Bound Together

by Marie Coulson

  “Why didn’t you tell us it was your birthday? We only found out after Amy saw your brother. Did you get a chance to speak with him?”

  Shrugging, he brushed off my question. “No and I’m not going to.” Gripping his injured palm into a fist he frowned at it. “Let’s not get into all of that tonight ok? It’s my birthday.”

  Nodding, I handed him the bright red package and smiled. “Happy Birthday Oliver.”

  Tearing off the paper he gasped and stared at me in shock. Stroking his bandaged hand up and down the long tight strings of his new guitar, he grinned. White with a black panel in the center it had been marked with his name on the bottom curve. “Oh my god Layla. It’s beautiful. It must have cost a fortune how did you pay for this?”

  “I didn’t. Well, not alone. It’s from me and Amy. Do you like it?”

  “Like it? I fucking love it!” Holding it in one hand he threw his arms around me again and whispered in my ear. “Layla, about the photo.”

  I shook my head and gave him a gentle shove. “It’s fine. Another time alright?” He nodded and pressed his lips into a firm line. “Ollie, I brought Jared here tonight. I’d really love it if you two could meet properly. I don’t expect you to be best buddies but I would like if you would at least be civil for my sake. Will you come meet him, please?”

  Taking a deep breath he frowned at me before rolling his eyes. “Alright. You know I’d do anything for you. Where is he so we can get this over with and I can go back to getting hammered?” The air was tense as we approached the table. Jared was on his feet before we even got near and immediately snaked a possessive arm around my waist. Ignoring his attempt to mark his territory, I introduced the two guys and held my breath as they stood sizing each other up. Holding out his hand, Jared made the first move and after glancing at my hopeful face Ollie accepted. Letting out the breath I was holding, I sighed in relief. “So Layla tells me you play?” Lifting his guitar slightly he gave Jared a look that suggested “well duh” but thankfully kept the sarcasm to himself and never actually said it. Glaring at him I mouthed a warning. “Be nice.”

  “Uh yeah, since I was a kid. But Layla’s the superstar. She made her debut right there on that stage.” He nodded at the empty stage across the bar and I smiled to myself remembering the performance I’d made the first time we’d come to Benny’s.

  Grinning, Jared gazed down at me. “Really? I would love to see that.”

  Ollie took my hand and smiled enthusiastically. “We should do it Layla! I’ll get to fire up this little baby, Amy can play piano and the guys can play drums and bass. Come on. Call it a birthday concert for me. Besides Jared wants to see your awesome talent firsthand.” Jared’s eyes travelled to where Ollie’s thumb was currently brushing back and forth across my knuckles. Pulling my hand away quickly, I smiled nervously.

  “I don’t know Ollie, I mean, I think it was a once in a lifetime performance. Besides, Amy doesn’t want to do all that again.”

  “Amy doesn’t want to do what?” That girl has hearing like a sonar system I swear.

  “Layla won’t sing with us and says you’re not up to playing piano tonight.” Almost hitting us as her drink sprayed out of her mouth, Amy jumped up and down enthusiastically.

  “Are you freaking kidding me!? Of course I’ll play and Layla will sing. Won’t you Layla?!” She stared me down as a silent understanding passed between the two of us. Comprehending immediately what she was saying, I nodded and rolled my eyes. “Ok, I’ll sing. But I get to choose the song. Agreed?” Both she and Ollie accepted my terms and before I knew it they were hustling Nick and Eric onto the stage to set up.

  I looked up at Jared as he wound his arms around my back. “See, I can play nicely. I didn’t spring over the booth to strangle him when he hugged you, I didn’t shatter his jaw when he kissed your cheek and I didn’t break his fingers when he held your hand. You must appreciate how hard that was for me Layla.” Sliding my hands around his neck I pulled him to me and covered his mouth with my own for a kiss. “I do appreciate it and later I’ll make sure to show you my appreciation. Now if you don’t mind, I have to go be a superstar now. Come be my groupie?” Grinning like a Cheshire cat he followed me to the stage and stood amongst the crowd. Turning to my new band I told them what we were playing and since the song didn’t require a piano I asked Amy to be my back up singer. Turns out the girls lungs weren’t just there to support her endless talking.

