by Vi Carter
I walked to him, placed my arms around his neck and hugged him. He didn’t move for a second, but finally, put his arms around me. “I love you, Carl,” I told him, and his hug tightened. “I love you too, Layla.” When he let me go, I hugged Evelyn, also.
“I know,” She told me, and I loved her for always knowing.
“This doesn’t mean you’re getting out of your punishment.” Both Evelyn and I laughed at Carl. He was all serious.
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” I told him.
“Take your dinner into the den and watch some tv.” This wasn’t something that was generally done in our home. Food was consumed at the table. But I felt raw and wanted to be kind to myself. Taking the plate of pasta that was covered in mushroom sauce and the can of diet coke, I went into the den. The tv was already on. The lamps were lit along with a soft fire. One of the blankets from the hot press lay across the couch. I shook my head. What parents did this for their child who just broke so many rules?
I promised myself no more tears as I settled into the couch. I flicked through the stations, avoiding anything soppy. So, I started to watch a horror about a house haunted by the devil. It was one hell of a distraction; watching most of it behind my pillow didn’t help. I paused it and went to the toilet upstairs, grabbing my phone from my room on the way back. I stalled on the stairs as my heart picked up its pace. A message from Jared flashed up, but I waited until I was back in the den with the door closed before I opened the message.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Was thinking about today, I had a great time. Sorry for leaving the way I did. Hope you’re okay.
I smiled into my hand before glancing at the door. Hearing from him was unexpected, but I was so relieved.
Me too, I really had fun, J. I’m actually watching a movie. I hit send and lifted my can of soda off the coffee table. I placed the can back on the table and hit play on the movie. It didn’t take Jared long to respond.
Want company? What movie?
I laughed out loud, excitement bubbling up inside of me.
It’s a horror movie, and you don’t like horrors. J I’m grounded so I’m not supposed to see anyone.
Jared was far quicker at texting back this time.
Grounded, why?
Now I wasn’t laughing. How could I explain this?
I lied to Carl and Evelyn about stuff and got found out.
I chewed my nails as I waited for his response.
Want to talk about it? I could call you.
I smiled again. It was crazy… I wanted to talk to Jared about it. But that wouldn’t work. I would be talking to Jared about Jared. But the idea of hearing his voice was kind of what I needed now, and Evelyn and Carl didn’t say I couldn’t talk to people.
Yes, give me a call My stomach twisted as I hit send. I closed the door to the den before sitting back down. The phone vibrated in my hand. Jared’s name flashed across the screen.
“Hi.” I smiled into the phone.
“Hi.” It sounded like Jared was smiling too. “Want to tell me why you're being punished?” I could hear the soft pulse of music being lowered even further in the background.
“What are you listening too?” I asked, curious to learn everything about him.
“Florence and the Mechanics.”
I smiled now. I wouldn’t have pictured Jared as a Florence fan, and I told him as much.
“What kind of music then?”
“Maybe like techno or something,” I said, electing a soft laugh from Jared.
“Nah. Not my thing. So, this punishment?” Hmm, he wasn’t going to let it go.
I took a drink of my soda before answering. “It’s silly stuff I’d prefer not to talk about. I just wanted to chat and take my mind off the horror I’m watching.”
“Yeah, since when do you watch horrors? Remember that one time Nelson put on the advertisement for Freddy Kruger and you lost it?” Jared sounded like he was smiling and I narrowed my eyes at the phone.
“That wasn’t funny, Jared. I had nightmares for years.”
“We are going to watch it.”
I snorted at the stupidity. “Sure. Keep thinking that.”
“We are. It’s a promise.” I groaned now, lying back on the couch, but a part of me was excited about the future promise. Not the movie, but knowing he wasn’t mad at me. Enough to text me and call me and now make plans because Jared never broke a promise. I could hear Jared laugh softly and an image of his smiling face and dimples filled my mind. My stomach curled in. We chatted for over an hour about music and movies. Jared never mentioned Chester, and I didn’t either. I was reluctant to end the conversation, but after yawning several times into the phone, Jared convinced me to go to bed.
