Reed’s face fell. His eyes filled with sadness, and a part of me was wondering if I should have just kept my mouth shut.
“Her safe choice? She thinks I’m going to hurt her? How?”
I took another breath. I wished to God I had just fallen asleep and not started this conversation. “I’m not really sure, but I think she thinks you’re a player. Something happened to Court in high school, and she changed. She began not trusting any guy. I mean, none. I never could get her to tell me what happened. She’s so scared of being hurt that she’ll never give her heart fully to anyone. But with you…I think she would hand you her heart in a second, and that scares the shit out of her. ”
Reed looked away for a few seconds. “What do I do? She’s with Mitch, and he’s a friend. I won’t do that to him. And then, there’s Anna. ”
“Do you have strong feelings for her?” I asked.
“I did, once. She’s probably the only other girl besides Courtney who I’ve felt like I wanted to really be with. I was crushed when she left for college, but—”
“But, what?”
“What I feel for Courtney is so different than anything I’ve ever felt before for anyone, even Anna. Half the time, when I’m with Anna…I’m thinking of Courtney. I mean, I know we’ve only been out a few times, but that night she stayed with me…I kept thinking…ah shit, I’m such a fucking dick. ” He shook his head and let out a sigh.
I put my hand on his shoulder. “Did you sleep with her, thinking it would hurt Courtney if she found out?”
He shook he head. “No. I mean, in a way, I was hoping it would make her jealous. I wanted to be with Anna…I really did. At least I used to dream of being with her, but the whole time…I couldn’t stop thinking of Courtney. I’d close my eyes and…” His voice trailed off. “That’s not fair to Anna. I know that. The last thing I want to do is hurt her. ”
I snuggled back up next to him as he leaned back onto the sofa.
“I’m so confused, Whitley, because I don’t want to give up something with Anna to chase someone who won’t ever want me in her life…or give me a chance to be in her life. ”
I nodded. “I understand, Reed, but if you truly love Courtney, don’t give up. ”
Reed let out a long sigh. “Get some sleep, Whit. I’ll set my alarm in case I fall asleep, so we can head back up to the hospital in a few hours. ”
I slowly felt my body relaxing for the first time in four days. “Mmm, okay. ”
As I drifted off to sleep, I saw Layton’s face. I could almost feel his love wrapping around my body, keeping me warm and safe.
Chapter Twenty-Seven: Layton
As I rode up toward the house in the ranch truck, I saw Whitley standing out front, talking to someone. It had been two mon
ths since the whole Roger incident, and even though he was in jail, my heart still stopped anytime I saw Whitley talking to a stranger. I knew the moment she saw me, she was going to be pissed that I had taken off.
All this sitting around is killing me. I’m bored out of my fucking mind and ready to do manual work, something with my hands.
As I drove by, making my way down toward the barn, Whitley glanced over and waved. I knew she would ask a ton of questions. I’d told Mitch to tell her I was going to mend a fence even though I knew that would piss her off. I couldn’t tell her what I had really done.
As I was walking toward the house, Whitley came around the side of the house, laughing at something the guy had said to her. I instantly didn’t like him. I didn’t like the way he was looking at her.
Jesus. Calm the hell down, Layton. She’s a beautiful woman, and men are going to look. Get over it.
She walked up to me, and the smile she gave me caused my heart to skip a beat. I smiled back as I leaned down and kissed her gently on the lips.
“Hey, baby. ” I looked up and reached my hand out to the stranger standing in front of me. “Layton Morris. ”
“Mr. Morris, my name is Robert Mitchel. I represent a law firm in New York and Chicago. ”
Oh great. Watch that motherfucker Roger try to sue me for beating the shit out of him.
“I guess I can see the whole lawyer thing now with the briefcase and all. Listen, if this is about Roger and—”
Whitley put her hand on my arm. “It’s not about Roger. Mr. Mitchel is being very secretive, but I can tell you it’s not about Roger at all. ”
“Is there somewhere we can go to sit down, Mr. Morris?”