Page 27 of Trouble
8
Lyla
Ianthe was already at my house by the time I got there. She had been ambushed by mom who was currently bombarding her with questions about Kayla’s birthday party. I listened in on her answers, impressed by her ability to create something believable when neither of us had been at any kind of party.
“Hey, Lyla…” Her voice trailed off as she saw my outfit. “What the hell are you wearing?”
“Lyla, sweetie, are you okay?” Mom had obviously clocked my tear-stained face, but now wasn’t the time to explain to her what was going on.
I raced upstairs to my bedroom and yanked off the stupid jumpsuit, rolled it up and threw it in the back of my closet. I never wanted to see the stupid thing ever again, because it would only remind me of Maddox and our failed attempt to be together. He’d basically dismissed me. His friendship with Andre had taken priority over what could have been a fantastic relationship between us. I didn’t want to believe it was over before it had even started, but at the moment, it was sure looking that way.
Ianthe came through the door, panting slightly. “What’s the get up all about?” Sensing whatever I was about to say was for her ears only, she shut the door behind her. She came over and hugged me. A fresh wave of tears hit. “It’s something to do with Maddox, isn’t it?”
Wiping my face and trying not to get snot all over the shoulder of her cashmere sweater, I pulled back and dramatically threw myself on the bed, sitting cross legged. Ianthe joined me, mirroring my position.
“Andre found us together.”
“He what?” Ianthe’s mouth fell open. “Your mom mentioned he had come home for a surprise visit. Guess he got more than he bargained for. Wait, you weren’t actually doing anything when he found you?”
I closed my eyes and imagined Maddox’s kisses, hard, passionate—full of wanting. “Unless you count kissing?”
She shook my arm and I stared at her.
“What’s actually going on between the two of you? I knew about the car thing, but?”
It was time she knew the truth. After all, Andre did. It wouldn’t be long before the rest of my family did too, not to mention Wes and Scarlett and probably Jack Cairney as well. Cali Cross was a small town and gossip like this would spread like wildfire.
I picked at an imaginary thread on the hem of my denim shorts to avoid looking directly at Ianthe. “You knew all about the plan for the car. The outfit I wore to the garage was mostly to convince him to come and buy the MG with me.”
“It wasn’t the only thing he was convinced by?”
“We had sex in the apartment above the garage on Thursday night.”
“Oh. My. God. Lyla! This is huge!” Ianthe hugged me again, her eyes wide. “How was it?”
I bit my lip. “Thursday night, not so great, it was pretty quick. He made up for it on Friday night though.”
Ianthe squealed. If she got much louder, mom would hear and want to know what we were talking about. I wasn’t sure I was ready for her to know yet, even though as soon as Andre got home, he’d no doubt spill.
“Are you’re a couple now? That’s amazing! I’m so pleased for you.”
If only that were true. Right now, I didn’t know what we were. Possibly nothing. I’d go back to being his best friend’s sister who was totally untouchable, totally off limits.
“Hey, it’s only been a couple of days, we haven’t really discussed the future.” We hadn’t really discussed much of anything and once Andre was finished with Maddox there may be nothing to say.
“What did Andre say?”
“I think his words were something along the lines of ‘what the fuck are you doing with my sister’. Then he punched Maddox.”
“He did what? They’re best friends.”
“Yeah, but Maddox doing what he did has probably broken all kinds of bro code. You know what Andre was like when we were growing up. No Maddox, no Wes, no Jack.”
Ianthe averted her gaze. “And no Andre,” she said quietly.
“Well, he was obsessed with Willa, wasn’t he? I don’t think anyone would have got a look in, not even you.” I patted her hand, comforted by the fact it wasn’t only me who had an unrequited crush.
“What are you going to do now?”
