Chapter 11: Sympathetic

"He needs to talk to you." Paul said as Laura pulled into a nearby lot. She grabbed the phone from Paul. "Yes, John?" She asked in an annoyed tone and continued before he could reply. "Nice to hear from you over a week later." She rolled her eyes.

"Listen, I'm sorry Laura. I've been a jerk, I realize that. But right now I really need your help and apparently no one else is willing to help me. I know you're a good person and I trust that you'll help me." John responded a bit worried.

"What's going on." She sighed feeling a little concerned.

"All of my exes have decided to protest against me at once and basically I'm the most hated guy on the roster right now. Melina and I were still living together, even after we broke up, but it was her house and I'm now kicked out. Basically, I need somewhere to stay." John pleaded. "Please, I'm sorry once again, I'm trying to change, maybe you can change me. I just need a roof over my head and I can't be going from hotel to hotel and staying there on my days off. My parents aren't too crazy about me either. I really fucked up big time." John sighed taking a deep breath.

Laura had no idea what to say. She glanced at Paul with an 'what am I going to do' type of look then turned back around looking out the front window. She blew an exasperated breath and replied "Alright John, but it's under my terms, don't make things hell for me, Paul or Sara." She demanded as John arched a brow confused.

"Paul?" He asked. "You two together now?"

"No. He hurt himself and I'm looking after him, I suppose I'm looking after three people now." She laughed a little. "Am I picking you up or are you driving yourself to New York?"

"I have no car." He sighed into the phone waiting for Lauras response.

"Alright, Im turning around, be outside…" She clicked the phone off and backed out of the lot.

"Why are we going back?" Paul asked curiously.

"Picking John up, everyone hates him and yeah, he needs somewhere to stay. I guess I'm the only one stupid enough to still talk to him." She bit her lip and began heading back to the arena.

Paul rolled his eyes looking the other way so Laura didn't notice. Sara kept quiet shaking her head but saying nothing.

She got back to the arena and John opened the backdoor getting In beside Sara. Laura looked in the mirror watching John get into the back.

"Buckle up Paul." Laura said turning to him.

"Yes mother." Paul laughed a little and put his seatbelt on as Laura began driving.



Laura could tell Paul wasn't too fond of John, she just hoped the next couple of weeks would go alright with no drama or stress.

Paul turned up the volume playing the song 'head, shoulders, knees and toes' as Laura chuckled. John was clearly getting annoyed in the back

Sara just kept listening to her mp3 player ignoring everyone.

Laura turned the volume down. "No more music, my head hurts. How's the leg?" She glanced at Paul then at the road ahead.

"It's alright, still sore." He shrugged as Laura pulled up to the hospital. "Now to get you some crutches." Laura said getting out as Paul did the same. John and Sara stayed inside the car.

She followed Paul inside as the doctor brought out some crutches. Paul started using them and got used to them just about right away.

"I'm ready." He headed back to the car as Laura guided him to make sure he was stable.

He put the crutches in the trunk and got into the passenger seat as Laura got back into the drivers seat.

"They're asleep." Laura whispered looking in the back at Sara and John asleep.

Paul laughed a little and turned the music up loudly. "Paul!" Laura hit his hand lightly.

John grumbled. "What the fuck?"

"Sorry…that was Paul." She mumbled turning the volume down as Paul said nothing.

'This is going to be a long trip home.' Laura sighed and thought to herself pulling out of the lot.