Behind the Secrets (Behind the Lives #4)

by Marita A. Hansen

  Corey grimaced. “She wouldn’t hafta do it if Dad kept away from the TAB. He lost four hundred bucks last week betting on horses. I told him he shouldn’t gamble and he told me to keep my opinions to myself or get out of his house.”

  “There’s no use in talkin’ to him ’bout it, you’ll just piss him off even more, plus it’s his money.”

  “It’s Mum’s too, and Mum doesn’t like it either. I heard them arguing over it. Mum actually yelled at him.”

  Beth raised her eyebrows. “But she never yells.”

  “Well, she did. Do ya think they’ll get a divorce?”

  “Why would ja say that?”

  “They’ve been arguing a lot lately.”

  “No, they love each other, plus Mum always forgives him. She’s a big softie.”

  “True.”

  “I also bet Dad will come grovelling back with some flowers, like he normally does when he’s in the bad books. Next thing, they’ll be kissing and cuddling and grossing you out. So, don’t worry.” Beth sat down next to Corey, giving him a hug and a peck on the cheek.

  Corey shoved her away and wiped his face. “Yuck, why ja do that for?”

  Beth laughed, her brother adorable. He was wearing baggy jeans and a hoodie, which was swimming on his skinny body. He also had on a beanie, which he never took off, due to his hair falling out from chemotherapy. Luckily, Corey was now cleared of cancer, God finally blessing their family with some good news.

  Beth leaned back into the couch. “I thought Mum said she wuz gonna fatten you up.”

  Corey pressed the remote, turning off the TV, which was playing some cop show. “Not gonna happen, I lost my appetite for food.”

  “You don’t still feel sick, do ya?”

  He frowned. “Only over what happened to Sledge.”

  Beth took hold of his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. Corey’s best friend had been shot in the head by Ant Torres after Sledge had tried to rescue Corey from the psycho.

  “Stop cutting yourself up over that,” Beth said. “Sledge is recovering well, plus it wuzn’t your fault.”

  Corey squeezed her hand back, his expression sad. “He still got hurt cos of me.”

  “And I bet he would do it again, cos he loves you.”

  Looking surprised, Corey pulled his hand free. “You know?”

  She smiled. “Of course I do, you two are like brothers.”

  His mouth formed into an O shape.

  She frowned. “Why are you lookin’ at me like that?”

  He dropped his gaze. “Nuthin’.”

  “What’s wrong, Corey?”

  “I said, nuthin’!” He grabbed his crutches and pushed up, wobbling a little.

  Beth got up and steadied him. “Why are you mad at me?” she said, not understanding his reaction.

  “Cos you’re just like Dad.”

  “What’s that s’posed to mean?”

  “He doesn’t like me, and you wouldn’t either if you truly knew me.”

  “Don’t be silly, he loves you and so do I, and nuthin’ will change that.”

  “That’s what you say now,” he said, heading around the footstool.

  Beth followed him into the passage, stopping as he turned to face her.

  “Stop following me,” he snapped.

  “No, I wanna know why you’re so angry.”

  “If I told you, you’d hate me like Dad does.”

  “I told ja, he doesn’t hate you.”

  “Well, he sure as hell acts like it. He can’t even look me in the face. I should’ve just ignored Mum and stayed in the flat, but now I’ve lost it and have nowhere to go. And worse, I can only see Sledge when Mum takes me, cos I can’t drive with this!” he yelled, indicating to his injured foot. His eyes started misting up. “I wanna be with him, and no one gives a shit!” He turned and entered his room.

  Beth followed him in.

  He spun around. “Get out!”

  She held out her hands. “Hun, calm down, you’re just havin’ a bad day.”

  He indicated to his moon boot. “More like a bad fuckin’ year. I wuz beat up, run over, drugged, kidnapped, sexually assaulted, and now they’re saying there’s a chance that Ant Torres could get out if I don’t testify, which I can’t do—”

  “Why can’t you?”

  He opened his mouth, then clamped it shut, something passing over his face, telling Beth he didn’t want to tell her.

  “Corey, why can’t you testify?”

