Burning Up

by Marie Coulson

  He seemed a little embarrassed, and I realized that it was the first time I had seen Jared get flustered. “Angela was more a friend than girlfriend. It’s why we never worked out. But the moment she saw James, she begged me to introduce them. He said right there and then that he owed me one, and now I’ve cashed in that debt.”

  The sweet, dark-haired, flight attendant approached the captain and spoke quietly in his ear.

  “I’m afraid I have to get ready for take-off, Layla, have a great flight. Jared, I’ll catch up with you in Long Beach. It’s a guy date.”

  Nodding, Jared shook his hand, and as James left us, he turned his attention to me.

  “One week. Daniel will be at the house to pick you up for your flight to Paris. When you arrive back in Long Beach, he’ll be there with the car. He already boarded a private flight to meet you there.”

  Pulling him to me, I kissed him, hard. “Is there anything you don’t think of?”

  Shaking his head, Jared began walking slowly down the steps. As our hands stretched out, almost separating, he turned and smiled at me.

  “I always think of you. So, no, when it comes you, every detail matters.”

  He let go of my hand and walked away across the tarmac. Turning around, he called back to me.

  “I’ll call you when I land! And, Layla, I love you!”

  Grinning, I blew him a kiss. He pretended to catch it and held it close to his chest.

  “I love you, too!”

  Chapter 9

  Home

  Walking through the arrivals’ lounge, I couldn’t help but grin. I was home. I was back on my own turf and ready for some fun with my girls. I was just thinking about the surprised look on both Mel and Amy’s faces when I would show up at their door, when suddenly I was assaulted from behind and knocked clean off of my feet onto the slippery tiled floor.

  “Layla!”

  With her arms wrapped tightly around my waist and her long red hair drenched over my face, Mel muffled several ‘I missed you’s’ into my chest.

  “Mel, Mel? I missed you like crazy, too, but could we resume this little reunion in a more dignified position? Like, I don’t know … vertical?”

  Giggling, she released me, stood, and held out her hand to help me up. Brushing her hair from her face, she beamed at me like an excited child.

  “I have missed you so much, girl!”

  Picking up my case, I smiled back and reminded, “It’s been a few weeks not a year. But I missed you guys, too. How did you even know I was coming? And where’s Amy?”

  Glancing toward the main entrance, Mel rolled her eyes. “She’s arguing with Daniel.”

  I gave her a stunned and confused look.

  “We were out shopping for the new apartment when we saw him at the DIY store. He got chatting and when we asked why he was in town … it was written all over his face that you guys must have been heading this way! Anyway, we managed to pull it out of him that you were coming and decided to meet you here and drive you home! We brought your car. We weren’t sure what time you were arriving, so we just kinda, you know, staked out Jared’s place as we figured Daniel would go there first to make sure it was ready for you. Then, we followed him here! I always knew I should have been a CIA agent … or a hit man.”

  Shaking my head, I couldn’t contain my happiness any longer. Throwing my arms around Mel’s neck, I hugged her tightly.

  “You guys rock. Now, let’s go find your girl before she kills Daniel. I know Jared told him to pick me up, but I’d much rather hang out with you guys!”

  Taking my case from me, she led the way outside where we found Amy yelling loudly at Daniel.

  “That huge house on her own? Is he insane? Are you crazy too? Because if you think for one minute that she’s going to be hauled up for the next week with you as her personal babysitter, you’ve got another thing coming buddy boy!”

  I snorted a laugh. “Buddy boy?”

  Turning sharply, Amy squealed and leapt at me.

  “Layla!”

  Almost knocked off my feet once more, I staggered backward and wrapped my arms around her. Daniel walked up and gave me a nod from over Amy’s shoulder. I rolled my eyes in response.

  “Layla, you can’t go and stay in that house alone. Come stay with us! The place isn’t quite ready yet, so we’re staying with Mel’s folks, but I bet your own would be stoked to have you stay there!”

  I nodded in agreement and heard Daniel give a distinct grunt. Gently pushing Amy way, I fisted my hands on my hips and stared at him.

