Layla #3
Judging by the way he was clenching his fist, I didn’t doubt it. I’d never seen him like this.
“Brandon was saying how Becky and John were high school sweethearts,” I interjected.
He appeared to relax slightly, but his anger wasn’t completely dissipated. “You don’t look at Layla or ever talk to her,” he told his cousin.
I was absolutely stunned to see this side of Kellan. He was acting completely unreasonable. I stood up. “There was no harm in him speaking with me. Especially at a family wedding.” In case he’d forgot where we were.
He finally focused on me, his face pained. “The harm is that you had to spare him a minute when you’re fighting for your life. You shouldn’t have to go through chemo to fight cancer and then waste your time talking with him.”
I sucked in a harsh breath that he’d outed such personal details.
Meanwhile, Brandon blanched. Mission accomplished. Brandon immediately apologized to me. “I didn’t know. I’m so sorry.”
Despite my anger, my voice was flat. “Of course you didn’t. It was by design that I didn’t want people knowing. Nice meeting you, Brandon. Take care.”
I turned to Kellan. “I’m ready to go now. Will it be with you or in a cab?”
The fact I was dead serious about leaving without him seemed to snap him out of his angry haze.
But I was so irritated I didn’t wait for his answer. Instead, I started walking toward the entrance, completely embarrassed.
He caught up to me in the parking lot. “Wait. Layla. I’m sorry. He was being a jerk.”
“No. The only jerk in there was you.” I walked up to the passenger side of his truck and waited for him.
He unlocked it and opened the door for me. “I’m sorry, but seeing him talking to you set me off.”
“Clearly.” I climbed inside, watching him get into the driver’s seat.
“He knew what seeing him talking to you would do to me.”
“It’s been how many years, Kellan? He appears to have let it go. Why can’t you? Clear the air and be done with it.”
“Clear the air from him fucking my girlfriend? I don’t think so.”
“Ex.”
“What?”
“Your ex-girlfriend. In case you forgot that part.”
He winced. “It was a slip of the tongue. My point was no, I can’t simply clear the air with him. What? Are you on his side all of a sudden because he was nice to you?”
“No, I’m not taking sides. But the one thing I asked for was to have a normal weekend, one where I met your family, got dressed up, and felt pretty for the first time in weeks. But you had to go and tell him I’m fighting cancer.”
“I did it because he isn’t worthy of your time.”
My temper snapped. “That wasn’t about me. You outed the C-word to make him feel exactly how you intended. Like shit. You used what I’m going through to fire a shot you knew he wouldn’t be able to return.”
He opened his mouth to speak, but closed it, obviously not having the words to argue back. Luckily, the drive to the hotel was less than a mile. We parked and proceeded in silence up to the room. The first thing I did when I entered was sit on the edge of the king-sized bed and take off my heels.
I wasn’t prepared to have Kellan kneel down in front of me, his arms hugging me. “I’m so sorry. You’re right. I screwed up. I saw rage and wanted him to feel bad. I gave no thought to your wishes to have a normal night. I ruined this entire weekend.”
My hands found his face. I lost most of my anger in seeing how torn up he appeared with his apology. “You didn’t ruin it. Apology accepted.”
I started chuckling. A little at first and then full-on, unstoppable laughter. Frankly, it was a tremendous relief to know he wasn’t above making mistakes. Hadn’t I told the universe I’d like to see him not so perfect. Evidently, it had been listening.
To Kellan’s credit, he simply waited me out with a quirked brow.
“I’m laughing because I was thinking how perfect you were earlier. How hard it is to measure up. To be honest, it’s a relief to confirm you’re not above making mistakes like the rest of us mortals.”
His lips twitched. “You thought I was perfect?”
I leveled him with a “you’re kidding, right” look.
“As much as I’d love it if you stayed deluded, this isn’t the first weekend I’ve almost ruined.”
He was speaking of the one two weeks ago when I’d freaked out at the thought of being exclusive. Of being his girlfriend. “You didn’t ruin that weekend. I did. By being scared. By not trusting my feelings. But I’m listening to them now.”
His expression was hopeful. “What do they say?”
“They say it’s safe to fall for you. That you’re invested. That this thing between us is more than sex. More than the cancer.”
“Your feelings sound very wise.”
A smile touched my lips. “Do they, now?”
“Yes. Because I’ve already fallen for you, Layla. I’m all the way invested. And although sex with you is incredible, being with you is even better. I’m all-in, babe. Cards on the table. You’re safe with me.”
“See, you are perfect most of the time. You know, I’ve always wondered what makeup sex might be like.”
He chuckled. “I’ll give you a clue. It makes me a big giver.”
“Oh, goodie. I’m a fan already.”