Bound Together Read online

  I was furious. My whole body was shaking with the rage I felt building inside me. My fists were clenched at my sides and my teeth were clenched so hard that I may have cracked the enamel. He really was dicking with me now. Asshole. Granted he was a gorgeous, sexy and oh so sweet smelling asshole. But an asshole none the less. I crashed onto my bed and tried to snap out of my bad mood before dad arrived. Amy squealed as the phone rang in her hand. I jumped up and took it from her.

  “Hey sweetie I’m downstairs.”

  Too late, he was already here.

  Chapter 7

  Mel, Dinner And Daddy

  I climbed into the car, slinging my overnight bag onto the back seat. I gave dad my sweetest smile and leaned over to kiss him on the cheek. His enormous grin was reaching all the way from ear to ear. He’d missed me. His eyes danced as he told me how he couldn’t wait to take me out for dinner and hear all about my first week. Thank goodness. He was so distracted by all the plans he was making for our weekend that he never noticed the bad mood I was still in. I leaned back in my seat and we set off for home. I couldn’t wait to be back where I was safe from all the drama that the week had brought.

  The drive home felt like it took forever. I was still trying to get my head around everything that had happened that morning. I would have to talk to Mel about it all. She was my best friend and knew me better than anyone in the whole world. She was sure to have some insight or advice on the week’s events. We turned onto our street and I saw our house. Home. I felt my whole body relax as I let out a satisfied sigh. It was good to be back.

  We pulled into the driveway and dad turned to me. “It’s good to have you home kiddo.” I beamed at him. A feeling of pure contentment ran through me. “It’s good to be home dad.”

  As I got out of the car I scrutinized the exterior of the house. The porch swing had a new coat of paint and the once broken shutter on the window had been fixed. The lawn was cut and there were some flowers freshly planted around the edge. Dad had clearly been busy.

  I was just about to follow dad into the house when I was ambushed from behind. I fell to the ground with a hard thud and turned over to find Mel, her arms wrapped tightly around me and her head buried in my chest. I laughed breathlessly and tried to push her off but she just gripped me tighter. Giving up, I lay back on the grass and rested my hands underneath my head. “Hey Mel. How’ve you been?”

  I watched her in amusement as she crawled backwards off me. Rising to her feet she began brushing herself off. Giving me a shrug she put on the best performance of indifference that she could manage. “Oh you know. Chilling, shopping, and perfecting my sneak attack. Same old shit.”

  I laughed and clambered to my feet. Brushing off my own clothes, I smiled at her. She was grinning at me like she hadn’t seen me in a year. Gripping my shoulders she pulled me to her for a hug. “I missed you so much Layla. How dare you leave me to go be a big shot California State student! I hardly spoke to you all week. Where the hell have you been?” She finally released me and it was my turn to shrug at her.

  “It’s a long story. Wanna come in for a snack? I’m starving.” She nodded and followed me into the house.

  Sitting in my room, I filled her in on the events of the past week. I told her everything. Meeting Oliver, Jared, Amy, getting a job at Lorraine’s, fighting with Jared and finally the text he’d sent me. When I told her about my performance at Benny’s Bar she applauded me and laughed. When I was finally finished I let out an exasperated sigh.

  “Well one thing’s for sure Lay, you have two guys that want into your panties.”

  Was she serious? I could understand her assumptions about Oliver, but Jared? She must have seen the confusion on my face. “Layla don’t be so naïve. He’s pulling your pigtails! If we were in high school he’d be calling you names and pretending he didn’t like you. But we’re not in high school. So he’s acting like an ass to get that reaction out of you that, apparently, you are more than willing to give him. I bet he likes his women with a little fire in them. And it’s obvious you like him too.”

  My mouth fell open and I almost choked on my own breath. “I do not like him! I hate him. I told you what he said to me. How he treated me with utter contempt. I even showed you the text he sent me. How the hell can you think I like him? Yes, he’s hot and yes, this morning at the coffee shop I felt something between us. But I’m a hot blooded woman. A guy gets that close to me and my body reacts. It’s a primal instinct. I do not like him.”

  Mel shook her head and laughed. “Oh Layla. Thou doth protest too much. Plus if you really didn’t like him and he really irritated you so much, how would you explain your heated reaction to him whenever he’s around? Ok so he says things to grind your gears, but if you really didn’t care then it really wouldn’t bother you. Would it? But, whatever you say sweetie, I believe you. So what did you say to him after he texted you?” She sat back on the bed and stared at me, waiting for my answer. She was giving me a knowing look. She knew damn well that I hadn’t replied.

  “Well. Actually I decided not to reply. I won’t get drawn into his little game. I will simply discuss it with him on Monday.” Mel leaned over and rolled her eyes at me “Oh come on Layla. We both know you won’t last that long.” I pushed her aside, grabbed a pillow and hit her with it. Sniggering like children we fell back onto the bed. I turned to her and stuck my tongue out but she simply shrugged. “I give you till the end of the day. I’d even bet my best DKNY dress that you’re already thinking about him now.” She gave me a wicked grin.

