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

Anger leeches on to me, and no matter what I do, I can’t seem to shake it off. Layla holds my hand, looking perfect in my letterman jacket. My mind keeps skipping to Nelson. It shouldn’t. I shouldn’t give two f*cks what happened to him. His death had nothing to do with me. Yet, the voice that whispers in the back of my mind tells me his death had everything to do with me, because I know why he took his life.                                                                                                                                                                                 


"You okay?" Layla’s wide, innocent eyes stare up at me. I reach out and touch her cheek. I don’t ever want that innocence to leave her. She’s pure and I’m tainted.


"Yeah," I answer while glancing over her shoulder at Alex, Abby, and Caroline, who walk toward us, linked arm in arm.


Perfect. I know exactly where to direct all my f*cking anger.


Chapter 84: Jared