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

"Like what?" he asks as he puts his foot down way too quickly, jerking me forward. His arm shoots out to keep me from hitting the dash. "Put on your seat belt." He speaks through gritted teeth. He’s like four seasons at once tonight. I can’t figure him out. The snap of my seat belt has him pulling his arm away from me.


"Like how you’re all emotional tonight." Emotional isn’t the right word, but I don’t know how to explain this.


"Yeah well, Layla, I just had a fistfight with someone…"


I sink back into the chair, my adrenaline crashing.


A fistfight? To me, it looked like Jared really wasn’t going to let Kieran up. Another shiver assaults me at the thought. Maybe I saw it wrong. Maybe it was a fistfight. I forgot he knew Kieran. Are they close friends? My actions may have caused a rift. 


Chapter 46: Layla