Chapter 22
SHELBY
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
The house is quiet without Hannah.
I stand in the living room, my hands sweaty, when Nick comes in. He waves me over to where he is, and we sit on the couch.
“What are your plans now that you’re back home?” He turns so his arm lies on the back of the couch, his back against the armrest, with one leg up on the cushions.
“I have no idea.” Exasperation bleeds into my voice. “Get a job, I guess.”
“You don’t need a job.” He laughs. “Now, if you want a job, then fine, but Dad isn’t going to make you work to earn your keep.”
“I know, but I can’t sit here and do nothing every day. I’ll go nuts.” I flop back against the couch. “Plus, Mom will hover around me, nagging about whatever she deems isn’t perfect.”
He nods. “Want to watch a movie?”
“Sure. Let’s order something. I’m hungry.”
When the movie ends, I ask Nick if I can borrow his truck to go job hunting tomorrow, since my bike’s not back from Hawaii yet.
He doesn’t have a problem with it. I’ll drive him to school in the morning, then Luke can bring him home.
Since we have to be up early for school tomorrow, we head to bed.
After struggling to sleep that night, jet lag hits me hard the following day. In Hawaii, I’d be going to sleep right now instead of waking up.
I roll out of bed and dress quickly. I’ll have time after I drop Nick off at school to prepare for my day of job hunting.
My feet drag as I head to the kitchen, grab a bottle of Dr. Pepper, and chug it.
The sound of shuffling feet comes from behind me.
“You look about as good as I feel.” Nick walks to the fridge to pour himself a glass of juice.
I lean against the counter. “I’m spent.”
“School’s going to suck today.” Nick sips his OJ.
Once he’s done with breakfast, Nick grabs his bag.
I smile at the thought of not having to go to school. “Ready?”
Nick mock-glares at me. “Yeah, let’s go.”
Out of habit, I climb into the passenger seat, and Nick takes off.
When we arrive at school, the guys slouch against their SUV.
I exit the truck and wave to them, heading over. I’m almost there when Carrie and her Barbie squad stomp up the walkway, cutting me off and knocking me down.
“Where have you been?” Carrie whines as she stops in front of Dom.
Glaring at her, he shoves her out of his way to stride over to where I sit on the ground, holding out his hand. When I grab it, he helps me up.
Dom turns and faces Carrie, blocking me from her view. He says nothing to her, just stands with his arms crossed.
“We made plans to go away together,” Carrie tsks and looks around him to raise an eyebrow at me.
Laughter sounds from one of the guys.
“Yeah, I don’t think so. We’re with our girlfriend.” Mav walk around her to stand with me and Dom.
She points at me. “Who, her?”
“Yes. She’s our girlfriend.” Mav slides his arm around me. “Good morning, my queen.”
The reminder of my royalty upgrade from princess to queen makes me smile as he kneels at my feet, bowing his head.
I can’t help but chuckle. “Good morning, my Knight.”
Carrie makes this odd gagging and growling noise. “Not for long,” she sneers at me. “Once seen meat vic.”
When nothing happens, she tries another odd variation of the hypnotic trigger words.
“Shit, I can’t remember!” She stomps her foot like a toddler. “Where’s Hannah when I need her?”
She glances around for Hannah, which pisses me off.
“You mean oblivisci mea est,” Nick says plainly.
I hold my breath, hoping they won’t go back under.
“Yes, that’s it!” Carrie sounds so proud. “Now, come here and kiss me, Dom.” She puckers her lips.
Dom moves from my side and walks toward her.
As he leans forward, my stomach sinks. No! It didn’t work. I can’t go through this again. I grip Mav’s hands in mine.
Dom moves close to Carrie’s face, then winks at me. “No.”
A relieved sigh escapes. I’m going to kill him later for that.
“You were involved in hypnotizing us.” He takes a step back. “You sicken me, Carrie.”
The color drains from Carrie’s face. “H-Hannah told me what to say!” She reaches out for Dom as he walks away from her. “I wasn’t sure what would happen.”
