She frowns. “Are you ashamed of me?”
“What? No.” God, this was turning into a disaster and we haven’t even gotten to the worst of it. “Babe, I’m ashamed that my parents associate themselves with a bunch of jackasses.”
She blinks at me. “Okay. And?”
“And I don’t want to put you through their judgments.”
Layla cocks her head. “Judgment? The only one who seems to be judging me is you. Do you think these people will see me and feel sorry for me? Call me unworthy of you or something?”
“No. Damn it! Layla, these people are soul-sucking leeches.”
“I get it. Why are you so worried?”
I sigh. “Forget it. You look beautiful by the way.”
She lifts her brow. “Only part of my makeup is done, Ty.”
Yeah, and she’s still hot as hell.
“I know you’re worried. But I can handle myself. I’ve had dinner at Rachel’s house a few times.”
“I guess.” She tries to cheer me up with her Rachel comment but it’s not working. The first person to say anything terrible about or to my girl will get knocked the hell out. It wouldn’t be the first time I let my temper get the best of me in front of my parents’ snooty friends. But if I’m being honest with myself, I’m worried about Emelia. Emelia is my mother’s best friend’s daughter. Both of our mothers have been trying to scheme and get Emelia and me together since birth. Shared birthday parties, picnics, vacations, and every function imaginable. I’d like to say Emelia hasn’t been on board with this twisted plan of our mothers, but she has. Hook, line, and sinker. She has this idea in her head that I’m somehow her boyfriend or will be with a little time and convincing. I never talk to her. I’ve never held her hand. I always ditch her as soon as I can. And yet, everyone refers to us as “Ty and Em” like we’re the greatest couple since Edward and Bella.
Emelia has a tendency to make her opinions known. Her tantrums as a kid were always over the top. If someone ticks her off in the slightest, she can be the most vengeful person. One time, my sister took the last chocolate chip brownie. Not a big deal. Emelia tackled my sister to the ground and ripped a huge chunk of her hair out because she wanted that brownie.
Yet, my mom still wants me to end up with that as my wife. No-freaking-thank-you.
I cringe at the thought of Emelia showing up and making a scene. “I need to warn you about something,” I say.
“What is it, your Jeep will turn into a pumpkin at midnight?” Layla teases, still doing her makeup.
“Not exactly,” I deadpan. “Layla, there is this girl my mom has been trying to set me up with for years. She might be at the party. I have absolutely no feelings for this girl. Never have. Never will.”
Layla drops something on her vanity and looks at me. She smiles. “Ty, I will never let some girl your mother chose for you come between us. If she starts anything, I will have to warn you, your family might never like me because I will beat the crap out of her. If you’re okay with that, we won’t have a problem.”
“It sounds perfectly fine to me. My sister might even help you. So, there will always be one of my family members who won’t hate you.”
She walks over to me, leans in and presses her soft lips against mine. I wrap my arms around her and pull her closer to me. I wish we could stay here instead all night.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Layla
I’m nervous. I told Ty I was fine but that’s a lie. I don’t want to get into a mouth battle with some girl who believes my man is hers. I certainly don’t want to make a terrible impression in front of his family and their friends. I have a feeling that’s exactly what I’m going to do though.
Shoot, what if they don’t think I’m dressed up enough? Tyler keeps telling me my simple white satin dress with a black sash around the waist is perfectly fine. “Have I told you how beautiful you look?” he asks me as we leave my neighborhood.
“Only about a thousand times, but you can keep telling me,” I tease.
He laughs. “Well, you look beyond beautiful. Are you sure we should go to this thing? I think we should skip it, so I can have you all to myself.”
“Tyler,” I playfully smack his leg. “Behave yourself. Your parents will probably think the worst of me if you don’t.”
“Babe, no one is going to think anything terrible about you. If they do, they’re all idiots and don’t deserve to be around someone like you anyway. Besides I told you, I don’t give a damn what my parents think.”
I smile at him. “Okay.”
He turns us down the street leading up to his neighborhood. I observe the decorated houses. Some are elaborate and decked out to the T. Others are simple. But when we reach Tyler’s, it’s elegant and dressed in all white lights. The four large pine trees in the front are all wrapped in lights and have huge colorful ornaments hanging from them. I slip out of his Jeep and approached the trees before he reaches my door.
“Jeez, babe, couldn’t wait for me to be a gentleman?”
I laugh at his comment. “Yes. This is so gorgeous. It’s like the little wonderland you took me to.”
“Not as gorgeous as you. I’ll let my mom know you approve of her decorations. She was a little miffed at the people who did it this year.”
I keep forgetting how wealthy his family is. I think it’s because Tyler doesn’t really flaunt it. “I like the blue and silver ornaments with the white lights,” I say.
“Come on. The sooner we make an appearance, the sooner we can leave.”
I make my way toward the door and stop. “Oh crap. Tyler, I forgot your gift at the house. I left it under our tree.”
“Oh man, my cookies,” he says. “Juliet isn’t going to eat them, is she? I heard her last night trying to talk you into giving her some.”
I laugh. “I can’t promise anything. It’s okay, I can try to make more.”
