Chapter 17: Chapter Sixteen

The rest of my day wasn't as excited as my morning. I worked along side Ms. Nancy doing the laundry and cleaning the bathrooms and Drew didn't sneak anymore kisses.

When lunchtime came around, Cade took me home to check on Celine. She was still upset that I threw away all the liquor and hid our emergency cash. But she was staying inside so that's all that matters. She moaned and complained and I tuned her out, promising to bring her back some of Ms. Victoria's crab legs for dinner tonight.

I arrived back at the mansion only to have Taylor tell me that Drew has sent everyone home early. When I asked why, Taylor said he had no idea and was just following orders. Cade was happy, already making plans to head to the beach with his friends and inviting me along. I told him maybe next time, which I felt bad about because I have been blowing off him and his friends for a while but I wasn't in the mood for the beach, not when all I really wanted to do was find out why Drew sent everyone home.

But I didn't tell Cade that. I blamed it on still being out of it after everything with Celine which seemed to make him back off a little bit. We said our good-byes and I waited til he got back inside his car and disappeared down the road before telling Taylor to let me in so I can get my stuff.

I walk through the entrance and there's nothing but silence. It's weird when only an hour ago it was full of staff working. I make my way out of the foyer and start to pass by the living room but a loud voice stops me.

"Yes?" I look to see Evan walking my way. I was lucky enough not to have run into him since I fell asleep on Drew, but as I meet his gaze they're as disapproving as they were that night.

"You can't be here right now." He tells me. "Staff was sent home."

"I was just on my lunch break so I wasn't here when the announcement was made. I just came inside to get my things." I explain.

"Okay. But make it quick."

I nod my head and turn to leave but a high pitch squeal captures my attention. It sounds like it's coming from outside. Unconsciously I make my way towards the wall to wall window and peer out into the beach.

I found Drew.

But he wasn't alone.

My heart sinks.

Shirtless with the biggest smile on his face, Drew wraps his arms tighter around the mysterious blonde hair girl. What the hell was going on? And who was that girl?

"They look good together right?" Evan asks, as he comes to stand next to me. "That's Casey. You see this is the type of lady Drew needs. They've been together since they were fourteen. She's Drew first love. So I hope you enjoyed whatever time Drew has given you, because it's over now."

I can't speak. What could I possibly say to that?    So I didn't say anything. Instead, I just watched. I watch as the girl, Casey, wrap her arms around Drew's neck and him smile wide as he lifts her chin to bring her lips to his and kisses her.

I feel sick to my stomach. How could he do this to me? It was only hours ago that I laid in his bed and we made love. Those were the same arms that wrapped me up and kept me warm last night. The same lips that kissed me goodnight. Did last night mean anything to him?

The fact that Drew had a girlfriend that was his perfect match wasn't as surprising as it should be. She was perfect for him in all the ways that were obvious. I wasn't dumb enough to think I could compete with her. How did I let myself believe that a relationship with him could actually work? He was a household name. Girls have his posters on their wall, he has more money than I would ever see in this lifetime and the next one. Then there was me.

A girl from the wrong side of town.

A maid.

I take a deep breath as I remind myself that I brought this situation onto myself. I knew Drew falling for a girl like me was too good to be true. But he said nice things and those brown eyes of his would make anyone believe anything.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and take a step back from the window.

"Um, I gotta go." I take another step back then spin on my heel and race for the front door.

I needed to get away from this house.

***

I take the bus home. The long ride helped me clear my head and get my emotions in check before I would have to deal with Celine.

Walking towards the steps that would take me to the apartment, I notice a small familiar figure standing idly in front of the door as if they were waiting for it to open. When the hoodie figure turned their head I realized that it was Layla.

Our eyes meet and she waves eagerly at me.

"Mia!" She exclaims happily before running the short distance from our door number and meet me half up the stairs. "I called you like a thousand times but you never answered. Christina's mom brought me home. Why aren't you at work?"

I forgot she was coming home today. "Hey Layla," I brought her into a hug which she happily returned.      "And sorry, the last twenty-four hours have been crazy." I tell her, hoping to deflect her question. Thinking about work meant thinking about Drew which I didn't want to do.

"Is everything okay? You don't seem to happy to see me." She frowns.

"Of course I'm happy to see you! It has been what, two months? With you gone who else was going to get on my nerves?"

