Stray
Page 8
He bent over and picked her up as gently as possible and took her to bed. As he laid her down, she stirred and looked at him with her big blue eyes. “Don’t leave me,” she whispered weakly.
Spencer sighed but nodded, then took a couple of extra pillows off the bed and threw them on the floor. He turned off the light and laid down next to the bed. He heard some rustling and then felt a warm presence next to him. His body stiffened, and he was thankful for the darkness that was currently concealing his blush.
“L… Layla, go to bed.” His voice cracked from nervousness.
His breath caught in his throat when he felt her small hand touch his arm. “You sleep in the bed,” she whispered. “I’m used to the concrete, this floor is plenty soft for me.” Spencer sat up and looked at her in the darkness, only the moonlight shining through the window gave off light. She was fantastic at making him feel bad.
“I would sleep better knowing that you were safe, in the bed. So please.” Spencer smiled as he heard a defeated sigh followed by Layla crawling back into bed. He laid back down and stared at the dark ceiling.
“Goodnight, Layla,” he said softly.
“Goodnight, Spencer.”
CHAPTER FIVE
A loud banging on the bedroom door awoke Spencer from his sleep. He groaned and stood up while letting out a long string of curse words. Once he reached the bedroom door, he yanked it open and was met with Landon.
“Yes?” Spencer hissed at the smiling man while rubbing his aching head.
“Your girl is here,” Landon stated casually while sipping on his cup of coffee.
Spencer rolled his eyes. “Yeah, she’s sleeping, and you’re about to wake her up, so shove off.”
Landon blinked and looked behind Spencer at the sleeping figure in the bed. “Uh no, mate, I meant Rachel is here, you know, your girlfriend.”
Spencer’s green eyes widened as he let out a loud curse word and pushed past Landon. He stumbled down the stairs and came face to face with a very red-faced, short-tempered Rachel.
“Where. Have. You. Been?” Her loud voice echoed throughout the entire mansion.
“I was busy helping someone.” Spencer knew this would not go over well. Rachel looked at his bruised cheek and bandaged hand, and her eyes narrowed.
“Is that homeless bitch here?” Spencer sighed and prayed that, if there was a God, he would open up the floor underneath his feet and pull him down. No such luck.
“Look, Rach, it’s not what you think.”
“Get rid of it now!” she yelled.
“ENOUGH!” Rachel jumped as a female voice rang from upstairs. Spencer and Rachel both looked up to see Catherine standing at the top of the stairs with her arms crossed.
“Young lady, if I ever hear you speaking so disrespectful of not only Layla, but to my son again, you will not be permitted in my home, understood?” Rachel bit her tongue and nodded.
“And you,” Catherine turned her attention to Spencer, “Let us not forget our conversation last night,” she warned.
With that, Catherine turned and went to Layla’s door, she knocked on it gently before walking in. She found Layla curled up in the fetal position, sleeping. She placed a hand on Layla’s arm and shook her gently.
Spencer rolled his eyes as he listened to Rachel rant on and on about how she couldn’t trust him and how his mother ‘mistreated her’. He was about to interrupt her when a small scream came from up in Layla’s room. Spencer pushed passed Rachel and ran up the stairs. As he ran into the room, he found his mother trying to comfort the sobbing girl in the corner.
“I don’t know what happened. I just went to wake her up,” Catherine said softly as Spencer walked over and sat next to Layla.
“You’re okay,” he said, rubbing her back. “Did you get scared?”
Layla nodded and looked from Spencer to Catherine. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, lowering her head. “Usually when I get touched in my sleep, it’s because someone is trying to attack me or steal from me.”
Catherine walked over and patted the girl's back. “No, darling, it’s my fault, I should’ve been more cautious, I’m sorry.”
Spencer looked Layla over; it was the first time he really looked at her in the light, the bruises on her body were enough to make his blood boil. He wanted to kill that man for what he did.
“Are you in pain?” he asked her softly while helping her up.
