TIED (A Fire Born Novel) by Laney McMann

cradling me in his arms. The kiss wasn’t urgent or hungry but gentle and adoring, and I realized as my body melted into his, the kiss deepening—he was The One. He always had been.

10
    “Layla, what are you trying to say?” Devon stood facing me in his driveway, sounding as though he didn’t understand the words coming out of my mouth. I wasn’t sure I understood them either.
    “I’m sorry. This isn’t about you. That sounds bad—it’s not what I mean. There’s just too much going on right now. I don’t want to hurt you.” I dropped my chin, knowing I was disappointing one of the only people who had been there for me, supported me, and as much as it hurt, I couldn’t stop it. The connection I had with Max, the draw, was like a magnetic pull.
    Devon crossed his arms. “It’s not like I’m blind, Layla.”
    I searched for something more to say.
    “I’ll see you around.” He spun back toward his house.
    “Devon.” Tears rolled down my face.
    He turned back and wiped my cheeks.
    “Thanks … for everything.”
    “There’s no need for thank yous. I’ll always be here for you.” He kissed my forehead and without another word, left me standing at my beat-up car.
    I drove home with glazed vision, my phone ringing repeatedly.
    What am I doing?
    “Hello?” I said into my phone, not bothering to look at the caller I.D.
    “Are you okay?” Benny asked.
    “I don’t know.” I swallowed, clearing my throat.
    “Oh, Lay, what happened? Please don’t cry. Crap. Where are you? You better not be driving that busted up car again. Geesh. I swear, you make me crazy. Pull over; I’ll come get you.”
    “I’m … almost home. I’ll be fine.”
    “I’ll meet you there.” She hung up.
    As much as I loved Benny, I didn’t want to talk to her, or to anyone. Well, maybe not anyone.
    My car engine continued running while Benny pulled into the driveway, and I contemplated backing out again. Her shoulders slumped as her gaze fell to mine, eyes staring at me through the windshield.
    She opened my door and sighed. “Aw, Lay, look at you. Come on, let’s get you inside and cleaned up.” She unfastened my seat belt, cut the engine, and began pulling me out of my car. “I told you not to drive this thing. How it’s still running, I’ll never know. You can’t keep covering it up with that old tarp every day. Eventually, Lorelei is going to figure it out.” She tried to pry me out. “A little help here?”
    “My mom’s inside, Ben. She’s going to freak out.” Again. “Worse because I broke up with Devon.”
    “Aww, Lay. I get it now, but you can’t sit here all night. She’s going to notice, and then you’ll have to come up with some excuse about what happened to this heap. Now get up, before she comes outside. And, she’ll understand about Devon.”
    No, she won’t.
    Besides the fact that I still hadn’t spoken to her since she verbally attacked Max, she loved Devon, and once she learned the reason for our break up—I didn’t even want to imagine her reaction. After witnessing her anger—seeing her completely enraged with Max standing near me the day before—I’d rather have stayed in my car all night than subject myself to another tirade.
    She’d probably act the same way. Or worse.
    Benny forced me toward the front door, nudging me forward with each step until we made it inside.
    “Teine?” My mom’s shouted question came from the kitchen.
    “It’s us, Ms. LaBelle.”
    I stepped backward, sealing myself to Benny’s side.
    “Benny?”
    “Yeah, it’s me.” She scooted to the side, away from me, and I followed.
    Mom hurried to us. “It’s so good to see you!” She hugged Benny and eyed me. “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing, Mom.”
    She raised her eyebrow at me. I avoided her stare.
    “Layla broke up with Devon.” Benny stepped farther away from me.
    Traitor.
    “What!” Mom’s eyes narrowed “Why?” She glanced toward Benny and back to me.
    “Mom, please.” I groaned.