Chapter 21… Make Me Stronger

Jeff's POV

Things have been going great with Leila and me, but now the news Matt just hit me with about Kara has me worried out of my mind. I don't want to lose Leila, I don't want anything to happen to her, and I will do anything in my power to make sure it doesn't.

"Hey sexy." Leila says walking towards me snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Hey beautiful." I reply grabbing her so tight she winces slightly and I instantly let go.

"You ok?" She asks obviously noting the fear that is encircling me.

"Maybe we should just stay home tonight." I suggest hoping there was some way I could get her to agree. It's not that I want to blow off my friends, but I would feel much safer if Leila and I were home alone tonight.

"Jeffro this is one of the happiest days in Shannon and Harley's life. We both need to be there to help celebrate." I knew she was going to disagree. During my long trips and many days away from home she spent a lot of time with my best friend and his now fiancé.

"Ok." I said turning my face into a large pout.

"What's the matter?" She asks, but I don't want to ruin this night for anyone.

"Nothing, you just look so sexy all dressed up I don't want to share you." I say half lying. It was all true aside from the fact that there was indeed something wrong.

She came over and sat on my lap. Kissing me gently on the lips, then grabbing my hand and leading me out the door. After she had told me everything that had happened with Paul I told her I never wanted her to feel weak with me. Anything she wanted she stood up for now, and I couldn't me more proud of her for that.

We made our way to the restaurant which was a favorite of all our friends. As we greeted everyone in the lobby we were quickly seated. I kept glancing over to Kara with a look that could kill. I wasn't going to let this woman try to ruin Leila's life without putting up a fight for her.

Leila's POV

Something was off with everyone tonight. Jeff and Matt seemed on edge and Kara looked depressed. We were all supposed to be here celebrating with happiness and cheer; it looks more like a funeral than a party right now. I nudge Harley and then claim I need to go to the restroom, she follows behind me.

"Harley do you get the sense that something is up with Jeff and Matt today?"

"Yeah they both seem kind of jumpy tonight. What's going on?" I'm glad that she noticed it as well, as least it means that I am correct with my suspicions.

"I'm not sure, but I have an idea on how to find out. I think if we get Kara alone she'll know something. After dinner on the way to Las Palmas the three of us can take on car and the guys can go in the other."

"Ok she agreed easily." What ever was going on I was going to find out. I wasn't going to let Harley and Shannon's celebration get ruined.

As we got back to our seats our food came. It was oddly silent during our meal. Normally Jeff, Matt and Shannon were lively and funny, but everyone was off beat today. I hoped we could figure out the problem before the night was over. As we got outside Harley and I lit our cigarettes and grabbed the keys from Shannon.

"Girls in one car and guys in the other." I announced, Shannon was easy to agree. Jeff and Matt looked more than worried, but didn't say much in the complaining department. This was our chance to figure out what the hell was going on.

As we got into Shannon's hummer, we all looked so small in the large interior. Instead of flipping through the stations on the radio I immediately shut it off.

"So Kara, What's up?" Harley said. Obviously the way her night was going began to tick her off. No one should ruin this for her,

"What?" Kara said looking like a deer caught in the headlights. Something was up and she knew what it was.

"What's the deal with everyone tonight? You look like someone just died…"

"Not yet." She tried to mumble, but to me it came out clear as crystal.

"Do you have something to say?" I asked. I may be a small girl, and she maybe a trained wrestler, but I would put up a fight if necessary.

"No… nothing." She said lowering her head to cower like a dog.

"Listen Kara we've been nothing but nice to you, but obviously something is up that Jeff and Matt both know about. If they're mad at you we may be the only people that can help now." I said to her looking behind me from the front seat. As she lifted her head so I could see her face I saw the tears that she was trying hard to fight back. The girl looked oddly familiar to me now.

"I'm… I'm… so… sorry…" She said between sobs. I felt bad, I could feel her pain. But what was going on I still didn't know.

"Kara what are you sorry for? What's going on?"

"Paul…" How did she know Paul? I never once mentioned or talked about him in front of her.

"How do you know Paul?" I asked getting very nervous.

"He… his…."

"Calm down Kara. Take a deep breathe and tell us what's happening." Harley said in a calm but stern voice.

"I know his best friend Keith. He wants to… to hurt you Leila." Harley slammed on the brakes as she pulled over to the side of the road. She turned around to face Kara.

"How do you know all of this Kara?" Harley questioned.

"I…he…he's my boyfriend." She's been playing Matt. I wanted to hit her, but Harley beat me to it. She smacked her right across the face as without hesitation turned the car back onto the road and floored it to our destination.

"We're gonna meet up with the guys and let them know what's going on. Then you are going to tell us what you know Kara. Then maybe I would beat the shit out of you. Maybe I will let you runaway. You bitch." Harley said causing Kara to tear up again. This wasn't the response I would expect out of someone who's been using us all to get to me.

"Wait Harley slow down for a second." I said to her and she did.

"Don't even tell me you feel bad for her because she's crying Lei."

"Just give me a second to talk to her."

Harley parked the car at Las Palmas club and got out. She sat on the bumper waiting for me to get out of the car when I was ready.

"Kara why are you doing this?"

"What choice do I have Leila? Run away like you did? Did it help at all?" She spoke the words of pure truth. What did I accomplish by getting away from Paul. He found me. I'll never be able to get the things he did to me out of my mind, but I'm happy now. I'm happy with my new friends and Jeff.

"Listen Kara you could help me and help yourself. Turn him in. Please."

"He'll get out and find me just like Paul did to you."

"No he won't we're going to work all this out. Will you help me? Can you leave him for good? Put him away for good?"

"I…I have no where to go." She said and she was right. If she told everyone else what was going on no one would want to talk to her. But this needed to be done.

"You can stay here with us. I will talk to everyone. Please for me?" She sat there silent.

"For Matt."

Author's Note: Two Chapters for you to read since it's all rainy and crappy here in MA today. Hope you have a great weekend. xoxo Melissa