I glance over at James who is text messaging someone. I stand up and head for the kitchen. “Where you going Layla?” Kade asks instantly, thinking his girl is running me off.
“To the kitchen, I’ll be back.”
He nods.
I walk into the kitchen and decide to bake some brownies. I’m just putting them into the oven when Eve walks in. She steps into the kitchen like she’s on a mission, and stops right in front of me, trying to intimidate me. It doesn’t work. Here is the thing about me. I don’t like confrontation, and I don’t like to fight. I don’t like to get involved; I like my life drama free. But that doesn’t mean I won’t fight back. I don’t let anyone disrespect me. People tend to mistake my kindness for weakness. Their mistake.
“Listen here; if you even think of putting moves on Kade, you will regret it. He is mine and just because you live here, and you’re convenient pu**y for him, you aren’t going to have him,” she spits out at me.
“What exactly are you going to do about it?” I goad. I have no intentions on doing anything with Kade, but this girl is asking for it.
“I will get Kade to kick you out, you whore!” She screeches.
I’m about to tell her exactly where she can shove that threat, when Kade walks into the kitchen, rage flashing in his eyes.
“Get out Eve, and don’t bother coming back,” he growls.
“What? But Kade, I...”
“You have the f**king audacity to talk to my friend like that? I don’t need that shit. Leave now, Eve,” he demands.
Eve stomps away, shouting a few curse words at Kade before slamming the front door as she departs.
“You don’t put up with any of that shit okay Layla,” he tells me, his voice now gentle. “You live here, you be comfortable here. You get first priority. Anyone says shit to you, or you don’t like something, come to me or James, we will take care of it,” he says as he gently tugs on a lock of my hair.
He is so damn sweet.
“Thanks Kade,” I say softly.
“No need to thank me, you can just share whatever your baking that smells so damn good,” he says, his eyes twinkling. I laugh.
“Of course I was going to share; I baked enough for a small army.”
Thirty minutes later, I bring out the brownies and vanilla ice cream. We all sit out on the deck eating.
“This is f**king good Layla,” Kade growls, “The woman can bake.”
“It seriously is,” commends James. “Wait, I thought you said you couldn’t cook?”
I stifle a laugh and say, “Baking is not cooking.”
Kade glances over at me and grins, “I think we are gonna be the best of friends,” he says before shoving a huge spoonful of brownie in his mouth.
I laugh.
Chapter Three
My third night in the house was fun. Kade and James make me feel welcome, so it’s not as awkward as I thought it would be. We end up watching a few movies, and playing more PS3. It turns out I’m pretty good at Call of Duty, and Kade kept muttering ‘wifey’ comments every time I played well. We order Chinese for dinner, and when I try to pay, Kade and James almost have a fit. I ordered my usual honey chicken and fried rice, and the guys ordered enough to feed an army. When they finished everything, I must say, I was impressed.
The next morning, I wake up when I hear noises in the kitchen. I walk out wearing a pair of track pants and a tank top.
“Hey James,” I mumble sleepily.
“Mornin’ Laylay,” he greets.
“Laylay?” I repeat disbelievingly.
James just grins.
“Oh come on! Find something better than that please!” I beg.
“Hmmm I quite like Laylay. How about princess?” he asks.
“Princess Laylay?” I must look horrified.
James bursts out laughing.
“Maybe. I do like star wars,” is his reply. Ugh. That’s princess Leia not Layla. But whatever.
“What are you doing today?” I ask after I put two pieces of toast in the toaster.
“Got some shit to do in a bit.” James, always so vague. I’m not going to lie, I’m curious as hell about James. He is so laid back, calm, easy going and sometimes very quiet. The saying ‘It’s the quiet ones you need to look out for’ reminds me of James. There is something there under that gentle exterior.
“So tell me about the illusive landlord. I’m curious as hell.”
“He comes and goes, you might only see him once a month or so,” James says.
“And?” I want more information than that.
“And he’s here now. But I think he’s leaving today.”
“Doesn’t he want to meet his new tenant?”
James just gives me a small grin, and doesn’t say anything else.
“I’m gonna run out and give out some applications. Know if there are any salons close by?” I ask around a mouth of toast.
“Um, I only know of one I pass on the way to University. On Cedar Street.”
“Cool, thanks. I’ll go there then.”
“Good luck princess Laylay.” James grins at me cheekily.
I cringe at the new nickname.
I make my way to my room and hear noises coming from the master bedroom. I guess the man who owns this house, is here today. Not thinking anything more of it, I close my bedroom door and get ready. About thirty minutes later, I hear feet stomping out in the hallway, and then murmurs. I then hear a girl’s voice raising. I quietly make it to my door and hear, “What the f**k, I’m good enough to f**k but you won’t even offer me coffee?”