Layla rolled her brown eyes but she was smiling. "Whatever. You know you missed me."

"You're home. How was your trip?"

She beamed and I knew I made the right decision in convincing her to go. "Awesome! There was white water rafting, all the food you can eat, and lots of cute boys!"

"Tell me more inside." I tell her as we walk the rest of the way upstairs to our apartment. I pick up one of her bags and she picks up the other. With my free hand, I pull out my house keys and unlock the door.

"How is she?" Layla asks once I shut the door behind us. I knew she was asking about Celine. I didn't tell her about the DUI incident or mom going to jail. I didn't want to ruin her trip.

"She's the same." I answer. "Come on, let's go put your stuff away. Sort through your dirty clothes so we can do laundry tomorrow."

"Okay." The two of us head down the hall and walk into the room we share. I saw Layla take in the place like it somehow grew over the last several weeks. "I missed this place."

"It was nice having a room to myself while it lasted." I comment teasingly.

"Yeah, it was nice to be away from all that snoring of yours for a while." Layla shoots back.

"I don't snore!"

"Yes, you do! I have a recording on my phone to prove it."

I glower at her in response. "I don't snore." I mumble stubbornly.

"Says everyone who doesn't know they snore." She says in a sing-song voice before plopping down onto her bed.

She looks over to her dresser where one of those teen magazines laid. I hadn't touched her stuff since she left so everything was still the same way she left it.

I watch as Layla picks it up and I immediately see the person who dominates the front cover. His brown eyes seem to pierce me through my soul.      "And I missed you too." She smiles at the picture of Drew before kissing it.

Yes. Kissed.

"You're still not over this guy?" I roll my eyes as I take a seat on my bed.

"This guy has a name and no, I'm still not over him." She shoots me a glare then turns back to the cover. "How do you get over someone who looks like this?" She point to the cover where Drew was the center and showing off his mega-watt smile.

If only she knew I was trying to figure out that answer myself.

I lay back in bed as Layla went to take a shower and try to rationalize my feelings.

This was my fault.

I should've known better than to fall for anything that came out of Drew's mouth. He never promised me forever. I went into this knowing that this was temporary.

I knew one day before the summer was over he'd tell me, "thanks for distracting me while I was home. But now I'm bored so have a good life."

Well, Drew was too nice of a guy to say those exact words. Or at least I thought he was. A nice guy wouldn't be kissing a girl on the beach after he just slept with another one.

I let out a frustrated sigh. For all the teasing I do to Layla, I was no different than her. I fell for those same dazzling eyes and heart-stopping smile.

I need to get over this.

Drew was only interested in me because I didn't fall over him. I was just another pretty distraction from work. Having sex didn't change that. It made me as stupid as the girl before me who fell for his lies. This was all fun. I was the dumb one who fell in love with him.

I can feel my throat tightening as I fight to keep my tears at bay. But in the end they win, and I lay in bed crying like a little baby.

"Stop crying." I scold myself as I angrily wipe my tears away. I wasn't a crier and I wasn't going to start over some boy. Even if that boy was Drew Lyons.

"Mia?"

I turn my head to see Layla standing in the doorway, dressed way too early in her pajamas and towel to her head.

I know she could tell I was crying and I didn't really feel like explaining myself. So I went with a very lame, "Hey."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"BS. I can see tears." She snaps at me.

"I don't want to talk about it Layla." I moved to sit up in bed and wiped my eyes with the back of my hands.

"Mia..." She tries again and I shake my head, stopping her.

"I'm fine. Just leave it alone." I say firmly.

"Okay," Layla holds her hand up in surrender. "For now."

"Thank you." I sigh relieved.

"So I'm back. What are we going to do?" Layla asks before dumping herself onto her bed.

"Well we can order pizza and watch movies tonight. Then tomorrow we can have a girls day and go shopping. You and I both need school supplies."

"Sounds good. But what about work?"

Work.

We needed the money but could I really go back there, be around Drew after what he's done?

"I'll call out. I think I caught that flu that's been going around." I fake cough and Layla laughs before chucking a pillow in my direction. I barely dodge it and throw one back at her. "Hey, be nice! I'm sick remember!"

"I missed you." She laughs.

"I missed you too."

I'll deal with Drew and everything else that came along with him another time. But right now the only person who mattered was Layla.