Layla
As soon as I felt the hand on my shoulder, I let out a scream. Who it could be flashed through my mind in a nanosecond. Was it a homeless person? Was it someone here to rob me? Was it my father? The last thought was the scariest of them all. I was turned around, and my eyes landed on a pair of familiar brown ones.
“Clark, you scared me!” I said, trying to calm my breathing.
“Sorry, Layla,” Clark said, his expression actually remorseful.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, changing the subject.
“I am here to drive you home. I figured you would be the last one to leave.”
“Oh, thank you, but you didn’t have to. Don’t you have a family or wife wondering where you are?”
“I already called my wife and told her I would be home late,” he said then gestured to the car. I grabbed the bottom of my dress and slid into the back, I felt bad for making Clark wait for me, but at the same time, I was thankful. As he started the car, I leaned forward in my seat.
“How long have you and your wife been married?” I didn’t know anything about Clark apparently.
“We have been together for about fourteen years. We met when we were both twenty. She was in college and I was a fighter.” Wow, he didn’t look to be in his late thirties.
“One night, after a match, I went to a bar here in New York to blow off some steam. Anyways, I was sitting at a table kind of in the back when this group of ladies walked in. All of them were very beautiful, but my eyes stayed glued to this brown-haired woman with glasses. She looked really out of place dressed in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt while the rest of the girls were wearing tight, short dresses. In my eyes, she was the prettiest of them all. I got the balls to go up and talk to her, and what do you know, she turned me down immediately. After that night, I went back almost every other day to that bar to see her again. It wasn’t until a week and a half later that she walked in. I spent that whole night trying to get her attention and for her to say yes to a date. Anyways, long story short, she finally agreed. After dating for almost a year, I proposed to her and for some reason, she said yes and we’ve been together ever since.” The way he talked about her, I knew he loved her with everything he had.
“That is a sweet story,” I said, smiling. “She sounds great.”
“She is. She keeps me on my toes.” He grinned at me through the review mirror. “Here we are.” I looked outside and saw we were outside my apartment.
“Thank you for the ride tonight, Clark.” Patting his shoulder, I got out and waved one last time to him before heading inside.
I unlocked my door and pushed through, shutting and locking it behind me. Not bothering to shower since it was so late, I slipped off my dress and placed it gently on a chair in my bedroom. Going into the bathroom, I washed my face free of makeup and pulled out the bobby pins in my hair to pull it up in a bun for bed. After brushing my teeth, I slipped on a pair of comfy PJs, plugged my phone in, and slid under the covers. Tonight made me emotionally drained, and I was ready to be pulled into sleep and forget it all.
Laying my head on my pillow, I tried to fall asleep. You would think since I hadn’t slept much in the last two weeks I would immediately fall asleep, but instead, I tossed and turned, trying to get a certain person’s face out of my head.
***
The next morning, I got up around nine-thirty or so. I laid in bed staring up at the ceiling, debating if I really needed to get up today. I just wanted to stay in bed all day and read my book or something. After having an internal debate for about fifteen minutes, I finally got up and got in the shower. Washing off all of last night, I got out feeling clean and refreshed. All I planned on doing today was finish cleaning up the venue from last night then coming back home to eat junk food and watch tv. I slipped on a pair of yoga pants, a sports bra, and a tank top. Piling my hair into a ponytail, I left my bedroom to grab something quick to eat then I was ready to go. The sooner I left, the sooner I could get back home.
Grabbing a random yogurt from the fridge, I glanced around and knew Kacey wasn’t home. Probably spent the night with Nick, I thought. I slipped on a pair of flip flops, grabbed my things, and left the apartment. I didn’t care if I didn’t match or if I was wearing workout clothes. It wasn’t like I was going to be seeing anyone while I was cleaning. I got a taxi pretty quick and was soon headed to The Smith Center.
Walking through the door, I couldn’t help but think about last night. Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I decided I was going to put a wall around my heart and that way it wouldn’t get hurt again. I was tired of feeling sad and angry at Ashton. If he wanted to act like a jackass, then so be it. I wasn’t going to show him that he had hurt me. With a new feeling of confidence, I got to work cleaning up the rest from last night.
I was thankful that I had thought ahead of time for the cleaning part. I hired some cleaning crew to take care of the decorations, and to clean the floors. Then I got someone to come by and pick up the plates, glasses, and silverware to take back to the shop. All I had to do was make sure the donations were picked up this morning and that no one left anything. Last night, I had helped throw away extra food and clean the tables off. I was in the middle of stacking up plates and putting them in a box so the people could take them when a deep velvety voice called my name behind me. I steeled myself and turned toward him.
