I hated her so much for doing this to me and I hated myself for letting her.
Mad at myself for crying and getting so emotional over a tree, I stormed back to the house.
Amy and Mel stared at me as I burst through the front door and flung myself onto the couch.
“You okay rock star?”
I snapped back at Mel. “Fine. Never fucking better.”
She arched a brow at me. “Uh huh. Come on stud, out with it. We’re your girls, guys and mother all rolled into one so start talking.”
I growled in frustration.
“I fucking hate her! I hate her so much! How could she do this to me? How can she still make me so crazy!? It’s not fair. She’s wherever she is, sipping champagne and falling in love all over again, while I sit next to a stupid fucking tree and cry over an engraving! What’s up with that!?”
“You don’t hate her Ollie. You wish you did.”
“I want to hate her. I wanna hate her so fucking bad it’s tearing me up. This time last year, you know, last Christmas? I had everything I ever dreamed of. I was spending Christmas with my family. With you and Layla and even her folks. It felt so…right. I had her guys. She said she was mine and I really thought she was too. I can’t stand this anymore.”
I was getting worked up. I stood abruptly and pulled my hoodie over my head. Amy gasped and Mel rushed to seize my arm.
“What the fuck is that Ollie?”
I glanced at my right arm and realized they’d found it.
“A tattoo. What does it look like?”
Amy ran her fingers over it and smiled, shaking her head.
“Oh Ollie.”
After that night with Lizzie, I went to the tattoo parlor and got my new ink. Trailing down my right arm was a heart shaped puzzle. It was shaded with a missing piece in the center and the words ‘you are the missing piece of my heart’. Mel stared at me in disbelief and I had to look away. Amy held her hand to her mouth and tears filled her eyes.
“Oh Oliver. You really do love her, don’t you?”
I nodded weakly and stared at the ground. “Yes. I do.”
Mel shook her head fiercely. “Right, that’s it. I’ve had enough.”
Gripping my arms she turned me to face her and gave me a hard stare. “You love my girl? I mean really love her Ollie. I’m talking take a bullet; rip your heart out for her kind of love.”
“Yes. You know I do. I’d kill for her, die for her and do everything I can to make her happy. But she doesn’t want me.”
Mel snorted. “Oh for crying out loud Ollie she has no fucking idea what she wants! Layla Jennings is irrational, illogical and she makes bad decisions all the time! Do you want her? Do you want to be with her?”
I couldn’t understand where this was going but my heart was beating faster and my breathing was getting harsher.
“Yes! Okay! Is that what you wanna hear? That I’m crazy about her. I want to marry her! I want to carry her over our threshold to our little home and make dozens of beautiful children with her. I want to make her happy and tell her I love her every damn day for the rest of my life!”
Amy squealed with excitement next to me.
“What the fuck are you so happy about? I got my heart ripped out and handed to me remember?”
She shook her head.
“I knew you couldn’t hate her. I knew you still loved her!”
Mel rolled her eyes and turned me back to face her again.
“If you want her Ollie, go get her. Fight for her. Don’t give up. It’s not over until someone says I do. Now do you want that to be him, or you?”
I stared at her for a moment before closing my eyes tightly. I watched as images of Layla, our time together and everything we’d been through, flashed in front of me. My eyes flew open and I smiled at down at Mel.
“Me. I won’t let him win this easy. He wants her, he’s gonna have to fight me for her.”
Grabbing my hoodie and jacket I headed for the Ducati. Mel and Amy followed out behind me.
“Where the fuck are you going?”
I grinned back at them and slipped on my leather gear.
“Home for Christmas.”
Mel smiled. “And then what?”
I hurried over and hugged them both tightly before placing a kiss on each of their cheeks. Mel chuckled and asked me again.
“Christmas in Utah and then what rock star?”
Getting on to the Ducati, I straddled it firmly and looked back over at them. I bit my lip ring and gave them a wink.
“Europe.”
Acknowledgments
To my family, your support and love has encouraged me to continue writing. Your constant shoulder to lean on has been invaluable and you will never know how much.
My dear, wonderful and sweet other half. For once again indulging me in my passion for writing. Thank you for allowing me the space and freedom to create and for still being there when I come out of the cave.
To Denise and Nic. For being awesomesauce all the time. You make me MZALP more than anyone else! Your support, guidance and encouraging words have helped me through some really tough times and I’m so blessed to have found you and call you friends.
To Karen. I have absolutely no words to express my gratitude for everything you do. Couch casting is yours. No question. If it ever happens you’re coming with me. No doubt at all. Thank you for everything and for your constant support. I couldn’t do it all without you. I adore you and the LAMP’s.
To my bohemian rock chick Shaina. Thanks for being my friend and for the endless conversations and laughs. You always know just what to say and how to make me smile again.
To Dana. For being one of my biggest supporters and fans since I first announced I was going to write a book. Even though I went by another name back then. I’m so proud to call you my friend and I am super pleased you have found your passion.
To all my Facebook fans and friends! Thank you for all your comments, messages and fun! I love each and every one of you. You are the heart of my success and I adore you.
Look out for the scintillating sequel to Bound Together
Torn Apart
Coming Spring 2013
Layla’s Story Continues……
Last Christmas
Copyright © 2012 by Marie Coulson
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Last Christmas (Bound Together) Page 8