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

"Make your call." I push the phone into Layla’s hand and leave her.


"Hi, have you been trying to call me?" Her voice shakes, and I pause in the hall. Why is she afraid? Is Evelyn hurting her?


"I’m sorry. I left my bag in class." Her words are stronger. I can’t hear the voice on the other end of the phone. "No. Ashley, my friend, invited me to her house to study."


I don’t shower but change into a fresh pair of jogging pants and a black T-shirt. I towel dry my hair and return to Layla. She’s standing where I left her, the phone still clutched in her hand. I want to know what she’s thinking. When she glances up at me, defiance flashes in her eyes, and I wonder if she rang the Gardaí, saying I kidnapped her. I clear the space and swipe the phone from her hand. I flick open the dial log and can only see one number.


I look at Layla. I’ve seen that look in her eyes before. The defiance is f*cking prepossessing.


Chapter 23: Jared