Found by the Rivers

by liberty freer

  “Don’t worry about the Montgomerys. You’ll be safe here,” Drew says.

  I roll my eyes. “I’ve heard that before.”

  “You should stay here until we figure things out,” Ramsey says.

  “It’s true. You’re about to be eighteen. Nobody can make you leave now. You’re a part of us. We’re a team,” Chris says.

  “If I was to stay, I still need to know about them. I can handle Ethan, but am I going to be looking over my shoulder for his brothers? How do they play? Do they sneak up? Or are they just going to be up in my face all out there and ready to throw down?”

  “You aren’t going to be handling anyone. The Montgomery brothers are…I wouldn’t say not to be worried,” Ramsey says.

  “I feel like I need a weapon with Reece out there looking for me. That dude is crazy,” I say.

  “Meet your weapons,” Ramsey says with a smirk as he indicates him, Drew, and Chris.

  “You just worry your pretty little ass about turning out these bikes. Leave the rest to us,” Drew says.

  “Yeah, what were you going to do about your job? Did you plan on bailing on me, Lena?” Chris asks.

  I bite my lip. “I hadn't thought about that. Maybe I could work out something—” I don’t get to finish my sentence because my world flips as Ramsey hauls me over his shoulder.

  “Taking you to your room, Lena.”

  “What?” I screech as he carries me towards the house. “I didn’t say I was staying.”

  Drew laughs. “You’re staying. You’re stuck with us.”

  Ramsey sets me down when we make it to the room I was borrowing before I was forced to stay in Kelsoe’s room—not that I minded sharing with him.

  “Get ready for movie night,” Chris says, pointing to a bag of clothes he must have recently bought for me.

  “Don’t even argue, Lenny.”

  With a stupid grin on my dumb face, I watch the guys walk away. I just gave in entirely too easy. It’s almost like I had planned to stay all along.

  Chapter 21

  Everyone is in the same position as the last movie night we had. Leaning against Drew in comfy shorts and a baggy tee, Kelsoe gets up and grumbles something about feeding the dogs just as the movie begins to play, and I find myself worrying that my short absence will cause him to revert to the way he treated me when I first arrived at Neverland.

  “You know Kelsoe was going crazy when you were at Alex’s house,” Drew whispers in my ear. “He cares a lot about you.”

  I turn my head to look at him. “I care about you guys too.”

  Drew sighs. “He really, really cares about you. He has some trust issues when it comes to women.”

  I scrunch my nose. “What? Why are you telling me about his trust issues?”

  He rolls his eyes. “Follow me,” he whispers.

  Even though I think he’s being weird, I follow him into my room.

  “I guess I’m telling you about his trust issues because I don’t want him to have them with you. Not more than he does already. You leaving with Alex fucked him up.” Drew sits on the edge of my bed. “His mom left him when he was six.” He stares at me a moment. “Did you know Kelsoe has a sister?”

  “He does?” My eyes dart to the gray dresser with the chipped paint. “This was her room, wasn’t it?”

  Drew nods. “It was her room.”

  “Did she…” I let my words trail off.

  “She’s still alive.”

  “What happened?”

  “When Kelsoe’s junky mom left, his older sister Autumn stepped up to help take care of him. She’s ten years older. After a few years, she couldn't handle the responsibility anymore. Bob was always working, leaving her to take care of the house and Kelsoe. Autumn dipped out when Kelsoe was eleven. When his mom left, he at least had his sister to help. When his sister left, he had a dad who worked all the time. He loved his sister more than anything. He looked up to her like she was his mother.”

  “She’s not around at all?”

  “They get a text every now and then. She’s in California. In his mind, all women are untrustworthy. Or were. I think you’re changing his perspective.”

  “That’s a lot of pressure on me. And that was just two women. I get that he was hurt, but he can’t blame all women because of those two.”

  Drew rubs the back of his neck. “Well…”

  “Spit it out, Preppy.”

  He sighs. “Stephanie was kind of his first serious relationship, and she did him dirty.”

  “I don’t see what he sees in her. She screams skank. What'd she do?”