Dom’s arms wrap around me, his hands settling on my stomach.
“But you didn’t stop once you found out what it did, did you?” I say. “You took full advantage of it.”
“Hell, yeah, I did,” Carrie says. “He’s mine and proved how much he missed me that weekend. We didn’t leave the bed at all.”
Dom exhales, sounding more tired than the jet lag caused him to be. “You’re a lying bitch. Touching you or the thought of touching you disgusted me. Kissing you made me ill. Even though I was hypnotized, I knew being with you was wrong. So, stop trying to make people believe that happened. Hell, I broke up with you that night!”
“Then, why did you let me hang all over you for the next month?” Smugness drips from Carrie’s voice.
“It was a deterrent for the other girls at this school, who, thanks to you, thought ‘No’ wasn’t an answer!” Dom says with frustration. “I need you to listen to me, Carrie, ’cause I won’t say this again. I want nothing to do with you. No matter what you do, I will always come back to Shelby. You’re nothing compared to her.”
He kisses my head, then walks toward her. “Oh, yeah, before I forget. Your father will receive a call from mine today saying that Knight Technology won’t be doing business with Dockery Metal anymore.”
Carrie’s mouth falls open. “You can’t do that. It would bankrupt my father.”
“Not my problem. I didn’t have to convince Dad, either. He’s been thinking about it for years since he doesn’t like how your father does business. He held off because of me. I gave him the go-ahead.” He walks back over, leans against Nick’s truck, and holds me in front of him, resting his hands on my hips.
Her hand moves to her chest. “We’ll be disgraced. We’ll have to move.”
Mav chuckles. “I’d start packing, if I were you.”
Carrie reels back as if he slapped her. “But, Dom!”
“God, Dom.” Luke walks to where Dom holds me like a shield. “Her voice is like nails on a chalkboard when she whines. How did you stand it for so long?”
“Earplugs,” Dom deadpans.
I think he’s joking before he reaches into his pocket and pulls out custom-fitted earplugs. I laugh, and Dom winks at me again, returning the earplugs to his pocket. Oh, that is priceless!
“The rest of you better listen as well.” Mav raises his voice so the gathered crowd can hear. “Nothing you do will take us away from Shelby. Go find someone else to hound.”
“She’s it for us!” Luke grabs my hand with the engagement ring, raising it so Carrie and the others can see, as he kisses my fingers.
Gasps sound from the group of girls before Maddie comes forward. “I’m pregnant.”
Incredulous, I raise my eyebrow at her.
Mav scowls, but his voice remains calm. “Congratulations. Who’s the father? Because you’re not saying it’s mine. Like my brother with Carrie, I wouldn’t touch you!” Mav erupts, stepping toward a stunned Maddie. “Don’t you dare try to pull this shit with me!”
“I think it’s time for you to leave.” Luke ushers Mav over to the car.
Carrie stands her ground, eyeing me as the rest of the Barbie Squad scampers away. “You’ll pay for this.”
I shrug, smiling. “You can try.”
Turning on Nick, she sneers. “Where’s your sister? This is her fault.”
“You’re just noticing Hannah is gone? Some friend you are.” Nick shakes his head at how self-absorbed Carrie is. “She’s far away from you, where you can never sink your claws into her again.”
She huffs, tossing her hair over her shoulder before she stalks away.
“I’m not upset to see you, but what are you doing here, princess?” Mav asks.
“Dropping Nick off. I’m borrowing his truck today to look for a job,” I reply.
“Where at?” He raises his eyebrows.
I shrug. “I have no idea.”
They laugh at that.
When the bell rings, I turn to go into the school when I remember I don’t have to, anymore.
Nick hands me his truck keys, then steps away.
“I guess we better go. Good luck job hunting.” Mav kisses me.
They each then take turns kissing me.
Nick walks forward and hugs me. “Take it easy on the old girl.”
“Be safe,” Dom says, and I don’t take offense at his reminder.
After our conversation at the airport, I understand where it comes from.
“I will,” I say to both requests, then to Nick, “See you at home.”