  “Let me guess, you’re supposed to pick me up, take me straight to the house and read me the rules, regulations, and riot act?”

  Daniel shifted uncomfortably. “Please don’t make this harder. I got into a whole world of trouble for New York, and I promised I would keep an eye on you while you’re here. Pleeeaasse?”

  I raised an eyebrow at him. “I knew it. No, Dan. It was one thing when he was making rules in New York, a place I didn’t know so well, but this is my home. I survived perfectly well before Jared came along, and I don’t think it would do him much harm to get a reminder of that. Thank you for coming all this way, but it really wasn’t necessary.”

  “But, Layla, I’m supposed to …“

  I cut him off mid-sentence with a raise of my hand.

  “You’re welcome to hang out with us any time, Dan, but as my friend. Not as Jared’s employee, driver, and spy. Got it?”

  Amy nudged Mel in the ribs, and the two of them grinned like maniacs in triumph.

  “Fine. Fine. But when I’m standing in the unemployment line, you’d better bring me coffee and muffins.”

  I laughed. “I don’t think it will come to that, but sure it’s a deal.”

  Climbing back in to his car, Daniel rolled down the window and pointed at Mel and Amy. “Anything, I mean anything, happens to her, and I am holding you both responsible. You all have my number … use it. I’ll call you tomorrow to check in. Okay?”

  Deciding that I should at least give him a little reassurance, I nodded. “Okay. Bye, Daniel.”

  Shaking his head, he smiled and pulled away from the pavement. I turned to Mel and Amy who both pretended not to be totally thrilled at the events that had just unfolded in front of them.

  “You two are the worst actors in the world. Now, where is my car?”

  Giggling, Amy took my hand and led me across the parking lot to my beautiful sky blue baby. I practically skipped over to her and slipped in to the driver’s seat. Mel threw my case heavily into the trunk before racing Amy to the passenger seat. Even I knew it was wise not to challenge Mel for the front seat. When she yelled shot-gun there was a distinct possibility that she actually had one. Once we were all seated, I turned on the stereo and headed out of the airport for home.

  * * * *

  Amy chatted animatedly about everything they were doing to the new apartment while Mel drummed loudly on the dash.

  “The couch is real leather, and all the furniture, I think, is black glass. Of course that means all the walls have to be re-painted, but Ollie offered to do that since I’m completely useless and Mel can’t stand the fumes.”

  I almost choked on a breath as Mel swung ‘round and slapped Amy on the arm while giving her a filthy glare. Realizing what she had said, Amy tried desperately to back track. But what was the point? Would we all just pretend he didn’t exist? He was Ollie, not some awful ex. Pulling over, I turned in my seat so that I was now able to see them both.

  “How is he? And don’t lie and say he’s fine.”

  Amy pressed her lips together and stared at the floor. I gave Mel a warning look that she had better be the one to give me an answer. Considering we had been friends all our lives, I knew if anyone would be honest with me, it would be her.

  “He’s not fine, Layla. How do you think he’s doing? You did a really harsh thing, and I’m not judging, God knows I have no room to talk about having my cake and eating it, too. He’s … Ollie, I guess. Just
not as happy. In fact, he’s kinda pissed off most of the time. He’s been writing some pretty angry shit these days.”

  I winced as a sharp pain stabbed through my chest. Bitch. That was me, Layla, the cheating, heartbreaking bitch.

  Biting my lip, I asked the one question I needed an answer to right now.

  “Does he know I’m here?”

  Mel glanced at Amy and scowled. “No. Amy wouldn’t let me tell him even though I said he ought to know rather than find out later and be majorly pissed.”

  Leaning forward, I rested my hands on the wheel and sighed. “No, it’s better that way. Besides, I’m not staying long, and he’s in Utah. If he does come to L.A, I’ll just, I don’t know, avoid him. It’s best for everyone, I think. Right? Clean slate for us all?”

  They looked unconvinced but nodded in agreement.

  The rest of the ride home was spent in silence, apart from the odd humming along to the stereo. The relief I felt as we pulled in to the driveway was unbelievable. For the first time in our entire friendship, I felt as though Mel and Amy were torn. They were not in my corner.

