"You aren't doing this because you like me or anything. It's just to get to Stronghold."
"Yeeaah…" Layla said slowly.
A sick pang shot through his heart, and he covered it with a wicked smile.
"Then I'm in."
…
He was sitting on the wall, reading, when she skipped up to him. She smiled brightly, and his heard turned over in his chest. She took his hand in both of hers, her skin soft and warm.
"Hey, cutie," she cooed. "I was just thinking about you…"
He looked up, but her gaze was on Stronghold as he walked past with a pretty brunette. He didn't notice them, and Layla seemed to deflate, her happiness crumbling. Warren glared at her, angry that she was so infatuated with someone who didn't love her and didn't deserve her; he was angry with himself as well, for the way he was allowing her to use him.
Warren was falling in love with her, even as they pretended to be in love, and Layla had no idea.
His hand burned hers, and she drew back with a pained gasp.
"Never call me cutie," Warren said, sickened with himself and with her.
He got up and walked away.
…
Watching Will with Layla made him ill; Warren desperately wanted to burn Will alive for daring to touch her, but he made Layla happy, and Warren restrained himself.
A beautiful, leggy blonde approached him, sparkling with ice. Warren took her hand, grateful for something to distract him, to fill the bleeding hole in his heart.
It wasn't enough.
…