AllFreeNovel
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As we step out of the building, Gary’s there, along with another photographer I’ve never seen before, both of them snapping pics of me.
“Hey, Jason!” Gary says. “Were you arrested? Are you being charged with anything? Where’s Layla? What does she think about the fight?”
“Congratulations,” Shane says as he claps his hand on my back. “Now you’re famous, too.”
When I glare at Gary, he steps back. Still, he dogs me all the way to my car.
“Who started the fight? Was Layla there when it happened? Did you lose your job?”
I ignore the barrage of questions as I get in my car.
“Come on, Jason,” he pleads as he raps on my car window. “Just one comment. One statement. Anything.”
“No comment.”
The only thing I care about right now is getting home to Layla. I just hope she isn’t too traumatized by what happened today.
* * *
I park in my usual spot, next to Layla’s Fiat. On the other side of her car is Ian’s Porsche. Damn, that’s a sweet vehicle. And on the other side of the Porsche is Ruth’s black BMW. It looks like the whole family is here, except for Martin. I don’t see his car.
Something tells me he’s the one I should be most worried about.
I walk in through the rear door. André and Claire are in the kitchen, prepping ingredients for this evening’s dinner. I hope I’ll still be around to eat it. They both take one look at me and flinch.
“You don’t look so good, Jason,” André says.
I touch my bottom lip, which is swollen and throbbing. “I’ve had better days.”
When Margaret walks into the kitchen, she gives me a guarded smile. “Hello, Jason. I’m glad you’re back. Everyone’s in the living room. They’re expecting you.”
As I head that way, I’m not sure what to expect. A welcoming party, or a firing squad?
I pause outside the living room and take a deep breath, attempting to prepare myself for anything. When I walk into the room, the conversation ceases immediately, and the room goes silent. Layla is sitting on the sofa next to her mother, who has her arm wrapped securely around her daughter. Layla’s eyes are red. Clearly, she’s been crying. Ian and Tyler are seated on another sofa.
With a cry, Layla jumps to her feet and runs right to me. She literally throws herself into my arms, wrapping trembling arms around my neck as she presses her face into the crook of my shoulder.
“Are you all right?” she whispers.
“I’m fine, honey.” I simply hold her for a while, rubbing her back and relishing the feel of her in my arms. I’m relieved to see she’s okay.
I glance across the room at Ruth, not knowing what to expect. Anger? Disappointment? No. I get none of that. She actually looks… pleased. That surprises me. When she meets my gaze, she smiles.
I let out a heavy breath, relieved beyond belief that the Alexanders aren’t going to immediately show me to the door.
I gently peel Layla off me so I can hold her at arms’ length and look her over. “Are you okay?”
She nods. “You’re not under arrest?”
“They let me go. There were plenty of witnesses who attested to the fact that Reese and his friends started it, and I was only defending myself.”
Despite the fact we have an audience, I pull Layla back into my arms and hold her securely, my hand cupping the back of her head. I kiss her forehead, and then she rests her cheek on my chest.
Ruth stands and walks over to us, her expression impossible to read. My heart pounds as I wait to hear what she has to say.
When she reaches my side, Ruth places her hand on my shoulder. “I’m glad you and Layla are okay. That’s all that matters.”
“Ruth, I—”
