AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"So, you will give us another chance?"
I sigh again. "Jude, I don't even know what that means. Yeah, we will still hang out, but we start packing again in a few weeks. I'm not quite sure what you are expecting from me."
Eyeing Jackson and Marc's whitening knuckles, I brace myself to kick them out of my life for good.
Just as they each begin to speak, I snap, "I said no strings." It's not a yell, but it's stern. "You have my friendship—"
"With benefits?" Jude mumbles. I respond with a glare.
"We are leaving in less than six weeks, no matter what you say. Leave it be, or whatever this is"—my hand points between all of us—"is over."
This time their response is silent, their heads nodding even if they hate every moment of it.
"Lee?"
Shit.
"Oh! Hi, little miss!" Leo's face lights up as Layla bounds her way down the stairs and around the couch.
Bright blonde hair in disarray, Bug rocks on her feet, excitement and hesitancy fighting for dominance in her little mind. Her wide blue eyes dart around the room, taking in each man in our home before landing on me.
"Hi, sweetie." I give her a nod, knowing she wants to snuggle with Leo. With a whoosh of a sleepy exhale, she crawls up onto his lap. Something in my chest warms at the sight of her rubbing her eyeballs and each of the guys looking at her like she is the cutest thing they have ever seen.
I'm so busy watching their responses to Layla that I miss when she notices the flowers on the table. "Did they get you flowers, Mommy?" Her teeny frown would be adorable if I weren't freaking the fuck out. I do understand why she would be confused about the flowers. I don't get nice things from anyone.
"And for you, Nugget!"
ChapterTwenty-One
JACKSON
Iknow nothing.
It's a humbling experience.
Yet, I am so lost and really freaking terrified.
"Layla..." Rylee begins, but Layla's gasp of horror as she shoves her way out of Leo's hold will haunt me forever.
"No, please don't!" Scrambling over to her mom, Layla begins breathing heavily as she places herself between us and the chair Rylee is in.
I look to Jude, hoping he fixes whatever this is. It was his idea to bring them both flowers. "I-Don't what, sweetheart?" His hands are up in surrender, a wide-eyed look only aiding the panic of the situation.
“Layla, it's okay." Rylee's attempt at soothing her daughter goes unnoticed by the trembling girl trying to shield her mom.
"No! Please don't hurt my mommy!"
I freeze.
Everything freezes.
My bodily functions stutter and gag on their life force.
Please don't hurt my mommy.
"I—" Jude's voice sounds choked, making my throat close up with emotion. I lean into him. Whether it's to offer him support or seek out his warmth, I have no idea. "Layla, I would never hurt your mom. I promise."
Whatever she must see in Jude's face has her hesitating, giving me the confidence to step in. "We would never ever hurt Rylee. I promise you, Layla, your mom will forever be safe with us. We will even make her happy if she allows it."
