“He lost the right to do anything with me when he cheated. Besides, Mom and Dad agreed that I didn’t have to marry Ashley so long as I was in school.”
Cole snorts and looks at me like I’m nothing more than his ignorant kid sister. “You won’t be in school forever. What did you think would happen when you came back?”
I shake my head, tears pooling in my eyes again. The knot in the pit of my stomach that I’ve lived with since I was thirteen returns. The one that tells me I’m trapped and there’s nothing I can do about my situation. Only, I’m not a kid anymore.. There’s no way in hell I’m giving my freedom up.
“I’m not coming back, Cole.” I want to yell, but wars aren’t won with emotions. This fight will be over, with me deemed impossible, the moment I lose control. “Things aren’t as easy for me as they are for you.”
“You think I have it easy? You’re fucking delusional.” Cole shakes his head and turns his back to me. “But fine. If you’d rather slum it up with these assholes, then be my guest.”
My heart tells me to chase after my brother, that leaving now will do more damage between us than good, but my gut warns me not to stay.
Ashley is drunk, with an agenda Colson agrees with. If I stay, there’s a good chance Ashley will come onto me again, and I doubt he’ll stop at kissing.
“So, you’re Layla.” Bret holds out his hand.
I force a smile. I’m happy to meet him, I just wish it was under better circumstances. I shake his hand then curl back into Josh’s side. “The one and only.”
Bret smirks and holds the door open. I go first, Josh close behind. He’s back at my hip the moment we’re outside again, a protective arm around me. We walk in silence away from the Piano Bar, the weight of what went down crushing me.
“You know, I’m going to be a doctor soon.” Bret winks. I’ve heard the stories about Bret being a lady-killer. Girls would practically line up to have their hearts broken, but I get the feeling Bret is trying to make me laugh, not hit on me.
Josh shoves him in the shoulder, either unaware or not caring that the line was made as a joke. Bret chuckles and shakes his head, ignoring Josh as he says, “Fuck off.”
I force another smile. My heart is heavy. I’m worried about Cole and why he’s drinking so much. I’m worried his friends won’t take care of him. Most of all, I’m worried I ruined the fragile relationship he and I forged.
“I’m sorry I ruined your night,” I say as we head towards the front entrance of City Walk. Colorful lights illuminate the sidewalk, creating a haze that hides the stars in the night sky. Even though the theme parks closed hours ago, people bustle from one bar to the next, making the sidewalks as crowded as they would be during the day.
“Hijacked, yeah,” Bret teases. “But not ruined. You're prettier to look at than this fucker.”
Josh flips Bret the middle finger. He hasn’t let me go for more than five minutes since we left the Piano Bar. I’m grateful. If left to my own devices, I’d probably be curled into a ball in some corner, crying.
Josh eyes me, noticing the subtle downturn of my lips and asks, “Are you sure you're alright?”
I force yet another smile and try to believe my own words. “Yeah, a little shaken up, but I’m good. Ashley wouldn’t have…”
Josh presses his lips to my temple and I lose all train of thought. I’m okay with that. I’d rather not think about Ashley and what could have happened had Josh not shown up when he did.
Bret glances at his watch and yawns. “It’s getting late. Do you want to call it a night?”
“Yes.” Josh gives his brother a look, probably having a silent conversation, then faces me. “How are you getting home?”
“I…” I don’t know. I rode in the limo with Cole but I don’t want to be near Ashley. I can’t afford a cab, but my car is at their hotel. I push my long bangs back and take a deep breath. “I don’t know.”
“Tell you what. Bret…” Josh fishes in his pocket and tosses him a set of keys. “Take the truck, or leave it if you don’t feel up to driving.”
Bret snickers and arches his eyebrows. “Seriously, bro? I taught you how to drive.”
“Hey man, you coulda gone soft under those city lights. I’m going to grab an Uber and see Layla home.”
“Sounds good.”
They hug and Bret gives Josh a knowing smirk. He shakes his head and grins. “Shut it.”
“Hey, Josh?” I ask as we ride the elevator to my apartment. I’m on the third floor, wedged between a hard rock loving grandpa and a single mom of three rowdy kids under the age of five. The walls are paper thin, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Hearing their lives through the walls (even if it seems creepy) makes me feel like I’m not alone.
“Yeah?”
I stop in front of my door, number three oh nine and chew on my bottom lip. As much as I wanted to see him, it’s safe to say tonight didn’t go as planned. “Would you mind staying? The guys all know where I live and I don’t trust Ashley not to show up tonight.”