Bound Together

by Marie Coulson

  I could hear Mel in the background and realized I was on speaker phone. “Hi Mel.”

  They whispered something to each other as I waited patiently on the line. “Hi sweetie. How you feeling?”

  “Lousy.”

  “Sorry. Well Mel and I just wondered if you wanted us to get your stuff ready for summer break for you since you’re still at your folks.”

  Shit. I’d completely forgotten that I needed to clear my things before the end of the week. “No it’s ok. I’m going to head back today.”

  “You’ve made up your mind then?”

  I exhaled loudly. “No and yes. I can’t decide between them Amy so I know what I have to do. I have to let them both go.”

  “Oh Layla, hurry home because I need to hug you right now. We’ll be right here when you get back ok?”

  “Ok. I’ll be there soon. I love you guys.” They answered simultaneously with a chorus of “we love you too” and hung up.

  Pressing a kiss to my forehead my dad smiled. “You’re doing the right thing baby. It’s going to hurt but you’re doing the kindest thing for all of you.”

  Gazing up at him I wondered if he was right. “Am I? It sure doesn’t feel that way. I feel like the most awful person in the world right now breaking two hearts and my own. Doesn’t feel too right from where I’m sitting. I feel like someone ran a truck over my heart.”

  “You are not awful. You’re doing what’s right. You should have faith in yourself Layla. I knew your head would figure this all out and that you’d make the right choice in the end.” Staring at him, I heard my mother’s words replay in my ears. Your heart will always have the right answer. But my heart didn’t have an answer at all which meant I had no option but to do what my head told me was right. Getting to my feet I shuffled upstairs to pack my overnight bag; ready to head back to campus.

  Knocking lightly on my door my mom peered through the gap. “Is it okay to come in?”

  I nodded and continued to gather my things from my dresser as she sat on my neatly made bed.

  “I heard you and your father. I just need to say something before you go.”

  Sighing, I turned around to face her and shook my head. “There’s nothing to say Mom. I know what I have to do. It’s for the best.”

  “The best for whom?”

  “For everyone, Ollie and Jared deserve to move on and they can’t do that while they’re hanging on hoping I’ll pick them over the other.”

  “And what about you? What’s right for you?”

  I growled in frustration. “I don’t know Mom! I don’t know what I want or who I want which means I lose both!”

  Standing up she cupped my face in her hands and smiled. “You do know baby. You’re just scared and that’s okay. But don’t throw away your chance for happiness because you’re afraid to take the leap or because you know someone ends up hurt. No matter what you choose, someone was always going to end up heartbroken. But if there’s a chance two hearts can be blissfully happy together in love, then that’s worth the broken heart of one. They will mend. They will find love again and be happy. But if you do this, let them both walk away, the only heart that will break and stay broken is yours baby.”

  I stared at her as her words hit me hard. Rubbing her thumb over my cheek, she leaned in and placed a kiss on my forehead. “Think about it. You’re heart knows Layla. Listen to it. Really listen. It will tell you what to do.”

  Winking at me she smiled and left me alone with my thoughts.

  Holding my palm firmly to my chest I took a deep breath as tears ran over my cheeks slowly. “Please, tell me what I’m supposed to do because this is killing me. Just tell me, please.” As if hearing my plea it gave an almighty thud making me jump slightly and as I sat with my hand still clutched over my heart, I waited; for a sign, for a feeling, anything to give me some kind of clue as to what I needed to do. But it never came. Cursing myself for ever believing that my heart would speak to me somehow, I grabbed my overnight bag and headed downstairs to say goodbye to my parents.

  Not wanting to drag it out, my father took the box of memories Jared had sent me and my bag out to the car and hurled them into the passenger seat as my mother held me in a tight embrace.

  “Goodbye baby. I love you.”

  It felt as though we were saying goodbye forever and I got the feeling she maybe thought it could be. Shaking my head, I kissed her cheek.

