Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
Daphne
W alking out of the bathroom, I look around and can’t find Elenore or anyone I came here with. Pushing out the bar doors, I watch the limo drive out of the parking lot with the bachelorette herself hanging out the top, screaming, “I’m getting married!”
Despite being ditched, I laugh and hiccup. All the drinks from the night make my head swim.
“What’s so funny?” A deep voice behind me says, making me turn in surprise.
It’s a big, bearded man from the competition, but I don’t remember his name and a feeling of unease shivers up my spine.
“Oh, nothing, have a good night,” I say with a wave and start walking. Magnolia Point is a small town, and I don’t think it’ll take long to get home. My only regret is these shoes.
“Come on, honey, I’ll give you a ride,” the man says, but I don’t bother looking back. My smile and good mood are long gone as I hear the click of his boots following behind me. The sidewalk is lit by lamps on both sides of the roads, but no one is out and about.
“Don’t be like this, baby. I’m just trying to help you.”
“No, thank you.”
Maybe I should have gone back into the bar and called an Uber. Do they have those here? Probably not this late. My dizzy brain spirals as dread sours my stomach. If I toss chunks of cosmopolitan, maybe this guy will turn and leave. I could only hope.
I take my phone out to call Holly, my traitor sister, when I see a text message.
Holly:
Hey, Elenore ditched you, not me. Blame the bride. She called you a ride though, so just wait there. See you in a few.
“Damn it,” I say, looking back over my shoulder just in time for Mr. Loser Beard catches up with me. Behind him are two shadows, too far for me to make out who.
“Hey, beautiful,” the man slurs, putting his big, unwelcome arm around me.
Panic sets in, and I reach into my purse for the pepper spray.
“Hey back, but I’m not interested,” I say, stepping out of his embrace, plastering on a fake smile, but he grabs my arm, halting my attempt to flee, and snarls down at me.
“Where you goin'? I said I’d help you.”
My heart pounds in my chest as I continue to fumble for my spray when I hear a stampede of steps coming closer. Suddenly, the angry man pulls me against his broad chest, and I drop my purse altogether, a scream breaking free from my throat.
“The fuck!” I hear a deep voice growl, but before I can spare a glance at who it is, a fist connects with the red-faced man. He loses his footing and grip on me, then hits the ground with a thud. It’s a thing of beauty as I watch his sweat-soaked body struggle to get back up. Fear is still stuck in my gut, and I look over my shoulder, out of breath, to see another bearded man I recognize from lunch with Elenore. Jack, Jake, maybe, I can’t remember his name, but he’s paying me no attention. I think it’s the perfect time to make a run for it when I chance a glance at the broad-shouldered boulder of a man who inserted himself in front of me and almost swallow my tongue in shock.
Layton snarls and practically foams at the mouth as he watches the man stand unsteadily.
“What the hell, man,” my assailant whines, holding his face, staggering back.
Layton flexes his jaw wordlessly, and it’s enough for the guy to take off back toward the parking lot, leaving me alone with two big, bearded bodyguards.
To my complete disdain, I choose this moment to hiccup. It gains the attention of both men, who turn to look at me, but the friend speaks.
“Hey, are you okay?”
I open my mouth to speak but hiccup again. This one comes out extra loud, and I can feel my cheeks burn.
“Yeah,” I finally whisper.
“Jenson, go home.” Layton in his rich, deep voice.
He must think I’m still uncomfortable, but I feel ten times better with these men nearby.
Jenson nods, gives me a kind smile, says goodnight, and takes off toward the parking lot.
“Can I take you home? My grandma called and said a few of you needed a ride, so she sent me. Sorry.” He says with a shrug.
It’s dark, but I can see his body has relaxed, but his eyes keep shooting glances in the direction the man went.
“That’s rich, even for her, seeing how I came out of the bathroom just in time to watch literally everyone else drive off in the limo. Elenore hanging out the top. Wouldn’t even listen to my sister’s protests.”
He takes a long, deep breath and shakes his head in disbelief.
“I suspect a setup.”
The laugh that bursts out of my mouth is so abrupt I slap a hand over my mouth to stop it. My eyes widen, and looking up at Layton, I am relieved to see the man crack a smile. The sight is something I hadn’t seen in so long, and it brings unwanted memories rushing back.
The first day we met, and we instantly connected.
It was just another summer day in Candy Cane Key until the shaggy-haired boy stumbled into my backyard, trying to escape his grandma’s plans to go shopping. I invited him to stay, and we spent the day together. We watched The Hangover on my laptop and laughed for hours. After that, we were inseparable.
More memories assault me, but I push them away and focus on the last one. The last day of summer when he promised to come back the next year like always…because he loved me.
The pain isn’t fresh, but I still rub my chest at the memory.
“Want a ride home, anyway?” He mutters, seeming to understand. Maybe he remembers, too. Part of me still wants a fucking apology. I realize we were both kids, but I never got an explanation. Maybe a car ride is exactly what I need to finally move forward with my life.
I nod, “Yeah, please.”
He tucks his hands in his pockets, keeping his distance, and nods his chin to the parking lot. It’s dark with only one light, but with Layton by my side, especially after he just knocked a guy out for me, I don’t feel as afraid as I expected.