  “I...” He grimaced. “I just can’t, okay. Ant scares the shit outta me, and all I want is for Sledge to hug me and tell me it’ll be all right, but he can barely move his left arm. He can’t even walk to me,” he squeezed his eyes shut, “and it’s all my fault.”

  Beth placed a hand on his arm. “Again, it’s not your fault. And I spoke to the inspector ’bout Ant. He’s confident that the creep will be put away for a long time if you take the stand.”

  Corey opened his eyes. “I told ja, I can’t, why won’t you listen to me?”

  “Cos the inspector—”

  “I don’t care what he says! Ant will hurt us if I testify. You shouldn’t even be talkin’ to the police.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous, of course I hafta talk with them, and Ant can’t hurt us, he’s under house arrest.”

  “That won’t stop him? He’ll pay someone to do it for him.”

  Beth frowned. “Why would you say that?”

  “He...” Corey went quiet.

  “Corey, tell me why you said that.”

  Her brother screwed up his face. “He just will, I know it.”

  “How?”

  “Stop questioning me! And Mum said I didn’t hafta testify. She said that others can take the stand instead of me.”

  “Mum’s tryna protect you, but she can’t, cos you hafta testify. The inspector said your testimony is the only one that isn’t compromised.”

  “I still can’t do it, and even if I could, Ant will be in the courtroom. You know what I’m like. I’ll pro’bly end up blubbering like a baby instead of answering the questions.”

  “You won’t, and you know why?”

  Corey shook his head.

  She directed him to his bed, sitting down with him. “You’ll be doin’ it to get justice for him shooting Sledge.”

  Corey lowered his head, looking sad.

  Beth placed her hand under his chin and lifted it up. “You’ll do great. That creep will get locked away, while Sledge will get better. The doctor said he’s healing faster than expected, and the fact that he can even move his injured arm is a good sign.”

  Corey wiped his eyes and nodded.

  She moved her hand to his back, rubbing it in a circle. “As I said, he’ll be all right, and the trial will go all right too. Plus, I’ll be there, Mum will be there, and the Ratas are coming as well. We’ll all support you.”

  “Dad won’t support me.”

  “Of course he will.”

  Corey mumbled something under his breath and wiped his eyes again. “No matter what we do, Ant will get off. He has too much money.”

  “Money won’t get him off this, especially not after what he did to you.” She placed an arm around Corey’s shoulders and pulled him in close, leaning her cheek against his head, her brother so small. He’d gotten his fine looks from their mother, but his height and paler colouring from his dad … her dad. Although he wasn’t her biological father, he’d brought her up as his own after her birth father had died from meningitis when she was a baby.

  “Plus, the trial isn’t for a while,” she added. “So, you’ll be well and truly prepared by then. Also...” A door closed, cutting her sentence off.

  “Corey? Beth?” their mother called out.

  Beth’s eyes moved to the bedroom doorway as their mother walked through it. She looked like an older version of Beth: her long black hair, hazel eyes, tanned complexion, slim figure, and youthful appearance making her look more like a sister than a mother.

  Their mothe
r’s eyes locked onto Corey. “Oh, baby, you’ve been crying.” She went to her knees and pulled Corey into her arms. “What’s upset you, sweetheart?”

  Corey leaned into her.

  Their mother’s gaze moved to Beth. “What happened?”

  “He misses Sledge and is scared ’bout the trial.”

  Their mother pulled back and took Corey’s face in her hands. “Darling, if you want to see Sledge you just need to ask; and I’m working with the lawyer to make sure they don’t put you on the stand.”

  Beth cut in, “He has to, the inspector said—”

  Her mother cut her off, “Ignore that man. The lawyer said that the Nike boy offered to testify in Corey’s place. He saw what that horrible man did.”

  “Nike’s testimony won’t be as good as Corey’s,” Beth said.

  “Nike isn’t the only one who’ll take the stand. There are a lot of other witnesses. There’s that Kara lady, the undercover policeman they mentioned, as well as Dante. With all of them, Corey won’t need to take the stand.”

