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

After pulling into the drive, I sit in my car for a few moments. I’m not sure what’s eating at me more—the fact that I lied to Evelyn and Carl about Jared, or that I haven’t told Jared the truth about not telling them about him. Or maybe the fact that Jared pushed me into a lake. Or that he has looked at me with hate more times than I can count.


Carl comes out of the house as I close the car door. I clutch my bag tightly.


"Is everything okay?" I ask as Carl nears.


He smiles faintly. "Yeah, I just have to go to work. Are you okay?"


Carl doesn’t say anything, but his eyes narrow slightly. "Evelyn is inside if you need to talk." He squeezes my shoulder while his thick brows rise. "But work can wait if you need me?" 


His words cause a heaviness in my chest. Lying to them is wrong. They’ve taken me into their home and have always maintained an open relationship with me. I’ve never been dishonest with them before.


Chapter 25: Layla