“It’s not a big deal. The best gift in the world is being yours.”
I blink back tears of joy. How is it I have the sweetest boyfriend ever? I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him. “You’re so wonderful.”
“Awww,” his lips touch my nose. As we gaze into each other’s eyes in our perfect little bubble, a scream breaks through our moment.
Tyler and I turn to see a girl wearing a pretty gold and cream gown, her chestnut hair all pinned up on top of her head. The girl’s glittery shadowed-eyes narrow. “Get your hands off my boyfriend, you two-bit-hoe.”
Tyler shifts me behind him. “Emelia, get your facts straight. Never been your boyfriend, and you better apologize to my actual girlfriend right now.”
“I’ll do no such thing. She’s obviously trash. Look at her. That dress is as cheap as she is. Clearance rack from a discount store, am I right?”
I blush. Oh my God, is this what Tyler was trying to keep me away from? I wish I would have listened. I’m also glad I didn’t bring my gifts here. She’d just degrade me further.
“Come on.” Tyler ushers me toward a different entrance while uttering his apologies. “I am so freaking sorry.”
“Stop. You don’t have to keep saying you’re sorry.” I plaster on a fake smile and take a deep breath. “You warned me that these people were going to be a lot to handle. I can do this. I promise.”
His fingers tighten around mine. “That’s right. Screw these peeps.”
I nod and let him guide me inside the house.
I’ve been inside Tyler’s house before, so I’m not sure why I’m suddenly very cautious where I step. Maybe because at his house parties all I notice is the flow of people and it’s usually dimly lit in each room. As opposed to now, each room we pass is bright. The walls are decorated even more elegantly than the front lawn. From the white lighted garland with silver or red bows wrapped around the banisters to the decorated entrances of each room decorated, it’s beautiful. There are hardly any pictures of the family, I notice.
I also notice there is a Christmas tree in every room, except the kitche
n. Tyler leads me to the dining room, which is so plush I’m terrified of putting a carpet fiber out of place with my foot’s imprint.
“What’s wrong?” he asks in a low tone.
“I um … should we be in here?” There are three stacked white plates and polished silverware on the table. And matching gold placemats under each plate. Unlike at my house where we don’t care about matching plates or utensils. Half the time we use paper plates.
He looks around the room. “Sure. My mother made sure to set out her best china, so everyone could gawk and comment on how nice it is.”
“Is that real silver?” I point to the closest set of silverware.
“Yup.” Tyler sighs as if bored with it all.
I nod because I can’t speak. A tall woman with platinum blond hair styled in a tight French twist enters the room. Her ruby red lips scowl at us. “Tyler! What are you doing?”
“Showing Layla your hard work. Looks great,” he says in that charming voice of his.
I assume this woman is his mother. She doesn’t look impressed by his flattery. “You must be Layla.” She drops her gaze down to my shoes then back up to my eyes. She cringes. “It’s very lovely to meet you.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Richardson.”
“What kind of things do your parents do for the holidays?”
I hate this question. I want to say all the things we used to do like go ice skating at the park, make the best damn hot chocolate ever with little marshmallows toasted on the top. I can’t say any of this though because since my dad died we haven’t done anything. I shrug. “Um, the usual.”
She sneers. “Do you not have special traditions? Family traditions are important. Isn’t that right, Tyler?”
I swear it’s like a knife pierces straight through my heart.
Tyler snaps, “Mom, what tradition are you referring to? The one where Dad gets so smashed he mistakes the decorations for a toilet? Or should I tell her how your cougar friends compare recent facelifts and boob jobs?”
I suck my lips, biting back a gasp.
“Tyler, don’t tell guests lies.” She looks over at me as if I were the one to tell him to say that. “I guess I’m not allowed to get to know the kind of person you’re dating.”
“Not really,” he fires back.
I feel like I need to say something. I pat Tyler’s arm. “It’s fine. I’m sure your mom is just trying to see if I’m good enough for you,” I joke.
“I know you aren’t good enough for him,” she answers.
Once again, I am shocked silent. I never expected his mother to just come out and tell me that no matter what I do she will never like me.
“Mom! What the hell? Come on, Layla.” Tyler tugs me away from her.
We enter another room. This one is filled with party guests. All of them have drinks in hand, talking in groups, while sharply-dressed waitstaff weave in between them. Tyler and I make our way around a few people who eye me curiously but do not acknowledge Tyler. We’re almost near his sister when an ice-cold grip settles on my bare arm.
I jerk backward, causing me to let go of Tyler’s hand. He turns back and sighs. “Aunt Dolores, would you please let my girlfriend go?”
“Girlfriend,” the woman barks. “I thought she was part of the staff.” The glass in her hand sloshes red liquid about. She raises it to take a sip, and before I can react properly, it suddenly splashes all over my dress. The woman turns and yells, “Emelia, what in the blazes? Watch where you are walking. You made me spill my drink on Tyler’s girlfriend. What’s your name, dearie?”
“Layla,” I answer as I try to wipe away the liquid staining a huge part of my dress. I know I should tough this evening out a little more but honestly, I just want to go home. In fact, I wish I had never come in the first place.
