Layla’s pov

Crap.

The handprint must’ve stayed on my cheek.

I sweep my gaze away from him and let out a shaky breath. “Do you really have to have such a keen eye?” | grumble, unsure if I would be able to explain this without him being suspicious. Or worse, without him trying to make me go to the cops.

“Only for you Layla.” He grumbles, sounding as if he an swered without even weighing his words first. I turn to him. His eyes are on my cheek, glaring at it as if it would move the handprint on my skin.

He cupped my cheek and rubbed his finger on my skin. “Who did this to you?” He asked again, this time a bit more stern.

| shook my head, not seeing any possible way to get out of this without throwing myself more into hot water. “My mom.”

Tyler’s sharp inhale has my stomach knotting. Before he could ask why, I rushed out. “It wasn’t her fault. I was

mean to her and said some things I shouldn’t have. She had

every right

“Are you shitting me right now Layla? You think your mom has every right to hit you because of a few words?” Tyler grumbles, still brushing his fingers on my skin lightly.

I shook my head and pulled my face out of his comfort ing warm hold. I didn’t want to, but people were staring even more now and I would be lying to say that we looked more so as a couple than just two people talking.

“You don’t know her Tyler. It really was my fault. We, apologized to each other. We’re fine now, I’m fine.” I reas sured even though every single word that tumble out of my lips were nothing but a huge fat lie.

We were not fine.

I was not okay.

It wasn’t my fault.

It was hers.

apologize to each other anytime

hell I’d ever

Lv.1

going on in my house, with me

daughter, especially when their

hand falling limply at his sides even though it twitched as if needing to

we shared Saturday was all part of the arrangement.

right to slap you Layla. I don’t like to see your pretty face marked this way.” He grumbles,

it to stop. Tyler was a player and he must’ve said those exact same

but it

that session today after

body sliding

lip between my teeth and chewed. “Hey I need to talk to you

and he grits his teeth. “I need to get out of the way. I’ll talk to

in impa tience and Tyler flipped them off while telling me over his shoulder jokingly. “Now get out

and then re sumed my walk to the school. When I entered, I am aware of the eyes on me and I am certain it was

their questioning gaze, not at all happy about now being visible to them. I knew this would happen which was why I made sure Tyler understood

was a weird arrangement, but we were making it work. It was paying off too, because, for the first time since my dry spell, a creative spark had finally emerged back in side

didn’t feel like I would force my mind this time and I actually felt giddy to start writing that chapter that had been stuck in my head

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