Winning Layla (#2)

Chapter 9

Layla Edwards-

Once I am inside my house, I book the first flight for Oregon at four o'clock today. After texting my dad the details, I head to my room to start packing. I am so caught up in my thoughts that I don't even hear someone walk up the front steps and into my house.

"Where are you going?" Nash's deep voice makes me stand up straight and whirl around to face him.

"My parents invited me to stay with them a few days ago. I've decided to go."

"No. No way in hell am I letting you leave like this, Layla."

"You said so yourself and I quote, 'Take some time and get your head together.' Did you or did you not?"

"I didn't mean like this. Running away isn't going to make anything better, Layla. If this is about what I said back at November's, I'm sorry. Really, I am. Just don't leave before fixing things with November and hopefully me as well."

I think on his words.

I know he's right. Leaving like this will make it look like I'm running from my problems instead of confronting them. November didn't deserve me talking to her like I did and she's my best friend. I not only need to apologize to her, but to Reece and Nash as well.

I look at Nash and sigh. "You're right. But what about my plane ticket? And my dad? He's picking me up at the airport. They're expecting me. I can't just blow them off, Nash."

He's quiet for a moment. "Why don't we go together? That will give me the chance to meet them and it might help me since I've been so stressed out lately."

"Okay."

"Really?" He laughs.

I nod.

Maybe that's what is wrong with me. Maybe I'm taking on his stress because of the mate bond. That would explain why I've been so moody lately.

After I finish packing, Nash and I head over to Reece and November's house. Nash waits in the car while I head to the door. Reece answers the door with a polite smile, but it falls when he sees it is me and is replaced with a snarl.

"Come to make my wife cry some more?" He asks sarcastically.

"I came to apologize, Reece. I was a heartless b***h and November didn't deserve to be spoken to that way."

"No, she didn't," he sighs. "She's upstairs taking a nap. I'll go see if she's awake yet," he says, opening the door wider, an offering for me to come in.

I nod in acknowledgement and step inside. The house is quiet except for Reece's descending footsteps against the hardwood floors, telling me everyone is taking a nap besides him. If you pay close attention, you can hear Jasmine and Maddox snoring softly upstairs. No wonder November never used baby monitors with them.

Reece walks back into the room holding November's hand, their fingers intertwined. November's voice filters through my eardrums.

"Reece said you came to apologize."

I clear my throat. "Yeah. To the both of you."

"Why don't we sit in the kitchen and talk? Sweetheart, could you start a pot of tea or something?" She asks Reece.

He kisses her lips softly. "Sure, baby."

After he exits the room, November and I follow after him. "So, where is that big headed brother of mine?" She asks, releasing a small giggle.

I chuckle. "He's waiting in the car. We decided it would be best for me to do this now than after we get back."

She looks up at me, shocked. "Get back? Where are you two going?"

"We are going to visit my parents in Oregon for a few days. It's time Nash met them and we both need a break from our busy schedules."

"Oh," she pauses, "Layla, does what happened earlier have anything to do with your decision to leave?"

"No, of course not. I just need to get away and clear my head. You know?"

She smiles. "I understand."

I smile in return. "I am sorry though, November. Especially for making you cry and blaming everything on you. You didn't deserve that."

"It's okay, hon. Besides, I think you needed the push."

We both make it to the kitchen and take seats at the table. Once the tea is done and I have finished my cup, I say my goodbyes. Nash is still waiting patiently for me when I reach the car.

After we are in the air, I am reading a book when Nash says, "When are you going to forgive me?"

I look up at him, dumbfounded. "What?"

He looks back at me and smirks. "When is it going to be my turn for forgiveness?"

"Uhm...I don't know. We haven't really talked."

"So, let's talk now," he suggests.

"Okay," I agree.

He thinks for a moment before asking, "Why did you see Rush without telling me first?"

"I didn't go to him. He came to the bookstore to talk to me about what happened. Why didn't you let me explain?"

"I just...I thought you had gone behind my back. I didn't want you to see him because of what happened at your place and without me being there if something were to happen."

He is so protective. "Nothing happened. I was fine. Maybe a little emotional, but fine nonetheless. We just talked and I met his mate for the first time."

His silence is questionable. "Did you forgive him?" He whispers.

"No, not yet. I wanted to talk to you first. Obviously that didn't go as planned."

"No, it didn't."

After our brief conversation, there is nothing but silence for majority of the flight until I fall asleep with my head on Nash's shoulder.

* * *

Beta Nash Hendrix-

I hear soft moaning and look down to find Layla asleep, her head on my shoulder. I smile at her sleeping form and go back to staring out the window of the plane.

About an hour later, the pilot informs us that we will be landing in ten minutes, making Layla stir, but remain sleeping. I think the talk we had helped a little. I just need to keep working her towards forgiving me. When we land, I shake Layla gently. Her head lifts from my shoulder and her sleepy eyes connect with mine with a questionable look in them.

"We've landed," I explain for waking her up.

"Oh, okay. I'm sorry for falling asleep on you," she says.

"It's okay, baby. Really, it wouldn't be the first time."

After exiting the plane and retrieving our luggage, we go in search of her dad. Layla finds him and takes off running towards the exits where he is standing. When I meet up with her, she has her arms wrapped around a slightly graying man with golden eyes and a goatee and is sobbing into his shoulder. He has his arms around her in comfort.

"My sweet girl."

She pulls back to look up at him, a smile lighting up her face. "Hi, daddy."

I clear my throat and both their eyes shoot to me. "Oh. Daddy, this is Nash. Nash, this is my father, John," she introduces.

I shake Mr. Edwards' hand and say, "Great to meet you, sir. Thanks for not caring if I tagged along."

"You too, son. I figured it was about time I met the man my Layla talks about so much," he responds laughing, making Layla blush.

John leads us to his truck and load our luggage before heading to Layla's parents' house. When we arrive, a woman comes running towards the truck, her eyes on Layla and I. Once Layla sees her mother, she too starts screaming and jumping up and down. After they both calm down, Layla introduces me to her mother before they head into the house and I help John unload the luggage, taking it to the second floor of the house.

Around eleven, I head upstairs after talking to John and Catherine for a couple of hours to check on Layla. She said she wasn't feeling well after we ate and decided to try to take a nap. I find her crouched over the toilet, throwing up her dinner and run in just in time to hold her hair and rub her back, calming her heaving frame.

When she's done, I dig out her toothbrush and toothpaste before prepping that and wetting a cloth for her head. After brushing her teeth, I apply the wet cloth to her forehead and pick her up, carrying her to the bed. Her face is pale and she has dark circles under her eyes. She looks exhausted.

"How many times have you thrown up, baby?"

"That was the first time," she whispers.

"Well, if you don't feel better by tomorrow morning, I'll take you to the pack doctor here. Okay?"

She nods, her eyes getting heavy. "Thank you, Nash."

"For what, baby?"

"For taking care of me."

"That's my job, babe. Now, try to get some sleep. I'll be here when you wake up."

I sit there until she is asleep before heading to the bathroom to brush my teeth and take a shower. I step out of the shower when I'm done and wrap a towel around my waist. I walk to the closest where my suitcase is and take out a pair of sweatpants before slipping them on and laying down next to Layla, pulling her to my chest.

About fifteen minutes later, I'm dead to the world.