  Tapping the mic, I stood anxiously and stared into the sea of faces currently fixed on me. Finally I saw Jared and my whole body relaxed. Smiling, I introduced us. “Hi everyone, I’m Layla and these guys are D.O.A. Now usually Ollie would be the one standing where I am but since it’s his birthday I promised one performance. So this song is one of my favorites and tonight it goes out to a very special man in my life. Gazing down at Jared I smiled as Nick began drumming the intro to “This Kiss” by Faith Hill.

  Grasping the mic stand I sang my heart out. I wasn’t singing for Ollie. I wasn’t singing for the crowd. I was singing for Jared and as our eyes locked on each other, the whole room seemed to fade away until all that was left was him and me. His smile was bigger than I’d ever seen it and his eyes glistened and sparkled as he watched me. I thought my heart would explode with the happiness that was flowing like a tsunami inside me. Butterflies swirled like a tornado and the adrenaline that pumped through my veins made me feel like I could conquer the world. Amy’s voice alongside mine sounded as though we were made to sing together and the cheers from the crowd as we finished were deafening. Wrapping me in a tight hug, Amy whispered in my ear. “I’d say operation serenade was a success. He definitely knows how you feel now.” I hugged her back as Ollie wrapped his arms around us both in a group hug. Kissing each of us on the head he grinned. “You guys were awesome, you totally rock!” Holding his hand up, we each gave him a high five. Turning my attention back to the dispersing crowd, I spotted Jared at the edge of the stage. Holding his arms out to me, he lifted me down and twirled me around, kissing me deeply and with loving tenderness. “You were amazing. I loved it. I love you.” I blushed shamelessly, still grinning from my performance. Through his eyes I felt like a real star. And the Grammy goes too…

  * * *

  As the drinks flowed, the tension between Jared and Ollie softened a little but I was more than aware that this was a temporary truce for my benefit and once the night was over, things would return to the way they were and I would once again be stuck between a rock star and a hard, hot sex god. Jared was my constant companion all night and I could hardly breathe without him scrutinizing my actions. Even going to the bathroom became a group activity with Amy and me using the ladies room while he stood vigilant outside the door; though in her current inebriated state, I was glad to have someone there to hold her up for me if needed.

  “What ish hisss problem? Does he think you’re going to be abducted from the stall or something? Jeesh Layla. And have you seen the way he and Ollie keep giving each other daggers across the table when they think no one is looking. Gives me the creeps. You’re living dangerously tonight girl.” Shaking my head at her slurring and washing my hands, I gave her a puzzled look. I’d thought things were going well, at least for now anyway.

  Emerging from the bathroom, I gave Jared an exasperated look and swiftly breezed past him back to the booth. I felt like a child with a babysitter who was making sure I didn’t stay up too late or eat too much junk food. Giving Ollie a gentle nudge and encouraging him to make some space, I slid in next to him. Jared glared at me as he took the seat directly opposite. Gripping his glass of bourbon tightly he downed it and slammed it back onto the table. Ollie gazed down at me and gave me a quizzical look. I shook my head and aimed a half-hearted smile at him and murmured, “Not now.” Draping his arm around my shoulder and giving me a peck on the cheek he grinned and whispered into my ear. “Bit uptight isn’t he? Feel threatened does he?” Glancing at Jared I could see the fire flickering in his eyes. He was livid. Sta
nding quickly he shook his head at me slowly in warning and stalked over to the bar.

  I glowered at Ollie. Removing his arm from my shoulder, I shoved him, pissed at his stunt. “Why do you have to push his buttons Ollie? This was meant to be a nice evening where the two of you could be civil and at least pretend to get along. What happened to doing this for me?”

  “He doesn’t deserve you Layla. You deserve better. I mean Christ, the guy follows you to the fucking bathroom like he’s your mother or something.” Scooting out of my seat I picked up my glass and emptied it into his lap.

  He hissed and growled at me. “What the fuck Layla!?”

  Fisting my hands on my hips I gave him a furious stare. “No, Ollie. You think I deserve you. Well I’m sorry, but I’ve made my choice and you’re going to have to accept it. Now I have to go do damage control.”

