Page 26 of The Secret's Out

Cameron glared up at Josie’s boss and said, “You’re picking the wrong side, Marybeth.”

“No, boy.” She shook her head sadly. “You are. You can’t keep hiding behind your daddy all your life.”

We all moved back when Cameron started to shift out of the booth. Caden quickly placed Josie behind him and stood with his arms over his chest. I was surprised when they all left quietly, his mates following behind like the sheep they were.

As soon as the front door closed after them, Josie stepped out and started, “Marybeth—”

Only Marybeth put her hand up in Josie’s face. “Don’t want to hear it. I should have done something a long time ago. I saw what he did to you, the way you’d enter your shell when he was around, but I didn’t have the balls to do anything...until now. You keep these boys close, Josie.”

“But don’t you understand, you standing up to him in front of people...he could—”

“I don’t care what he can do. No longer, sweetpea, okay. This place is safe for you. Now get your arse home. Take the evening off.”

With worried eyes, Josie sent Marybeth a small appreciative smile and started for the door. Caden was right behind her and I would have been until a small hand wrapped around my arm to halt me.

Turning, I faced Marybeth and then I was shocked for the third time that day when she whispered, “For the first time, that girl out there came into work with a skip in her step and a smile upon her beautiful face. Not until I saw the two of you come in here and do what you did for her did I know why her mood suddenly changed. I wish I had the guts a long time ago to rip that boy a new one like you just did, but I didn’t. Thank you, kid. Thank you for bringing the Josie I knew she could be to the front. Thank you for being such a badarse and teaching that boy a lesson. However, I’m not sure that boy is smart enough for that lesson to sink in. Tell me, you boys are sticking close to her?”

“We ain’t goin’ anywhere until her shit is done. Or at all.”

She nodded to the floor and then looked back up and met my stare. “Does she know you both love her?”

My head flinched back an inch in shock.

What. The. Fuck.

Marybeth giggled and then sobered. “Kid, it’s written all over your face, and his. You give her time and I swear, from what I saw today, she will love you both back just as hard.” My nose screwed up. How could an old lady think it was right for Josie to love two guys?

Marybeth scoffed in my face. “Don’t look like that. Josie is full of heart and warmth. That girl has been living on the doorstep of hell. There’s something in her eyes that tell me as much. She deserves happiness and, if the two of you can give that to her, then everyone will understand. If no one gets it...fuck’ em. Fuck anyone who thinks different.”

That was when I burst out laughing.

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