  Damn. She was right, I was thinking about him. I hadn’t stopped thinking about him all morning. And I was certainly tempted to reply to that text but I had to take the moral high ground here and be the better person…again. I would not let Jared do this to me. But I was curious as to how he got my number in the first place. I thought maybe I could just ask him. It was one little text right? I shook my head at myself. No. I would confront him in person on Monday. Probably.

  * * *

  Dad took me to my favorite Italian restaurant. Mama’s Little Pizzeria was a small family owned business. The owners, Marco and Marie, were an older couple and along with their two sons they ran the whole restaurant. They were obviously a close family and were always happy to see us when we came for our usual Saturday night meal. “Andrew! Layla! Is so nice to see you. You want your usual table? Come, I get you a menu.”

  Marco was as welcoming as ever. He showed us to a small table by the window and placed two menus in front of us. “So Layla when you gonna marry my boy huh? He’s just graduated at the top of his class you know.” I felt my cheeks warming and stared over at dad, pleading with my eyes for him to help me get out of this.

  “Ah Marco you know how it goes. She’s a college girl now. She’s got her head in the books. And I hope that’s where it stays till she’s 21.” He reached over and held my hand in his, giving me a smile.

  “Besides, no one will ever be good enough for my baby girl.” Winking at me he turned to Marco who was smiling and shaking his head. “We’ll have the usual please Marco and a two glasses of lemonade.”

  Dad had come to my rescue just as he always did. Marco’s son Roberto was twenty one and had just graduated from California State. He had studied biology and human science and was well on his way to medical school. He was a nice guy and we would often talk when dad was in the bathroom or talking to Marco and Marie. He had even asked me out once and I’d had to let him down as gently as I could. He was a great guy but with his dark hair, dark eyes and slim physique he just wasn’t my type. I wasn’t sure if I’d even had a type at the time but whatever the case, Roberto certainly wasn’t it.

  Dad and I spent the evening talking about my new job and I told him about Amy and Oliver. I decided to leave Jared out of the conversation. Dad was very protective and I knew he wouldn’t take kindly to anyone upsetting his baby girl. Plus I could handle Jared all on my own.

  I was thinking about him again. What was wrong with me? H
ere I was in my favorite restaurant, my dad animatedly talking about how he had fixed every appliance in the house that week and I was thinking about that jackass. I tried to focus on what dad was saying. I was finally caught up on his week of D.I.Y projects and meals for one when I felt my phone buzzing in my pocket.

  Excusing myself, I made my way to the bathroom. Once safely inside and away from dad’s prying eyes, I pulled out the mobile. There was a text and I knew exactly who it was from. I had saved his number in my contacts under “The Asshole.” I exhaled a deep long breath and opened the message.

  Layla. I do hope you weren’t offended by my previous message. I did not intend for it to anger or insult you in any way. However I must admit I am a little disappointed to have not received a message back from you. I almost looked forward to seeing your name pop up on my screen followed by a sarcastic comment or infuriated response. I will assume from your silence that you have found the request of $275 agreeable. Looking forward to seeing you on Monday. Jared. ;)

  Received: 20.21

  From: The Asshole

  What the hell?! Was he serious? And what did he mean he was disappointed not to have heard from me? I couldn’t stop reading the same sentence over and over, “I almost looked forward to seeing your name pop up on my screen.” Almost? What did that even mean? Was he being sarcastic? Or was Mel right?

  First there was that smiley face and now a wink. This was becoming too much to handle. I felt woozy and staggered backwards a little. I turned around and gripped the edge of the sink in an attempt to steady myself. Looking down into the basin, I shook my head, trying to regain my composure. Raising my head, I gawked at myself in the mirror. My eyes were red and the lack of sleep I’d had that week was showing in the dark circles that surrounded them. I ran the cool water and splashed a little on my face. Feeling a little more refreshed I walked back to our table.

  Dad had paid the bill and was standing by the door. “Ready to go kiddo?”

  I nodded and followed him back to the car. As soon as we got home I kissed him goodnight and went to bed. The moment my head hit the pillow I was out. But the week’s drama invaded my sleep. I woke up and glanced over at the clock. 2:28 a.m. Gripping my pillow, I tossed and turned; trying desperately to go back to sleep. But it was no use. I wasn’t getting any peace while thoughts of Jared and that text loomed over me. I picked up my phone and typed out a new message.

  When you assume, you make an ass out of you and me. But in your case making an ass of yourself seems to come naturally. Layla

  Sent: 2.36

  To: The Asshole

  I hit send and immediately wished I could take it back. But it was flying through the world of digital communication. Oh boy was I in trouble. It was past 2 a.m. and there I was texting him, playing his stupid game. I clearly needed help. I switched the damned thing off and dropped it on the floor before temptation to send another could take hold. I was in hell and sleep was clearly not an option, especially now.

  Chapter 8

  Toot, Toot. Beep, Beep

  My head was pounding as if someone had taken a hammer to my delicate and fragile skull. I opened my eyes and scanned the room. A small glimmer of light was beaming through the window and I could hear the chirping of a bird’s morning song. Slowly raising my head off of my pillow, I rubbed my sore and tired eyes. They felt heavy and the sting of another night’s restless sleep was beginning to burn into them. I hauled myself out of bed and swung my feet onto the floor. As it landed, my foot hit something and I glanced down in curiosity. It was my phone. Oh. Dear. God. No!

