Winning Layla (#2)

Chapter 6

Nash doesn't say anything, but his eyes flare in anger instantly. He pulls out of me and moves away from me to retrieve a pair of black sweatpants from his closet. I sit up, pulling the comforter and sheet to my chest.

"Nash?" He doesn't respond, but pulls on a pair of briefs and the sweatpants. I try again, only to be met with silence. When he finally speaks, his voice is deep and calm, but I know he is far from it.

"I told you to stay away from him, but you didn't listen. Did you?"

I attempt to respond, but he cuts me off. "It wasn't li-"

"You disobeyed me!" He yells turning towards me.

"I'm sorry. I didn't-"

"Don't. I don't care, Layla. I gave you those orders so you would not be hurt, not for you to go against my word. How could you do that? I want a mate who listens, not one who defies me at every advantage. I'm going to my office. You can do whatever you want, but I need some time away from you right now before I do or say something I will regret," he growls.

Then, I'm alone with my thoughts.

I don't know what I thought his reaction would be, but I expected him to at least let me speak. I never wanted him to say he didn't care or that he needed time away. That alone makes me feel unwanted.

With that thought, I gather up my clothes and get dressed. Afterwards, I stuff as many of my belongings as I can into my bag before heading downstairs. Nash is nowhere in sight and I remember he said he was going to be in his office. The house is dead silent except for my footsteps. I let out a breath of relief once I'm outside and in my car. I feel almost numb on my long drive home.

As I think about the situation, I know I need to forgive my brother, even if it makes Nash angry. My brother has always been there for me when I needed him. November and Nash are close, so I figured he would understand and not demand that I avoid seeing or speaking to Rush. I don't want to have to choose between two of the most important men in my life.

As I walk pass the threshold of my front door, my phone begins to vibrate in my hand. I look down to see November's name and picture light up my screen along with missed calls from Nash.

I decide to answer.

"Hello?"

* * *

Beta Nash Hendrix-

Going through permits and land contracts is not how I envisioned my night. I also didn't expect Layla to confess that she spoke to her brother.

Shit.

Layla.

I didn't even give her a chance to explain or remotely give a response to my questions. I don't trust Rush enough for Layla to be around him anymore. I know he's her brother and what he did was an accident, but that doesn't soothe my nerves. I need to check on her. I need to make sure I didn't hurt her feelings and that we're okay.

I speed walk upstairs to my bedroom and throw open the door, expecting to see Layla, only to find the room empty with her scent almost gone, which means she left awhile ago.

Fuck.

I pick up my cell phone from my nightstand and dial her number, only to receive her voicemail. I try three more times, but no luck. Next, I try the one person I know she tells everything to. She picks up two rings later.

"What is it, my dear, beloved brother?" November's soft voice greets me.

"Is Layla at your house? We got into an argument and she left afterwards and now I can't reach her. I'm freaking out here, November."

I know I'm starting to sound desperate and must be a mess from running my fingers through my hair, but I don't know what else to do. She's gone and it's my fault. I shouldn't have reacted so badly. I need to know where she is and actually talk to her like an adult, instead of speaking my mind and not letting her explain.

November's voice brings me back from my thoughts. "No, I'm sorry, Nash. She's not here. She might be ignoring your calls. Do you want me to try and talk to her?"

Thank God for giving me a loving, understanding sister. She always knows what to do.

"That would be great, sis. I don't know what to do. Thank you so much," I tell her in a relieved tone.

"Your welcome, honey. I'll call you right back," she says and the line goes dead. I plop down on the bed and sigh.

Now, I wait.

* * *

Layla Edwards-

"What happened with Nash? He called a few minutes ago, freaking out. He's worried about you and sounded like he was about to cry or something," November's concerned voice asks through the phone.

"It's nothing I can't handle, November. Just a misunderstanding about my brother. I just need to take some time to think. You know, figure everything out," I tell her and it's the truth. I need to make sure I didn't leave Nash for all the wrong reasons.

"Okay, sweetie. I'll tell Nash. I doubt he will understand, being a macho man and all, but I'll try. If you need anything, anything at all, just call or come by. The kids would love to see their favorite Aunt Layla."

I laugh softly. "That actually sounds fun, which I could use right now. And tell my little munchkins that their Aunt Layla loves them very much. I'll should be there in about an hour. I need to shower and unpack my things from Nash's."

"Don't worry about your clothes. Just stay a couple days here, the kids will love it and I know Reece won't mind a bit," she suggests. I think about it for a second. Staying home and doing absolutely nothing isn't very appealing, so I agree to stay before ending the conversation.

Afterwards, I take a quick shower, blow dry my hair, and dress in a pair of white shorts, a black Rolling Stones tee, and a dark grey cardigan. I grab my purse and small duffle before slipping on black gladiator sandals. As I exit the house, my phone starts ringing again, but I ignore it.

