Tyler finally understood what he was looking at. Two tours in Afghanistan. Hands that had done more than remove limo caps. Eyes that had seen things Tyler couldn’t imagine.
“I’m sorry, okay? I’m sorry!” Tyler stumbled backward.
“Too late for sorry.” Jake’s voice carried the weight of someone who’d learned to make hard decisions quickly.
Tyler turned to run, but Jake’s hand caught his shoulder—not roughly, just firmly.
“We’re not done yet.”
Jake looked directly into one of the recording phones. “Everyone see this? Tyler Morrison just assaulted my sister. You all witnessed it.”
He turned back to Tyler. “Now you’re going to apologize to her properly. On your knees.”
“What? No way—”
Jake’s grip tightened slightly. Tyler’s knees buckled.
“Maya,” Jake said softly, “would you like an apology?”
Maya stepped forward, her cheek still red from the slap. She looked down at Tyler kneeling on the pavement.
“You humiliated me in front of everyone because you thought I was powerless,” she said, her voice growing stronger. “But you were wrong about that, weren’t you?”
Tyler nodded frantically. “I’m sorry, Maya. I’m really sorry.”
“Louder,” Jake said. “So everyone can hear.”
“I’M SORRY!” Tyler shouted. “I was wrong! I shouldn’t have touched you!”
The crowd murmured, phones still recording. Some students started clapping.
Jake released Tyler’s shoulder. “Now you’re going to stand up, walk to your car, and drive home. If I hear you bothered my sister again—at school, online, anywhere—I’ll find you.”
Tyler scrambled to his feet and ran toward the parking lot without looking back.
Jake picked up his cap from the limo roof and turned to Maya. “You okay?”
Maya threw her arms around her brother. “I thought you were working tonight.”
“I was. Your prom was my last pickup.” Jake smiled, the dangerous look finally leaving his eyes. “Good thing, too.”
The crowd began to disperse, students whispering excitedly about what they’d just witnessed. Several came over to check on Maya, apologizing for not stepping in sooner.
As Jake opened the limo door for his sister, Maya paused. “Thank you for coming home.”
“Thank you for giving me a reason to stay.” Jake helped her into the car. “Now let’s get you some ice cream. That’s what big brothers are for.”
The limo pulled away from the curb, leaving Tyler’s friends to explain to everyone why their leader had just run away from a girl’s older brother.
This work is a work of fiction provided “as is.” The author assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, or contrary interpretations of the subject matter. Any views or opinions expressed by the characters are solely their own and do not represent those of the author.