“Mr. Miller,” I said, keeping any emotion out of my voice. What was Ashton even doing here?
“I figured you would be here,” Ashton said, coming toward me. He looked different today. Instead of wearing his usual work attire, he was wearing a pair of dark blue jeans and a fitted gray t-shirt. If I thought Ashton in a suit was hot, this was even hotter. Casual Ashton was H-O-T! Pulling my gaze away from his body, I looked over his shoulder at the wall, not wanting to make eye contact. I knew if I did the wall around my heart would crumble faster than the Berlin Wall.
“Yes, I am. Why are you here?” I asked, my voice clipped.
“I wanted to talk to you about last night.”
“And you couldn’t have used the phone?”
“No, I wanted to talk face-to-face.”
“Then go ahead, I have things that need to be done,” I said. He was quiet for a few minutes and I felt him looking me up and down. Everywhere his eyes looked seemed to burn like his eyes were lasers cutting my clothes off.
“Last night was…okay,” Ashton said, breaking the silence. I clenched my jaw and finally looked at him.
“Just ‘okay?’”
“Yes, it could have been better. But since you are new to this, I will let it slide.” He spoke in a nonchalant way. My hands unconsciously curled into fists. I wanted to pound on his face until he acted differently. “I have a few things for you to do before Monday,” he said.
“Sorry, I have plans,” I lied. No way in hell was I working on a Saturday, especially after what I had to do last night. “It will have to wait until Monday.” He narrowed his eyes at me.
“What plans?” he asked, his voice low.
“None of your business. Now is that all?” When he didn’t answer, I brushed past him ignoring his burning gaze on my backside. I opened my phone and dialed Kacey’s number, silently fuming at Ashton.
“Hello?” Kacey answered, her voice thick with sleep.
“Kacey, we are going out tonight.” I then said something I had never said in all of my twenty-three years of life. “I want to get drunk.”
***
Ashton
I watched Layla walk off and couldn’t help but stare at her ass encased in those damn yoga pants. She needs to wear those more often, I thought. I momentarily forgot why I was mad at her as she stalked away from me. Where is she going tonight? I couldn’t help but ask myself. I knew it was none of my business, but I didn’t want Layla going on a date with some guy or anyone for that matter. I growled under my breath and tromped to my car outside.
Layla had every right to be pissed at me, especially with how I acted last night and just a few moments ago. I lied when I said the gala was just okay; it was honestly great! Everything went and looked perfect. In all the galas that had been thrown in the last couple of years, this one was the best of them all. All night, people had come over to me and told me they loved the decorations and everything about the party. They asked me who did it, but I didn’t tell them it was Layla and I felt bad that I didn’t. She did an amazing job, and I felt guilty that I didn’t have anyone help her. It was a dick move and I realize that now.
I didn’t know what I was trying to do to her. Maybe get her to quit so I wouldn’t have to see her every day and want to go over to her and kiss her senseless every second of every day. Everything I did last night, I regretted. I shouldn’t have brought Natasha with me, and I shouldn’t have ignored Layla the entire night, especially when she was just doing the job I told her to do. All night I couldn’t keep my eyes off of her. In that stunning red dress, she looked irresistible and I had to hold back a growl every time I saw another man look at her with lust. That dress hugged her curves perfectly and made her skin look tan. It took every part of my being to not go over there and take her somewhere to ravish her. The more I looked at Layla, the angrier I got at myself. Trying to distract myself from her, I would kiss Natasha or hold her tightly against me, but in the back of my mind instead of seeing Natasha’s face, I saw Layla’s.
I would never tell anyone, but when I walked into the room with Natasha on my arm, I looked over at Layla and saw her face. Her expression almost brought me to my knees. There was no mistaking the hurt in her eyes or the sadness that passed across her face. I knew she picked out my suit for me and I purposely wore it. The voice in my head told me I shouldn’t, but knowing that Layla handpicked it, I felt the need to wear it. It was the closest way to be with her and not be with her. When Layla came over to meet my parents last night, I clenched Natasha hard against me. The smell of Layla’s perfume was intoxicating, and I tightened my jaw so I would lean in and smell her as she greeted my parents with a smile.
The moment Layla walked away, I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. My mom then went on about how she liked Layla and approved of her. My mother didn’t easily accept people—hell, she hated Natasha’s guts—but in just a few moments, Layla had my mother’s approval. The moment I regretted the most, though, was when I kissed Natasha in front of Layla. I didn’t miss the hurt look on her face, and I instantly wanted to rewind the last minute and not kiss Natasha but Layla instead. Hell, if I were rewinding I would rewind to the moment I broke it off with Layla and have her as my date instead.
