Winning Layla (#2)

Chapter 8

Layla Edwards-

I will the tears away and surprisingly succeed. As I back away from the kitchen entrance, Nash's head whips up, obviously catching my scent. His gray eyes catch mine and I freeze at the look on his face. It's the look of pain, the darkness around his eyes, and unusual frown upon his lips.

"Layla," he chokes.

I shake my head and turn toward November, whose face is blank.

"Why is he here?" I ask her, my tone pained.

"I invited him over for breakfast when I talked to him on the phone last night. He was really worried about you and you both need to talk this out," she admits.

"That's not your decision to make, November. I told you I needed time and you agreed. Or at least I thought you did. I thought you talked to him about staying away for awhile. Now he's here and I'm stuck with talking to him," I say, feeling completely overwhelmed and betrayed. "I need to get out of here. I need to get my head together and not here."

Everyone is silent as I climb the stairs and grab my bags from the spare bedroom. I throw my bags in the backseat and insert the key into the ignition. Just as I'm about to drive off, someone knocks on my window. I look over to see Reece with Nash a few feet behind him. I reluctantly roll down my window.

"What, Reece?"

"I understand you're mad, but was it necessary to make my wife cry, especially when you know her emotions are crazy as is?" He demands, his tone angry.

"I'm sorry for making her cry, but she invited him over when she knew how I felt. She completely disregarded my feelings and so did Nash."

"And you think leaving is the way to fix that? You don't leave, Layla. You stay and talk it out. If that's what you really want, then go ahead. Drive away," he bites out, before walking away. I look away and down at the steering wheel, feeling the tears from earlier return and rush out and onto my cheeks.

"Layla, will you please talk to me? Please, baby."

I laugh humorlessly, wiping at my cheeks. "What do you want me to say? You want me to tell you how I'm such a terrible friend and mate? Thanks, but no thanks. I don't really feel like spouting my feelings to someone right now."

His silence is deafening. Then, after a minute, he finally speaks. "You are not a terrible friend to November. You and I both know that, and if you were, you wouldn't be crying right now. You are also not a terrible mate, Layla. You are the most beautiful, trusting, and strong woman I have ever met, and I love you. I know I shouldn't have said those awful things to you, but I did what I always do. I let my anger get the better of me, and I'm sorry I hurt you. I'm sorry what I did caused you to leave me, again. I don't want you to think you have to forgive me right now, either. Just take some time, get yourself together."

He walks away from the car, leaving me alone. I rest my head against the steering wheel, gripping it until my knuckles are a pale white, and scream. This is not me or who I am. I don't usually cry at the drop of a hat like I have lately. I feel controlled by my emotions instead of being in control of them. I've never felt so helpless.

Once I calm a little, I lift my head and remove the key from the ignition, shutting off the engine. I get out and shut the door. I walk back up the path to November's and onto the porch. I quietly open the front door and slide inside the cool house. I hear voices coming from the kitchen and follow them. I find Nash alone with Jasmine and Maddox, all three of them wearing splattered pancake batter on their faces and clothing. I giggle at the three and Nash smiles when he sees me.

"What happened here?"

"Bigfoot did it," Jasmine says, completely serious.

Before I know it, I burst out laughing, clutching my stomach. I stop myself and put on a serious face. "Whew. That was good. Now, what happened?" I ask again, my hands on my hips.

"Bigfoot did it," all of them reply again in an exasperated tone.

I smile. "Alright, let's get you guys cleaned up."

After washing off the batter from their faces, I send the kids upstairs to change their clothes. I start to wipe off the batter from Nash's face when he says, "You came back."

I nod. "I was a major bitch."

"Well, I was a d**k and a major asshole."

"And a little controlling, I might add," I tell him, giggling.

He chokes out a laugh. "Yeah, a little. I'm sorry about the way I acted. My mother taught me better that that."

"I wouldn't know. I've never had the pleasure of meeting her."

"Really? Never?" He says, shocked. "I figured November would have introduced the two of you."

"Nope. I have met your dad, though. He already knew who I was," I tell him. Instead of curiosity, I see a nervous look cross his face and understanding dawns. I stop wiping the pancake away and look at him closely, feeling a migraine form in my temples.

"You told him?" The question is whispered.

He sighs. "He's my father, Layla. Who did you expect me to vent to? November and my mom didn't understand the situation in the least and I couldn't talk to you. So, what did you expect me to do?"

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing."

I turn away from him and toss the paper towels in the garbage can before heading upstairs to check on the kids. When I manage to get the two of them under control, I find Reece and November in the living room. What I see sends guilt running through me. Reece has November in his arms, holding her as her body wracks with heart-wrenching sobs.

I did this.

I hurt my best friend.

I back away from the doorway and run to the front door. I exit the house and make my way to my car, Nash calling my name the entire time. I start the engine and skid away. I dig my phone out of my pocket as I pull into my driveway and put the car in park, cutting the engine. I pull up my parents' home number and click call. It rings a couple times before my father's voice greets me on the other end.

"How's my girl?"

"Hi, daddy," I say, though my voice is weak and croaky.

"Oh, Layla, what's wrong?"

"Is that offer to come stay still available? I could really use a visit right now."

"Of course, sweetheart. Your mother and I miss you so much. You are always welcome to visit, you know that. When did you have in mind?"

"Uhm...today? If that's all right with you and Mom."

"I'll pick you up at the airport."

"Okay, daddy. I love you."

"I love you, too, sweet pea."