  “I’ll be home on Saturday okay?”

  She nodded holding my hand as I turned to my father for a heart stopping hug. Lifting me from the ground he clutched me to his chest.

  “Bye baby girl. Safe drive back okay?”

  Smiling I gave him a salute and slid into the driver’s seat.

  The drive back had taken no time at all and as I pulled into the parking lot of the dorm building, I breathed a sigh of relief. I needed my girls and lots and lots of junk food. Parking, I glanced over at the building and saw Amy bounding over with a grin on her face.

  “Layla, I’m so glad you’re back! Hurry up, there’s something inside for you that you have to see. I know you’re going to want to see this.”

  My heart skipped and my pulse raced as the thought crossed my mind that one of them could be waiting for me in the room. Leaping to my feet, I sprinted as fast as my legs could carry me; leaving Amy trailing behind through the halls as I burst into the dorm room, panting and breathless.

  No one was there and disappointment plagued me. Seeing my reaction from her seat on the bed, Mel smiled.

  “Which one were you hoping it would be?”

  I stared at her stunned.

  “What?”

  Walking over she grabbed my hands.

  “Which one did you hope it would be? Jared or Ollie?”

  I shook my head at her “Did you do that to try and force my decision?”

  Clearly becoming a little irritated she repeated her question. “Which one Layla?”

  I gazed at her speechless. Amy stood in the doorway, breathless as I turned around and gave her a confused look.

  “You both set me up. I can’t believe this. How could you do that? It’s sneaky, underhanded and...”

  “Which one Layla?!”

  They both simultaneously shouted it at me and all of a sudden my heart decided to scream back at them and me. My mouth falling open, I gawked at them and clutched my hand to my chest. Hammering like drum it pounded in my ears, my whole body rocked with every thunderous thump. I could hardly speak. My voice barely a whisper, I swallowed hard before pulling them to me and holding them tightly in my arms.

  “I know what I have to do. I love you guys and I’m so glad you’re here.”

  Leaving them gawking at me I hurried to the closet and hauled out my suitcase, slinging it onto the bed.

  “What are you doing?” Standing beside me, they watched as I frantically pulled clothes, shoes and everything I could lay my hands on out of my closet and into my case.

  “I’m packing. Are you two going to stand there or help me?” Giving each other a grin they headed in different directions and grabbed my things. Amy had everything from the bathroom and Mel was stuffing my underwear, laptop and beauty products into the crammed full case. Zipping it up, panting and running on adrenaline I turned to face them.

  Flinging their arms around me they laughed.

  “So, where to?”

  Grinning, I bit my lip. “The airport. I have a flight to catch.” They gave me a knowing look and as an understanding passed between us, I knew they had already figured out where my heart was a long time ago.

  “Well we’d better hurry up then.”

  Mel called a cab and as we waited I could hardly stand still. I was full of nerves and I jittered, fumbled and paced up and down as I thought about what I was doing. Pulling my cell from my pocket I dialed my mom.

  “Baby girl, everything okay?”

  Stopping a moment I breathed deeply. “I’ve made a decision Mom and I’m going to the airport right now. I love you
both and I promise I’ll call as soon as I get there. I have to do this. Please understand.”

  “Oh baby. We love you too. Good luck princess. Give him a big hug for me sweetheart and Layla…I knew your heart wouldn’t let you down. It’s too big and too wonderful not to give you everything you have ever wanted.”

  Tears in my eyes, I spotted the cab heading down the street and said my goodbyes before shoving the phone into my pocket. Heaving my case in the trunk Amy and Mel climbed in and I gave them a puzzled look.

  “You really think we’re going to miss seeing you off? You’re kidding right? Get in!”

  The entire ride to LAX, we sat in the back of the cab holding each other’s hands tightly. My feet were unable to keep still and butterflies swarmed in my stomach. I felt scared, nauseous, excited and apprehensive all at once. Placing her hand on my knee stilling my mindless jerking, Mel smiled reassuringly.