“Are you working tomorrow?” he asked before we said our goodbyes.
“I don’t know, why you are asking?” I answered back, switching off the tv and straightening the cushions on the couch. “I’m sure you’ve already copied my schedule for the week, after getting my address off my employment record, I wouldn’t put it past you.” I joked.
“Fine, I know you're working tomorrow.” I paused in my cleaning. He couldn’t be serious. My silence had him laughing, but it sounded forced.
“I’m joking. It’s a fifty-fifty answer.” I picked up the plate off the ground.
“I am working tomorrow,” I said.
“Do you want to grab lunch?” I felt regretful, and I wanted to, but I had promised Ashley I would have lunch with her. She wasn’t working tomorrow so I would be with another girl who worked odd hours. I knew Ashley and I needed to talk.
“I'm sorry Jared, but I’m having lunch with Ashley tomorrow.”
“Yeah, that’s no problem. Go to bed, and I’m sure we’ll see each other at some point in the next day or so.” I felt disappointed. I wanted to see him, but I wasn’t canceling on Ashley.
We said good night, and I took the can and plate into the kitchen. Everyone was gone to bed. I knocked off the lights as I made my way upstairs. My phone vibrated just as I climbed into bed.
Night x
I stared at the X longer than was considered normal. I needed to stop looking into things. But after my chat with Evelyn, I wished so hard that she was right.
Goodnight Jared x is the message I sent back before setting my alarm and going to sleep.
The morning came too soon. I felt tired, my eyes felt grainy. I scrubbed my face hoping to bring some life back into it. I looked so much paler than I usually did. Getting on my uniform, I tied my hair up in a high ponytail. Carl was already gone, and Evelyn had toast and tea ready for me. I ate quickly and promised that I would be home straight away after my shift.
“Hi. Layla?” I was surprised to see the girl from the beach party behind the cash register. She was the one who had served me drinks the other night.
“Yeah. I know you from the beach party.” She smiled widely, and silver sparkled in her mouth off her tongue ring.
“Sally.” She gave a quick wave. “I vaguely remember you. I think I was drinking more than I was serving.”
I smiled at her. “Yeah, well I didn’t fare too well either, so...” I trailed off. “Just putting my stuff out back,” I said, making my way out back.
It was fun working with Sally; she was smiley and had a really bouncy personality. The morning flew, and my lunchtime arrived at the same time Ashley appeared. She looked stunning. She was a real Jennifer Lopez look alike. In ripped jeans and a white halter top, she looked ready for her close-up. She chatted with Sally while I grabbed my bag. We were only going next door for lunch. I checked my phone as I walked out of the back.
Hope you slept well? I smiled at Jared’s message and sent a quick message back.
Look like death warmed up. The movie did me no favors. It was a half-truth… the movie had nothing to do with my pale appearance.
I put the phone in my bag as Ashley greeted me with a hug, one I returned. It was funny that although we hadn’t known each other very long, I alre
ady considered her a friend who I hoped would always be in my life. I gazed down at the heels in which she walked perfectly. Me, I would have been falling all over my feet.
“See you in an hour, Sally,” I said as we left the store. “She’s so much fun to work with,” I told Ashley as we walked to the café a few feet away.
“She is. You look tired,” Ashley said, once we sat down outside. It was warm today, and once again I was glad for the light red shirt.
“Yeah, rough day yesterday.” Ashley raised a sharp eyebrow, encouraging me to continue.
“Honestly, I don’t want to talk about it. So, tell me all about Nicco. He’s worth talking about.” Ashley smiled like the proud mother she was.
The waitress arrived just then to take our taking our order. I got chili cheese fries and coke while Ashley ordered a burger and sprite.
“Before we start talking about my adorable son...” I smiled at her huge smile. “I want to talk about the other night.” Both our smiles faded, and I knew that this was what our lunch date was really about. I nodded, letting her continue.