I was being an utter dick to her, but I knew that pushing her away was easier so I wouldn’t hurt her. But you’re already hurting her in the process. Before leaving the party last night, I snuck a quick glance at Layla one last time and saw her talking to her friend. From here I could see her smile and I knew it wasn’t a real one. Her friend didn’t seem to notice the act Layla was putting on, but I could. When I got in the car behind Natasha, my mind was elsewhere as Clark drove us away from The Smith Center, away from Layla. Instead of taking Natasha to my place and sleeping with her, I had Clark drop her off at the hotel she had been staying at over the past few weeks. She was leaving tomorrow.
She clearly didn’t understand why I wasn’t going to sleep with her and kept asking me why we were here instead of at my place, but I just dismissed her. I told her I was tired and for her to get out. Not even glancing her way, I heard her huff and slam the car door behind her. Telling Clark to take me home, I leaned back in the seat suddenly feeling tired. Once we pulled up, I got out and told Clark to wait for Layla at the venue to take her home. With that, I went inside and went into my office. I gripped my head and thought about Layla the rest of the night.
***
Layla
After ending the call with Kacey, I had called Neena and told her we were going out and to be at my place by seven. I had spent the rest of the morning and afternoon calling the cleaning service, and cleaning my own apartment to waste time until both of my friends came over and we got ready. I was never one to really drink and go out and party, but I needed to. I needed to relax and forget about everything. Hell, I deserved it. When Kacey came home around four or five, I turned the tables and questioned her about her night with Nick.
I then spent the next hour and a half learning about him. He apparently owned his own business in technology, he was also a millionaire like Ashton, and I, unfortunately, found out he was Ashton’s best friend. I let that part go, for now, and let Kacey continue to tell me how sweet and caring Nick was. I only partly listened to her; I was a terrible friend. I made comments in the right spots and nodded when needed. Finally, it was seven and Neena knocked on the door right on time. I let her in and she instantly started asking me why I wanted to go out clubbing.
“Stupid Ashton. That’s all I’m going to say,” I said, waving the rest of their questions off. Luckily both of them were just happy I wanted to go out tonight, and were supportive enough to come out with me.
We got ready together, and I had to borrow another outfit from Kay. I really need to go shopping soon, I thought as I pulled on a skintight dress that Kacey handed me. It was a pretty blue color and ended about mid-thigh. Since I had pulled my hair up in a bun this morning while it was still wet, it dried wavy. Kacey just added a little mousse in it, and the waves looked almost beachy. My makeup was light, and my eyeshadow matched the blue in my dress. I borrowed a pair of heels that matched the dress from Kay’s closet, while she flat-ironed Neena’s hair.
“So, Neena, how was last night with Liam?” I asked out of the blue, waiting for Kacey to finish her own makeup. I could see Neena blushing as she turned away from me.
“Ohhh, something happened!” Kacey said, grabbing her dress.
“Did not! We didn’t do anything,” Neena said defensively, but she didn’t sound too convincing.
“Yeah, we don’t believe that,” I said, smiling at her. “Come on, tell us!”
“Fine.” She sighed. “We went and got coffee after the gala. Instead of taking a taxi home, Liam walked me home and we looked at the stars and just talked. We got to know each other and when he dropped me off at home, we…kissed.” I turned to Kacey, and we both grinned.
“Aw! Neena, you like him a lot, don’t you?” I said. She talked about him in a dreamy voice. When she didn’t say anything, my grin got wider.
“Oh, would you look at that? It’s eight-thirty already. We better get going,” Neena said and got up, leaving the room. Both Kacey and I chuckled and followed after her. Yup, she liked him, and by her actions, I could tell it was a lot.
We got to the same club where I met Ashton about twenty minutes later. The club was already packed, and it was only nine. Since Kacey knew the bouncer up front, we were able to bypass the long line and get inside. We ignored the angry protests of the people waiting in the line, and thanked the bouncer. The moment we stepped inside, I was slammed with the bass of the music. We pushed through the masses of sweaty bodies until we reached the bar.
“Six shots of tequila!” Kacey yelled over the music at the cute bartender. He set the six in front of us and sent us a wink before leaving to help other customers. Neena raised an eyebrow at us since we weren’t IDed, but we just shrugged.
“Here you go.” Kacey handed us two shot glasses each. They weren’t the small shot glasses either; they were big and probably held two regular shots in just the one.
