38. Queen + Quote

Layla Wright always has the best birthday parties.

Or, at least, so I've heard. I've never been invited to one before, so I wouldn't know.

At the end of March, Layla had invited everyone she deemed worthy from the junior and senior class to her 17th birthday bash. And let me tell you, standing in the backyard of Layla's family mansion, it definitely deserves the title "bash."

The theme was Alice In Wonderland and the Wrights had gone all out.

At the front door, Jayce and I had been welcomed by a man dressed as the White Rabbit, who had informed us that later in the night, not only would there be a costume contest, but also, we were to come up with an answer to the Mad Hatter's classic unanswered conundrum, "Why is a raven like a writing-desk?"

Apparently, whoever came up with the answer Layla liked the most would receive a "once-in-a-lifetime invitation" to go on a vacation with her this summer.

Somehow, I don't think the winner would be chosen based on the cleverness of their answer, but more so on whether or not they have a penis, a six pack and a handsome face.

Inside, it was clear that no expense had been spared. From waiters dressed in red tailcoat tuxedos serving "Eat Me" and clock-face cookies, to trippy optical illusions everywhere you look, to a hookah lounge and a place to make your own Mad Hatter-inspired hat. Everything is on point. Ten-foot tall mushrooms look like they're sprouting throughout the yard and house. Frog and mice figurines dot the tables. The party planner must have raided every thrift store in a 100 mile radius to procure all the old-fashioned clocks. There's even a handful of magicians wandering about, delighting guests with card tricks, and every drink is served in an oddly shaped glass vial with a tag that reads, "Drink Me".

Further out in the yard, handfuls of my classmates are attempting to play croquet. There's multi-colored lights dancing across the guests, as well as a fog machine. I spot bouquets of white roses, all splattered with red paint. For some reason, a chill runs down my spine.

An insane party for an insane girl.

I did not receive an invitation. Jayce, however, did. There were specific instructions that a plus-one was not allowed. Imagine that.

The invitation had been attached to a large chocolate key covered in edible gold dust, of course. The entire Wright family must live and breathe extra. I wonder what their family gatherings are like.

Anyway, here I stand, in the middle of the Wright's backyard - uninvited - with Jayce next to me.

Originally, he hadn't planned to go. And then, last week I'd expressed to him that I wished I knew why Layla hated me so much... which resulted in me convincing myself that it was a good idea to crash her party and confront her. After all, earlier this year she'd shown up to my home completely uninvited and been nasty to me. Might as well give her a taste of her own medicine, right?

I take in a deep breath as I scan the crowd, looking for Layla. I'm not exactly sure what I should be looking for. The invitation hadn't explicitly mentioned costumes, but apparently everyone knew that Layla's birthday was practically Halloween in April.

I had managed to dig up a light blue dress with a scalloped hem that reminded me of Alice in the classic Disney cartoon. I'd paired it with some simple silver heels and a chunky necklace. I'd tied a black ribbon in my hair and decided that if anyone asked I'd just say I was high school Alice. Surprisingly, I'd never had to make an Alice In Wonderland costume for Party Princess.

Jayce had attempted to dress as the Mad Hatter, but really he just wore green and orange plaid pants, mismatched pointy-toed shoes, a bright purple paisley-patterned button up and a navy top hat. It was pretty hard to look at, actually. He claimed it all came from his dad's closet, but I find it hard to believe that Alexei Solis would own even a scrap of patterned fabric. Except maybe pinstripe.

A red light swoops over the crowd and glints off of something, catching my attention. The light had shown off a glittering gold crown, laden with sparkling red rubies, sitting atop a waterfall of cascading blonde curls.

Layla.

I take in her appearance and... wow. Doesn't she know Halloween was six months ago?

She's dressed as the Queen of Hearts, and though on any other person I probably would've thought it was a cute costume, when it's on her, I'm just annoyed.

Annoyed because 1) it looks amazing on her, and 2) it looks amazing on her. It really is a shame that pretty girls seem to be some of the nastiest.

I make a beeline for Layla, unaware of whether or not Jayce followed me.

She's off to the side of the party, talking to Goldcrest's Mayor, who is also her grandmother. They're standing in the shadow of a large mushroom and I'd never have noticed them if it hadn't been for the light catching Layla's crown.

Mayor Wright is wearing a stern expression and their conversation seems heated.

I approach slowly, overhearing a few lines of their dialogue.

"...wasn't trying to embarrass you," Layla pleads, sounding almost teary.

Mayor Wright lets out a harsh scoff, glaring down at her granddaughter. "You," she points a threatening finger in Layla's face, growling, "are a disgrace to this family."

