Free TIED (A Fire Born Novel) by Laney McMann

you. That’s all I can tell you. Isn’t it enough?”
    I tried to comprehend what he said—the way he behaved.
    His gaze fell back to mine. “I care about you, Layla. I’m trying to do the right thing. Let me.”
    That’s why he came back. The reason he blew up my phone at three in the morning, and stood in my living room, gazing at me, trying to explain was because he was afraid.
    My anger evaporated.
    “Please, let me,” he said, voice pleading.
    I reached for his hand, unable to stop myself, the full impact of my memories staring back at me as his warmth radiated through my arm. “I care about you, too. You know that. I always have.”
    He squeezed my hand. “I won’t let anything happen to you.” He leaned down, kissed my cheek, and walked out the front door. Away from me, again.

7
    I woke to my mom shaking me by the shoulder. “It’s nine o’clock. Don’t you have rehearsal right now?”
    “Oh, my gosh!” I jumped off the couch. Why am I on the couch? Ow … head rush.
    After pausing for a second to let it pass, I ran to my room, and yanked on my dance clothes, grabbed my Gatorade, before bolting out the front door and ripping off the tarp I had draped over my disaster of a car, praying my mom hadn’t noticed.
    • • •
    Ms. Trudy is going to kill me. The dance studio was packed with dancers as I hurried in, probably resembling a windblown rat.
    “Miss Layla. I’m glad you could join us this morning,” Ms. Trudy said.
    “Sorry I’m late. I overslept.” I jerked on my ballet slippers.
    “If you are unwell, I understand, but please give me the courtesy of a phone call in the future.”
    “Yes, Ma’am. I’m well.” I heaved a breath that wouldn’t convince anyone.
    “Then let us move to the Grand Hall. We have already missed half an hour of practice.”
    Stage lights of all colors flooded the theatre, reflecting off the gleaming wooden floor and blinding me to most of the theatre seats. Ms. Trudy sat in the first row, enabling everyone to see her, with her chin raised.
    “Lay, you look awful.” Benny whispered from behind me while we warmed up, slowly dancing through our combination. “Didn’t you go straight home last night?”
    “I’ll tell you later.”
    Ms. Trudy gave me her signature glare.
    Moving straight into first position, so as not to get scolded again, I ignored Benny and proceeded through the routine in silence.
    With my mind so far away from rehearsal it wasn’t even funny, I couldn’t get the previous night out of my head. My thoughts kept drifting back to Max’s words, ‘… I’m back for you’, and shivers rippled through my shoulders.
    I shouldn’t have thought that way. Max was my best friend. Having any kind of other feelings for him—well, it was ridiculous.
    “Layla! Are you with us today? Please be aware of where you are on the floor. You practically ran Miss Dena off the stage.” Ms. Trudy was usually sweet, but messing with her, even a little bit, this close to opening night and I was done for.
    “Sorry, Ms. Trudy. My head’s a little off this morning.” I refused to veer my eyes toward Dena. Maybe it would do her some good to get run off the stage.
    “Yes, I would say so. Take a break, and get some water.” She ruffled the notes in her lap.
    Slumping back into the dance studio, I leaned against the wall under the barres with my legs straight out in front of me. I should have been scared out of my mind over the freaky cold at the hospital. I should have respected my dance instructor and paid attention. I shouldn’t have been thinking of Max.
    Although I expected Ms. Trudy to come tearing in at any moment, yelling to get back on stage, she didn’t. Benny did.
    “Lay?” She squatted down next to me, lying on the floor like a sprawled out cat.
    “I was awake until four in the morning.” My throat scratched like sandpaper.
    “Why?” She repositioned her legs underneath her.
    I wasn’t sure whether to lie or not. I loved Benny, but whatever