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

I end up making it just in time. Ashley is waiting for me near the main doors. The moment her gaze settles on me, she unfolds her arms and walks across the hallway to meet me.


"Are you okay? I heard that Jay dragged you into his car. I mean, Sam said he was terrifying." Ashley’s head jerks as she speaks. 


. "It’s fine. He just wanted to talk," I say.


Ashley looks concerned, and the more I look at her, I notice the dark circles that pull the normal brightness from her eyes. She grips a ballpoint pen and clicks the top down. The click seems loud between us, and she does it again.


"We had some unfinished business to discuss. I’m fine," I reassure her and hate how she still looks at me. "Is everything okay with you, Ashley?" I focus on her thumb that keeps pushing down on the pen top before glancing up at her briefly.


Chapter 27: Layla