Chapter 19: Layla POV For some inexplicable reason , I'm nervous . I've changed my outfit three times , had my hair in four different styles and now I'm a sweaty mess , meaning my shower from earlier is a moot point . I duck into the shower for a quick rinse down and then throw on my favorite pair of skinny jeans that make my ass look phenomenal ( if a do say so myself ) , a red halter neck vest that supports the girls nicely without me having to wear a bra , and a pair of black ankle boots . My make - up is minimal with some mascara and tinted gloss . I go for a high ponytail to combat the heat and a pair of silver hoops to round the look off . With one last glimpse in the mirror , I grab my phone , keys , and gloss . Moira's standing at the front door , reminding me not to drink and drive and to call José to pick me up should I decide to imbibe somewhat . With a hug and a sarcastic " Yes Mom " I'm out the door , Moira's chuckle following me out . I plug Cade's address into my phone's GPS , and it pings with a route that's about a 10 - minute drive from campus , on the opposite side of Greek Row - intriguing , to say the least . I would have thought that college guys would want to be as close to the parties and sorority girls as humanly possible . Pulling up to the house , I spot a couple of cars parked in front of the double garage and a few more on the side of the road - seems like it's not a small party after all . Just great ! Normally , I am somewhat of an extrovert , but I don't like big crowds of people I don't know . Sitting in my car , I grip the steering wheel and stare at the house , debating whether to fire off a quick text to Cade claiming a sudden headache or maybe a conveniently timed flat tire . But , in an attempt to step out of my comfort zone for once , I take a deep breath and step out of the car . The house itself catches me off guard . It's not the rundown , beer - stained frat house I was expecting , with sagging gutters and a lawn that looks like it's been through a war . Instead , it's a charming two - story , white - clapboard home that could've been lifted straight out of a postcard . Large , gleaming windows reflect the golden glow of the setting sun , and a porch swing sways gently in the evening breeze , creaking softly as it moves . The whole setup feels more like a family home than a college party hub , and for a moment , 1 double - check my phone to make sure I didn't pull up to the wrong address . - The walkway to the front door is a tidy path of gray stone slabs , each one perfectly aligned , cutting through a lush green lawn that's clearly been tended with care . No stray beer cans or cigarette butts here - just soft , manicured grass that looks like it gets mowed on a schedule . To the side , a massive oak tree stretches its branches wide , casting a dappled shadow over a wooden two - seater bench tucked beneath it . The scene feels so idyllic that I can almost picture a couple sitting there , their kids running circles around the trunk , shrieking with laughter as they chase each other through the grass . It's oddly wholesome for a house hosting a college party . Walking up to the gray front door , ready to knock , I notice it is slightly ajar . I give it a small push and it 1/4 Chapter 19 : Layla POV swings open into a hallway that opens into a large living space . Big leather couches sit to the left , all clustered around a massive flatscreen and numerous gaming consoles . To the right is the open - plan kitchen ; the marble counter is littered with red solo cups and various alcoholic beverages like beer and even hard liquor . Music pulses through the air , not the thumping bass I was expecting but something more laid - back - old- school rock and roll , maybe The Rolling Stones , coming from a hidden sound system that's probably wired into the walls . The vibe is lively but not overwhelming , with a handful of guys scattered around the room , some leaning against the counter , others sprawled on the couches , all talking , laughing , and sipping from their cups . At the back of the room , big French doors open into a backyard with a fire pit , and some stringed - up fairy lights . I slowly walk into the room and one of the guys from my English Lit class notices me and saunters over . His friends eye me with interest , but I ignore them . I am here for one person only . " Hey Layla , what brings you here ? " William asks with a red solo cup in hand , smiling at me . He's one of the nicer guys in my class - friendly , and helpful but not flirty . " Hey William , Cade invited me . Do you know where I can find him ? " I glance around us , but Cade's floppy blonde head doesn't stick out immediately . William scratches the side of his jaw as he thinks for a second , " Uhm , I think I saw him and the guys out back by the fire pit a while ago . Want me to walk you out there ? " I smile at William and nod my assent . " That would be great , thank you . But first , would you mind showing me where the nearest bathroom is ? " My nerves at the prospect of seeing Cade is making me jittery and I just need a second to collect my thoughts before I