  “She wasn't always like that. She used to be pretty cool.” Drew’s face grows serious. “Don’t repeat what I’m about to say. Kelsoe doesn’t like everyone knowing his business.”

  “I won’t say anything, Drew.” I roll my eyes. Like I’m going to talk to Kelsoe about his slutty ex. No thanks.

  “Her and Kelsoe were always close. Everything changed their junior year of high school. Things went fast. One minute, they’re friends, and the next, they’re saying I love you. It was Kelsoe’s first real relationship. He ended up dropping out that year to work full-time. He didn’t really need high school. He’s had his bike business since he was fourteen. Between that and the construction, he makes a nice amount. Senior year, Stephanie got a new group of friends and a new boyfriend. I guess she thought she could keep the new one secret or some shit. Kelsoe saw them out together. One minute, they’re going strong and then”—Drew snaps his fingers—“done.”

  “Damn, that’s messed up. I knew she was devious,” I say.

  “Yeah. He lost it. Beat the guy’s ass. The cops were called. It was messy. He fucked all of her friends after that.” Drew laughs. “That really pissed her off.”

  I quirk a brow. “Really? I didn’t need to know that.”

  “Sorry. But listen, Lenny. He wants to let you in. I saw his face when he first saw you. I saw him on the boat ride back home. He was worried about you. That’s why he went around town asking about you. If you wouldn’t have shown up, I can bet money on it that Kelsoe would have gone looking.” He clears his throat. “I see the way you look at him.”

  “He was an asshole when I showed up. He wanted me to leave. He just backed down because he saw that I wasn’t going anywhere,” I say, dismissing everything Drew’s saying because I’m not ready to hear it.

  “He was scared. He knew you’d fit and that you needed to be here. That freaked him out. He was scared he’d get attached to you and then you’d dip out.”

  “So, what made him change his mind?” I ask.

  “What happened at the party solidified it. I think he felt responsible for what happened to you. If he would have welcomed you from the beginning, you wouldn’t have wandered off alone to bump into Ethan. He wants you here, safe, where he can help protect you.” Drew rolls his eyes. “Don’t say it. I know you can handle yourself, but we’re a family now. We’ve all got each other’s back. You have ours and we have yours.”

  I nod. “We all have each other’s back.” I don’t know what to do with all this information. Does Kelsoe want a relationship with me? I’ve never been in one. I don’t even know if I’m capable of it.

  “You trust us all then?”

  I think about it for a moment. “I want to. I’m trying.”

  “You guys done with the movie?” Kelsoe asks, walking into the room. Suddenly, I feel self-conscious in front of him.

  “Nah, just talking. Headed back now.” Drew gets up and heads back into the living room.

  I tug at my bottom lip not meeting his eyes “I think I’m done. Kinda tired.”

  “Chris and I are headed to the junkyard to look for bikes tomorrow. You wanna come?”

  I look up at him. “Hell yeah, I do. What time?”

  “We’ll leave around eight when they open.”

  “Okay. I’ll be up.”

  I wait for him to leave before lying back on the bed. The thought of creeping into Kelsoe’s ro
om and climbing into his bed flickers across my mind. It’s tempting but jumping him in bed is tempting too. I’m not ready to go there with him.

  Just as I’m closing my eyes, shouting has them flying open. My heart pounds as the shouting intensifies. For a few seconds, I’m frozen, my mind racing with thoughts of intruders. I force my fear aside, climbing out of bed.

  I pull the door open. I can see that all the lights are on in the living room as I peek into the hallway. The guys’ panicked voices have me rushing in, ready to help. My heart stops. Chaos. Time seems to slow as I take it all in. My hand flies to my mouth. Adam’s in bad shape, covered in blood.

  His face is swollen and red. His eyes are closed, and he’s groaning in pain on the couch. Drew’s pacing back and forth. Kelsoe and Chris run in and out of the room bringing supplies: towels, water bottles, and a first aid kit. My attention snaps to the corner of the room where I hear crying.

  Zack’s huddled in the corner, arms wrapped around his knees and rocking back and forth. Time returns to normal, and I jump into action. I rush over to Adam to assess his injuries. He’s clutching his side, so I carefully move his hands out of the way. Drew’s shouting something, and then everyone’s yelling, but I tune them out. It’s hardest to tune Drew out with him right beside me.

