My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 97

Emily’s fingers twitched nervously. “There’s nothing going on between me and him. You shouldn’t listen to gossip.”

Elizabeth eyed her with suspicion. “The rumors say Andrew Lane has a stellar reputation, but after what he did last night, he sure didn’t act like someone with good character.”

In that moment, something clicked for Emily.

She nodded eagerly. “Exactly, Andrew Lane is really not as nice as everyone says.”

Elizabeth nodded in agreement. “Right? I actually thought he’d come and get us out of there. I never expected him to pull something like that.”

Emily would never have guessed that talking behind Andrew Lane’s back could feel this satisfying.

It was—honestly—downright exhilarating.

Especially hearing Elizabeth, the very person Emily wanted to win over, join in on bashing Andrew Lane. Emily could hardly keep the smile off her face.

The more they criticized him, the less she had to worry about Andrew Lane swooping in and stealing Elizabeth’s loyalty.

For the first time in days, Emily’s grin felt effortless and genuine.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted at the door to the hospital room.

Both Emily and Elizabeth looked up.

The door flew open from the outside, and a tangle of boys and girls tumbled in, landing in a noisy heap on the floor.

“Ugh, get off me! You’re crushing me, you lummox!”

“Move it! What’s so heavy, anyway? It’s like a pile of bricks!”

“Shh, quiet! Andrew Lane’s here—everyone, shut up!”

Emily’s brow immediately creased.

Andrew Lane? Here?

No, that wasn’t quite what she meant—she wanted to ask when he’d arrived. She and Elizabeth had just been badmouthing him. Hopefully, he hadn’t heard any of it.

But fate wasn’t on her side.

Suddenly, the group started shouting at him.

“So you’re Andrew Lane? You’ve got some nerve showing your face here!”

“Didn’t you hear them say you weren’t welcome? Did you hear what they were saying about you?”

These were the same kids who’d barged into the club last night and rescued Emily. They knew exactly what had gone down and had no problem voicing their opinions.

Just like Emily had said, these kids were brash and fearless, always quick to speak up for what they thought was right, never intimidated by anyone—not even Andrew Lane.

It might have been reckless, but as Emily watched them stand up to him, she felt a warmth blooming in her chest—a comfort she hadn’t known in a very long time.