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 haven’t cleared the last step before she harasses me.


"I didn’t take you for someone who was weak, Jay." Her smile stretches her ruby red lips across straight white teeth.


"I’m not in the f*cking mood, Alex," I warn, and her smile dims but doesn’t disappear completely.


"I can see that. Mark is having a party tomorrow night on his private beach. So I’ll need you to pick me up at eight."


I pull off my jacket and throw it on the chair. William has a fire lit, and I’m drawn to the heat, or maybe it’s the distance from Alex.


I thought she would start about me leaving school with Layla and how I nearly ran over her, but she doesn’t say a word about it. She missed school on Friday too. I wonder what she’s plotting.


"Jay, we have to be there. It’s important to Mark." Alex has moved beside me.


"But you will have to find a way there yourself. I won’t be picking you up." I move away from the fire.


Chapter 35: Jared