  “It’ll be alright. I promise.”

  Nodding, I stared out of the window, watching the world pass by as we sped to the airport.

  The second we pulled up, Amy insisted on paying the driver as Mel ran around to get my case. Pulling it through the entrance I headed for the desk to buy a ticket but Mel halted me and ran over, leaving me and Amy wondering what she was doing. Returning a few minutes later with an envelope, she grinned at me.

  “You’re traveling first class and your plane leaves in an hour, so we have to run if you’re going to make it.”

  Pulling her into a tight embrace, I kissed her cheek. Pushing me away she smiled. “Come on, no time for this. Let’s go!” Sprinting through the terminal, I could hardly breathe as I tried to haul my ass to the gate as fast as I could. Catching my arm, Amy pointed to the gate I needed and stopped.

  “This is where we say goodbye.”

  I gazed at them both as tears streamed down my face. “I don’t want to say goodbye to you guys. It’s so final.”

  Smiling, Mel hugged me tightly. “Then try this. See ya soon Layla. I’ll miss you.”

  Smiling back at her, I nodded. “See you soon Mel. Amy.”

  Tears running over her flushed cheeks, she nodded as she wrapped her arms around me. “Thank you so much for coming into my life Layla. I love you, don’t ever forget that. We’re right here, call, text, email; I don’t care, just don’t ever forget we’re here okay?”

  Pulling away, I brushed her cheeks with my thumbs. “I couldn’t get away from you guys if I tried. I’ll call as soon as I land. I love you guys so much.”

  Pulling them both in for one last group hug, I sniffled through my tears and closed my eyes, savoring the memory of my best friends in my arms one last time before leaving them for my new life.

  Holding hands, the two of them smiled at me as I took my case and walked towards the gate. Glancing back, I grinned at them then turned and strode quickly through the long corridor to the check in desk.

  A beautiful young blonde greeted me and checked my ticket, boarding pass and passport. In my hurry to leave I’d almost forgotten it but Mel had grabbed it for me, giving it to me in the cab. “Okay Miss Jennings, you’re in first class. Follow the signs and someone will show you to your seat at the end. Have a great flight.”

  My bag checked in and shown to my seat, I gazed at the luxury. With fully reclining seats, free beverages and small TV screens mounted onto the seat in front of me, I smiled to myself. Mel was amazing.

  Waiting for the engines to start, I knew there was something I still had to do and as I slid my cell from my pocket I swallowed hard trying not to cry. Typing out the text, I knew it was a cowardly and completely selfish thing to do but I couldn’t face the conversation over the phone. It would be too painful and I couldn’t bear it. I had to let him know, tell him that I had made my choice. I had to let him go.

  I’m sorry. I can’t do it. I will always love you and you will always hold a piece of my heart forever. Forgive me.

  Layla xxx

  Sent: 16.43

  Taking a deep breath I swiped my face as a few tears escaped my eyes. And as I thought about what he must have been going through at that moment I could hardly contain my grief. Pulling a Kleenex from my purse I dabbed and wiped my eyes as a barrage of tears fell freely. Flagging down the flight attendant, I asked for some water. I needed to calm down, to gather myself and prepare for my journey. It was going to be a long flight and I knew that meant lots of time to wallow in my self-loathing over the heart I’d just crushed.

  Realizing I would still need someone to pick me up from the airport at the other end, I gripped my cell in my hand knowing the next text I was setting my future in stone. There was no turning back now and I could imagine the smile on his face as I hit send. Sending my flight details, I switched it off and slipped my cell back into my pocket, ready for take-off. I stared out of the window and bit my lip. This was it. The first day of the rest of my life, of our lives and our future together. The roar of the engines made me jump and as the captain’s voice came over the speakers, I smiled to myself while sniffling back my tears. No turning back now Layla. Here we go.