Ashley looked nervous now. “So, you know he’s Nicco’s father.” I wanted to ask if that happened in a drunken moment.
“Chester and I have been off and on since we were kids. But it’s over for good now, so coming over the other night wasn’t something I thought would happen for one second.” I was a bit shocked that she had willingly slept with him, but I wasn’t going to cast a stone, and I knew she was shocked that he had arrived.
“It’s fine Ashley, honestly. Chester is at the back of my mind.” Ashley gave me a doubtful look. “Seriously, we are good, and it won’t turn me off babysitting Nicco,” I said, and Ashley smiled at me. Our food arrived then, and it was nice just having a girl chat. We chatted about Nicco, and I told her all about Evelyn and Carl. The hour was nearly up when I saw Alex walking towards us, and I blanched.
“What’s wrong?” Ashley asked while turning around in her seat. She turned back to me. “Oh God,” she said, just as Alex stopped at our table.
Her long hair was done in plaits that fell down her back. She looked fabulous today as she always did, as much as I hated admitting it. Her dark leather pants looked painted on, but she had the figure to wear them, and she had matched them with a small green tank top, that showcased her ample bust. “Can’t believe my own cousin is sitting with the home wrecker.”
Ashley tutted while rolling her eyes, and I sank into my chair. “Don’t start Alex. Seriously, Layla isn’t to blame. You are.”
Oh, that was harsh, and there was a moment of vulnerability on Alex’s face, but she covered it up. A sharpness entered her features. “Really? Well, isn’t it funny what happened once she arrived in town? Number one, my boyfriend dumps me after she plays the victim again and number two, he beats the living crap out of his best friend because she cried to him about Chester. What’s next? You’ll have him falling out with his own father?”
Her words had Ashley looking at her, taking her seriously. My stomach had hollowed out.
“Jared wouldn’t do that,” I said, but as each word passed my lips, I started to feel sick.
“Don’t play the victim with me. You might get away with it with Jared, but not with me.”
Ashley cut her off. “Alex, seriously, you need to leave, or I am going to get up and shut you up.”
Alex hesitated for a moment but finally left. “You’re poison,” she told me before departing.
“Don’t listen to her,” Ashley said after a moment.
“You think she’s lying about Chester?” I asked.
Ashley looked away briefly before turning back to me. “Did you tell him about the incident at my trailer?”
God. Guilt welled up inside me. “Yes, I did. But I didn’t think he would do this?” I could feel my face blaze with heat.
“Layla, if Jared fell out with Chester over Chester being a dick, that’s not your fault.”
“Do you think he really would have beaten him?” I asked, praying she would say she just saw Chester, and he was fine.
“I don’t know. But it’s not the way Alex said it. She’s angry and hurt and is blaming you. You got to shrug it off.” Ashley shrugged with a smile, lightening the mood. I appreciated it, but I wasn’t feeling as light as she was. We paid, and I made her promise to text me if she heard anything about Chester. I checked my phone before putting it in the locker. One message from Jared.
Early night tonight for you. I could call you again. I stared at the message, so tempted to ask him if he hurt Chester, but a part of me really didn’t want to know. I wanted him to hurt Chester, and that thought had me feeling like a pretty shitty person.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
The rest of the day dragged by. Lucas and Sam came into the shop; they also knew Sally. Everyone seemed to know each other. I didn’t chat but stocked the shelves to try to keep my mind off Alex. Her phrase of calling me a home wrecker played on a loop in my mind.
When work ended, I was actually looking forward to gardening with Carl. It was one thing I did, and everything else disappeared. That’s what I needed right now.
I tried to leave my worries at the door. Evelyn was in the hall when I entered. Both my eyebrows rose. She was in an emerald green dress that was stunning on her. Placing a pearl earring in her ear, she glanced at me from the mirror.
“I’ve been trying to call you all day,” she said, and I took my phone out of my bag.
“I left it on silent at work,” I said, and I opened a message from Jared. I had completely forgotten to text him back.
Everything okay?