I hop into the driver’s seat and head home to shower, hoping it will wake me up more before I even attempt to apply makeup. Parking the truck in the driveway, I hop out and walk into the house, finding Mom at the counter drinking coffee.
“Good morning, darling. Why aren’t you at school?” Mom’s eyebrows pinch.
“I quit.”
Before I can explain why, she slams down her coffee mug, and coffee splashes over the sides. “What? Why would you do that?”
“It was too much, Mom.” I stare at the counter and run my finger over the cold marble. “Roger had me for a month. Even if I could have focused, it was too much to catch up on. I couldn’t concentrate while I was dealing with everything else.”
Mom rubs her red eyes. “What are you going to do? Lie around here all day?”
She’s lost weight, and her eyes are sunken in with dark circles around them.
“No, I’m still going to take my GED, and I’m going to find a job.” I study her closer. “Are you feeling all right?”
She scratches her arm. “I’m fine.”
Peter walks into the kitchen. “You don’t have to find a job. You know that, right, Shelby?”
My heart lifts at how Peter wants to take care of me. “I know. Nick told me the same thing last night. And it’s not like I expect you to make me work to earn my keep, but I can’t sit here and do nothing. Cin and I discussed moving into an apartment once I turn eighteen. But it would be nice to have some money in the bank before we do that, so we don’t have to struggle to pay our way. It might take a little longer than we planned.”
Mom huffs, drawing our attention. “You did say you’ll only stay until you’re eighteen, so what’s stopping you?”
Peter’s mouth opens, but he chooses not to acknowledge her statement. “I think it’s admirable to know what you want and to go for it. If you’re considering going to college after receiving your GED, Patty and I will help you.”
My heart squeezes at his generous offer.
From where she stands behind Peter, my mom scowls at me.
I shake my head. “I don’t think college is for me.”
“Well, it’s not for everyone,” Peter says.
Needing to redirect the topic away from me to appease my mom, I ask, “How’s Hannah doing? I saw the milking photo.” I cover my mouth to suppress a giggle.
He laughs. “She appears to be doing fine. It was a real wake-up call when she found out that Roger didn’t hypnotize her. Before she left, we spoke.”
He hugs me as a father should, and my throat burns with tears. “I said it before, but thank you, Shelby, for saving her. Thank you for bringing my daughter back to me. Hannah wasn’t the nicest to you when you first got here.”
Snorting to himself, he releases me from his hug. “Scratch that. She was downright awful. But I didn’t know what to do to help her. Your actions saved her on more than one account. And therapy is helping.”
“No need to thank me, Peter. Hannah is family. And I’m glad that, despite the cow manure, being at her aunt’s and going to therapy is helping.”
He squeezes my hand.
“I’m going to go take a shower. This time change is kicking my butt.”
He chuckles before he backs up and wraps his arms around my mom’s shoulders.
As I walk away, they murmur to each other, but I can’t understand what they are saying. Something is going on with Mom. I need to figure out what it is.
I stop at a few places where help wanted signs are posted, but none seem enthused about hiring a teenager without a diploma.
Disappointed, I head home.
When I arrive, I research the requirements to obtain my GED, finding a website with the information I need to prepare for and take the test.
When Luke and Nick return from school, I’m still sitting in my room, reading through the website.
Luke asks me if I want to work on my karate. I nod enthusiastically, desperate to move.
We head outside to start.
An hour and a half later, Luke takes pity on me and my shaking arms. “Okay, I think that’s enough for today.”
I fall to the ground, panting. “I’ve lost so much muscle tone.”
“You’re not as bad as you think.” Billy’s voice comes from behind me. I turn, and Billy, Mark, and Ricky stand off to the side of the house.
Luke helps me up.
“What are you guys doing here?” I walk over to where they are, Luke a step behind me.
“We haven’t heard from you in months and got worried. Not to mention, Cin wouldn’t tell us anything when we reached out to her,” Mark says, concerned.
Taking my hair out of the braid, I run my hand through it. “I’m sorry that the last few months have been hard.”
“Why don’t you sit down, and I’ll grab some drinks?” Luke says.