  * * *

  Waiting at the baggage collection, I reached for my cell and turned it on. There was only one message. Opening it instantly, I smiled as I read his text. He was waiting for me at arrivals and as my bag rounded the corner, I couldn’t have gripped it and swiped it off the collection belt any faster.

  Hauling it from the counter, I pulled it behind me as I headed out to the arrivals lounge. I scanned every face in the room before my eyes fell on one that made me squeak with delight. Standing a little way across the vast lounge, he grinned at me as he pushed through the crowd of people in his path.

  Grinning myself, I practically sprinted towards him and as he approached. I was so relieved and happy to see him that I threw my arms around his neck and held him in a tight hug. He laughed, lifting my feet from the floor as he hugged me back.

  “I can’t believe you’re here. I’ve got the car parked right out front. God it’s great to see you.”

  Releasing me, he reached for my case and I smiled back at him, unable to contain my own happiness. Grabbing his cap and pulling it playfully to the side I beamed at him.

  “It’s good to see you too Daniel.”

  Praise For Bound Together

  The author was able to make you fall in love/lust with these characters in a very believable way! I remember being a young adult and having all of these emotions running through me and Ms. Coulson got this totally right! I got very emotionally invested in these characters and found myself yelling, crying, screaming and having to put my Kindle in time-out for making me so angry! Add this to your "to-read" shelf! You won't be disappointed! – Wendy Neuman Wilken

  Take the romance of Twilight and the sexiness of 50 Shades and multiply it by a million and you have Bound Together. A tantalizing tale of a journey through the eyes of a girl just like yourself, into a world of luxury, love and breaking down inhibitions to their most primal state. It's team Oliver versus team Jared in a race to see who can make your panties the most moist. I know whose delectable lips left me begging for a kiss...What team are you on? – Shaina Salisbury – Abbs

  Bound Together is a tension and angst filled, sexy and hot, heart melting, heart pounding, heart crushing ride. And I loved every minute of it!!! – Karen Anderson of Book Crush Book Reviews

  Erotic lust and sensual desire are 'Bound Together' with sweet love and real romance. Marie Coulson rocked her debut! Couldn't put it down. We want more Jared and Ollie! – Flirty and Dirty Book Blog.

  Acknowledgements

  I am incredibly thankful to so many people who made this book possible. My wonderful family for believing in me and for your infinite patience while I gushed, cried and sulked through the process. To my lover, friend and soul mate for being so understanding when I neglected you for the company of fictitious males. I know it was difficult. To Giselle who fell in love with Ollie before anyone else and encouraged me to continue his story when I needed that e
xtra push.

  Roxanne & Polina, my rocks who kept me going even when it all seemed lost and pointless. I am forever in your debt. Emma, Angela, Tina and Christine and Charmaine. Thank you for reading, loving and believing it was good when I couldn’t believe it myself.

  To my editor Annatassia Parchment. Your understanding, patience and professionalism were indispensable; even when we are emailing at three in the morning. Thank you.

  Sarah Hanson at Okay Creations for designing me a kick-ass cover that I simply adore. You rock!

  My Flirty and Dirty Book Blog ladies, I loves ya both billions!!

  To all my Bookaholic babes and of course Fred and Charles. Where would I be without you all? I love each and every one of you to the stars and back. I consider you all as much a part of this book as the characters themselves. You kept me sane, talked me off that ledge and made me laugh even when I felt I was going crazy. I love you all! My book pimps Jamie and Vanessa, I heart you! My beta readers: Nina, Karen, Madison, Lisa, Shaina, Wendy and Deana. For your time and extremely invaluable help in making my baby as perfect as could be.

  Gitte and Jenny at Totally Booked and all the awesome bloggers that have spread the word and book love for Bound Together. I couldn’t possibly name you all but I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

  Look out for the scintillating sequel to Bound Together

  Torn Apart

  Coming Spring 2013

  Layla’s Story Continues…….

  Bound Together

  Copyright © 2012 by Marie Coulson

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