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

She’s nervous. Her gaze keeps darting around as we walk to my car.


"I have class after lunch, so I can’t go anywhere with you," she states as we pass the picnic bench that she sat on with Lucas.


I haven’t seen him at school today and wonder if she warned him. My hands ball into fists in my jacket pockets, and I remove them. The action has Layla looking up at me. The red shirt she wears hugs her small waist. Red is the best color on her. I don’t reply as I click the car open. 


She doesn’t look happy as she climbs in. "I have your jacket in my car."


I close the door and love how close we are. I turn to Layla, gripping the steering wheel with one hand. She fidgets with her hands in her lap. "You can keep it."


Chapter 28: Jared