7

Layla

I got back to my dorm around ten that morning. I missed John like crazy already. He would let me know when he landed, but I would be in class by then, so he’d leave a message. Just as I was getting ready to go to school my brother called. “Hey. What's up, Nate.”

“Nothing. I'm just checking to see how you're doing.”

“I'm wonderful. About to head to class though. What's wrong? You seem upset?”

“Nothing.”

"That's BS, Nate. You seem stressed."

"It's work stuff."

"You know you can tell me. I'm not a little girl anymore. You can depend on me"

"Other than this stupid competitor who keeps trying to outdo me. You haven't heard any rumors about me, have you?"

"What kind of rumors?"

"That I've been sleeping with my assistants. Of course I haven’t, but someone is spreading rumors that I have. I think it's my competitor, John Moriarty. I got an email from him with a link to an article that's bullshit."

I dropped my phone on my bed and it fell to the floor. I hurried to pick it up. "What's his name?"

"John Moriarty, but you don't have to worry about him. He's not a problem for you, he’s just really making my life a living hell. Thankfully, we have you enrolled differently at school. Something tells me he would use you to get to me."

"Why would he try to do that?"

"I don't doubt he'd be willing to do anything to make a dollar."

"I have to go to class,” I informed him, knowing he wouldn’t want to make me late.

"Okay, well take it easy and be safe."

"I will. I love you, Nate," I whispered, hanging up and plopping down on my bed. The world stopped around me. Nothing made any sense. John Moriarty knew who I was. He’d magically appeared in my life and wooed me like a real gentleman, only to play me.

I hated men. Well, all but my brother. He’d been the only one I could trust. Fuck, what was I going to tell him? I couldn’t tell him John and I had sex. It would destroy him. He already seemed on edge and I had a feeling it had nothing to do with John. I couldn’t let my brother turn into my father just as much as I couldn’t be my mother.

I laid my head on the pillow. It was two minutes later that I heard some man goofing around in the hallway. It made me jump, thinking that my roommate’s boyfriend was back. I had to get out of here.

I grabbed my two suitcases from my closet, knowing I couldn’t stay here. I had to get out of this place. It took me thirty minutes to pack my clothes and some of my pretty things. With my bookbag on my shoulders, my purse and computer bag slung across my body, I walked out of my dorm room.

There were taxis always waiting at this time of day, so I stepped out into the cold winter day. It started snowing. I wanted to go back home and stay with my brother, but I had to get through this.

I motioned toward the first taxi I saw and he hopped out to help me with my things.

“Wow, are you moving out?” he asked as he got into the cab.

“Temporarily,” I replied. It was more than likely a permanent thing, but that wasn’t anyone’s business other than my own.

“Where to?” he asked when he pulled away from the curb.

The nearest four-star hotel. I didn’t care where because I was only going to be there until I figured out what I was doing next. I checked into one, two blocks from where John and I had stayed. Once I entered my room, I collapsed on the bed. I was going to miss class and it wasn’t the smartest thing, but I couldn’t handle going in when all I wanted to do was cry. 

~~~~

After a long nap, I woke up to see ten missed calls from John. I sat up in bed, wondering what was going on. Then I remembered what I learned earlier. It was dark out, so I checked the time. It was already eight at night. I slept the entire day away.

My phone rang while it was in my hand. It was John, but I didn’t answer. I was changing my number tomorrow. I might as well get a new phone too.

Please call me, Layla. I’m worried about you. John sent in a text.

I called him because I needed to end this now. He used me, but I wouldn’t give my brother away for saying anything.

“Layla, God. Thank fuck you called. I was about to get on a plane back over there.”

“Spare me, John. I’m fine, but we’re not. I’m sorry, but you lied to me. I won’t go into details because you already know what the fuck you did. Don’t call or talk to me again.” I hung up the phone then I turned it off. The tears streamed down my cheeks. I needed more sleep. Hopefully, I would be okay soon.