“Is his ass still standing?”
I turned and looked at her with my mouth hanging open. “Um…yes, thank God. ”
Courtney started shaking her head as she laughed. “Shit. I was really hoping he was standing closer, so I could have run over at least one foot. ”
What? This girl has lost her damn mind!
“Courtney! What in the world is wrong with you?”
She turned and gave me an evil grin. “Come on, let’s go find you the perfect dress to wear for Monday night. No more talk of the plant-loving, dickhead asswipe. ”
I shook my head and turned to look out the front window. I smiled, thinking about the most amazing few days I’d spent with Layton.
I can’t believe how much has changed in my life in just a few short weeks. I closed my eyes and tried to picture myself in his arms. He made me feel so safe, so loved.
An image of Roger entered my mind, and my eyes snapped open. I instantly had a sick feeling in my stomach.
Thank God he has no idea where I am.
Chapter Twenty: Layton
I pulled up outside of Whitley’s house and put my truck in park.
Shit! I really hate these benefit dinners. Mike was always better at this stuff than I was. The last benefit I attended, I talked more to all the wives and girlfriends than anyone else. I would much rather castrate a bull than spend a few hours with these city folks.
I took a look at myself in the rearview mirror. I was freshly shaven, and my blue eyes seemed to have life back in them. My messy brown hair was still messy, which caused me to smirk.
No way am I changing for anyone. They can either take me or leave me.
I let out a long sigh as I opened the door of the truck and got out. My black tux felt awkward, and the fucking shoes were going to kill my feet by the end of the night.
As I walked up to the front door of Whitley and Courtney’s house, my heart started beating faster.
Why in the hell am I nervous? I spent the last few days with this incredible girl, so why in the fuck am I so jumpy?
Before I could even knock, the door flew open, and Courtney was standing there with a shit-eating grin on her face. I couldn’t help but laugh as I thought back to yesterday when Reed had told me how Courtney had nearly killed him when she pulled out of the driveway.
“Layton,” she said with a wink.
I smiled and returned her wink with one of my own. “Courtney, I heard you almost ran over Reed yesterday. I assured him it must have just been an accident. ”
Her smile grew bigger, and she let out a small giggle. “Of course, it was an accident. ” She stepped to the side to let me in. “Whitley should be down in a minute. She looks beautiful. ”
I smiled, just thinking about Whitley. She always looks beautiful.
“Does she ever not look beautiful?” I asked with a wink.
Courtney’s smile faded, and she walked right up to me. “Nice. Very sweet with all the Southern bullshit and all, but listen, and listen good, bud. That’s my best friend up there. She’s been through hell and back one too many times. You so much as make a tear fall from one of her eyes again, and I’ll hunt you down and make sure you’re never able to use that dick of yours ever again. ”
My smile faded, and my mouth dropped open. I went to say something, but Courtney put her finger up.
“I’m not done talking. ”
I took a step back and actually began to feel sorry for Reed because he’d pissed off this girl.
“I haven’t seen Whit this happy in—well, shit, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen her this happy. Either you’re really good in bed, or you’ve truly shown her how much you care about her. I’m hoping it’s both, but ya know, I’ll be happy with the latter. Treat her right, Layton. She deserves it. She deserves to be loved and looked after, to be spoiled and treated like a princess, to feel safe. Please just don’t ever treat her any less than what she deserves. ”
I forced my tears back from seeing the tears building in Courtney’s eyes. I had to take a moment before I could even respond to her.