  Stepping out of the car, I gazed up at the house I had grown up in. Everything looked the same, but somehow, it all felt different. A distinctly nostalgic feeling washed over me, and as I made my way to the door, I couldn’t have felt more estranged. I glanced up and caught sight of the hooks that had held the Christmas lights. It was clear that as much as I wanted to give Ollie space and a clean break, there were things and people everywhere to remind me of him. Taking a deep breath, I pushed the painful memory from my mind and opened the front door.

  The smell of mom’s homemade apple and cinnamon pie swirled in the air and warmed my insides instantly. Dropping my bag in the hall, I made my way to the kitchen and peered around the door. Standing in front of the stove, wearing her bright pink apron, and her long blonde hair tied into a tight bun, was my gorgeous mother.

  “Hey, honey? This box says add two to three tablespoons of cocoa powder. So is that two or three?”

  My father crossed the kitchen with a box of brownie mix and a spoon dripping with chocolate. Laughing, my mother took it from him and placed it in her mouth while she read the box.

  “Go for three. You can never have too much chocolate.”

  I turned the corner and leaned on the frame with a grin.

  “I couldn’t agree more.”

  The two of them swung around quickly, their mouths agape with surprise. The shock didn’t last long because before I knew it, I was wrapped in a three person, chocolaty embrace. Burying my face between their shoulders, I inhaled deeply. Mom smelt of her usual floral perfume, cinnamon, and chocolate. Dad had a smell that always brought me instant comfort. It wasn’t a fragrance exactly. It was just … dad.

  “My baby! Oh, I have missed you so much. Come here, let me look at you!”

  Pushing away from me, my mother placed her hands firmly on my shoulders and stood at arm’s length to examine me. Dad laughed at her and tousled my hair.

  “Leave the poor girl alone, Diane. She looks great. You look great, honey.”

  Tears in my eyes, I gazed up at him and smiled. “Thanks, Dad.”

  Wiping away her own tears, my mother practically dragged me through the house to the living room and pulled me on to the couch.

  “So, tell me everything! The reunion, how he reacted, how in love you are, everything! I’m living vicariously through you. How is New York? Is it incredible? Did you go sightseeing?”

  She fired questions at me at lightning speed. Rolling his eyes, my father slumped down into his chair.

  “Diane, would you please let the girl breathe? She just got here.”

  I bit my lip and gave my mother an awkward smile. “He was surprised to see me but thrilled. I can’t really say more than that. I guess only he really knows what he was feeling. As for New York, it’s amazing and I did a little sightseeing but not nearly as much as I’d like. But, there’s time for that.”

  She squirmed excitedly. “You really are a lucky girl, Layla. He’s smitten, and why shouldn’t he be? You’re an amazing woman. Now, what do you say we get you unpacked and then all go out for dinner?”

  I nodded gently. “Sure. Sounds great but I actually planned on going for a walk. I’ve been cramped on a plane and in a car for hours so I could use a little exercise. Give me a couple of hours?”

  Patting my hand, mom winked. “Of course, sweetheart. No hurry. Are you in town long? Is Jared doing business?”

  I shook my head and stood. “No, he had to rush to Paris. I’ll meet him there in a week. He arranged for me to fly here and visit everyone before we head to Europe.”

  Shooting my father a disgruntled look, she sighed. “So romantic and thoughtful. You struck gold there my darling.”

  Deciding I didn’t want to get caught between the two of them and their clearly lacking romantic life, I shrugged and made my way out. Amy and Mel were sitting on Mel’s porch. Seeing me, they jumped up and walked over.

  “Hey, where are you running to?” Amy asked with a raised brow.

  “For a walk. My whole body feels a little tight right now.”

  Mel nodded and smiled. “Well, your mom just called me and asked us to come for dinner. You cool with that?”

  God, that woman is a machine! She doesn’t waste time.

  “Of course it’s okay with me. I’ll be back and ready to go in a couple of hours. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do while I’m gone.” Shooting them a wink and knowing full well that there wasn’t much I wouldn’t or hadn’t done, I pressed my earphones into my ears and started walking.

