57. Cinema

“Mom,” Tye said, walking down the steps into the sitting room.

“Isn’t that the guy that fought with James outside?”

Ryan exhaled through almost clenched teeth and glanced at Sofia, as he came down the stairs.

“Not the best way I’ve been remembered, but yeah. How are you, champ?” Ryan asked, approaching.

“I’m ok,” Tye replied as Ryan dropped his cup on the table, and walked over to adjust his collar.

Then Ryan wiped Tye’s left cheek swiftly, cleaning a lipstick smudge, obviously left by Kim.

“You don’t want mom to see that,” he whispered, and Tye smiled brightly.

Sofia still stood there, petrified. How didn’t she hear them arrive?

To make matters worse, now she’d heard James arrive, and with Tyler right there, she wasn’t sure how to react.

Then James walked in.

“Here we go,” Rico muttered.

“Ryan.” James chuckled slightly. “Wasn’t expecting to find you here,” he added, walking into the sitting room.

Ryan rose to full height, buttoning his jacket.

“Relax, James,” Ryan said. “