Page 12 of Ride or Die (The Shores #1)

CHAPTER

TWELVE

THE PARTY

LAYLA

When we show up to the party, people stare at us as we walk up holding hands. I gulp, feeling the nerves emerge from my gut and travel through my limbs. Colton squeezes my hand just a little tighter, reminding me he’s there.

Like the street race, it is all jeans, leather, shorts, and crop tops again. The girls are all stunning and definitely appear to be the type that can handle these men. They glare at me with disgust and confusion, and the guys look at me coldly, like I don’t belong here.

I look down at myself, feeling self-conscious of my ‘church girl’ outfit, as Simone so gently put it. My little sundress and jean jacket stand out here, and not in a good way.

Sensing my discomfort, Colt leans down and whispers in my ear, “You look fucking beautiful. You’re the most gorgeous woman in this room.

I love these little dresses on you.” One hand tugs on the fabric of my dress, and the other squeezes my hand again.

My cheeks warm at his words, and he kisses my forehead softly.

He walks us over to a guy I recognize from high school and around the neighborhood.

I know his name is Axel, but I’ve never officially met him or the girl hanging off his arm, Daya, who also hung out with the popular crowd.

I don’t know if she ever hooked up with Colt, but she moved here in grade nine and has hung out with that crew ever since.

“Layla, I’d like you to meet my best friend Axel.” Axel looks me up and down, and a small smirk crosses his lips. I know that look. It’s the same one that accompanies all the snickers whenever I walk past people.

The ‘she’s the good girl’ look. He takes his arm from around his date and reaches out to shake my hand.

“Nice to meet you, Layla. This is my date for tonight, Daya.”

I can’t help but notice how he adds the word tonight. Like he already knows she’s temporary.

I shake her hand as well. She is absolutely stunning with her rich brown hair, tanned skin, and red lips.

She oozes confidence and sex appeal, exactly the type of woman that hangs around these guys.

Though Axel isn’t much to look at, I have a feeling it’s the power these guys possess that draws the girls in.

Except for Colt. He looks like a muscular sex god. It’s unnatural how good looking he is.

“I remember you." Axel snaps his fingers. "You’re the bookworm girl from high school. You live up the street, right?”

I feel Colt stiffen beside me, and an irritated rumble emerges from his throat. Axel’s eyes dart over to him and then back to me. I look up at Colt, whose jaw is clenched, his eyes narrowed and staring a hole into Axel.

“Don’t fucking call her that. Her name is Layla,” Colt says through gritted teeth. His protectiveness makes butterflies flurry in my gut. So damn masculine and dominant, I squeeze my thighs together to ease the ache in my core.

Axel shifts uncomfortably, then looks back at me.

“So, I heard you’re taking business like Colt?

” he asks, changing the subject. He takes a sip of his drink, his eyes darting over to Colt and back to me again.

I can tell he feels uneasy having pissed Colt off.

It's amazing how much authority he holds with this crowd.

“Yeah, I wanna open a cafe or something one day. Are you in college?”

“Yeah, I’m working towards a law degree.” Ah. Now that makes sense. This guy has an asshole aura about him, and his career choice fits perfectly.

“Are you going to do law school here, or will you move on to a different college?”

“We’ll see. I like living here right now, but if the right opportunity presents itself at another university, I’ll take it.”

“Smart thinking,” I say as Colton starts pulling me away.

“Enough school talk. We’re going to go get some drinks,” he grumbles. Axel quickly turns his attention back to Daya.

“Sorry, he’s a bit of a dick. I’ll make sure he knows not to fucking call you that again,” he mumbles.

"It's okay." I put my hand on his arm, and he instantly loosens up under my touch.

"What would you like to drink?" He smiles, showing me an assortment of options.

I examine the choices. There are rum, tequila, and vodka bottles, and some soda cans. I don’t drink often, so I opt for the easiest choice.

"I'll take a rum and coke."

He nods and starts making us both a drink. One won’t hurt. In fact, it might help take the edge off. I'm sure Colton can feel the slight tremble in my hand.

Throughout the night, I remain mostly quiet, meeting many people whose names I can’t remember.

No one attempts to talk to me except during our initial introductions.

They mostly talk about cars and races with Colt.

I just shake my head and nod along with whatever is discussed.

They probably all assume I’m just the next girl he’s going to fuck, so why make the effort.

I really hope that's not the case, though.

One thing is certain, Colt never lets go of my hand, not once, making me feel safe and wanted. He almost looks proud to be showing me off, occasionally nuzzling his face into my neck and hair or wrapping himself around my waist when we have moments to ourselves.