With that, Mayor Wright spins around, nearly plowing me over as she walks back to the party.

Whoa.

No wonder Layla is such a bitch. She must've learned it from her grandmother.

Layla makes eye contact with me and her defeated expression immediately turns sour. She hides both quickly though, plastering on her signature fake smile. "Fallon?" She asks, her voice higher-pitched than usual. I think I see a trace of tears brimming her eyes. "What are you doing here? I don't remember inviting you."

I barely register her words, still shocked by the exchange I'd just overheard. In my head, I'd imagined myself strutting up to Layla and delivering an Oscar-worthy speech that would've included a lot of one-liners like, "you're not as great as you think you are," and, "how can you hate me when you don't even know me?" And, "go deep-throat a cactus."

I'd entered this party determined to get some answers. But now?... I just feel bad for her.

"Helloooo?" She asks sassily, snapping her fingers in my face and rolling her eyes before placing her hands on her tiny hips.

"I'm sorry," is all I say.

"Sorry?" She sneers. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm sorry that you have so much pressure on you," the words spill out of my mouth before I really even know what I'm saying. I never in a million years thought I'd find myself pitying Layla, but I genuinely mean every word. "I've never thought about how with your grandma being the town Mayor, your uncle being the Principal and your mom being a famous model, that there's probably some pretty unreal expectations on you."

Layla's lips part, her eyes widening slightly as she stares at me.

"I came here to ask why you hate me so much, but I think I figured it out. It's not that you hate me, or Shay, or Kate from freshman year, or any of the other girls you've been a complete and total sabotaging bitch to... you're just trying to live up to your family's standards, but the only way you know how to make yourself look like the best is by literally destroying the competition," I say quickly, wondering how it's possible that I actually understand this witch.

"You don't know me," Layla spits in an attempt to sound tough, but there's a noticeable wobble in her voice.

Adrenaline tingling through me, I continue. "I'm sorry you've had to live this way your entire life. I'm sorry you've felt so alone and like no matter how hard you try, it's never enough. Your family never stops reminding you that you're inadequate, but honestly, Layla?" I take a deep breath in before saying, "You're one of the most ambitious, determined, brilliant women I've ever met. Sure, you use your powers for evil instead of good, but the talent is still there regardless. Your family should be proud to call you theirs."

With that, I spin on my heel and walk back toward the party, not sure how to end the conversation. I should be looking for Jayce, but I'm in too much of a shocked haze to be aware of anything that's going on.

To be told you're a disgrace to your family? No wonder she's so evil.

"Fallon!" Layla calls seconds before I feel her hand wrap around my elbow.

I turn to face her. Her eyes are bloodshot and brimming with tears, but she hasn't let them spill over.

"I never hated you," she confesses dryly, looking at the ground. "I-you're right. Everything you said is right. My family is..." she shakes her head before restarting. "They seem to think the only asset I bring is my looks. They told me that if I could get in with the Solis family by dating Jayce, that then they'd be proud of me. But, as soon as school started, people were talking about you and Jayce. I tried to get you to join the cheer team so I could keep an eye on whatever was happening between you two, but obviously you're too stubborn for that," she regards me with a snarky half-smile that's interlaced with... respect? "But then he asked me out, so I was content," she shrugs her shoulders. "That is, until I found you and him dry humping on the desk at his house and–"

"–And you figured you'd bribe me into being his mistress," I finish for her, the pieces clicking together in my head. No wonder she'd been so willing to let Jayce fuck around with me while they were still dating. Shit. I never thought the truth would be so damn sad. "And when that didn't work out," I continue, "you thought that failing me and my brother out of school was the next best thing?" I question, folding my arms.

"I was never going to fail you out of school," she rolls her bloodshot blue eyes. "I just wanted to get your attention, so that I'd have some leverage to try and make you agree to stay away from Jayce... but then you attacked me, which really freaked me out, and I wasn't sure what to do after that. Next thing I knew, Jayce was gone for ten weeks and when he came back, you two were an item. I've tried several times to make a move on him but that boy only has eyes for you," she grumbles. "It's infuriating."

"Why are you telling me all this?" I ask, my heart swelling at her admission of Jayce's faithfulness.

"I... I don't know," her brows crunch together like she herself is wondering why she just confessed all of that.

Suddenly, she flings herself forward, wrapping her arms around me in a bone-crunching hug. I can smell the alcohol on her. Ah-ha. So that's why.

"It's so nice to be understood," she whispers, more to herself than to me.

