He’s obviously disappointed, but nods and leans up from the door. What plans ?
I’m going to some party. He gazes at me for the longest moment and I can’t stop staring back.
What party ? he asks, and I narrow my eyes suspiciously. He’s trying way too hard to be casual right now.
I decide to play along. Just some college guys party.
Oh ? He raises one of his eyebrows, something dark crossing over his eyes, which I like. What’s his name ?
Why do you want to know ? Are you jealous ?
He scoffs, I just don’t want anyone touching what’s mine.
Flutters erupt in my lower belly at his words, which is weird. You have a girlfriend, remember ? I’m not yours.
Last I checked I’m standing on your doorstep asking you out, not her.
Does that mean you’ve broken up ? I counter, and he presses him lips together. I breathe a laugh. That’s a no. I’m sure you spent all week with her and thought, I know, I’ll go visit my potential booty call. You should keep looking. I’m not her.
I’ve been out of town all week on business, he informs me.
I cross my arms. Does that happen a lot ?
Sometimes.
Tension surrounds us. Why are you really here, Colton ?
I came to apologise for last week. He rubs the back of his neck. If you give me a chance, I’ll explain and make it up to you.
Make it up to me for what ? For me finding out that you have a girlfriend ? I ask bitterly. You don’t need to explain anything. I get it.
He shakes his head. You really don’t. There’s a lot of things going on that you don’t know.
So, go ahead. Enlighten me.
He looks uncomfortable. Can’t I explain over lunch ?
No. Right here, right now.
He glares at me. Fine. I don’t love her. Never have. Her father stole something valuable from me a and she’s the only way I’ll get it back, so yes, I’m using her. Using her as much as she’s using me for my money. I blink a few times. Okay. That’s not what I expected to hear come out of his mouth. You wanted to know, so there you go. It’s not like I can lie to you.
That was brutally honest. A little too honest. I don’t know what to make of it. And where do I fit into this ?
I haven’t quite figured that part out myself yet. I didn’t pick you up at the club looking for a good time, so you can stop looking at me like that.
It’s kind of hard not to.
I promise that’s not what you are to me. I give him a dubious look. I don’t know what you are exactly, but it’s not that. All I know is that I want to be around you. Even though you’ve made it clear you don’t want to be around me, which makes me look like a creep right now.
I didn’t ask for this.
Neither did I, he argues. Where I’m from, and what I am, doesn’t know limits. When I saw you in my club, I knew you were mine and that I had to have you in my life.
The way he says it makes tingles shoot up my spine, but this is wrong. It all sounds wrong. I can’t process it. What are trying to say here ? Simply, please ?
I want you. But I can’t dump her. Not yet.
Blowing out a deep breath, I look down at my feet. Even though I know this is wrong, and there are things I don’t know, I want him too. Deep inside of me, there’s something burning. Something I can’t shake. It’s him. I can’t get him out of my head. But we can’t have everything we want. It’s not a good idea.
What’s not a good idea ?
Us. I look at him. This. I don’t understand this thing between us and… I lower my voice. What you are. Whoever you are. I also just got out of something-
I know you want me, he cuts me off, and I hate that it’s true. I do want him, but I’m not prepared to set myself up to be hurt.
I can’t do this. I hate that I’m sad about saying that. After a few seconds of lingering silence, he nods his head and my heart sinks when he backs away from the door.
I’ll see you around, Layla.
What ? I step outside after him. Is that it ?
He turns. What would you like it to be ?
I fiddle with my fingers. I don’t know what I expected from him, but I didn’t expect him to leave right away. I can’t put what I’m feeling into words, just that he’s leaving, and I don’t like it.
I just thought…
You need time, I get it, he says. I’ll leave you alone. For now.
My insides clench and I frown at my conflicting thoughts as he turns away and goes over to his car. As he climbs in, I fight with myself not to run and get in next to him. But it’s too late when he drives away.
Shit. I push my hand through my hair. This isn’t good. What the hell do I want ? Why is this so confusing ?
Slamming my door closed, I place my hand over my mouth. I don’t know what to do. Laugh again or maybe scream this time. A few seconds pass and my phone buzzes in my hand. I look down at it. How does it still have battery ? My eyes widen when I see his name on my phone and that he’s calling me.
You so did not take my number, I say as I answer. He obviously charged it so he could get my number.
I heard him chuckle on the receiving end. I forgot to mention how hot you look today, but I doubt I need to tell you.
If only he knew what I thought about myself. I’m glad he isn’t here to see. Goodbye, Colton.
Have fun tonight, Layla, he replies, and the way he says it, sounds like he knows I won’t be having much fun. I hang up. He’s an ass, but I kind of like him. Even if he does have some serious drama going on that I don’t want to be involved in.
Music blasts from my bedroom and I breathe out slowly. Here we go again.
**
Come on Layla, Toby is waiting ! Vicky teases from downstairs.
I look at myself in the mirror one last time, making some last-minute touch ups. I’m wearing a leather skirt and my black Guns n Roses t-shirt. It’s just a casual party, so I thankfully didn’t need to make much of an effort. I did straighten my hair, and as I was doing my makeup, I made sure to cover up Colton’s bite. I did a good job because you can barely see it.