The evening has grown cold, and when a cool breeze blows through the magnolia trees surrounding us, goosebumps rise on my skin. Suddenly, this outfit doesn’t make as much sense, but I rub my arms for warmth as we reach his truck.
“Here,” Layton says, reaching for the door. It’s an unexpected gesture, but I guess some things about him haven’t changed since we were kids. He always opened the door for me. Once I’m in the cab, I expect him to close the door, but he surprises me again by shrugging out of his jacket and leaning in to drape it over my shoulders.
My brain short circuits for a millisecond as his face is inches from mine. His rich scent, something woodsy with a hint of peppermint, fills my nose, and my breath hitches. His scent lingers long after he’s closed the door, and I force myself to close my eyes for a moment. My hiccups shake me out of the trance, and I remind myself I’ve had too much to drink. That’s all it is. There is no way I’m feeling anything for my teenage boyfriend.
By the time Layton climbs into the cab, I’m convinced the alcohol is playing tricks, and I decide that keeping my mouth shut is the right answer. My house isn’t far, and I’ll be out of his realm of sexiness, but then I remember I still have his shirt stuffed in my purse.
I laugh because, well, I’m drunk. He side-eyes me like I’m strange, but I can see the corner of his mouth turn up even in the dark cab of his pickup.
Rummaging around my purse, I pull out the cotton tee, earning me a full-blown grin. I’d think the man was blushing if it weren’t so dark. Layton has a new shirt on now, but I reach over the console and place it in his lap anyway.
“I believe this belongs to you,” I say.
It’s his laughter that surrounds me now. Warm and comforting, even though it has no right to make me feel that way anymore. That stupid laugh has always done mystical things to my body, and now is, unfortunately, no exception.
“Thank you,” he finally replies.
“No, thank you,” I emphasize the last part to let him know I enjoyed his little show.
It’s stupid, and I shouldn’t, but part of me feels like we’re driving back in time. Cracking jokes and looking out for each other like we did then.
He takes a deep breath as we fall quiet, but I can tell there’s a lot on his mind. Layton has always been easy for me to read. I don’t think many people saw him like I did, and I guess some things never change.
After what seems like an eternity, we arrive at my house. Layton remains silent, but I can tell he’s wrestling with himself.
“Thank you for the ride, Layton. And for the show,” I say, wiggling my brows.
His mouth curves slightly, but he seems sad now.
“I rarely bust out my moves, but I thought it was a special occasion.”
I nod. “And thank you for punching that dipshit in the face. I don’t want to think about what would have happened if you hadn’t.”
I mean it, and I can only hope he can see that because he goes quiet again.
“Well, see ya,” I say softly, turning to the door and letting myself out. I place his jacket on the seat and close the door behind me before heading to my house without looking back.
The first few steps up the porch, I look for my keys. Holly has the porch lights on. A strand of Christmas lights, of course, and I hear the truck door open. I turn, and sure enough, Layton opens his door and moves toward me.
At that moment, my sister swings open the front door and drunkenly yells.
“Finally, you’re home!” Holly says with open arms. “I was getting so worried. Elenore forced us all into the limo. I told her you were in the bathroom, and we had to wait, but by then, we were all inside, and she told the driver to go.”
“It’s okay. I’m okay,” I tell her, and glance back just in time to catch Layton getting back into his truck. Seconds later, he’s backing out of the driveway, and my sister pulls me inside.
“Who was that?” She asks.
“Layton. He not only drove me home but punched a creep that followed me out of the bar.” Saying it out loud reminds me of how scary it was. I also realize now my hiccups have finally stopped.
“A man followed you. Oh my gosh, Daphne, are you okay?” Worry laces my sister’s words, and I can see the fear in her eyes.
“Yeah, I’m okay. It was scary, but nothing was more satisfying than seeing him fall hard to the ground.”
“Because of Layton,” she mutters in realization. It’s not a question.
I nod. “He and his friend came running when they heard me trying to escape him.”
“He put his fucking hands on you. I’ll kill him! Who the hell was this guy?”
“It’s okay. Again, I’m okay, and he’s nursing a mean bruise on his face and ego. No need to go to prison.”
Holly doesn’t look convinced, but she pulls me into her little arms and squeezes hard. Drunk or not, I know she loves me and would do damage to anyone who dared hurt me, and I would do the same.
“I’m okay, promise,” I whisper into her hair.
Finally, she pulls back and nods. Wipes a single tear from her cheek before leaning back on the couch, seeming to calm herself.
“So, Layton.”
I nod.
“You want to talk about it?” She asks.
“I don’t know what to say. He keeps showing up in my life, and although once upon a time he crushed me, we were just kids. Now, we’re adults, living in the same small town, and his grandma clearly has ulterior motives.” I shake my head, thinking about Elenore’s tricks. “Maybe putting the past behind us wouldn’t be so terrible. To move forward, or at least find a way to be on good terms,” I say, shrugging.
Layton feels familiar, yet at the same time, completely different. The pain he caused by disappearing without a word still lingers, but maybe I can find it in me to forgive him.