When I make it to November's, she leads me to the guest bedroom where I place my bag before we head downstairs. I decide to play with Maddox and Jasmine, who are both three, while we wait for Reece to get home.

After about an hour, Reece has arrived and decides to put the kids to bed, so I decide to talk to November. I venture to the kitchen in search of her. I find her at the island mixing cake batter. Her welcoming scent of honey suckle invades my senses almost immediately, but the scent of summer rain confuses me.

Why would her scent be different?

I make my way towards her, the scent getting stronger. When she sees me, she smirks a knowing smirk.

"Did my munchkins wear you out?" She asks in a overly sweet voice.

"Yes, Glinda, they did. I need a lollipop to get my energy back. Have you seen the lollipop guild?" I say, looking around the kitchen, going along with her.

"No, the Wicked Witch of the East kidnapped them. That b***h needs a house dropped on her. Have you seen those shoes she wears all the time? Girl, please," She says, giggling. Soon, we're both laughing our asses off like we usually do when we are together.

During the middle of our conversation, I finally decide to ask her the question that has been bothering me.

"So, I need to ask you something," I tell her.

"Ask away," she invites.

"Why is your scent different?"

She laughs nervously and runs her fingers through her long hair. "Uhm...about that. Reece and I were going to wait a couple more weeks before announcing it to our family and the pack, but because you are my best friend, I'll tell you. Okay?"

"What is it?"

"I'm pregnant."

I'm silent for a moment before I squeal and leap out of my seat at the island. I hug November tightly, jumping up and down while we are both screaming, "You're having another baby!"

When we finally calm down, Reece's deep voice causes us to jump. We both turn to see him leaning against the doorway to the kitchen, a smirk on his face.

"Let me guess, November told you," he says.

November responds before I have a chance to. "I know we both wanted to wait, but I had to tell her. She's like my sister. Are you mad?"

He shakes his head and motions for her to come to him. When she gets there, he cups her face in his hands and kisses her lips softly before speaking to her in a quiet, understanding tone. "I'm not mad, baby. Just concerned about you jumping up and down. I don't want you getting sick and being on bed rest like you were with the twins. All I ask is to be careful and don't tire yourself. You do so much as it is, honey. Okay?"

She nods and kisses him again, while I watch with tears in my eyes. God, I miss Nash. I miss him holding and kissing me so much I can't think.

Afterwards, the three of us talk for a little bit longer before heading up to bed. Once I'm in the guest bedroom, I discard the clothes I'm wearing before putting on a grey, oversized, Beavis and Butt-head t-shirt. I lift back the covers and hop into bed, exhausted from the day's events. As I think about the events of today, I can't help the tears that fall, streaming across my cheeks and into my hair.

I soon fall into a dreamless sleep with the faint sound of my phone ringing in the distance.

* * *

Beta Nash Hendrix-

It's twelve-thirty when my phone rings on my bedside table. I roll over and grab the phone before answering it.

"Hello."

"Hey. I've been calling you for over an hour. Are you okay?" November asks, concerned.

"I'm fine. Exhaustion must have caught up with me. What is it, sis?" I ask her. She wouldn't be calling this late if something wasn't up. The part about being exhausted is a lie, though. I've been drinking beer for the past hour and a half before I passed out. It will most likely cover up my scent of whiskey, but it's nothing a shower can't wash away. After my conversation with November ended earlier, I tried reaching Layla multiple times only to receive her voicemail.

"Well, after I got off the phone with you, I called Layla," she tells me and her words put me on alert instantly. I am up into a sitting position within seconds.

"And?"

"She answered. She told me she didn't want to talk about you and her and that she needs time to think about your relationship. I invited her to stay here so she wouldn't be alone. She agreed. When she got here and settled in, we talked for a little while. She seems depressed, Nash."

"What? I'm on my way. She needs me."

"No, Nash. She's asleep right now. Come in the morning, eat breakfast with her, us, and the kids then talk to her. Just let her sleep on her thoughts tonight, you know, give both of you some time to calm down."

I think about what she says for a second. Not being with Layla for a night is the last thing I want to do, but maybe November is right. If Layla is angry with me, showing up in the middle of the night won't do anything to make that dwindle in the slightest.

"Alright. I'll be by in the morning," I give in, reluctant. As much as I miss her, I know I need to give her time. I can't lose her again over some stupid decision I have made.

"Okay, I'll see you then. I love you, little brother."

"Love you, too, big sister," I tell her and hang up the phone. I lay in bed for awhile, thinking.

I need to bring my girl back home.

About an hour later, I fall into a fitful sleep, the scent of my beautiful mate absent from my sheets.