Normally, I’d overthink, assuming this is a prank. Convince myself I am the butt of the next big joke. But this feels genuine. Like the talks and kisses we’ve shared this week have opened the door for Colton to really start showing me his true self and how he’s felt for as long as he claims to.

After I finish my drink, I excuse myself to use the bathroom. He points out where it is, though I already know since all these homes are built the same, and makes sure I’m okay going alone.

“I’m just going to the bathroom. I’ll be fine, but thank you.” He finally lets go of my hand, smiling as he watches me walk away.

I go into the house and head towards the powder room, but before I can make it there, I hear some girls cackling in the kitchen. I plan to sneak right by, but I hear my name come up. I know I shouldn’t, but I stop just outside the doorframe and listen in.

“Who is this Layla bitch anyway? And why did he bring her?” one voice asks with disgust.

“I have no clue, but did you see what she’s wearing?” another says, followed by evil snickers.

“She’s a fucking loser bookworm nerd. She has no friends. I’m pretty sure he brought her as part of a bet or something,” another catty voice adds.

"Whoever she is, she's ugly. Colt is totally out of her league. Is he getting desperate or something?"

“I think it's a bet. I mean, look how opposite they are. She does not fit in here, and she never will. Who does she think she is? That she can walk in here and become one of us? Take our men?” a nasally voice chimes in.

“Definitely is a bet. See the way he is with her? He’s never like that with other girls. He’s playing into the good girl thing to get into her pants,” the next one says.

“He’s just brought her here to fuck her and then tell everyone about how bad it is. That’s what Axel told me.″ They all cackle loudly together.

I know I shouldn’t let what these childish girls say bother me. But I can’t help it. Their words cut me like a knife. I am doubting everything Colt has said to me, and now my anxious, overthinking, introverted self is starting to believe they are right. That I’m a bet or a prank.

Because this is all too good to be true, so it must be.

My heart starts to race and I start panicking, my social anxiety peaking. I don’t belong here. Suddenly, I don’t have to pee anymore.

I need to get out of here.

I exit through the front of the house, hoping to sneak away like the coward I am, but Colton sees me from the garage, speed walking away from the house.

“Layla?!” he calls out. I ignore him and keep walking hastily.

“Where are you going?” I hear him coming after me. He catches up to me when I get to the sidewalk.

“Hey,” he says softly as he grabs my elbow, stopping me in my tracks. “Where are you going?” I face him, the tears flooding my eyes finally breaking free and running down my face.

“What’s wrong?” he asks with concern. His intoxicating scent overpowers me again, making me feel weak for him, even as I stand here with my arms folded across my stomach to contain how sick I feel inside.

“I overheard people talking about me in the kitchen. That I’m some bet.

That you brought me here to fuck me and make fun of me.

That you’re using me for something, that I'm ugly and will never fit in here. And they’re right.

I won’t. I can’t surround myself with such negative, mean people.

This was a horrible idea. I knew this was all too good to be true. ” I cover my face and sob.

He reaches for me, pulling my hands away. Sadness fills his eyes, his thumbs wiping the tears from my cheeks. I briefly lean into his touch, but force myself to step away from him. I can’t have him touch me right now.

“I’m sorry, Colt. This is just not the life for me.

I know you say you want to leave it, but you can’t yet, and I’m not cut out for it.

Like, two weeks ago you came screeching into my life, confessing all these things, making me feel all these things.

And I’m confused. You’re Colton fucking Hawthorne!

Lead player, lead bad boy, car thief, street racer.

I can’t keep up with you! I don’t know what to believe.

I don’t know whether to listen to my heart, my head, or my gut. ” He stares at me solemnly.

“They're just jealous assholes. Everything they said, it's all lies, Layla. I like you so fucking much. Those shitty people at that party, I’m not like them, it’s all for show.” He points back to the garage.

“Yes, it’s lame as fuck, but the guy you see in there, that’s not the real me.

You’re the only one who’s seen the real me.

I’ve told you how I feel about you, and none of it is a lie.

I want you. I want a life with you. I am willing to give it all up for you.

I don't fucking care about those people.” His voice is desperate as he steps towards me, taking my hands.

I let myself feel his hands in mine, letting go only after I’ve committed his touch to memory. I step back, dropping his hands as I shake my head. “Colton, we’re too different, leading completely opposite lives. Like I said, I can't be around those people, that life. I'm sorry, I can't do this.”

His back straightens, and it’s like the reality of what's happening slaps him right in the face.

“Well...you’ve made your decision then, haven't you? I was right to never try with you earlier. I’ll never be good enough for you, will I?” I stare at him blankly, each of his words hitting like a punch. He nods, looking at the ground. “See ya around, White.”

He turns and walks away without looking back, the finality of his words literally breaking my heart.

Fuck. I fell for Colton, and I just ruined everything.