Quarter of a Century- Part 5

Taking over from Sandra Dailey is author Erin Bevan.

“Whose suitcases are those?” Lana pointed to the oversized bags by the door.

“Whose do you think?” Maddie wiped a tear from her eye.

Her friend did have a point. The bags, bright pink with flowers all over them, didn’t look like something Ray would strut down any airport runway with.

That only left Sophie.

Where the heck was Ray anyway? Despite her wish to not think about his kiss, her lips still tingled.

“Sophie walked in the door while you were having an argument with double-the-fun over there.” Maddie cocked her head toward Sabrina and Kyle, the two still bickering about their deep dark secret.

At this point, Lana didn’t even know if she cared what their secret was anymore. If Maddie’s bags were by the door that meant her mother had called and spun some bull crap excuse for why Maddie had to return ASAP. And Maddie, like the loving, caring soul she was, of course would hop on the first flight back home. No questions asked.

Sophie turned out of the bathroom. “I guess it’s a good thing I didn’t get to unpack yet, huh?” She shrugged like the fact that she had to leave was no big deal. “And I really liked Greg. I hate we couldn’t get something more started.”

“Greg? You mean pork pie hat?” Maddie asked.

“Ha! Yeah, him.” Sophie’s phone pinged and she checked the readout. “Ah, it’s my mother again. Says she’s having a really bad day, really needs me by her side.” Sophie shot off a quick text Lana was sure were words of comfort until Sophie made it home in person.

Maddie gave Lana a concerned glance.

“Sophie, honey, come sit by me, please.” Lana held her hand out for her friend to come join her. “We really need to talk to you, babe.”

Sophie stared at Lana then pivoted her gaze to Maddie before tears welled in her eyes. “I’m so sorry, guys. I don’t want to leave, but I have to. My mom needs me.”

“Soph, what your mom needs is help. Professional help.”

“I know, but that’s expensive, and I can’t afford it, and God knows she can’t. If I don’t go home, she might start popping pills again. I had hoped she would be okay while I was gone, but I was kidding myself. She’s a mess, and she’s making my life a mess.”

The men flying in and out of Sophie’s life began to make more sense to Lana.  It wasn’t that she wanted a bunch of guys in her life. She just wanted an escape. And since she was beautiful, with long flowing red hair, and green eyes that would make any emerald jealous, guys flocked to her. Their attentions helped her think of something other than her mom, if even for a brief time.

“Sophie, sweetie.” Ray knelt down in front of her.

Where had he come from? Lana glanced at him, but he seemed to be avoiding eye contact with her. Or at least that’s what it felt like, but this wasn’t about her. This was about Sophie. Still, she couldn’t help the shards of jealousy that nicked her heart.

“Sophie, there are rehabs that take patients no matter their income. I’m sure we can find a place for her.” He gripped Sophie’s hands in his and rubbed his large thumbs over the tops of her hands. A friendly, yet intimate act. Lana pulled her friend in closer for a side hug, irritated with herself for being jealous of something so stupid at such an inconvenient time

“You think so?” Sophie asked between sniffles.

“Of course, sweetie,” Lana said, thankful Sophie and everyone else seemed to be completely unaware of the jealous rage soaring inside of her.

This is about Sophie.

“We can all help you find a place for her,” Lana continued. “That can be our mission tonight. Googling rehabs, and if you must go, I’ll go back with you.”

“Me too,” said Maddie. “I wanted this trip for us to spend some time together before…well that doesn’t matter, but my point is we don’t have to be here, in this place. We can be anywhere.”

Before? Lana opened her to mouth to ask what Maddie meant, but Sabrina’s whine cut her off. 

“Wait, you guys are leaving?” Sabrina asked as she and Kyle walked into the living area.

Lana noticed Kyle’s gaze as it traveled to Ray, and in particular Ray’s hands comforting Sophie. If Lana wasn’t mistaken, she could have sworn she saw Kyle’s jaw soften. 

“Sophie’s mom is in trouble, and so that means Sophie needs us right now. Her mom needs to be admitted to a rehab center and we are going to help her. Whether that means we do it from right here in this living room, or from her home, we are going to help,” Maddie said very matter of fact. “You can help or not.”

Sabrina sucked in a breath at Maddie’s tone toward her. While Sabrina deserved the attitude, none of them had ever given it to her. Mostly for Kyle’s sake. But if the two aren’t together anymore…

“Of course, we’ll help,” Kyle said, speaking for the both of them.

Surprise. Surprise. Whatever his secret is, he can’t seem to cut ties with her.

Sabrina cocked Kyle a side-glance that said she had no such desires, yet she didn’t back down. Probably because she would still be sticking around to help Sophie and Sabrina couldn’t have Lana and Kyle together without her supervision. So stupid.

Despite Kyle’s good looks or her deep-rooted attraction to him, all he proved to do was irritate her. If he couldn’t truly stand up to his ex and tell her to take a hike, then she didn’t need or want to hear anything he had to say.

And as far as Ray goes, their kiss was amazing. No, not amazing. Flipping magical. Like fireworks shooting out of her ears magical, and here he kneeled twelve inches away from her and wouldn’t so much as give her a second glance.

What the heck was happening?

“Guys.” Maddie gathered everyone’s attention. “While everyone is here, together, and the moment is so serious, I guess now is as good of time as any to tell you my news…”

Now it’s up to you readers. Which way should the story go?

A.)Maddie tells the group her serious news.

B.) Kyle interrupts, ready to tell his and Sabrina’s secrets.