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Jack finally looks at me.
I repeat myself as I hold his gaze. “We’re going home.”
Hotel security rushes forward and secures this pathetic excuse of a man.
Jack stands and surveys his attire. With a quick tug, he adjusts his jacket and looks around. “I’m sorry,” he mouths.
I nod once, not because I’m accepting his apology, but rather because I understand his fury. I appreciate the way he defended Kylie and punished her abuser. I want to tell him to bury his apology and accept my gratitude.
The two security officers lift Tobias to a standing position. He looks like a madman and despite being restrained; he lunges in our direction. The deranged man is completely unhinged. “Fuck you, whore!”
I shove Kylie aside knee this jerk in the balls so hard his legs give, and he squeals like the pig that he is.Crack!
Again, Jack jumps in. He lands an uppercut so hard that Tobias’ head snaps back. Wrapping a hand around the assailant’s neck, Jack pulls him close, and, with a menacing voice, he whispers, “Don’t you ever show your sorry ass in this town again. Apologize to her.”
Jack directs Tobias’ head in Kylie’s direction, forcing him to look at her. He mumbles an incoherent apology. Tightening his grip, Jack forces Tobias to face me. “Now to her.”
Another pathetic excuse of an apology falls from his busted lips.
As Tobias is hauled away, Jack turns to Kylie. “You okay?”
She sobs but manages to speak. “I just want to go home. This is such a nightmare!”
I smile tightly at Jack when his eyes journey to mine. “I’m going to get her cleaned up and then we’re going home.”
He nods. “Okay.”
My mother follows us to the ladies’ room and comforts Kylie, wiping her face. I stand back for a moment, the inadequacies of a teenage mother resurfacing. My mind is spinning with so many questions, but now is not the time to ask them. Tomorrow is another day.
“Thanks, Gram, but I need to talk to Mom.”
I guess we are having this conversation now.
“I’ll be right outside if you need me.”
As she passes, my mother caresses my bare arm and sucks her lips inwardly.
Kylie falls into my arms. “I’m so sorry.”
I hold her tightly and rub circles on her back. “It’s all right.”
“No,” she cries. “It’s not. I fucked everything up.”
I tamp down the urge to reprimand her for the language.
“Ky, the world is full of jerks like that guy. You just need to be more careful.”
“He seemed so nice online, and I was so excited for you to meet him. I thought you guys were going to hit it off.”
I scoff. “Me? Why did it matter if we hit it off? You’re the one who was dating him.”
Wiping her tears, she shakes her head. “No, Mom. That’s the thing.” She inhales sharply as if finding strength. “I set up a profile for you on this dating app. I wanted you to meet a nice guy and have fun. All you do is work and stay home and it makes me so sad,” her voice trails off as she whimpers.
My eyes sting with tears. “Oh, my God, Ky. Are you serious?”
She nods adamantly. “I didn’t tell you because I knew you wouldn’t be okay with it, but I thought if I found a nice guy like Tobias for you…”
I close my arms around my daughter. “Baby, I’m happy with my life. I am blessed in so many ways and having a man wouldn’t change that.”