Her voice was so quiet, I wonder if she even meant to say that out loud. Her words break my heart. For the first time, I imagine that being Layla Wright is not a walk in the park - every day she's battling against people telling her she's not good enough. And it's not just anyone, it's her family. She must be so lonely. I hug her back gingerly, feeling that at any moment, she might sober up and decide to punch me in the gut or something.

"So, Fallon," she says slowly as she releases me. "Why is a raven like a writing desk?"

"Uh," I blink, realizing that Layla Wright is just as odd and mysterious as not only Lewis Carroll's riddle, but the character who asked it. "I have no fucking idea."

"Of course you don't," she scoffs, rolling her eyes. "You have no idea about anything."

"I... what?" My eyebrows furrow, taken aback. I literally watched one interaction between Layla and her grandma and was able to tell her everything about why she is the way that she is. The fuck?

Layla throws her head back and lets out a shrill laugh. "I'm kidding Fallon," she gushes, swatting my arm. "God, don't be so sensitive. It was a joke."

"Right," I say slowly, studying her big blue eyes, wondering if she really is a bit off her rocker. "You know, if you weren't constantly insulting me, maybe we could've been friends."

"Oh, please," she chortles in her ever-cheery voice. "I insult my friends more than anyone."

The voice of the DJ floods the yard, instructing the guests to gather around to, "Sing 'Happy Birthday' to the Queen of Hearts, who has my heart."

"Now," Layla says, a huge smile on her face, "if you'll excuse me, I have a cake head to cut off."

~

Jayce and I left the party shortly after my and Layla's exceedingly strange chat. We had only been there for about an hour, but by the time we left, I felt more drained than I did after our last soccer tournament when we played five games in one weekend.

I have no idea where Layla and I stand. I don't know if we'll ever be able to be friends, but I definitely can't hate her after what I saw tonight. Maybe we'll just understand each other, and maybe that'll be enough.

Jayce and I head straight to his house, deciding to spend our evening snuggling on the couch and watching Monty Python. When we go to the kitchen to load up on snacks, however, our plans instantly dissolve.

Alexei and Celeste are sitting at the kitchen table, looking somber. A vanilla-scented candle flickers from the center of the marble-top table.

"Son..." Alexei glances up as we enter, and an amused smile takes over his face when he sees Jayce's gaudy attempt at a Mad Hatter costume. "What the hell are you wearing?"

"I'm supposed to be the Mad Hatter," Jayce replies, taking the navy top hat off his head and tossing it at Alexei like it's a frisbee.

Alexei catches the hat with one hand. "It needs to be much more muchier," he says casually, as if he didn't just perfectly reference a Hatter quote.

I swear, ever since the night I saved Celeste, Alexei Solis has only gotten cooler and cooler.

"So..." Jayce says cautiously, gesturing between Alexei and Celeste. "What's all this about?"

"Your father was just..." Celeste finally speaks, her eyes moving from Jayce's loud plaid pants to her husband's face. But instead of finishing her sentence, she gives Alexei a soft smile and reaches across the table, taking hold of his hand.

"Jayce, please sit," Alexei says, gesturing to the chairs. He doesn't say it mean, but his voice is firm. "Fallon, you, too."

Jayce and I share a confused look before slowly taking our seats at the table - Jayce next to his dad, me next to Celeste.

"I have something to tell you," Alexei begins, folding his hands on the table in front of him. "I owe you each an apology. I have been a horrible husband and father. I've been controlling and manipulative to both of you," he says to Jayce and Celeste.

Celeste's eyes are shimmering with tears and she wears a soft smile, looking like an ethereal golden goddess in the candlelight. Jayce's jaw is clenched, but his eyes are wide, like he can't believe the words that are coming out of his father's mouth.

"What made you suddenly realize how much of a dick you've been?" Jayce manages to ask from between his teeth.

"As you know, I wrongly thought my best friend and business partner was trying to steal from me. Because of the situation with Duende and Ben, I was already becoming a jaded, bitter man... so, when everything happened with Do–" Alexei's eyes dart to me. Jayce nods slightly to indicate that he already told me about his brother and Alexei continues. "When everything happened with Dom, I became a completely different person... a person I myself wouldn't want to be around. For years, I told myself that I was acting out of protection and love for you two," Alexei motions between Jayce and Celeste. "But, even I can't deny that my obsession with control has become unhealthy," his eyes drop to the table.

Celeste squeezes his hand, and he flashes her a grateful but sad smile before continuing.

