~AXEL~
Less than an hour ago…
Layla's door slammed upstairs, and I flinched. The sound echoed through the house like a gunshot, each echo in my head hammering home just how badly I'd fucked up.
I'd meant to protect her. Instead, I'd shattered us.
Her hurt expression, those tears she'd tried to hide… they haunted me. I should've told her about Erica weeks ago. But Tye's call to bring Erica to court had blindsided me, forcing my hand before I was ready.
Sighing, I pulled out my phone and dialed him. I paced the living room as it rang once, twice, three times before he answered.
"Heard it worked out," Tye said smugly before I could even get a word in. "Erica's testimony saved your ass."
"Thanks to your unasked-for stunt," I snapped in sarcasm.
"How did she take it?"
"How'd she take it, you ask?" I let out a harsh laugh before sighing. "She'll be fine, I guess."
Tye laughed, dramatic as always. "You're welcome, by the way."
"Where are you? We need to talk. Now."
