In Layton’s arms, I knew I would always be safe.
I just wished I could shake the feeling that something terrible was about to happen.
Chapter Eighteen: Layton
I was so angry, and all I wanted to do was beat someone’s ass. It had about killed me to listen to Whitley tell me how that asshole had beaten her. The whole time, I’d made plans to track his ass down and give him a taste of his own medicine.
By the time we had returned to the party, Whitley seemed to be back to her normal self. She was laughing and talking to Courtney and Mitch about something.
When I felt a hand on my arm, I looked to see Olivia standing there. I rolled my eyes, and I looked back toward Whitley.
“Layton, please, can we go somewhere and talk? I just want a few minutes of your time. Please. ”
I never took my eyes off of Whitley.
I love her. I love her more than the air I breathe.
Whitley glanced up, and her eyes captured mine. The way she stood there, looking so beautiful, actually caused my legs to shake.
“Sorry, Liv, don’t think so,” I said.
I started to walk up to Whitley as I watched Richard make his way over to her. He stepped in front of her, and I saw her smile and shake her head. I stopped right behind him.
“So, you won’t dance with me, Whitley? What? Are you, like, with Layton now?”
I put my hand on his shoulder and moved him out of the way as I looked Whitley in the eyes. The way they sparkled caused my stomach to do all kinds of weird shit.
Blake Shelton’s “
Honey Bee” started playing, and I smiled bigger, causing her to laugh.
“Richard, Miss Reynolds is officially off the market. ” I held out my hand, and she placed her hand in mine. “Dance with me?”
She glanced at Richard, and her smile faded just a little. “Excuse me, Richard. My boyfriend is asking me to dance with him. ”
I laughed as I brought her lips to mine. We didn’t even talk during the song. I just spun her around as she kept laughing and throwing her head back. When the song ended, I dipped her, and she busted out in the biggest grin I’d ever seen.
“Will you accompany me to a fancy dinner in Austin on Monday night?”
She giggled and nodded as she bit down on her lip.
I brought her up and tilted her chin up toward me. I put my lips next to her ear. “I’m ready to leave. ”
Pulling back from me, she licked her lips and gave me the sweetest smile as she nodded.
“Let me go tell Reed and Kevin that we’re leaving. ”
I finally found Reed, Kevin, and Mitch all in the old deer cabin.
“What in the hell are y’all doing in here?” I looked at the three of them.
Kevin shook his head. “Reed here is drunker than a motherfucker, and Mitch isn’t too far behind. They’re arguing over Courtney. ”
I looked between both of them. “What in the hell are you arguing about?”
Mitch looked over at Reed. “This fucker. I mentioned I was going to ask Courtney out, and he starts bad-mouthing her. ”
Reed started laughing. “Dude, first off, I don’t think she is the type of girl who only dates one guy at a time. I mean, her job is to read fucking sex novels. She probably knows more about getting a guy off than you could ever dream. I’m just saying, she seems…very experienced, if you know what I mean. ”