  Beth shook her head. “Not Dante, he’s only just got outta the psyche hospital, plus his criminal record and mental health compromises him as a witness.”

  “He was committed?” their mother said, looking shocked.

  “I’m sorry, I should’ve told you, but Jade wanted to keep it a secret. Dante had a breakdown. I brought him home before coming here.”

  “Oh, the poor boy. Will he be okay?”

  “I think so.” Beth placed a hand on her stomach, the morning-sickness refusing to stop. “I needa go to the toilet. I’ll be right back.” She got up and quickly left the room, shutting herself in the toilet. She knelt down and leaned over the toilet bowl, hoping she didn’t throw up, since her mother would ask questions again ... although she knew sooner or later she would have to tell her she was pregnant. She had an appointment for a scan this afternoon, the spotting of blood on her underwear scaring her. At first, when she’d found out she was pregnant, she didn’t want the child, but after the initial shock had worn off, she’d come to consider it a blessing, especially since it was Dante’s. She placed a hand on her stomach, knowing she could’ve lost him if she wasn’t pregnant, the baby saving their relationship.

  She rose to her feet, the threat of throwing up now gone. She just needed to eat something small and she would feel better. She flushed the toilet, pretending that she’d gone for a pee, then opened the door, jolting at the sight of her mother standing in front of her.

  “You’re pregnant, aren’t you?” her mother said. “That’s why you’ve been feeling sick.”

  Beth opened her mouth then closed it, nodding the only reply she could give.

  Her mother covered her mouth, her expression horrified. “How far are you?” she asked, through her hand.

  “’Bout six weeks. I have an appointment this afternoon.”

  “I’m coming.”

  Beth nodded, knowing that would have been her mother’s reply.

  “Which doctor?”

  “Doctor Martin.”

  “Who’s that?”

  “A doctor at Middleton.”

  Her mother frowned. “What’s wrong with our family doctors?”

  “I wuz embarrassed to go to them since I’m not … married.”

  “Is the child’s Dante’s or Ash’s?”

  “Dante’s, of course!” Beth yelled, horrified that her mother would even ask.

  “There’s no need to shout, it’s a reasonable question. After all, you were with Ash not so long ago.”

  “The baby’s Dante’s, we didn’t use protection.”

  “Did you use protection with Ash?”

  “Mum! I can’t talk about this with you, it’s not right.”

  “Of course you can, that’s what mothers and daughters do in situations like this, and how could you not use protection? You should’ve known better, Beth. I really can’t believe you would be so careless.”

  Beth grimaced. “When it comes to Dante I lose all sense. You don’t understand what it’s like to be around him. He’s totally enthralling, captivating...”

  “...and a player.”

  “He is not!”

  Her mother shook her head. “Unfortunately, he is, and what is it with you kids and the Ratas? You all have dated at least one of them.”

  “Only Ash and Dante.”

  “And Juliet and Sledge.”

  “I haven’t dated Sledge, and who went with Juliet? Corey or Naf?” Beth asked, realising a second later she shouldn’t have mentioned Naf.

  Her mother’s face fell, her lips beginning to quiver.

  “Oh, Mum, I’m sorry,” Beth said, hugging her. “I’m sure Naf will be back soon,” at least I pray he will.

  “It’s been almost two months and we haven’t heard a word from him. I’m so scared.”

  Beth hugged her tighter. “Me too.”

  Her mother pulled away from Beth and wiped her eyes, in that moment looking as scared as Corey had, their fine features so similar.

  “Trust me, Mum, he’ll be all right,” Beth added. “He’s pro’bly just blowing off steam over what happened with his girlfriend.” Her mind went to the bitch who’d broken Naf’s heart. Beth hoped that Aroha was suffering in prison. Although Aroha had been jailed for assisting in Ash’s kidnapping, Beth wanted her to suffer even more for using Naf.

  Beth’s mother nodded. “I would know if my baby was hurt, and he’s not,” she said, looking like she was trying to convince herself.

  “I believe you, and again, he’s just blowing off steam, and when he gets back you can tell him off and send him to his room.”