Tyler’s skin is almost purple with rage. “Babe, head up to my room. I’ll meet you there in a minute.”
“Okay,” Emelia says, a sly look on her overly made-up face.
“I wasn’t talking to you!” His gaze levels her then he turns back to me and presses his sweet mouth to mine. “Go on. I’ll be practically right behind you.”
I should rein in my temper. “Ty, I got this.” I turn from him and face Emelia. “He’s mine, bitch. Get it. Mine. So back the hell off before I break that beak you call a nose.”
Ty’s hand lands on my wrist and squeezes while Emelia takes a step toward me. “Babe, seriously, go to my room,” Ty insists.
“You better listen to him,” Emelia says. “He knows where trash like you belongs. It isn’t with us.”
“The only trash I see here is you,” Tyler says.
His aunt snickers. Emelia sneers at her then over at me. “Ty, do you remember all those times we spent in the hot tub together?”
I glare at him. “You were in a hot tub with her?” I ask. I don’t know why I suddenly feel jealous but I am.
“No. And hell no. We’re done here. Aunt, I love you. I can’t be here anymore,” Tyler says.
His aunt smiles at us. “Okay. You two lovebirds have fun. Oh, and use protection. I wouldn’t be a good aunt if I didn’t say that.”
My cheeks are on fire. Oh my god. She thinks we’re ditching to have sex. This is one of the worst and embarrassing nights of my life. I can’t wait until it ends.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Tyler
I’ve literally had it. First Emelia, then my mother, and my aunt with her drink. She’s my favorite aunt but she’s got a drinking problem. Layla has been through the wringer since we first arrived, and I need to start making this right.
We enter my bedroom and I lock the door behind me. I drag my hand down my face. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s fine.”
“It’s not. I told you these people were assholes,” I tell her.
“Yeah. You did.” She walks over to my bed and has a seat.
I smile at her. She really is a gorgeous sight even with the stained dress. I take a seat next to her and brush some loose hair out of her eyes. “I thought you were going to punch Emelia.”
“Why didn’t you let me?” she asks.
“Because that one loves to slap lawsuits on people. Her family is super greedy.”
Layla nods but her expression is unreadable. I’m not sure if she’s mad, or relieved. It’s bothering me.
I pull her face to mine and kiss her lips. Layla isn’t kissing me back. Her hands hit my chest and she pushes back. “Tyler, stop. I just … I want to go home.”
“Okay.”
As we’re taking the back way to the garage in order to escape this hellish party, my mom stops me at the stairs. “Where are you going?” she asks.
“I’m taking Layla home. She doesn’t feel well.”
“She looks fine to me. In fact, she looks more than fine considering she just threatened poor Emelia just a few minutes ago.” Her eyes land on Layla. “I don’t know what kind of game you are running here, Tyler, but this is not a motel. I do not appreciate you fornicating under my roof during our Christmas party. It’s degrading and disrespectful.”
If my girlfriend wants to date me after this bullshit it will shock the hell out of me. “Mom, shut up! Emelia is a bitch. You need to get it out of your head that I would ever have anything to do with her. If you think any of us are going in there and apologizing, you have a better chance of hell freezing over.” I keep ahold of Layla’s hand and sidestep past my mom while my mom’s mouth drops open. “Oh, and one more thing. You owe Layla an apology. For insulting her.”
“Just go,” is all my mom says.
I shake my head and lead Layla out of the house. “I am so freaking sorry. You’ve got no idea,” I say to her once we’re outside.
She remains silent even as we reach my Jeep and I have her climb in. This is not good. Not good at all.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Layla
I should say something. I can’t. I’m on the verge of tears. His family hates me, not that I really care for them much
now that I’ve met them. It’s more than that though, I don’t think I can tolerate doing any more events like this ever again.
At the same time, I don’t want to break up with Tyler. I love him.
“Babe, please talk to me,” Ty pleads from the driver side of his Jeep.
What can I possibly say? It’s okay. I’m fine. That was fun. None of these things apply. I glance down at my lap and rub my hands together.
“Layla?”
“What, Tyler?”
“I’m sorry.”
“You’ve said that,” I say as I look over at him.
“What can I do to make this better?”
“Just take me home.”
He nods. “Right. But after? What can I do?”
“Nothing. I think …”
“If you say we need space I’ll slam on the brakes right now. This was just one stupid hiccup. I told you I didn’t care about going to this party and now you see why. If we never go to another party ever again I will be completely fine with that.”
I close my eyes and don’t open them again until he pulls into my driveway.
When we arrive at my house I rush inside and grab his gifts from under the tree. I have every intention of giving them to him, but he didn’t follow me inside. Hell, he’s not even in the driveway anymore. I guess this really is the end.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Tyler
I’m an asshole. I should have gone inside. I should have tried talking to her more, but she had that same stubborn wall up and there is no getting through to Layla once it’s there. It’s like being thrown in first grade all over again, when I tried apologizing for putting a frog in her lunch box.
As I’m driving home I curse myself. I should never have taken her to that dumb party. I should have told my parents where to stick it and just did what I wanted.
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