Layla furrowed her brows. What did it matter if she was in pain or not? “I’m fine, I’ve been through much worse.” She shrugged.
Catherine let out a small cough. “Okay, well, Layla, I was planning on taking you to the doctor today to get you checked out, and get you completely healthy. Does that sound okay?”
Layla’s eyes brightened, and she covered her mouth to hide her smile. “You mean I get to see Sue?” Catherine furrowed her brows together and looked at Spencer. Spencer was equally as confused as his mother. “Layla, who is Sue?”
“Remember! Sue was the nice nurse at the hospital!”
“Oh her! No, Layla, Mom is taking you to a different doctor. This is one where you don’t have to stay there.” Spencer instantly felt bad when he saw her demeanor sadden. “But!” he continued, he had to make the sadness go away, he didn’t know why but he couldn’t stand to see her upset. “Maybe once you are healthy, we can go by the hospital and see her.”
Layla’s eyes beamed at him. “Really!? Thank you!”
“Now,” Catherine said, clapping her hands together. “Let’s get you ready for the doctor.”
Layla looked up at Spencer and cocked her head to one side. “You’re coming with me, right?”
Spencer shifted uncomfortably. He would much rather go with them over the afternoon that was planned out for him. Hell, he would rather be the patient, but there was an angry blonde downstairs waiting to finish chewing his ass out.
“No,” Catherine answered. “Spencer is going to stay home. This is just you and I.”
Layla nodded and looked back at Spencer. “Will I see you again?” Spencer laughed.
“Yes, silly! Layla, you’re going to visit a doctor, you’ll be back in a few hours. I’ll see you when you get home.”
Home? This wasn’t her home, was it? How long would they would allow her to stay? Surely they would tire of her, eventually.
“SPENCER!” The three of them jumped when Rachel’s booming voice rang through the house.
Spencer gave the ladies an exhausted smile. He felt as though he was about to go into battle. “Well, I’ll see you all later.”
Layla gave Spencer a small wave as he turned and headed out of the room.
Catherine smiled and looked down at the girl. “Come now, let’s get you changed and we will head out.”
Layla looked down at the clothes she had on. “What’s wrong with these?” Catherine chuckled and led the girl to her bedroom.
***
Spencer rolled his eyes as he continued to eat his scrambled eggs while Rachel paced the kitchen floor, complaining.
“And who does Catherine think she is? How dare she talk to me like a child?”
“Quit acting like one and maybe she won’t have to,” Spencer muttered with a mouthful of food.
“Do you not have any manners? Finish chewing before you speak to me.”
Spencer mouthed, “Whatever,” behind her back before continuing to eat.
“I just don’t understand what everyone sees in this girl. She smells horrible, her hair is a rat’s nest, she has obviously never seen a toothbrush or tweezers. Oh! And those hands! Someone desperately needs a manicure.”
“She needs help, not everything is about looks.”
Rachel laughed sarcastically as she placed a hand on her hip. “Sure, because you and I are together because we share so many interests, grow up, Spencer. Everything is about how you look, and how much money you have.”
Spencer placed his plate in the dishwasher and finished his orange juice. “Okay, so why are we together?”
Spencer sighed. “I told you I’m not taking over my father’s company. And I want a girlfriend, Rachel, not just someone to have sex with and that will look good in pictures.”
Rachel flipped her hair behind her shoulder and smiled seductively. “Uh huh, I’ll tell you what, I’ll be in your room, be up there in five minutes and I’ll help you figure out what you really want.” She bit him on his bottom lip before tracing her finger down his chest and walking away.
He shook his head and thought for a minute. This was his chance to break this off and move on, find a meaningful relationship and get her annoying ass out of his life. “Then again, she is in my bed right now…” He shrugged and ran off to his bedroom.
***
Layla laid her head back on the seat of the limo. She felt nauseous again. Catherine had given her a little bag in case she got sick. She felt awful, apparently she didn’t do well with long car rides.
