Chapter Twenty-Six
Mason stood his ground for a few seconds longer and Carey climbed the last few stairs. She stopped right in front of Mason and her glare finally made him sigh and move. None of them were immune to Carey's orders.
Lee chuckled and Kelley hid his laugh as Carey walked into the room and stopped short. The scene in front of her was the last thing she'd expected to see when the school had called. Marella sat on the bed with the covers covering her up to her neck. “Dear Lord, what happened to you?”
“Carey … this is Marella, my friend … she was taken by the same group that attacked me. She tried to warn me that night.”
Carey turned to look at Kelley and looked at each boy in turn. Kelley looked apologetic, Mason looked angry but Lee looked downright furious. She had no idea what had happened to this girl but all three boys seemed protective of her and Carey turned back to look at Marella. She seemed too young to be a victim.
“Out! All of you!” Carey turned to glare at the boys and they trudged out of the room. Carey closed the door in their faces and then she turned towards Marella again.
“Hi, Marella.”
“Hi …” Marella's eyes shifted everywhere and she seemed nervous.
“I’m sorry to ask, but were you raped?” Carey looked at the girl sitting on Kelley’s bed.
In her heart she was so proud of them for taking care of her, bringing her to safety and for trying to protect her. In her head, she was seething mad that they hadn't called her. Marella looked at Carey and she could see the hurt in the girl’s eyes.
“No.”
“That’s good. I’m sorry I had to ask.”
“It’s okay and I’m sorry … I didn’t mean for them to get into trouble because of me.”
“They’re not really in trouble but they don’t need to know that.” Carey smiled as Marella laughed and then winced slightly. “Do you want to go to the police?”
“It won’t help …”
Carey felt her own sadness rise as she looked at Marella’s injuries. She knew all too well how the cops were in the pockets of the rich and influential people of Yorkdare Bay. Her wounds were clean and there was nothing she’d have done differently and somehow she just knew that it had been Mason who had cleaned her up.
“You should eat something, keep up your strength and rest.”
Carey stood up from the bed and opened the bedroom door where Mason fell forward first with Kelley landing on top of him and Lee landing on them both. Mason and Kelley both grunted and Carey had to hide her smile. “You’re all idiots.” Carey stepped over Mason’s head and around Lee’s legs and walked out of the room.
After twenty minutes the three boys stepped into the kitchen and sat down as Carey regarded them coolly. They looked like naughty boys being caught with the cookie jar empty. She sat down at her usual place and linked her fingers together.
“Who wants to go first?”
“Mom …”
“Carey, it’s just …”
“Uhm …”
Carey almost smiled. “Right. That explains everything.”
Kelley looked at her intently. “I threatened her dad and told him she was staying with me. I’ll move back to the motel with her because I know this is not what you signed up for.” Lee's glare didn't go unnoticed and Carey's eyes softened as she looked at him.
“For a smart kid, you’re really not always so smart, you know.”
Kelley blinked and Carey started laughing. Lee and Mason regarded her suspiciously and Kelley looked lost.
“I don’t understand.”
“Did you really think I’d throw you out? You’re obviously not sharing a room with her …”
Lee made a threateningly growling sound at the back of his throat that had Carey stop talking. Mason started to laugh again and Kelley moved his chair away from Lee. Lee's fists clenched on top of the table and Carey had lost her train of thought. Lee had never been a big talker but it was the first time she'd seen an emotional reaction from him. It shocked her but it also warmed her heart to see him so protective over someone.
“I don’t like her like that … Lee does, not me.”
“I see.” She had no idea how to react to that. Mason had only ever brought one girl home and Carey hadn't liked her.
Lee looked down sheepishly and for the first time in his life, he blushed … slightly. “Piss off both of you!”
Lee pushed his chair backwards and headed up the stairs as Mason and Kelley’s laughter filled the kitchen. Carey laughed too because Lee really was a sweetheart and seeing him uncomfortable was priceless.
“At this rate, someone needs to win the lottery.”
“Sorry, Mom.”
Carey looked up sharply and reached for Mason's hand over the table. “Never apologize for doing the right thing, Mason, you too, Kelley. I’m assuming this has something to do with what you told us.”
“Yeah … Carey … you’re the best.” Kelley stood up suddenly and hugged Carey so tightly she had to fight the tears in her eyes. This boy was breaking her heart.
“Alright then, you two can share Mason’s room. Marella’s injuries will take time to heal but I think she’s a fighter, she’ll be okay.” Kelley already knew that but he felt proud that Carey saw it too.
“We kind of already talked about that, Mom.” Mason’s hard eyes showed determination.
“Were you going to sneak her in and out of the house or were you actually planning on telling me?” Carey looked at both boys and Kelley smiled first. She felt even prouder as she watched him. He had really grown into himself these last few weeks and he'd crept into her heart.
“If I wasn’t so afraid that Lee would break me in half, I really would’ve taken her to the motel with me,” Kelley said.
“Nobody’s going anywhere.” Carey’s tone suggested it was better not to argue. She had the distinct feeling that Lee would be a more regular visitor now.
That night they all ate dinner at the somewhat cramped kitchen table but as Carey looked around at the faces around her she knew that no matter how cramped it got, she wouldn’t change it for anything. This was her family, no matter the genetics.
