“I’m trying to help. You don’t have to be rude because Nat broke up with you,” I say.
“Is that what he told you?” Layla barks out a laugh. “I’mthe one who broke up with him.”
“You’re lying,” I snap.
“I’m dead right.”
“Then why’d you drive all the way to Lucky Falls? Wasn’t it for him?”
“Well, I?—”
“Look, I feel sorry for you. Nat isn’t interested. And once I fix your car, I suggest you get up and leave town.”
“Don’t touch my car. And I’m not going anywhere until I get what I came for,” Layla snaps.
Moving past her, I stubbornly reach into the car.
“Back off.” Layla shoves me.
Bingo.
I hold the shoulder that she pushed and bawl out loud enough that a couple walking to their car stops.
At that moment, the sheriff’s car zooms into view. The sirens are off, but the lights are flashing. A man with greying hair in a khaki sheriff’s uniform steps out of the vehicle and approaches us with an air of authority.
“What seems to be the problem here, ladies?”
“Sheriff, this woman just attacked me,” I say with an exaggerated air of panic.
“Attacked you?” Layla shrieks.
“She’s Nathan Campbell’s ex and she got mad when she saw us together. All I did was try to help and she pushed me.”
“What? No, I didn’t! I didn’t even touch you!”
The Sheriff arches an eyebrow at me, looking gruff. Nerves tangle in my stomach. The sheriff is Rebel’s boyfriend’s father. He should be in on what’s going on here.
So why is he looking at me so seriously?
I gulp. “I can prove it, officer. I have a recording.”
Slipping the phone out of my pocket, I stop the video and show him the footage.
Layla’s jaw drops. “You wererecordingme?”
Both the sheriff and I ignore her.
“This is ridiculous!” Layla stomps her foot. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Not according to this video,” the sheriff says in a firm voice as he hands me my phone back.
Layla starts stammering. “Well, I… I…”
“Ma’am,” the sheriff steps forward and sniffs the air, “have you been drinking?”
At the question, I send a quick text to Emmanuel.
Layla’s eyes widen. “Yes, I was, but I wasn’t going to drive. I swear. Look, Sheriff, my rental doesn’t even start!”