“Thanks.” I kiss him, and he heads inside.
Ricky and Mark head over to the outdoor sectional, and I turn to follow them when Billy stops me, gripping my arm and causing me to flinch.
Seeing this, he lets go.
“I’m sorry. I acted up,” he apologizes.
I turn back to face him, regret plain on my face. “Billy, I’m sorry I was so blind. I didn’t mean to hurt you. You were my best friend.”
“It’s all right, Shelby. It’s not like I ever told you. I expected you to pick up on it.” He shrugs. “I met someone. And now, I understand what you told me about how you feel about your guys.”
“So, we’re good?” I point between us.
“We’re good.”
We head over to the sectional and take a seat.
Luke returns, passing out beers to everyone.
As he settles in next to me, Ricky leans forward, his elbows resting on his knees and his fingers steepled. “So, what’s been going on with you that stopped you from calling us?”
Luke stiffens, and I run my hand down my face.
At that point, Nick steps outside, and sensing what is happening, he joins us.
“Hey, Nick.” Ricky stands up and shakes his hand.
“I’m about to tell them about Roger.”
Nick’s lips press together, and he nods. “Do you mind if we stay?”
“No.” Luke and Nick take a seat on either side of me.
Taking a deep breath, I tell them about Roger, how I met him in Ashland, how we parted ways, and how he ended up in jail.
Matt nods as if something clicks in his brain. “When we first hung out, you were jumpy. Always looking over your shoulder.”
“Yeah, her eyes were always scanning for something,” Ricky agrees. “I guess we know why. So, he’s still in jail?”
Nick takes over the explanation at this point. “No. I did some digging and found a report that said he died in a stabbing at the jail, but that was a fake report.”
Billy, Mark, and Ricky stiffen, and their brows pinch. I tell them everything that led up to the day he took me, including how I left with him, leaving Nick tied up.
Ricky runs his hands through his hair. “Why did you go with him, Shelby?”
“He took Hannah and Cam. He told me Cam was hurt, and that if I didn’t go with him, he’d kill Cam.” I reach for Ricky. “You would have done the same.”
Letting out a sigh, Ricky scrubs the back of his neck. “You’re right. I would. Did you help get Cam out?”
I nod before I tell them the rest of the sordid tale, leaving out what Evan did to me and how I escaped.
“A month? He held you for a month?” Mark stands up, but Ricky pulls him back down.
I nod. “When I got out of the hospital and back home, things were rough. The guys, except Cam, who was recuperating at home, were still hypnotized. Peter and Nick understood that I needed time to deal with everything. I was struggling with nightmares, and people touching me freaked me out. But my mom… She pushed and pushed, not listening to me when I told her I wasn’t ready for something. And Cin fell into step with Mom.”
This surprises the guys.
“I was at the end of my rope. So, I asked a friend for help. I left in the middle of the night and hopped on a plane to a house in Hawaii.”
Ricky lets out a whistle. “Wow, that’s a nice place to get your head on straight.”
I chuckle. “Yes, it was.”
I explain to them about my time in Hawaii and how Cam, and then the others, had helped me heal.
“We got back in yesterday,” I finish. “I’m still working on everything, including taking care of myself. And as you saw, I’m trying to get back in shape.”
“From what I saw, you’re not far off from what you used to be,” Billy says. “You’re out of breath quicker, but your stamina is close.”
“Thanks, Billy. I did a lot of running while I was there, mostly to escape, but also because I needed to become stronger.” I look at them. “So, how have you guys been? Billy told me he met someone.”
“I have some news,” Ricky says.
“Is everything all right?” I question, concerned something is wrong.
“Oh, yeah.” He blushes and waves his hand in front of himself, dispelling my worry. “I asked Amber to marry me over Christmas.”
I gasp. “Did she say yes?”
He laughs. “Of course, she did. I’m a catch.”
We congratulate him.
“We’re planning to get married next year,” he tells us.
We talk more about they’re plans, and they stay a couple of hours before leaving, but only after making me promise to keep in touch with them.