Ever After Awaits (Layla) novel Chapter 31

Chapter 31: Hunter POV

That bitch!

After Xavier told us about his dad remarrying, I was the only one willing to give Allison a chance, who campaigned for her and said she might not be the gold–digging cow that Xavier believed her to be,

The few times Cade and I went to Xavier’s house before we moved in together on campus, our interactions with Allison were limited but cordial. She didn’t seem like the money–grabbing bimbo or even the vindictive cow I was expecting. But there was always something about her that I couldn’t put my finger on

an innate feeling of her hiding something.

After Layla’s involuntary revelation earlier, I knew I was right to trust my gut.

I can’t believe a parent would do that to their child, much less an angel like Layla.

I’m not delusional, I know Layla is not perfect, nobody is. But from what I’ve learned about her in the last couple of months, I can say with conviction that she is genuine and kind to a fault.

My parents can’t be given the “Parents–of–the–Year” award, but I’ve never had to worry about them putting their hands on me in any way, shape, or form I’m also certain there are more things that Allison has done and said to Layla in the past, but the little bit she revealed today was enough to make me realize that I’ll do anything to shield Layla from ever going through that again.

And what kind of bullshit was that about Layla being promised to some guy so Michael’s company’s future would be secure? Fuck that shitr

Layla is mine. She will be no other guy’s girlfriend, fiancée, and much less his wife. That privilege will be mine. I might share her with Cade, Al, and even Xavier – but only if they ask me nicely.

Watching Layla drive away is one of the hardest things I’ve had to do in a long time. When she sprinted out of the house like a bat out of hell, I knew she was in more pain than she wanted to let on.

Layla is naturally strong, but she’s also a reserved and private person because she doesn’t want to be a burden to anyone, nor does she want their pity.

What she doesn’t realize, though, is that I’ll never pity her. I’m in awe of her resilience and ability to stay positive even when life has been handing her lemons the last couple of months.

Standing at the bottom of these steps with the guys and Moira next to me, I’m grateful that Layla has so many new people in her corner. Her mother sure as

shit isn’t.

Even Xavier is standing here, seething – not at Layla but for Layla. He’s struggling with himself because he wants to hate her, but she’s proven to him many a time over that she’s not like other girls, nor will she stand for his/temper tantrums.

“Should we go after her?” AJ asks, and I can see when I look over at him, that he’s on the verge of jumping in a car and speeding after her. I get where he’s coming from, I want to do the same thing, but Layla feels vulnerable and exposed right now. Going after her will only cause her to withdraw from us, and I refuse to have that happen.

“No, give her a moment to herself. She’ll reach out when she’s ready,” Moira answers. And even though none of us like her answer, we can concede that she’s right.

As we’re saying goodbye to Moira, we hear raised voices, and a door getting slammed inside – it seems like the honeymoon phase is over. We head home, most likely to sit and mope around, checking our phones every five minutes, hoping Layla reaches out even if it is just to let us know she’s safe.

–

Getting home, AJ and I head to the kitchen to start throwing something together for dinner. Cade and Xavier are in the living room, and I can hear one of our favorite Netflix series playing.

“Do you think she’ll be okay?” AJ asks me as he’s grating the cheese for our bacon, mac and cheese casserole.

“Yes and no,” I answer honestly, and I can see on his face that he’s confused by my answer. “Yes, she’s okay insofar as she’s safe, wherever she L. She would never put herself in unnecessary danger. No, she’s not okay, because a trauma that her own mother inflicted has been exposed. She’s a private pers I’m sure her doubts are currently see–sawing between whether we pity her, will still be interested in her because she sees herself as damaged goods. while feeling embarrassed.”

“She has nothing to be embarrassed about! And fuck being damaged goods, we’re all damaged in some way. Al vehemently ray, and I wholehearte

Chapter 31: Hunter POV

the sentiment, but that’s not how Layla feels, and we must validate that.

“I’m with you on that but let me put it this way. When your mom was going through that difficult time just before she passed away, did you not feel an ounce of embarrassment even though none of what transpired was your fault?” I ask, stirring the noodles in the pot of boiling water.

I see the moment my rationale clicks in his mind.

“Shit. Okay. So how do we make her see that we’re not like the others who will pity or judge her?”

“Ah, now therein lies the problem my friend. Layla is proud, and it won’t be easy to show her that whatever has happened does not affect how we view her. She’ll be doubtful and mistrusting, but that’s where our patience and tenacity will have to break down her walls.”

I know I’m willing to do this and be there for her because I unreservedly believe Layla is the one for me, so nothing is off the table when it comes winning her heart.

Al looks skeptical and apprehensive and that does not sit well with me. It seems like it’s time to lay down the gauntlet.

“This is where you must decide if you’re up for what lies ahead. She’s going to fight us, she’s going to question our intentions, and she even might try push us away. And all those actions will be valid because, in the last 18 months, she hasn’t had someone in her corner. The person who was supposed to love and support her unconditionally turned on her, manipulated her, and started abusing her. So, if you’re not willing to put in the effort and dedication to showing her that you’ll be there for her, even if it isn’t romantically, it might be best to take a step back.”

I know I sound a bit harsh, but Layla deserves the best and I’ll be her biggest cheerleader and defender. Whoever is not willing to step up to be her protector, needs to fuck all the way off.

AJ is quiet all through dinner and that makes me worry. But I won’t strongarm him into fighting for Layla. He needs to sort his shit out – from whatever hangovers he might have left of the past to what his current interest in Layla is.

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