  Her mother laughed, giving her eyes a wipe. “I will.”

  “Now,” Beth said, wanting to distract her mum from Naf’s disappearance. “If you wanna come with me to the doctor’s, we should leave a bit earlier so we can take Corey to see Sledge. He can stay there while we’re at my appointment.”

  “Good idea.” Her mother pulled a face. “But please let me tell your father about the pregnancy. I’ll work on him before he sees you. You know what he’s like, he yells before he thinks.”

  “Okay, Mum,” Beth said, relieved. Although she’d been nervous about telling her mother, she knew her mum would accept it. Her mother was the type that was more concerned with her kids’ welfare than her own beliefs. But her dad was a hothead, lovely, but still a hothead.

  “Good. Now let’s help Corey out.” Her mother headed into his room.

  Beth followed her, feeling like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders ... for the meantime, because without a doubt her father wouldn’t take the news so well, the prospect of him finding out a thousand times scarier.

  Her mother stopped in front of Corey. “We’re taking you to see Sledge, sweetheart.”

  Corey’s face lit up. “Can I stay there the night?” he said, grabbing his crutches.

  “No, baby, Sledge is in a busier ward now.”

  “We can pull the curtains.”

  “Corey! You shouldn’t be doing that sort of thing in a public place.”

  Corey’s face fell. “I didn’t mean that, Mum!”

  “Good, because if you got caught doing the unmentionable in hospital, you’d be in a lot of trouble. Also, I hope you’re using protection, because I don’t want you catching an STD.”

  “Mum! Don’t say that! It’s wrong coming from you.”

  “Don’t be silly, you should be able to talk to me about anything.”

  “I can’t do that, you’re my mum.”

  “Which is all the more reason why you should be able to. If children talked to their parents more they wouldn’t get themselves into such bad predicaments.”

  Corey scowled. “There’s nuthin’ bad ’bout my relationship.”

  “Of course not; I was referring to your brother and sister.”

  Beth grimaced, not happy her mother had mentioned her. “Who’s Corey in a relationship with? Is it Juliet?”

  Their mother glanced back
with a surprised expression, then refocused on Corey. “Haven’t you told Beth?”

  Looking worried, he shook his head, his hazel gaze moving to Beth.

  “Well, you should,” their mother said. “All of the Ratas already know, so Beth will find out sooner or later, and in this case, it’ll be better coming from you.”

  “It’s none of her business.”

  “Corey.”

  “No, she’s just like Dad.”

  “Why am I like Dad?” Beth asked.

  “You’re not very tolerant of differences, love,” their mother said.

  “What are you talkin’ ’bout? Juliet’s nice.”

  “It isn’t Sledge’s sister Corey’s in a relationship with, it’s—”

  “Mum!” Corey yelled. “You promised you wouldn’t tell her.”

  “I was just going to say someone else, and I really think you should tell Beth. If anything, she should know already. I guessed years ago, it was pretty obvious.”

  “Why was it obvious?”

  “The way you looked at—”

  “Don’t say it! And I’m still not telling her, so quit bugging me.”

  “Watch your tone, son! I don’t appreciate it.”

  Corey shrank a little. “Sorry, but I still can’t tell her.”

  Their mother sighed. “We’ll discuss it later, then.”

  “No,” Beth cut in. “I wanna know what’s happening now.”

  “It’s none of your biz,” Corey snapped.

  Beth crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m pregnant with Dante’s baby, so whatever you hafta say can’t top that.”

  Corey’s eyes widened. “You serious?”

  “Yes.”

  “Wow!”

  “Now, tell me your secret.”

  Corey shook his head. “You won’t like it.”

  “I’m not liking bein’ left in the dark either, so spit it out or I’ll ask Sledge if he knows what you’re hiding.”

  Corey grimaced. “I’m gay and Sledge is my boyfriend. Now, top that.”

  She stared at him for a moment, then burst out laughing. “This is a joke, isn’t it?”

  Using the crutches, Corey pushed to his feet. “My relationship with Sledge is not a joke.”

  “No, sweetheart,” their mother said, “I don’t think she meant it like that.”