make a complete fool of myself . William takes me to the nearest bathroom , just off the living room , and waits for me outside the door . I lean my hands on the countertop in front of the mirror and tip my head back , taking a steady breath for three counts , holding it for five , and then releasing it in three , I repeat these four more times and by then , my heart rate has returned to normal , and I feel more in control . Splashing some water on my wrists and the back of my neck , I give myself a final glance in the mirror before stepping back into the hallway , William smiles tentatively at me and starts walking back to the living room . While I was gone , I was greeted by an entirely new scene . A makeshift dance floor had sprung to life in the living room , where the coffee table had been shoved aside to make space . A group of girls from school , some familiar faces and others I vaguely recognized from campus , had joined the party , their laughter and chatter weaving through the pulsing music . The playlist had shifted from upbeat pop to sultrier , dance - club vibes , the kind that hums through your 2/4 Chapter 19 : Layla POV bones and makes your pulse quicken . The dimmed lights cast a warm , hazy glow over the room , amplifying the electric energy . A few people had already paired off , moving to the rhythm in ways that felt both bold and uninhibited - girl on girl , boy on girl , boy on boy - the combinations as fluid as the music itself , the options limitless in this carefree , chaotic moment . This makes me smile and I can't help but hope that Cade might drag me onto the dance floor later tonight . I can only imagine what it would feel like swaying against him , his hands on my hips and his mouth lingering on my neck . An anticipatory shiver runs down my spine and I can't keep the smirk from my face . " Want to grab something to drink before we head back there ? " William's voice cut through my daydream , his words half - shouted over the thumping bass as he glanced back at me , his dark hair falling slightly into his eyes . I caught his gaze and mouthed the word please , the music swallowing any chance of a proper conversation . We wove through the crowd toward the kitchen , where the counter was a chaotic spread of half - empty bottles , crumpled solo cups , and bowls of chips that had seen better days . William , ever the gentleman , grabbed a clean red solo cup from a stack and handed it to me with a grin . He cocked his brow in that universal , unspoken question - What'll it be ? - his expression playful but attentive . I scanned the options , my eyes landing on a sealed bottle of local IPA , its label promising a crisp , hoppy bite . I pointed at it , and William made quick work of popping the cap with a bottle opener he fished from his pocket , pouring the amber liquid into my cup with a practiced hand . " Thanks , " I said , my voice barely audible as I raised the cup in a mock toast . He nodded , grabbing a beer for himself , and we turned toward the open French doors that led to the backyard . The doors had been thrown wide , inviting a cool night breeze to mingle with the warm air inside . Stepping onto the back porch , we were greeted by the familiar chaos of a college party in full swing . A beer pong table stood proudly in one corner , surrounded by a rowdy group cheering and jeering as cups were toppled . A dartboard hung on the wall , its surface pockmarked from countless games , and a foosball table nearby rattled with the fervor of a heated match . Typical college guy party favorites . We paused to watch a pair of guys dominate a game of darts , their throws precise and confident . The losing team groaned dramatically as the final dart hit its mark , sealing their defeat . The victors let out triumphant whoops , pointing at a tray of shots on a nearby table . The losers , good sports despite their grumbling , each downed a shot of what looked like cheap tequila , wincing as the liquid burned its way down . I shook my head at their antics , a small smile tugging at my lips . There was something endearing about the predictability of it all . William cups my elbow to get my attention and leans over to talk directly in my ear , " There , off to the right , next to the fire pit , is Cade and his boys . " My eyes scan the backyard in the general direction that William is indicating . My stomach drops . 3/4 Chapter 19 : Layla POV I lock onto a pair of emerald - green eyes first , tight with unbridled hatred . Next , a pair of chocolate brown eyes , filled with curiosity , catches my attention . A second later , light forest - green eyes zero in on mine , and my heart skips a beat when the one winks at me . And last , but certainly not least , my eyes swing to those of the guy I'm here to see - Cade's light blue pools of excitement . They are all standing shoulder to shoulder , huddled together like they are their only little gang , and my mind stutters to a halt . This can't be happening ! The four guys that have taken over my thoughts and dreams in the last couple of weeks , cannot be friends . 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