hadn’t noticed but Mel had raised an eyebrow at me several times. When we excused ourselves to go to the bathroom I filled her in on what had happened between Jared and I: the table, the fight, the bedroom, breakfast and his warning about my driving. Although she agreed that he was being a little overprotective, she had also warned me about spinning a web of lies. I wished so hard that she was wrong but I had a terrible sinking feeling that this was all going to come back to haunt me. Lies rarely just disappear, they linger like a stalker, hiding, waiting for the moment they can spring out of the dark and tackle you to the floor.