"I know I've messed up a countless number of times over the years. I've mistreated both of you and I don't deserve either of you... and, Jayce," Alexei says, turning to face him, "I made you do things you didn't want to do, I withheld acceptance and made you feel like you weren't worthy. I became just like my father, something I never wanted to do," Alexei swallows hard, tears forming in his eyes as he faces his son. "I cannot begin to put into words how sorry I am. I know that everything won't be fixed immediately, but I want you both to know that I'm giving it my all to be the best husband and father that I can be - someone that you're proud of, someone you can rely on and trust in," Alexei's voice is on the verge of cracking.

All three of them, Jayce, Celeste and Alexei, look like they're about to cry. There's clearly a lot of hurt and history surrounding this topic. I shift in my seat, feeling uncomfortable, as if I'm intruding on an important moment of familial healing.

"Dad," Jayce breaks the silence, his voice terse, "I really appreciate what you're saying, and I hope you won't take this the wrong way... but I'll believe it when I see it."

Alexei exhales loudly like he's relieved. He's probably glad Jayce had opted for a verbal blow rather than a physical one. "That's fair, son. Let me know if there's anything I can do to prove how much I mean it."

Before I can stop myself, the question I've had since last September bursts out of my mouth. "In the letter my father wrote to you, he said, and I quote, 'Please don't make me do this.' What did you make him do?"

Alexei's gaze shifts to me and I'm taken aback by how handsome he is. Jayce really does look so much like him. Alexei's brilliant green eyes communicate only sorrow and guilt.

"Oh, uh," he begins, clearing his throat and sitting up straighter. "When I discovered the hole in the contract, I lost all trust for Ben and didn't want to have his opinions affecting anything, including our town. He claimed he had no idea about the faulty contract, so I told him that the only way he would regain my trust was to step down from the Founder's Council, which was very important to your father."

"But he did step down," I interject sharply, feeling myself getting upset. "He did what you asked, and you still hated his guts and didn't trust him." I must admit, the meaning behind the note was a little less... climactic than I'd thought it'd be. Step down from the Founder's Council? That doesn't seem like a very big deal.

"I know how to hold a grudge," Alexei says matter-of-factly. "I didn't want to forgive him, I wanted to hate him. I used it as another reason to control everything."

I slump back in my seat and huff, unsatisfied with his answer.

"Ben really did love being on the Founder's Council," Alexei explains softly. "He loved this town. He wanted to make it better for you and Haven, for all of our kids."

My heart does a little thump in my chest. I'd never thought about that before... that dad was on the Founder's Council for me and Haven. I don't really know why, but tears pool in my eyes. The thought of my dad serving our town with the future of his kids in mind is one of the purest things I've ever heard.

I can't believe that after all this time, the thing my dad begged Alexei Solis to not make him do... was to step down from his position on the Founder's Council. It doesn't seem like something worth begging over, but if my dad really loved it as much as Alexei says he did, and if he really was doing it for me and Haven, I see why he'd be so distraught. I grin a little because I realize that I'm like my dad in that way - if I believe something is good for my family, I'll do whatever I can do make it happen. On the other hand, if something is threatening them, I'll go to any length to keep them from harm. I think Haven is the same way.

"Well," Celeste stands from the table and plucks a bottle of wine from their wine fridge (yes, there's such a thing). "That's enough confessions for one day. Who wants wine?"

She uncorks the bottle and I'm about to ask for a large pour when Jayce suddenly speaks.

"Dad," Jayce says, sitting up straighter, a glint in his daring brown eyes. He pushes his curls out of his face and leans his elbows on the table, his biceps inadvertently flexing. "I know how you can start showing me that you're serious about changing."

"How's that?" Alexei looks the slightest bit worried. I don't blame him. What's Jayce going to say?

"Remember when you said we would tell the police about Jeffers, but you wanted to do some more digging first?"

"Of course."

"Well, I think you've had enough time to dig," Jayce says simply, his eyes challenging. "Come with us to talk to the police. Tomorrow."

Alexei's lips curl up into a half-smile that's all too familiar. "I'll do you one better," he says, taking a glass of wine from Celeste. "Tomorrow, I'll go with you to talk to Jeffers."

~~~

We hit 200k reads!!!!! I'm blown away... I never thought this book would ever get even a fraction of that!

So happy to know that people are enjoying this story! I friggin love you so much. I'm so grateful for every read, every vote, every comment, every time you've told someone about this book. I wish we could all just hang out and eat junk food and talk about love and have fun together.

Love you to the moon and back. 💙

Reminder that there's only a couple chapters left!

Press the star to add a jewel to Jayce's crown ⭐😂

And read on!