I stumble over to the door and consider checking the peephole, but it’s probably just Skylar. Or maybe his friend’s a drug dealer, which is likely, judging from this badass apartment, and someone’s here to kick his ass.
Bring it.
Opening it without looking, my knees go weak at what, or ratherwho,is on the other side. It’s Layla, and she looks as bad as I feel. “Baby?” I say, reaching for her, but she steps back.
Red-rimmed eyes look up at me. “I went by your dorm and Skylar said you were here.”
“Okay…” Wonder if he told herwhyI’m here.
“I talked to my aunt,” is all she says. Her face crumbles and tears are coming.
“Layla, baby, please. Please come in.” The urge to grab her and hold her to me is so strong that it hurts not to give in to it.
“No.” She shakes her head and takes a step back. “She told me about the money. I just wanted to ask if you got paid extra for screwing me.” Her voice breaks on the last part and her pain pierces through my chest.
At that moment I want nothing more than to wring her Aunt Kate’s goddamn neck. The money. Fuck. Closing my eyes, I count to ten in my head. Lying to Layla has made my life a living hell. Well, keeping things from her has. Time for the truth. Though somehow I doubt it will set me free now.
My voice comes out flat. I’ve lost this battle and I know it. “They’d already given my scholarship away. The Colonel’s military benefits only pay a portion of tuition, and I had to come up with the rest, for the dorm fees and books, on my own. The signing deal for the Barcelona Club in Ecuador included a ten thousand dollar lump sum up front. My mom had already bought a small house, and I’d planned to give it to her to help out since I wouldn’t be there. Your aunt matched it to get me here.”
Now I can finally breathe without that pressing down on me. But Layla’s retreating, and I can see that something I’ve said has broken her. “I’m sorry, I should’ve told you. I shouldn’t have even taken the damn money, but my mom was so upset about me coming here instead of going pro, and she’s struggling and…” And I am worthless at helping anyone with anything.
“But you were going to go pro.”
“I was, because you wouldn’t answer my calls. Wouldn’t talk to me. Kate said the new meds were working. I thought you didn’t need me or want me in your life anymore.”
“So why didn’t you go to Ecuador, Landen?” She’s trembling, and my arms are aching to reach out to her because it’s just the response I’ve always had.
I take a deep breath, trying to suck in enough courage to be completely honest. “When the test results came back about the hematoma and your aunt said you were coming here, I thought you needed me—even if you didn’t realize it or want to admit it.” Wrong answer. I can see it on her face. My tongue trips over my words as I try to fix it. “And I wanted to be here—with you.”
Which is why I got my ass kicked off the team. Because I’m a damn idiot.
Layla shakes her head, and her mouth turns down as she steps farther away. “I don’t need you. I want you to get on with your life. Go to Ecuador or wherever. We’re done.”
Before I can say anything, she runs. Literally turns and sprints down the stairs behind her.
“Fuck!” I pound my fist into the heavy door, probably breaking all my knuckles in the process.
Ihave no idea how long I’ve been sitting and staring off into space. Obviously too long, because Corin comes in with that look on her face. Maybe I’ve been here for the entire week since my last encounter with Landen. I know I haven’t moved since my aunt called back.
Latest test results are in. The mass on my brain is in too critical of a spot to even consider removing. Ever. There’s not a surgeon in the world that will touch it. I’ve officially become the ticking time bomb everyone in high school seemed to know I was.
“Layla, can we talk?”
“Sure.” Just not about me going to class. And not about my aunt. And sure as hell not abouthim.
She bites her lip and sits on her bed across from me. “It’s about Landen.”
“Then no, we can’t.”
For a moment she just stares at me. Her eyes are clear. I know mine aren’t. They’re so swollen from crying I can hardly see her. “Well, I’m going to talk. You can listen.”
I shrug because nothing she says will change anything. I was always a charity case to him. One with a big fat monetary bonus if he babysat me well enough.
“What I’m going to say is harsh, and I’m sorry.” She runs a hand through her hair. “But Landen handles you with kid gloves, and I can see how much you don’t like it. So I’m going to treat you like a big girl.”
I raise my eyebrows as she stands up, but I say nothing. Her forehead wrinkles, and I can tell she’s worried about hurting my feelings. She shouldn’t be. No one can hurt me as much as he has.
“You’re scared of living,” Corin announces.