“Here’s to Layla for getting drunk for only the second time in her life, and to ignoring that asshole Ashton Miller!” I smiled and cheered them both before tossing back the first shot then quickly the second one. It burnt the whole way down my throat, and my eyes and nose burnt. I bit back the cough that was making its way up my throat. That was some strong tequila.
“Woo!” Neena yelled, setting her shots down. “Let’s go dancing!” I barely set down my shot glasses before I was pulled by both Kacey and Neena onto the dance floor. I let the music weave itself around me and I started to relax. The shots were starting to take effect, and my hips were moving on their own. A Jason Derulo song came on, and I put my hands in the air and moved my hips. I danced with Neena and Kacey, smiling and laughing. For the first time in a long time, I relaxed and let myself have a good time.
We danced through six or so songs until I shouted to them that we should get more shots. When they nodded in agreement, I laced my arms through theirs and pulled us back to the bar. My skin was sweaty and my hair was sticking to my face and neck.
“Three tequila shots!” I yelled to the same bartender.
“Here you sexy ladies go,” he said, smiling at me. I grinned back before handing Kay and Neena their shots. “Bottoms up!” With that, I took the shot and slammed it back down on the bar.
“One more!” Neena yelled.
“No, no, I don’t think we should,” I said. I was already feeling the other three.
“Nope, you are having one more,” Kay said, and handed me another one. I took a breath and cheered with them before shooting it. The burn wasn’t as bad as before. Grinning widely, I made my way back to the dance floor when one of my favorite songs came on. Usher’s “Yeah” came on, and I almost yelled.
“I love this song!” I yelled at them both. This was my weakness. Everyone has a stripper song, and this one was mine. I was moving my hips, moving my hands in the air, and closing my eyes when I felt a big hand wrap itself around my waist. I opened my eyes and turned to see who was grabbing me. A pretty good-looking guy was dancing behind me.
“You sure know how to dance,” he said into my ear. I could feel him grinding himself on my backside and I moved away. I wasn’t here to get it on with some random guy.
“Thanks, but I’m not interested,” I said, pulling away from him. Before he could protest, I saw Neena and Kacey and moved toward them.
We danced for a while, and I felt the alcohol starting to really affect me. I staggered a little in my heels and my head was kind of foggy. I was slurring my words, and my body felt hot. Kacey and Neena were pretty far off like I was.
“I think…we should go,” I said to both of them. It was getting kind of late. They nodded, and we staggered through the dance floor and out the front door.
“Ladies, do you need a taxi?” the bouncer asked. I think I nodded, but I wasn’t so sure. A minute later, the bouncer was helping us get in the taxi. We were all giggling like little girls when we squeezed into the back.
“Where to, ladies?” the taxi driver asked. I stared at him trying to think of the address.
“144 Hilton Drive,” I said to him. He nodded and started forward. The whole way, us three were slurring at one another and laughing at stupid things.
“We are here,” the taxi driver said.
“Thank you. Girls…me stay here. Go home,” I said and told the driver my real address. The girls were too far gone to realize what I said. He looked at me weird, but I was already out of the cab and walking to the front doors. The cool night air seemed to clear my head only slightly. I stared up at the building and stumbled in. I got to the elevator and hit the floor I wanted. I leaned against the wall of the elevator and licked my dry lips. I pulled my sweaty hair to the side of my shoulder and staggered out when the doors opened. I made my way to the right door and knocked loudly. I kept knocking and gripped the corner of the doorframe so I wouldn’t fall. Suddenly, the door opened but my hand was already moving forward. Instead of my hand hitting the door, I hit a hard chest.
“Layla?” someone asked. I looked up into the face of Ashton. He was staring down at me, confused.
“Ashton!” I called out.
“What are you wearing?” he asked, looking down at my outfit. The material had ridden up some and was showing more of my legs.
“A pretty dress.” I giggled. I reached out and touched his cheek with my hand. “So pretty,” I cooed.
“You are drunk,” Ashton said.
“I am not!” I glanced around and leaned in closer to him. “That’s a lie. I am so drunk,” I whispered to him. Ashton sighed and grabbed my arm and pulled me into his apartment. I honestly had no idea why I came here, but it was too late to go anywhere else.
“Layla, why are you drunk?” Ashton talked down to me.
“You cause this!” I blurted out.
“Me?”
“Yes, you sexy man.” Man, this alcohol was making me very confident. “I wouldn’t be drunk if I didn’t have to deal with you and your annoyingness.”
“Annoyingness?”
“Yes, you know what I am talking about. You…you…you…nutbottom!” I staggered in my heels and leaned against Ashton. With a grunt, I leaned down and slid out of my heels. I let out a moan and threw my shoes.