  * * * *

  I’d been walking for around an hour listening to P!NK’s new album, when I decided to take a break. Walking across the park, I found a lovely shady spot beneath a large tree and slumped against it.

  The breeze was refreshing, and as I sat there, the track on my iPod changed and the sound of Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls started playing.

  Ollie. It was as though the universe was determined to punish me for what I had done. Banging my head back against the tree a couple of times, I stared up and saw a familiar carving. You have got to be kidding me! Really universe? As if it isn’t painful enough, now you have to literally shove it in my face? Okay, I suck! I get it. But what could I do? It wasn’t as though I could take it all back or make it like it was before. Ollie and I were over, and the friendship was officially broken. How could we ever be friends now? I didn’t deserve it and I didn’t deserve him. It was an uncomfortable truth, and one I was going to have to get used to. But still, I couldn’t shake the awful ache and horrible need inside me. I missed him and I needed to see him again, even if it was for the very last time.

  Chapter 10

  Familiar Feeling

  Lifting my head from the pillow, I looked at the clock through blurred vision. Dinner the previous night had started out like any other family meal, but after Mel decided we should all head to Benny’s for a night-cap, the rest of the night was pretty vague.

  I rolled on to my back and groaned, and I heard a soft ringing. At first I ignored it, pretty certain that it was the pounding in my head echoing in my ears, but it grew louder and I realized it was my phone.

  Dropping my hand to the side of the bed, I fumbled around in my bag for the damn thing, and without checking the caller I.D, I answered.

  “Hello?” I murmured.

  “Where the hell are you?”

  Great, this was just what I needed, a raging hangover and a pissed off Jared. Perfect.

  “In bed. And my own before you ask another stupid question.”

  Silence. Uh oh.

  “Very funny, Layla. You should watch that mouth of yours before it gets you in to even more trouble. I called the house, and you didn’t answer. Then, I called Daniel, and he told me you refused to go there. Care to explain?”

  “Not really but I’m sure you’ll only hound me until I do.”

  “Layla, I’m losing my patience. I’ve bee
n out of my mind with worry. Stop fucking around, giving me a dose of your smart mouth, and tell me what’s going on.”

  I rolled my eyes, irritated by his demanding tone, and I sat up and groaned loudly.

  “I’m at home. My home. I decided to stay with my folks. I know you wanted me to go to the house where you could keep track of me, but I really don’t require a babysitter. Last night I went for dinner with my family and then hit the bar with Mel and Amy where we got extremely drunk and danced our asses off. I returned home, to my own bed, stripped down to my undies and slept all night. Anything else you need to know? Maybe what brand of toothpaste I will be using this morning, Mr. Garrett?”

  He growled deeply. “So, once again, Layla Jennings simply cannot do as she’s told. Shocker.”

  His sarcasm fueled my anger. I was tired, hungry, and in no mood for his attitude.

  “I will never do as I’m told. When are you going to learn that? Like I told Daniel, I survived perfectly well before you came along. I think I can make it through a week without falling down a manhole or breaking anyone’s nose …”

  I had to press my lips together tightly to stop the snort of laughter that was dying to escape.

  “Hilarious, Layla. Do you enjoy torturing me? Not only do you disappear from the radar, but you and your equally underage friends go drinking where anything could have happened to you and then you tell me that you stripped off all of your clothes, and therefore leave me totally focused on your current half naked state. I am completely unable to remove the image from my mind and I have a meeting in less than fifteen minutes.”

  I grinned with satisfaction. “What a shame. Well, have a good meeting.”

  Throwing the dirty little tactic he had employed at the airport back at him, I bit my lip in anticipation of his next move.

  “Touché, Miss Jennings. Touché. Now, enough games … tell me about this underwear.”

  Swinging my legs out of the bed, I stared at myself in the mirror that hung on the door of my closet. What a mess. My makeup was smeared, my hair resembled that of a scarecrow, and I had a strange bruise on my elbow. But he didn’t need to know that.