Kelley spent the next week in the hospital before he was discharged and he walked into the lobby of the hospital to find half of the football team waiting for him along with Jesse. Applause rang out and the guys all slapped Kelley on the back. Even Lee gave him half a smile.“There he is!” Jesse grinned and gave him a bear hug.“What are you all doing here?”“You’re officially Public now.” Arlo’s voice was slightly over confident.“It took me getting beaten up to be official. I didn’t know I was your type, O’Neill.” Laughter rang out around them and Arlo grinned broadly.“You’re not that hot, Kelley.”They all walked to the parking lot with Mason carrying Kelley’s bag and Kelley was surprised to see his Escalade in the parking lot. The guys all made their way to various vehicles, some of which didn’t look roadworthy at all, and drove off with well wishes.“Thanks, Mason … for everything.”“You’re welcome, Kelley, I mean it. Now, it’s time to take you home.”Kelley froze in his steps a

“No! Don’t touch me!”Kelley, Mason and Lee jumped up at the same time as Marella’s scream came from upstairs. Lee was the biggest and he physically pushed them out of his way as he ran up the stairs. Mason stopped and chuckled and Kelley grinned.Kelley and Mason stood just inside the room watching Lee as he held and soothed Marella. She was crying and Lee’s hand soothed over her hair and down her back. She was bunched up on his lap and he spoke soothingly to her.“You’re okay, I won’t let them touch you ever again.”Mason turned towards Kelley and whispered. “If I didn’t know any better I’d say Lee likes her.”“I can hear you, Mason.”“I was whispering!” Mason looked perplexed and Kelley moved towards the bed.“Don’t touch her, Kelley. I’ve got her.”Kelley stood his ground. “You okay, Marella?”“I said I’ve got her.” Lee looked angry and Kelley took a step backwards with his hands raised in surrender.“I’m okay, Kelley.” Marella’s voice was soft but clear.“Lee …”“Piss off, Mason.

Back in the car Mason started to laugh and Kelley glanced over at him. “What?”“Did you know your so-called friend uses no-hair products?”“Why would I know that?” Kelley’s frown spoke volumes, he didn’t want Mason to answer that question.Lee gave a half smile from the back seat. “What did you do, Mason?”“I mixed it with his hair gel.”They all laughed at the image of Hanson’s hair falling out in clumps as Mason drove back to lower Yorkdare Bay. They settled in the living room with a clear view of the dining room where Marella sat doing her homework.“There will be retaliation.” Lee’s voice was low even though Marella had her earphones in her ears.“The way they think … they’ll try to hit us where it hurts the most … Marella.” Kelley glanced at her.“We already foiled that plan but nothing stops them from coming after her again.”“Not if we strike again … before they can retaliate.” Mason smiled as he said that.Lee’s interest was piqued now. “How?”Kelley pulled his ringing phone f

Lee turned his head away from her. She more than liked him. He didn’t know how to respond. Lee stiffened as Marella’s hand landed on his arm. He gritted his teeth and clenched his eyes shut. Marella removed her hand and Lee started the car. Marella stared out of the window with her heart in her throat. Lee wasn’t a talker or a toucher, he never touched her and the only time he had was that night with the fight, to prove his claim on her. She wasn’t sure what claim that was though. The night Lee had stopped next to the road to help her change that tyre had been a turning point in her life. She’d liked the quiet, broody boy. He was huge and at first she’d been frightened when he loomed over her. “Give me that,” Lee had said and then proceeded to change her tyre. He could text just fine but speak? He couldn’t hold a conversation and he preferred to just watch and listen. She was completely in love with him, since that first morning when she woke up to find him asleep on the floor next

Kelley stewed with the news for two weeks, not saying a word and knowing that Carey wouldn’t say anything either. It was hard to make peace with all the facts that he now knew. He hadn’t touched the money John had given him but he knew what he wanted to do.“Campbell.”“Hi, it’s Kelley.”“Hi, Kelley, I’m glad you called. How are you holding up?”Kelley took a big breath and chuckled. “It’s surreal but I wanted to ask you something.”“Shoot.”“Can I buy property through my trust, meaning with the money in the trust?”“Of course you can. Property is seen as an investment. Send me the portfolio of the property and we can talk after I’ve talked to the owner of the building.”“It’s a warehouse down by the docks, it’s been empty for years and I don’t know who the owner is.”John was quiet for a few seconds. “A warehouse? What do you want with a warehouse?”“It’ll be a base of sorts, it also holds sentimental value for us, for me. I can send you the address.”“Okay, do that and I’ll try to f