  “Drew,” I push him back with one hand while keeping my other on Adam’s wrist to check his pulse, “get Zack out of here.”

  Drew’s too freaked out to help, and Zack doesn’t need to see all this craziness. Poor fucking kid has been through enough.

  “Go, D,” Ramsey says when Drew doesn’t move.

  Drew lets out a string of curses as he and Zack leave the room. With him gone, it’s easier for me to concentrate. Bruising has already formed around his ribs. I carefully feel the area for protrusions. His chest seems to be rising and falling normally.

  “Don’t look at me like this, Lena,” Adam groans. “You’re not going to want in my bed now. I look like shit,” he mumbles, and the fact he’s able to joke is a good sign.

  “I didn’t want in your bed in the first place,” I say jokingly as I feel his abdomen to check for swelling.

  Ramsey’s holding a rag soaked in blood to Adam’s brow.

  “Ramsey, swap that out for a new one and hold pressure,” I tell him hurriedly. “I need a flashlight,” I call over my shoulder, not caring who gets it for me. “Adam, I know everything hurts, but what hurts the most?”

  He groans. “I don’t know. My head?” He takes a couple breaths. “No, I think my ribs.” He moves like he’s trying to turn on his side. “Ah! Fuck! Yeah, my ribs.”

  “They’re probably fucking broken,” Ramsey growls.

  “We need to get him to the hospital,” Chris says, handing Adam two white pills and a glass of water. “Pain meds, dude.”

  A flashlight is shoved towards my face. I quickly grab it. “Adam, eyes open. I need to check them.” I shine the light at his face watching for dilation.

  “That’s a good sign,” Kelsoe says from the back of the couch. He holds his finger in front of Adam’s face. “Follow this.” He moves his finger from left to right.

  “Looks good,” I say, some of the tension leaving my body.

  “I hate dealing with the hospital. They ask too many questions,” Kelsoe says, handing Ramsey a fresh rag.

  Ramsey quickly swaps it out. Adam’s brow is bleeding like a motherfucker, but that’s to be expected. That area tends to bleed a lot. Something about more blood vessels in the head.

  “Are you having chest pain? Trouble breathing?” I ask Adam.

  “No. It just fucking hurts to move. Deep breaths”—he clenches his jaw in pain—“hurt my ribs but not my chest.”

  I look up at Kelsoe. “I don’t think a trip to the ER is needed right now. We can wait a little while and watch his symptoms. No signs of internal bleeding, collapsed lungs, or concussion.”

  “I agree. We’ll wait,” Kelsoe says.

  “What happened?” At my question, the room goes silent. Even Adam holds in his groans. I look up at the guys’ angry faces. They don’t want to tell me, but they’ve given it away.

  “The Montgomerys?” I ask. There’s no way it was just Ethan. He’s weak. “How many?” I ask. “All of them?” When nobody answers me, I stand. “Talk,” I say behind a clenched jaw.

  Still silence. Ramsey is the first to move. He removes the rag from Adam’s brow. The bleeding has slowed, so Ramsey begins cleaning the cut.

  “If you guys won’t tell me, I’ll go find out on my own.” I spin around to do just that, but Chris grabs my wrist before I can leave through the front door.

  “Don’t,” he whispers.

  I narrow my eyes. “I’m a part of this. If anyone needs to know what’s going on, I do.” I point to my chest. “This all started with me.”

  “Not all the Montgomerys.” Adam groans. “Barette didn’t join in, and Joey wasn't there. Barette watched me get my ass kicked though.”

  I swallow. “Fuck.” I run my fingers through my hair. “This is bad.” My foot bounces where I stand. “I need…Fuck.” I’ve been around the Montgomerys a few times. They all look scary as hell. Then there are the rumors that follow them. Lethal. No mercy. Untouchable. “Didn’t Barette exile his sister because she was fucking up? She was getting into drugs. He sent her to live with a family member out of state. The kids are with their grandma. Maybe I could talk to him? He’s the reasonable one.”

  “No,” Kelsoe’s tone is firm, commanding.