  The events of the previous day and the texts suddenly came rushing back through my mind, playing out like a montage in a movie. It was my very own horror flick; the coffee shop, his texts and oh good heavens my text. I winced and held my head in my hands. What was wrong with me? He was plaguing my thoughts and I was encouraging it. He hadn’t replied but I was sure I’d be hearing from him at some stage in the day. Based on what I knew so far, I was fairly sure he’d never let me have the last word.

  Trying to put it all to the back of my mind I showered, dressed, slipped my cell phone into my pocket and went downstairs for breakfast. The massaging beat of the shower had gone a long way to relieve my headache and as I entered the hallway I could smell the aromatic fragrance of cinnamon, which caused me to hurry down the stairs. Dad was in the kitchen making pancakes. He was beaming at me as he tossed one into the air. It landed with a smack onto the counter top. I stifled a laugh and he smiled over at me with a shrug. I sat at the breakfast bar and poured myself a glass of orange juice. Handing me a plate of pancakes dad nudged my hand with his to get my attention. “So kiddo, what time were you thinking of heading back? Not that I’m trying to get rid of you, I just have something planned for today and need a time scale.” I swallowed a mouthful of pancakes and shrugged. “I don’t know I guess around lunch time, if that’s alright?” He nodded and slid onto a stool next to me. I loved meal times with dad. We could talk about anything.

  I finished breakfast, kissed dad on the cheek and headed across the lawn to Mel’s. I didn’t have a chance to even knock on the door as she opened it and hugged me. “Hey Lay. So how was your night? Did anything interesting happen?” I rolled my eyes at her. She caught me and laughed loudly. “I knew it! I knew you couldn’t resist. So fess up. What happened?”

  Sitting on her porch swing, I told her about the restaurant and showed her Jared’s message. Smiling at me with a wicked grin, she handed the phone back to me. “I told you Layla. This guy is into you. Why else would he care if you replied to him? I’d even say he’s got it bad. You’re obviously in his thoughts as much as he is in yours. So did you send one back?” I could see the hope in her eyes as she listened to my mini drama unfold. I felt like I was in a soap opera and Mel was my biggest fan wanting to know every little detail of the storyline. Without a word I handed her my cell and showed her the “sent” item.

  Her jaw dropped and she held her hand over her now gaping mouth.

  Handing me the phone she shook her head. “Oh Layla. Looks like you got it bad too.” I was about to protest but she held her hand up to silence me. “Deny it all you want. But he’s gotten into your head. You said yourself he’s gorgeous and let’s be honest there’s not been anyone rummaging through your panties since Josh. I say have some fun. Let him play his game and you play yours. Nothing has to get serious. He’s seeing how far he can push you before you break, but you’re still springing back at him. That guy wants to crawl all over you and you’ll be panting like a dog in heat when he does. I’d bet my life on it.”

  As much as I wanted to tell her she was wrong, part of me hoped she was right. He wasn’t just hot. He was flaming hot and it had been a long time since I’d been warmed by that kind of fire. It had been months since Josh and I broke up and there had been no one since then. I was a hot blooded woman with needs and Jared seemed to ensnare my senses and invade my thoughts every waking moment. So maybe I could play his game. I sure as hell could use a little fun.

  I eyed her playfully and smiling, I bit my bottom lip. Her eyebrows bounced up and down suggestively. She knew exactly what I was thinking. “Oh Layla. You’ll have him on his knees in no time.” She winked at me and giggled. We sat for a while talking about school. Mel’s classes were starting on Monday like mine. She was taking arts mostly but had a few English classes thrown in for good measure.

  My attention was diverted when I heard dad call out to me. “Hey baby girl, come over here I got something to show you. You too Mel.”

  We gave each other a puzzled look and strolled across the lawn. Dad was leaning against the garage door with the remote in his hand. He held it out to me as I approached and gave me an enormous grin. “Go ahead. Open it.” The door whirred and clanked to life as it lifted slowly to reveal a brand new Ford Focus. My chin nearly hit the floor and my eyes darted to dad. He smiled at me and tossed a set of keys my way. In my dazed state I just about caught them as they flew at me through
the air.

  It was a beautiful shade of sky blue; the kind of blue that you would see on a clear summer day. The interior was an immaculate black and dad had already hung a novelty stiletto air freshener on the mirror. I jumped up and down in delight then ran to him flinging my arms around his neck. He heaved me off the ground and laughed as he kissed my hair. “I thought it would be best if you had your own car. That way you can come home whenever you like. You can also drive to visit your mother. I know she’s dying to see you.”

  I was grinning like a lunatic as he set me back onto my feet. “I’ll call her later to arrange something. I don’t know what to say dad. It’s amazing. I absolutely love it!” I squealed with enthusiasm and kissed him hard on the cheek. I’d had my license for almost a year now but the only car I’d driven was dads and even that was only on weekends to the mall. This little baby was all mine!