The next week Renata was back home. Payton stayed with her until her mom returned. "Thanks Payton for everything. You didn't have to do this." Renata said giving Payton a hug. "I told you it was nothing. Actually, I needed some company myself. With my dad gone sailing and Jake searching for Jenny, I'm alone." Payton replied.
"You know, you can stay here with me and my mom." Renata suggested.
"Sure! Sounds liked fun."
"It'll be fun. You know, I've got four tickets to see Maroon 5 at Madison Square Garden."
"Are you serious!"
"Did I mention backstage passes?"
"Oh my God! We have to buy outfits." Payton's eyes lit up.
"You sure? I know how that was your thing with Brooke." Renata hung her head.
"It's cool, really. How are we getting to the concert?"
"Flying. My uncle works for American Airlines."
"So it's you, me, Lucas and..." Payton asked.
"I don't know. If we don't think of anyone soon, I'll sell the ticket."
"Did you tell Lucas yet?"
"Nope! He'll find out soon enough." Renata laughed.
The two started to make plans. Soon Renata's mom returned from her business trip. "Hey girls. Oh my God, sweetie what happened to your head?" Her mom asked. "I had a pretty nasty fall. I'm okay." Renata lied. "Hi Ms. Cassandra." Payton waved. "Oh hey Payton. I'm sorry. I didn't see you there." Cassandra replied. Renata filled her mom in on Payton's stay in the house. "You need to come outside!" Payton shouted.
"I'm not going anywhere looking like this." Renata pointed to her head.
"You have to. Don't you wanna see Lucas!"
"He can come see me."
Cassandra walked up to Renata with the newspaper in her hand and asked, "What is this?" She was holding last weeks paper with Dan's mug shot. "I didn't want to worry you mom. I'm fine. He didn't rape me. Lucas saved me. All I got was a bump on the head." Renata looked at her mom. "He's being held without bail, right?" Cassandra asked. "Yes. Trial starts next month." Payton added. Renata walked up to her mom and looked her in the eye and said, "I swear nothing happened." The tender moment was interrupted by a knock on the door. Payton looked through the peephole and saw Lucas. "Am I interrupting something? I hope not because I'm famous for that kinda thing." Lucas walked in the door. Payton led him upstairs and he gave Renata a kiss and Cassandra a hug. "Lucas, whatever you do, don't call me 'mom', okay?" Cassandra laughed and continued, "On the other hand, I would like to that you for saving my daughter's life and keeping her in one piece." Lucas gazed into Renata's eyes and said, "It was nothing, really."
The tension died downand Cassandra went to take a nap. "I'm gonna go pick up some things from my house. I'll be back in a flash." Payton walked down the stairs and and out the door. Lucas hugged Renata and squeezed her. "You're coming to see Maroon 5 with me and Payton. You know anybody who wants to come? I have an extra ticket." Renata said freeing herself from Lucas' grip. He sat down and threw his head back and started thinking. Renata went to the kitchen while Lucas was thinking. She reached in the fridge and grabbed a bottle of orange juice. The phone rang and it was Nathan. "Hey what's up buddy?" She asked sipping her juice. "I just got a call from Haley." He replied.
"Yeah? What did she say?" Renata folded her arms.
"She's begging me to take her back. I think it's just an act."
"Well I don't know what to say. You want to talk to Lucas?"
"Wow! Did he spend the night?" Nathan sighed.
"Actually I just got out of the hospital a couple of days ago."
"What the hell happened?"
"Your dear father tried to rape me. I got a nasty bump on my head." She laughed.
"Are you okay?" Nathan paniced.
"Lucas saved my ass. Payton stayed with me. My mom just got back today. I'm okay."
"That asshole! I'm gonna kill him."
"Better get to him before my mom does."
"Hey, let me talk to Luke."
Renata yelled for Lucas. He came running down the stairs and picked up the phone. "Hey man, how's it's hanging?" Luke asked. "I'm good besides the fact that Haley just called trying to win me back. Other than that and my Dad being a rapist, I'm super thanks for asking." Nathan answered.
"You taking care of yourself?"
"Yes mom."
"Very funny."
"Dude, it's crazy down here. It's so awesome. But seriously, take care of Renata."
"I am. Trust me. Do you guys get breaks from camp?"
"Renata has an extra ticket to a concert. Wanna come?"
"Is it a weekend?"
"I guess. Most likely. Yeah she's nodding."
"Kool. Call me laterwith the details. I gotta go."
"See you later man."
Renata wrapped her arms around Lucas and kissed his cheek. "You have to get out of this house." Lucas shouted laughing. "Not a chance in hell. Not with this bump on my head." Renata yelled for the world to hear.
"Oh come on,"
"I'm wearing a huge hat." She agreed.
"I might have to give you a little treat later."
"Has someone been a bad boy."
"Not lately. Maybe tonight I will be."
"Lucas,don't tease me!"
"That comes later."
Renata went upstairs to brush her hair and put on a big hat just like she said. Just as Lucas and Renata were walking out the door Payton was coming in. "Look Payton, I finally got her to come out of the house." Lucas laughed. "Good job Luke. Is this a lovers outing or is this a friendly outing?" Payton asked. Lucas and Renata looked at eachother and Renata said,"Come on. I have him to myself tonight." They took Renata's Navigator bacause they couldn't fit in Lucas or Payton's car. "Should you be driving? With your head and all..." Payton asked. Renata didn't want to argue so she pulled over and let Lucas drive. She wasn't to happy about. "I know I'm going to regret this but, we're going to the mall." Lucas said looking at Renata's sad face. They pull up to the parking lot and parked the truck. "Okay, what's the problem?" Lucas asked, "I didn't want to leave the house and you two drag me out here and I couldn't even drive my own truck! I have a bump on my head. I'm fine! Lucas, you want to fuck me tonight but I can't drive a car!" Renata hopped out the truck and walked into the mall. Lucas and Payton ran after her.