  “No? No, what? You don’t think Barette will listen or—”

  “You’re not going with…You’re not going to talk to them.”

  “Going with? When are you going? Or should I say when are you guys going?” I look around the room. They all go together as a team. I guess I’m not a part of that, making Drew’s little talk with me earlier null and void.

  “Don’t think like that. It’s not like that,” Kelsoe says, inching closer.

  “How do you know what the fuck I’m thinking?”

  “I can see it all over your face. Zack isn’t going either.”

  “No shit. He’s a kid. I doubt he’d even want to go.”

  “If he wanted to, would you let him?”

  Without having to think about it, I reply, “Of course. That would be his choice. I’m not going to rule anyone’s life.”

  “If it goes badly, you’ll get hurt.”

  “If it goes badly, you’ll need as much help as you can get.”

  “Reece is sadistic, Lena. It’s a free-for-all when he fights. It won’t matter that you’re a girl,” Ramsey says.

  I already knew that. I’ve heard the stories. He loves to fight. I was at a party last year when he broke his girlfriend’s jaw, but I’m not going to tell them that. “I know he’s dangerous. If I’m a part of this group, then I need all in, or I’m out.”

  “Fuck!” Kelsoe pulls at his hair.

  I’m sure he wants to tie me up right about now. He won’t. He knows I’m serious. I’ll be gone without looking back. Even if it hurts to do so. I notice the brass knuckles on the table. “You guys are going today?” I look at the time. “I mean tonight.”

  “We were going to drop Adam off at the hospital if needed and then go to Stephanie’s party. That’s where they all are. Where Adam was,” Ramsey says.

  It would be good because of all the witnesses, but the Montgomerys would be expecting them to show. The guys come in hot after their boy gets the shit beat out of him: predictable. I chew on my lip. “You’re afraid if you don’t act now, they’ll strike the next time one of you is alone, and you need the numbers if you’re going to take them on. Makes sense, I guess.”

  “Tyler’s on his way,” Chris says, surprising me.

  I haven’t heard much about Tyler besides he’s close to an hour away at college. If he’s coming here, this must be serious.

  “You can stay and watch Adam. Bob’s out of town this week,” Ramsey tells me, and I frown.

  Adam re
ally shouldn’t be left alone, but the guys are going to need me there, and there’s a better chance that Barette will listen to me. “Zack can watch over him. I can tell him what he needs to watch out for. If Adam gets worse, he can call an ambulance.”

  Kelsoe begins pacing back and forth, putting all of us on edge.

  “I think that if I tell Barette what happened, he’ll listen to me. Ethan is no doubt feeding him a bunch of bullshit. If I go alone, that’ll show—”

  “You’re not fucking going alone,” Kelsoe growls, freezing in place.

  “Okay, but if I did—”

  “You’re not.”

  “Let me finish, damn. If I go alone, it’ll look less threatening and they’d be more willing to listen.”

  “Not happening,” Ramsey says.

  “You’re not going alone,” Chris says.

  I cross my arms. “Fine, as long as you all agree that I am going.”

  “If you go and anyone tries to—” Kelsoe takes a deep breath. “If anyone fucking touches you, they won’t be able to use their hands again.”

  “If it comes to a fight, I can handle myself.”

  “You couldn’t handle yourself against David, and he is nothing compared to the Montgomerys,” Kelsoe says, throwing David in my face.

  I feel my face turning red with anger. Kelsoe doesn’t know anything. I did handle myself. I stayed away. And it’s not like I never tried to defend myself. “I got David with a lamp to the face once.” A small smile breaks free even though my throat feels tight. “Got him pretty good. It bled like a motherfucker.” I bite the inside of my cheek, thinking the pain might make the lump in my throat go away. “My mom—I mean, Nancy—freaked out. She was a mess. Hysterical. She acted like he was dying or something. The way she looked at me after I did that.” I shake my head to clear the memory. “I think…I didn’t want to hurt my mom. Crap. Nancy. That’s why I chose to avoid David rather than fight back.” I look up at Kelsoe. “That’s fucked up, right? She never gave a fuck about me. She’s not even my real mom. I shouldn’t have cared that I hurt her husband while defending myself.”