“Yep. She left him the day after Mike died,” Richard said.
I brought my hand up and covered my mouth. “What?”
“That’s not the worst of it. She left Layton for one of his best friends, Justin. Justin, Layton, and Reed used to do everything together when Layton wasn’t with Mike. They had been best friends since…well, hell, since like first grade, all three of them. ”
I felt like I was going to be sick. It wasn’t like I cared for Layton that much. He was sometimes an ass, but my God, this was just so terrible. I felt so bad.
“You want to dance?” Richard asked.
I shook my head. “Nah, I’m really tired and just need to rest for a bit before dancing again. ”
He got up. “I’m going to go talk to a few friends then. ” He gave me a weak smile and headed off to the other side of the bar.
I looked around for Layton and Misty. I couldn’t find them on the dance floor anymore. Then, I saw them. Misty was leaning on the bar, talking to the bartender and smiling. She jumped down off the bar, and Layton grabbed her hand.
I watched as they walked out the door. For some reason, I felt insanely jealous.
Fuck! Why do I even feel this way? I don’t even like him!
I stood up and said to Courtney, “I’m ready to leave. ”
“Wait—what? Oh, come on, Whit. I was having fun, dick-teasing this Bill guy. It might actually be more fun than having sex,” she said with a wink.
“I need to leave. I’m tired, and my head is pounding. ”
Courtney grabbed her purse and sighed. “Fine, party pooper. Let’s go home. ”
I started to walk away. I couldn’t believe how mad I was.
What in the hell is wrong with me?
I felt like I wanted to just haul off and punch someone.
>
Stupid Layton Morris.
I stormed off, away from Courtney, and I made my way toward the door. When I went to walk out, the door opened, and I ran smack into Layton.
“Shit, CG, watch where you’re going, sweetheart. I damn near knocked you over,” he said with that drop-dead smile of his.
What an asshole! How dare he call me sweetheart after he was practically fucking that girl on the dance floor!
“Fuck off, you jerk. ” I tried to walk around him.
“Whitley, I was only kidding. Are you okay?”
I looked out the door and saw Misty standing there, waiting on Layton.
“Do all the cowboys in Texas take home slutty bartenders and fuck them to forget their problems? Real classy. Not what I was expecting from a—what did you call yourself earlier? Oh yeah, a Southern gentleman. Ha. That’s a fucking joke. ”
Oh my God! Why did I just say that?
“Whitley!” Courtney said as she grabbed my arm. “Sorry, Layton. I think she’s had too much to drink. ”
I pulled my arm out of Courtney’s hand. “No, I haven’t, Court. ”
I glared at Layton, and then I instantly regretted my words when I saw the hurt in his eyes—those beautiful blue eyes of his that I could so get lost in.