HAUNTINGLY | 18+

30 | Lucky

Xavier's POV

I woke up to Layla sprawled over me, her arm draped around my chest. I grabbed my phone from the drawer, trying not to disturb her, and started checking my emails.

Loads of emails were there, people asking if they could come to the fight next month, waving money around like it was no big deal. I scrolled through them, not bothering to reply. I'd already filled the fight slots – all 30 of them – as of last night.

As I kept scrolling through the email, I noticed Axel had reached out again. He was suggesting another meeting for tonight. Fuck, he was annoying. How many times could you go over the same bullshit?

I replied to his email, telling him to show up at my place at 8 pm tonight. Axel and I went back a few years, mostly for business. Nothing more.

I didn't care for the guy, but I kept him close by in case I needed help with something. I turned my phone off and tossed it onto the end of the bed.

My attention drifted back to Layla. It was hard to believe I hadn't even known she existed until that one night. But then again, I'd only been to her place once and never crossed paths with her there.

My hand instinctively drifted to her hair, my fingers idly toying with her strands. Every part of her was pure perfection, from her long, black hair to her green eyes, and her curves.

She was every man's wet dream. But I was the one that had her screaming my name last night. And fuck, did it feel good.

I gently lifted her arm from across my chest and sat up, running my hands down my face. Rising from the bed, I made my way to the bathroom, taking a quick shower. In a matter of moments, I got out, towel-drying my hair before slipping into a black t-shirt and matching sweatpants, along with a pair of sneakers.

I snatched my phone from the bed and cast a final glance at Layla, still lost in her sleep. I quietly leave my room, closing the door behind me.

I didn't realize last night would have made her that tired.

I descended the stairs and stepped into the backyard, where Liam and Hunter were lounging under the patio. "Morning," their simultaneous greetings met my ears.

Picking up a cigarette from the pack on the table, I ignited it and brought it to my lips, exhaling a plume of smoke. "Morning," I replied, smoke curling into the air.

Liam's voice broke the silence. "How was the dinner last night?" he asked, taking a sip from his drink.

Arching an eyebrow, I regarded him skeptically. "How did you know I went out to dinner last night?"

A chuckle escaped him. "I talked to Layla before you two headed out," he revealed.

"Of course you did," I muttered under my breath. "Dinner was surprisingly great," I shared, my mind flashing back to the bathroom encounter with Layla.

"Great?" Hunter's eyes danced with mischief.
"Sounds like someone had more than just a great dinner last night," he teased, a smirk forming on his lips.

I snagged a plastic water bottle from the table and hit the back of his head. "You always have to say something stupid."

Liam erupted into laughter, while Hunter rubbed the back of his head, narrowing his eyes at me. "Why do you always feel the need to hit me?" he retorted.

I took another drag from my cigarette and released the smoke into the air. "It's my little dose of happiness," I deadpanned, my tone unwavering.

"You need to find some help, I think you're showing signs of a psychopath" he muttered.