Page 23 of False Assumptions

Chapter Eleven

Layla breathed a sigh of relief after Evan and his friends left, leaving her in silence, alone with her books. It had been a rough day, and she just wanted to read for a while before going to sleep. But first she needed to call Alyssa back. She’d called, finally, while Evan, Daniel, and Elena were here, and Layla hadn’t wanted to seem rude by answering. Plus, she wouldn’t have been able to fill Alyssa in on all the crazy from today with everyone still in her apartment.

Alyssa picked up on the second ring. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry I didn’t answer earlier. You sounded all panicky on your message but you didn’t say anything but to call you back. And then you didn’t answer when I finally did. What happened? Are you okay? Were you in a wreck? Are you in surgery?”

Layla laughed. “I’m going to go in reverse order. No, no, mostly, and it’s a long story.”

“Wait. No, you’re not in surgery, no, you weren’t in a wreck, and you’re mostly okay? Is that what you mean?”

“Yeah.” Layla laughed again. “I couldn’t answer the phone if I were in surgery, could I? I’d be knocked out.”

“They don’t always knock you out for brain surgery.”

Layla spluttered. “You think they’d let me answer the phone, though?”

“Okay, no. I guess not. At least you weren’t in a wreck. But why are you only mostly okay? What happened?”

With a sigh, Layla recounted the day’s events to her best friend.

“Oh my God.”

“I know.”

“He carried you for like a mile?”

“Yup. Like it was no big deal.”

“Oh my God.”

“Is that all you can say?”

“Yes. Oh my God. Your hot study partner carried you. A mile. Without breaking a sweat.”

“Well, he did break a sweat.”

“Whatever. That’s not important. And then he sat with you in the ER because you couldn’t get ahold of me, took you home, got your car, brought you your books because you’re a nut who leaves them all over your car all the time, and offered to give you a ride to school. Oh my God. That’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.”

Layla shifted uncomfortably. “What? No. He was just being nice.”

“Mmmhmm.”

“He was.”

“Okay. If you say so.” She paused. “Are you going to let him give you a ride to school?”

“I don’t know. I was kind of hoping you might be able to.”

Layla held her breath while she waited for Alyssa’s answer. “I only have classes on Tuesday and Thursday. And I work eight to five Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Now that I’m married, my parents aren’t helping pay for anything. You know that.”

Letting out her breath, Layla nodded. “Oh. Yeah. Of course. I guess I wasn’t thinking.”

Alyssa paused for a minute, the silence hanging between them making Layla acutely aware of how far apart they’d drifted since Alyssa had gotten married. They still talked a lot, but it wasn’t the same as when they’d shared a dorm and then an apartment. Layla couldn’t count on Alyssa as much as she used to.

Alyssa cleared her throat. “I could see if Darren could do it.”

“Hmm.” Layla liked Darren well enough, but they didn’t really spend time together without Alyssa around. Even when he was just dating Alyssa, when Layla found herself alone with him, they always had the most awkward conversations until they came to an unspoken agreement to sit in silence while he waited. He’d probably do it because she was Alyssa’s friend, and he was a nice guy. But it would be painfully awkward. Would that be better or worse than accepting Evan’s help?

“Doesn’t he have eight o’clock classes, though?”

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