  Turning on my heel, I walked over to Jared who was leaning his elbows on the bar and swirling a drink in his hand. Placing a hand on his shoulder I stood at his side and gently took the drink from his grasp, placing it back on the bar. He stared ahead avoiding my gaze. “He’s trying my patience Layla. I don’t know how much more I can take. I’m this fucking close to ramming my fist into his mouth and tearing out his vocal chords. I’d like to see him whisper in your ear then.”

  Rubbing my hands over my face I took a deep breath. “You know what, I can’t excuse what he did and I’ve dealt with it. He knows he was out of line and I’ve made it clear that I will not let him do that a second time because I’ll break his damn fingers myself. I’m yours. He can put his arm around me, whisper in my ear and even kiss my cheek but in the end it’s you I climb into bed with. You have my heart Jared, completely and totally. Don’t punish me for this. It’s not fair.”

  Turning to face me, his eyebrows furrowed together, marring his handsome face. Closing his eyes tightly as though in pain, his shoulders sagged and he sighed loudly. Opening them again, he stood up straight and gazed down at me. The piercing blue in his eyes was hypnotic and I could have easily lost myself in them for days. Taking my hand from his shoulder, he held it in his own, dragging his thumb back and forth over my knuckles. “I’m not punishing you baby. I’m just struggling with this. He loves you Layla. It’s in his eyes when he looks at you. Every time I turn around he’s gazing at you and I can see it. I should know. It’s exactly how I feel every minute of every day. He wants you and I’m terrified that one day you’re going to choose him. I couldn’t take it Layla. I’m close to breaking point as it is with that fucker pushing every button I have. He needs to get it into his thick head that you’re mine and I won’t let you go without a fight.”

  Stepping closer to him I cupped his face in my hands. “I will say this one last time Jared and then I never want to talk about this ever again. I love you. I don’t care if every man in this room is in love with me because I love you. I don’t want anyone else. Ever. You’re my future now and there is no force on earth that could change how I feel about us or keep me from you. I will only ever want you for the rest of my life.”

  Breathing hard, he pressed his forehead against mine while still clasping my hands in his. “I can’t help feeling possessive over you Layla. You’re the most valuable thing in my life and I won’t share you with anyone, ever. You’re everything to me. I’d kill for you. I’d give up everything I own just to keep you. You’re my whole universe and I couldn’t exist without you.”

  “You won’t ever have to. I’m not going anywhere.” His arms enveloped me in a warm embrace as he kissed me. Pulling me to him tightly, our kiss deepened and lingered. The gentleness of his lips paired with the ferocious lashings of his tongue in my mouth stirred my senses and a soft moan escaped my lips.

  A tap on my shoulder pulled me from my ecstasy. Turning around I saw a very drunk Amy. “Oh you two are soooo cute! Layla I’m starving can we go eat somewhere?” She stumbled in her heels and Jared caught her in his arms just before she crashed into a bar stool. “Whoa there girl. I think maybe you should eat something, soak up that alcohol. I’ll walk you both back to the dorm and we’ll find somewhere for Amy to get something deep fried and greasy to eat on the way.” I nodded in agreement as I hoisted her arm over my shoulder to hold her up. “Oh Layla, I love you soooooo much. You’re my best friend. I’ve never had one before.” Pressing her palm to my face she turned me towards her and planted a big wet smacker on my lips. Jared immediately fell into hysterics as I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. “Not so fast pretty boy. You need to hold onto the other side or she’s going to fall over in these heels.” That stopped him laughing. “You’re kidding right? What if she hurls?” I grinned back at him “Well it’s that or haul her over your shoulder and carry her.” Grabbing Amy’s other arm he groaned and we slowly made our way to the exit.

  Pushing our way outside, we’d only gotten about two feet away from the door when Ollie yelled behind us. “Hey, where you going?” He ran to catch up and walked beside us as we practically dragged Amy along the sidewalk. I caught sight of his wet pants and smiled to myself. The liquid had seeped into his light denim jeans making them darken around his crotch. Catching my line of sight Jared sniggered at him. “Huh, get a little over excited in there did we?”