Catherine ran her hand through the girl’s hair. “You’re okay,” she cooed. “Here, lay down across the seats, I’ll sit over there.” Catherine got up and moved so Layla could lie down. She looked at the young girl, she felt so bad, the last several hours were spent being poked and prodded by doctors and dentists. Layla took it like a champ. Never once did she complain, but Catherine knew that it all must have scared her; she had been gripping her stuffed cat tightly since they left the house.
“I promise,” Catherine said softly. “Tomorrow, we will go shopping, get you some new clothes, go to the salon, it will be fun.”
Layla was quiet for a moment, but once she felt like she could open her mouth without vomiting, she spoke up. “Will Spencer be going with us?”
Catherine thought for a moment, trying to find the right words. “Well, Spencer has a girlfriend and, even though she and I do not get along, Spencer has chosen her and he needs to spend time with her.”
Layla nodded and closed her eyes. She felt better when Spencer was there. Besides Spencer, Samantha was the only other one she knew. She opened her eyes and looked over at Catherine. “What about Samantha?”
“Oh, sure! Sammy would love a salon day. She will definitely be there.”
It wasn’t long before the limo pulled up in front of the large mansion. Layla sat up and looked at the house. She had never seen a house so large. It almost seemed like a waste of space. She knew for a fact that at least twelve people could sleep in her bedroom alone. It was just such a culture shock, the day before she was lying on a cardboard bed behind a dumpster, and today, she was walking from a limo into a house she would assume a princess lived in.
Catherine and Layla walked into the entrance, and Layla stood there motionless as a shirtless, wet man walked up to them wearing a towel and a smile.
“Good afternoon, Aunt Catherine, I was just taking a swim in your pool. The water is absolutely wonderful. Oh hello, and who is this?”
Catherine smiled at her nephew. “Oh, this is Layla! She’s just moved in with us. Layla, this is my nephew, Landon.”
Landon flashed Layla a smile as he took her hand and kissed it softly. “What a pleasure it is to meet a beauty such as you.” Layla’s face resembled a tomato.
“Ummm… thanks, same to you?” She was unsure if that was the proper thing to say, and judging by Landon’s laughter, she guessed it wasn’t.
“Well, I’m off to freshen up. Until next time.” He bowed his head and then walked off.
Layla gave a small wave and then turned to a giggling Catherine. “Quite a looker, ay?”
“Huh? I… I wasn’t looking!” Layla’s blush deepened, and she ran up the stairs to her bedroom.
Spencer heard Layla’s door open and shut. Getting off his bed, he walked over to her door and knocked on it before walking in.
“Hey, what’s up?” Spencer asked while sitting on her bed next to her.
Layla shrugged. “Not much, your mom had a bunch of people touch just about every part of my body. Then that dentist guy told me my teeth were bad and there was no luck saving them. But the doctor took that cast off and gave me this brace, so that’s cool cause the cast was itchy.” She laid down on her bed and sighed. “I can’t remember everything else, you’ll have to ask your mom. All I know, I think your mom might be trying to kill me.”
Spencer laughed and patted her head. “Yeah, I knew you wouldn’t have fun today, but it’s done and over with. It will get easier, I promise.” Layla nodded and yawned softly as she curled up on the bed. He decided to let her get some rest. Getting up, he headed to the door before stopping in the entrance. “If you need anything, just holler.” He closed the door behind him and headed downstairs to talk to his mom.
He found Catherine at the breakfast bar, talking to her husband on the laptop through the webcam.
“Oh, Matthew! You should’ve seen how red she got when Landon talked to her!”
Spencer’s eyes darkened. “Whose face?” Catherine jumped and spun around on her stool. “Spencer! You gave me such a fright! I was just chatting with your father about Layla.”
Spencer nonchalantly waved to his father. “How’s China?” he asked, though it was obvious he didn’t really care.