“Carl and I have been invited to a dinner for a charity. You’ll be okay on your own?”
I took off my jacket and hung it up. “Of course. Go enjoy yourself.”
Evelyn ran her hand down the front of her dress while raising a brow at me. “You remember you’re grounded. No going out.”
I kissed Evelyn on the cheek. “I won’t go anywhere; don’t worry. You look beautiful,” I told Evelyn, and she smiled sweetly just as Carl came down the stairs in a smart suit and tie.
“Same thing I just told her,” Carl said, and the way he looked at Evelyn had me wishing that one day, even after I had been married for a while, that my husband would still look at me that way, too. Carl kissed her softly on the opposite cheek, and she batted at him away playfully, her eyes glistened, from all the attention.
“You look very dashing yourself,” she told him, and this time I rolled my eyes as they smiled at each other.
“Don’t forget you’re grounded,” Carl reminded me, as he got his keys and wallet.
“I already told her,” Evelyn said, and I helped her with the scarf around her shoulders. “I left your dinner in the oven.”
“Thank you.” Kissing both of them, I closed the door and wondered what the hell was I going to do with my evening. While heating up my dinner, I texted Jared back.
Yeah, you can call. Carl and Evelyn are gone out for the night.
I sat and eat the lamb casserole which was mouth-watering. Evelyn was such a great cook. She loved trying new recipes, and both Carl and I enjoyed trying them out.
I changed into my yoga pants and grey t-shirt before letting my hair down. I massaged my head as I walked barefoot down the stairs, and the doorbell rang.
Freezing on the last step, I stared at the door as the bell rang again. I glanced out the peephole to see the back of Jared’s dark hair, a red t-shirt stretched across his broad back. I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face.
Opening the door, Jared turned, and I took in a sharp breath.
“What happened?” The cut over his eye looked pretty bad, and he had a bruised cheek to go with it. My heart thumped in my chest with worry.
Jared’s lip twitched, and his cut eyebrow rose, only to drop back quickly. The pain on Jared’s face was apparent.
I opened the door further for him to come in, and he did. He threw me a sidelong look as he passed me
on the way in, but I wasn’t going to say anything else until I found out what happened to his face.
“Well, are you going to answer me?” I asked once the door was closed.
“That’s how you greet me. You know, every time I come here, you’re pretty rude.” Jared walked into the kitchen with a smirk on his face.
“Jared, sit down,” I demanded. Surprise at my tone lit up his eyes, but he sat. I was a little surprised with my own tone, so I added “Please,” before getting the medical box. I pulled a chair close to Jared, and he accommodated me by spreading out his long legs on either side of my chair. I wasn’t thinking about how intimate this situation was.
Nope.
Not at all.
Taking out a small q-tip and some disinfectant, I dapped it on the q-tip. I had to pull my chair closer to Jared. My heart picked up, and I flickered my gaze to Jared who was observing me the whole time.
“This is going to sting,” I told him, and he nodded, not speaking or taking his eyes off me. I could feel a slight tremor enter my hands. Reaching out with my free hand I held his face. As I leaned in, I could smell him, the uniqueness that was Jared. He closed his eyes just before I dabbed the cut. He didn’t flinch.
“Am I hurting you?” I asked pausing; I just wanted to make sure.
“No.” His one word sounded different, his tone deeper. He kept his eyes closed as I wiped out the cut.
“What happened?” I asked again, and he glanced up at me. I bit my lip as I gave a final dab, wishing he had kept his eyes closed. The deep brown of his eyes made me feel jittery. I leaned away. The distance was minimal, but it was enough for me to get my bearings as I got some ointment for the cut. Thankfully it wasn’t deep.
“I got into a fight.”
My eyes snapped to Jared’s. “Really? I would have never guessed.” My sarcastic remark had his lips twitching. I didn’t find this funny. This just clarified Alex’s words. I could feel heat enter my face. Jared reached over and took my free hand in his, twining our fingers together. Looking down at his hands, I took in his damaged knuckles.
