Bound Together

by Marie Coulson

  Ollie xxxxxxxxx

  P.S I left you a gift in your closet; I got it for you as a kind of going away present. It’s yours whenever you need it.

  Droplets of my tears fell onto the paper, smearing and smudging his words. He was gone. Placing it on my bed I walked to my closet and found a single red envelope containing a plane ticket a note and a CD.

  Turning on my laptop I sat and read the note.

  “This is an open ticket. If you ever change your mind my address is on the back of this note. Ollie. Xxx”

  He’d given me the choice. It wasn’t too late but deep down I knew we were done. I didn’t love him and though my heart was breaking because he was gone, I knew it was for the best. The CD fired up and I gazed at it as Ollie’s face, body, guitar and smile filled the screen. He didn’t speak, he sang. I recognized the song. It was one of my favorites. Ollie really had known all along, the video had been recorded only a week after he’d asked me to go with him. I stared at him as he sang the song ‘In My Life’ by the Beatles. His face expressed every word, each heartfelt emotion and the words enveloped me as each one left his beautiful lips.

  Hitting repeat, I laid there for hours just watching him. I hadn’t even noticed when the sun had gone down. I’d been lying there, watching him all day. Crying, sobbing and just staring at him on the screen. The door flew open and Amy stormed over to me with tears streaming down her face. “How could you Layla!? He’s gone. Just like that and he never even said goodbye before he left. I knew you were going to break his heart. God you really are a heartless bitch.”

  Leaping to my feet I squared up to her. “I am not a heartless bitch Amy. It’s because I care about him so much that I had to let him go. You think that was easy for me? That I don’t miss him so much it’s tearing me apart? Of course not. But I couldn’t keep stringing him along believing that we had a future together. He’s my friend Amy and I love him the way I love you and Mel. I can’t even begin to tell you how much it hurt me to let him go. But I had to. He’s better off this way before we got in too deep.”

  She snorted a laugh in disbelief. “Too deep? Layla he was jumping in feet first the moment you met! He’s been in love with you from the very start and you think it’s all just going to go away for him? That he’ll just forget and get over you? Well he won’t. You never forget your first love. It’s the most awful feeling in the world to love someone who can’t love you back. I should know!”

  I stared at her waiting for an explanation. “What do you mean? Amy do you love Ollie?”

  She flushed. “No, not Ollie. Someone else.”

  I gazed at her but she remained silent. She seemed completely embarrassed and a little mortified that the words had escaped her mouth.

  “Amy talk to me. What’s going on?”

  Holding her hands over her face she sighed. “I’m in love Layla. Completely, totally and unbelievably in love. And my poor heart will never experience that love returned.”

  Pressing my hands on her arms I looked into her tearful eyes. “Amy, tell me, who is it?”

  Biting her lip she gulped a sob. “It’s Melanie.”

  I gawked at her, unsure if I had heard what I thought I had. “Wait, what?” Slumping onto her bed she held her head in her hands. “I’m in love with Mel. Oh god. I have no idea what’s going on with me Layla. I’ve always been with men and I like men. I’m totally sexually attracted to them but, when she’s around me I feel, I don’t know. I can’t stop thinking about her. She’s smart, funny, exciting, and sexy as hell. Her eyes are gorgeous and her body, oh my god. I think about doing things with her I’ve only seen in porn. She makes my skin warm and my heart pound in my ears. Her smile could knock me out. I’ve always been a little tri-sexual. I'll 'try' anything once. But it’s more than just sexual desire I feel for her. I really like her Layla. I’m so confused.”

  My eyebrows shot up and I stared at her in pure and utter surprise. Mel had never had a boyfriend but she’d had her fair share of one night stands and flings, so I was pretty sure poor Amy was barking up a heterosexual tree. “Amy, I don’t know what to say but you know Mel’s not…”

  “I know, she’s into guys but I can’t stop loving her Layla. It’s like a force of nature. I just want to be around her all the time. Last night when we were hanging out in her room I thought about telling her a thousand times but if she knew, she’d never go near me again and I couldn’t stand not having her around. Do you know what it’s like to just completely be cut off from someone you have such strong feelings for?” I gave her an understanding look. Of course I knew. “You know I do Amy. I want to tell you it will all be ok but unrequited love, it’s a killer. But I do think you need to think long and hard about this. Telling her could end your friendship and I love you both too much to watch that happen. Not to mention if it leaves you with a broken heart.”

  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!

  Chapter 44

  Fired Up

  Staring at myself in the 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, t
exts 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 kne
w 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.