  Glancing at Jared, Ollie shrugged. “No, some bitches just can’t hold their drinks. Literally.” I gave him a disapproving look in response to his sarcasm. “Amy’s really drunk and she needs to soak up some of this alcohol. We’re going to get some food then head back to the dorm.” Grabbing Amy’s arm from around my neck and hoisting it over his own, he eyed Jared coolly. “Seems pointless all of us going. Why don’t you let me help and then he can head home. I can take care of them dude.”

  Jared’s feet came to an abrupt halt and he glared at Ollie. “Two things. One, I am not your dude and two, there is no chance in hell I am leaving Layla alone with you and her drunk friend.” Ollie stifled a laugh. “Well she’s going to be alone with me eventually bro. We’re in the same class, she lives across the hall and were also friends. These girls are perfectly safe with me. I’d never let anything happen to them.” He winked at me playfully and I took in a sharp breath as Jared’s free hand clenched into a fist tightly beside him. He was trying devastatingly hard to restrain his anger and his temper. I was all too aware how ugly things could get if Ollie didn’t back off soon. His jaw tightened, Jared practically snarled at him. “It’s what you want to do to Layla that grinds my gears bro.” The way he said the word ‘bro’ gave me the distinct impression that his feelings towards Ollie were as far from brotherly as humanly possible. The look on his face was murderous and if he could have willed it, Ollie would have suffered a fatal heart attack right on the spot.

  “Let’s not pretend huh? You want her and you hate me for getting her. Well hard fucking luck because I am never giving her up, prick.” Ollie almost dropped Amy as he made a step in Jared’s direction.

  Frustrated, cold, hungry and pissed off I couldn’t take it anymore. “Will you both just shut up!? I really don’t have the patience for your bitching right now. Either you both help me get her sober and into bed or you can both go and Amy will be the only one alone with me!” Directing my anger at Jared I could see I’d made my point. With a wounded look on his face he looked like a child who’d just been told Santa wasn’t real and my anger was suddenly disintegrating as I looked into his big, blue eyes. Letting go of my irritated mood and putting him out of his misery, I gave him a reassuring smile. He smiled back before returning his attention to my beer crotch stained friend. Glaring at one another and through gritted teeth they conceded, answering simultaneously. “Fine.”

  We walked in silence along the street, searching for anywhere that was still serving food. Since Ollie had taken Amy from me, he and Jared were now holding her so well her feet barely touched the ground. Listening to her singing a song only she seemed to know the lyrics to, I laughed to myself at the scene I was currently taking part in. My boyfriend on one side, the man who wants to steal m
e from him on the other and my intoxicated roommate between them. It sounded like a sketch from a sitcom but this was my reality. Spotting a Mexican fast food shop across the street, Ollie yelled at me. “I think we should find something there to feed her. To be honest, I don’t think she’ll make it anywhere else before she’s asleep.” He was right. Amy was well on her way to a booze induced ten hour coma. Nodding in agreement, I crossed the street to the shop and got her three of the greasiest burrito’s they served. Jared and Ollie had sat Amy on a bench just outside and were propping her up when I approached them.

  Squatting in front of her, I placed the food in her lap and watched as she devoured it quickly. The guys’ expressions ranged from shock to pride as she ate her way through all three in less than ten minutes. I could smell the spicy chili peppers on her breath as she belched loudly. Ollie and Jared found it highly hilarious but I’d simply rolled my eyes and waited for them to heave her up again. I spent the rest of the journey, just praying that she wouldn’t throw up on herself because that was something I did not want to be clearing up. “What the hell was she drinking tonight Ollie? The only thing I saw her drink was beer. She can’t have gotten this bad with just a few glasses of beer.”

  “Well there was the beer and Eric gave her some of his bourbon. Oh and Nick helped her polish off an entire bottle of Tequila.” My head snapped round at him and I stalked over furious and prodded him in the chest. “You let her drink all that!? Are you crazy!? Jesus Christ Ollie she’s a tiny little woman she could have got alcohol poisoning! How could you be so irresponsible?” Amy groaned and I hurriedly checked her over making sure she hadn’t passed out. A slight smile grazed her lips and I exhaled loudly with relief. “You really are a totally stupid dick sometimes Ollie. You’re supposed to be her friend.”