“You would know if you’d show more interest in the company.” The dark-eyed, salt and peppered hair man stated. Spencer had his father’s build; tall, broad and strong. But he had his mother’s features.
Spencer rolled his eyes. “Just because I’m not like Bryson, doesn’t mean I’m the lazy bum you make me out to be, and you know it! I make more money than he does on his best day!”
“You were lucky! That’s how you made your money, not through hard work like your brother and I. You don’t work at all! Just sit around writing your stories and lazing around my house.”
“Oh, is that so? And how would you know that? You’re never here! You know what, this conversation is over,” Spencer spat, and shut his mother’s laptop. He walked over to the fridge and grabbed a beer. “God, I hate him!”
“Spencer, don’t say that! He’s your father, he loves you, he’s just…”
Spencer held up his hand to stop her. “Let’s get off this subject. How did things go today with Layla?”
“Well,” Catherine sighed. “She’s obviously underweight, they got her on a vitamin regimen and a diet to make sure she’s taking in enough to start gaining weight. She’s supposed to drink protein shakes and start trying to eat foods. They gave her some pain pills for her injuries, but honestly, she acts like the pain doesn’t faze her. He also wrote her a new prescription for some antibiotics to help get rid of the pneumonia that is hanging around. The dentist, though, that was a bloody nightmare. I’m sure I’ve scarred the poor girl for life. Her teeth are all bad, there is no real saving them. The dentist recommended implants. He and I both explained the process, and she said she wanted white teeth so we go back the day after tomorrow to start the process. They will have to extract her teeth and clear up any infections she may have, so it will be quite a journey.”
“And she met Landon?”
Catherine tried not to smile when she detected the hint of jealousy in her son’s voice. “Oh yes, she was adorable. Landon had her so rosy!”
Spencer scowled. “Well, isn’t that just peachy.” He sighed and left the kitchen before heading back upstairs to Layla’s room. He walked in and saw her lying on the floor, sleeping, when his phone dinged, making him flinch. He grabbed it quickly to silence it. Looking at the screen, he saw it was a text message from Rachel.
I told you I would change your mind
“Why do I suddenly feel dirty?” he muttered.
“Spencer?”
He looked from his phone to the girl on the floor. “Hey,” he smiled while shoving the phone back in his pants pocket. “Why are you sleeping on the floor?”
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Layla shrugged as she sat up and looked at him. “I felt weird sleeping on the bed, the floor is more comfortable.”
He raised a brow before walking over and lying on her bed. “I don’t know why, it feels good to me.”
“Your mom said that I’m going to the salon and shopping with her and Samantha tomorrow. What are you doing?”
Spencer inwardly groaned. He had made plans with Rachel already to go to a movie. He sighed and looked over at her. “I have a date planned with Rachel.”
She nodded and awkwardly picked at the carpet. She hated Rachel. Whenever Rachel was around, Spencer turned into a horrible person. Tears threatened to spill as she thought of all the times that he and Rachel tormented her.
Spencer heard her sniffling and peered over the bed. “Are you okay?”
Layla nodded, avoiding his gaze. “Yeah, I’m fine, I think I’m just overwhelmed. I’m going to go walk around, I’ll be back,” she blurted as she got up and ran out of the room. She ran down the steps and down a random hallway, stopping only when she ended up in one of the living rooms where she found Landon sitting on the big leather couch, watching the television.
“Oh, sorry,” she whispered.
Landon looked up from the game he was watching and smiled. “Layla! Come in, no apologies needed. I’d love to have a pretty girl as company!” He patted the seat next to him. Layla smiled as she sat down, looking at the large television and then back to him.
“Do you like football?” he asked, motioning to the game.
Layla shrugged. “I’ve never watched it before.”
Landon’s grinned widened. “Well, my dear, allow me to teach you! Now first off, if you were to ask Spencie or Jensen, they would tell you their silly little American opinions on what is really ‘football’, but this is true football, it’s an amazing game.” Landon went on, explaining the rules of European Football to Layla while they watched the game.