Jared
They say love and hate dance together on one line.
My feelings for Layla don’t dance on the line; they destroy it.
It’s been seven years since she disappeared.
And now she’s back, but things have changed—I’ve changed.
I’m no longer the Jared she remembers, the boy who wanted to protect her.
I’m very much my father’s son, and I take what I want, and what I want is Layla.
But this time, I’m keeping her forever.
Layla
Seven years—that’s how long it’s been since I’ve seen him.
After painstakingly putting myself back together, I’m finally ready to start a life without his memory chasing my every step.
Imagine my surprise when my new beginning leads me straight back to him.
Only he’s not the boy I remember.
He’s angry.
Damaged.
Hiding secrets that want to destroy him.
He hates me. He wants me.
I’m not sure I’ll survive the man he has become. His demons threaten to destroy us both.
Broken People Duet: Deceive Me is created by Vi Carter, an eGlobal Creative Publishing signed author.

Broken People Duet (1): Deceive Me

Creamy legs catch my attention too many f*cking times. Having Layla beside me wearing nothing but my jacket makes me want to keep driving so this time with her doesn’t end. It’s a new kind of torture having her close but not touching her the way I want to. I take another glance in her direction. She’s gnawing on her swollen red lip, and my cock hardens in my trousers.


"I don’t want to go to your home. I want you to take me back to campus." Her voice is weak, and she won’t look at me.


Like f*ck am I taking her back. I’m keeping her close because she’s the enemy right now. My father said that she knew where I was all this time. Yet she acted too innocent, like stumbling into Kingscourt was just a coincidence.


Each time I close my eyes, I see her sitting with Lucas, sharing a sandwich.


"How did he know about the peanut butter sandwiches?" I grit out.


Chapter 22: Jared