Ever After Awaits (Layla) novel Chapter 28

Ever After Awaits

Chapter 28: Xavier POV

I have a bad feeling about this. A really bad feeling.

I slow my steps when I hear Cade call my name and he reaches me just as I reach our indoor gym.

I stalk over to the cubby where I keep my hand wraps, rip a pair from the shelf they’re in, and start wrapping my hands. I need to beat the shit out of something so I can get rid of the rage and frustration that is inside me. Before my dad and Allison get home.

I should have known that my day was going too well.

First, when I found the guys and Layla at the frozen yogurt shop, I was apprehensive. I knew I acted like a total cockstain last night, and I knew I would have to apologize to them and her for the vile comments I made. But I was not ready to do it in public, of all places. But, as I’ve come to reluctantly realize, Layla didn’t make life difficult for me then and there. I’m sure I would get an earful sometime soon, but thankfully it wouldn’t be right at that moment.

She, surprisingly, acted cordial and civilized. She was a bit aloof, but I couldn’t blame her. I would have chucked the napkin dispenser at my head if I was in her shoes. Interestingly, she also didn’t try and monopolize the guys‘ attention or attempt to take over the conversation. Most girls would have flirted with one or all of us. Or they would have diverted any topic to something that they wanted to talk about no matter how irrelevant or boring we found it.

–

She just sat there, content to be around us, with a small smile of serenity on her face as her gaze glided over the people walking past. And honestly, it was nice. Not because she was quiet and kept her nose out of our business, but because it felt right for her to be there. To share our space.

Then, when she invited me to join them for a movie night, my instinctual reaction was that movie night is for kids, but then I saw the look my boys gave her and I realized she was calling a temporary ceasefire for them. So that they could spend time with me while also being around her. And I couldn’t fault them for that, because I too wanted to be around her. She calmed the constant anger I’ve been lugging around recently. And she brought a light to my world that no one except my mom ever was able to.

Now, you’re probably asking yourself why I’ve been such a dick to her. The answer is simple. I’m afraid. Afraid of the luscious goddess of a woman that has blown into my life and completely decimated what I thought I knew to be true of women.

Up until recently, women were objects to me. They were there for carnal pleasure and good times only. I refused to get attached because then the chance would be there that I could get hurt when she inevitably left me, just like my mom did. And I know how ridiculous that sounds because my mom didn’t leave me – she died. But to a grieving teenage boy, whose mom was his everything, it was the same thing.

And as the years of my father distancing himself from me ticked by, and women showed me how selfish, bitchy, and money–hungry they could be, my resolve hardened and formed an impenetrable wall around my

heart.

1/3

8:07 pm D

Chapter 28: Xavier POV

But, for some inexplicable reason, Layla is different. In so many ways. She’s the sunshine to my darkness. She’s restoring my faith in humanity by just being herself and being genuine in who she is and what she believes in. It’s fucking confounding but I want to grab hold of her, lock her away from the rest of the world, and soak in her goodness for the rest of time.

Cade leans against the wall to my right, arms crossed over his chest and just waits me out. He knows I will talk as soon as I’ve gotten a few punches in and the rage inside me out of my system. I step up to the punching bag and start wailing on it. It’s my father’s face I imagine as my fists connect with the leather over and over and over. Sweat starts to form on my brow and the back of my neck, and I start slowing my assault on the bag.

“Wanna talk about it?” Cade eventually asks calmly.

“My father is apparently on his way home from his honeymoon.” I sneer the last word. “I have been ordered to make sure I’m home when he gets here because there are things that need to be discussed. The last time he texted that to me, he informed me that he was marrying Allison and that my mom’s stuff was being thrown out.”

By the time I’m done speaking, I’m gritting my teeth, and the bag is swinging wildly because of the heavy blows I’ve doled out. Cade steps forward and stands behind the bag, holding it in place for me so my next couple of punches can find their target.

“Whatever happens, we’ll be here for you,” he states. I want to believe him, I really do, because they’ve always been there for me in the past. But there is a new player to consider and what if they choose to support her instead of me?

“Will you?” I ask scathingly and he scowls at me.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You guys are so far up Layla’s ass, if you sneeze it’ll most likely come out of her nose. Seems to me your loyalties have shifted because of some pussy.” I know I’m being ridiculous and unfair. Deep down I know they won’t desert me. I even know Layla would never make them choose. But that doesn’t stop me from being an asshole to one of my closest friends because I’m scared.

Cade just looks at me for a second, shakes his head, then turns around and heads for the door.

Now, if I wasn’t throwing a pity party for one, I would have rushed to him, stopped him before he left, and apologized for calling his loyalty into question. But, as we have already established, I’m a fuckwad who would rather hurt others before they have the chance to hurt me, no matter if I have zero evidence to base my assumptions on.

Fuck, I’m an idiot!