“Layla, let’s go get you some water,” Ashton said, gently holding onto my elbow and my lower back guiding me toward the kitchen.
“Why are you so hot and rude all the time?” I blabbed. Mouth, shut up! I yelled at myself internally. “You would be a lot sexier if you weren’t so, so, so…” I flapped my arms around trying to find the word. “Polar!” I yelled a second later.
“Bipolar, you mean?” Ashton said, pulling a bar chair out for me. He grabbed my hips and set me down on it.
“Yes! You and I were always so,” I said, putting my hand by my forehead and gesturing between us.
“I think I like drunk Layla.” Ashton grinned at me as he got a glass and filled it with ice-cold water.
“No, you don’t like me. You told me you hate me,” I whined. Wow, sudden mood twist. “I’m just too good for you.” Smiling at that thought, I laughed at Ashton.
“I don’t hate you, Layla,” he said, grabbing my hand and putting the cold cup in it. Afraid I would drop it, he helped guide it to my lips. I gulped down the water in seconds before pulling away and smacking my lips.
“Water is sooooooo good. Why does it taste so good?” I asked. My head rolled to the side as Ashton got me more water.
“Why were you out drinking?” He changed the subject. I was too drunk to really notice.
I started singing to Katy Perry’s “Hot N Cold”, but stopped a minute later, forgetting the words. “Nothing I do is right, just like with my parents. I thought when I moved away I could get away from all the negative shit but no.”
Ashton handed me the water and I took a sip.
“I’m almost back where I was, but at least there’s no hitting this time,” I said, looking around and unaware of what I said. “I love the color here.” My mind changed the subject.
“Wait, Layla, hitting?” Ashton asked, getting in front of me. I stayed silent for a few minutes.
“I’m tired!” I whined. “Take me to bed, oh noble one!” I held out my arms to Ashton and giggled. He stared at me, but finally sighed before helping me off the chair. When my feet hit the ground, I jumped on him and wrapped my arms around him like a koala bear. “I’m a koala bear!” Tequila really made me confident and loud.
“Are you going to get off of me?”
“Nope!” I said, popping the “p”. He shook his head but started walking toward his room. I started slipping, so I moved up Ashton’s body until my arms were wrapped tight around his neck and my legs were around his waist. His arms snaked around me and gripped me against him. I laid my head on his shoulder and felt my eyelids starting to droop.
“Me sleepy,” I mumbled. Somehow, he carried me up the stairs and to his bed.
“Let’s get you out of this dress than you can sleep,” he said. Feeling suddenly tired, I felt his fingers reaching for the zipper. He unzipped me and shimmied the dress down my chest, waist, and finally to pool at my feet. His face was in line with my stomach, and I briefly heard his intake of breath. The moment his fingers touched the scar on my stomach, my skin zinged and I jumped.
“Where did you get this?” Ashton questioned, his voice quiet. I looked down at him with hooded eyes.
“Nowhere,” I mumbled, gripping his shoulders as I wobbled. I wasn’t concerned at all that I was only in a strapless bra and panties. He asked again.
“I don’t want to talk about it right now.”
He looked up at me and searched my face. He finally let it go and stood up. Going over to his walk-in closet, he came back out with a t-shirt and boxers. He gently lifted up my arms and put my arms through the holes. He knelt down and helped me put my feet through the boxers with my hands on his shoulders. I was surprisingly quiet, as was he.
“There you go,” he said quietly. My eyelids were getting heavy and I was getting sleepier. “Come lie down.” Ashton helped me on the bed and he pulled the covers back. Once I was settled in, he tucked me in and kissed my forehead. “Get some sleep, Layla. I’ll see you in the morning.” I smiled as my eyes closed and I was lulled to sleep.
***
Ashton
I stood over Layla’s sleeping form and sighed. I hadn’t expected Layla to show up so late, and drunk at that. It was surprising, but I was glad. Being around her drunk was hilarious, but they say when you’re drunk, the real you comes out. As she slept, I thought back to the big scar on her stomach. It looked terrible and only a few years old. What she said earlier about being hit and now seeing that scar, I was starting to piece things together. How could someone do that to her?
When she snuggled deeper into the bed and pillow, my heart yearned for her. The feeling to protect her got bigger, and I couldn’t help but want to be with her. Shaking my head at myself, I stripped out of my clothes until I was in my boxers and climbed into the other side of the bed. I reached out and pulled Layla to me. She snuggled back against me and I smiled. With her body pressed to mine, I slowly fell asleep.