(13) Secrets Revealed


After Maria left Michael and Liz behind she went off to look for Mark. She looked all around the downstairs area but could not find him anywhere. So she went upstairs. As she past one of the first rooms she heard voices raised in laughter. One of them sounded like Mark. She was about to knock on the door when the next sentence of their mouth made her pause.

“Man tapping that virgin a** felt great.”

“That wasn’t fair man. She’s my girlfriend. I should’ve had first go.” That sounded suspiciously like Jeff Carter. She pressed her ear closer to the door.

“Hey man I had nothing to do with that. It was Liz’s idea that I go first. She felt that it would have been much sweeter that way.” Came Mark’s voice again.

“Is she absolutely sure that Kyle won’t find out. I don’t relish dying.” Said a third voice that Maria could not place.

“Nah man, Kyle won’t find out unless Tess tells. And I doubt Tess will. We put the fear of God in the little tease.” Came Jeff’s answer.

“So anyway,” Mark started, “Michael says that he wants to taste that tease Maria next.”

“Liz isn’t going to go for it.” Said the third guy. “She’s way…” That’s all Maria could stomach to here. She couldn’t believe it. Those assholes raped Tess and that bitch Liz had something to do with it. They were going to pay.

Maria was not a real close friend of Tess but she’s always found her to be a really nice person. How could they hurt someone as sweet as her? Her first thought was to find Kyle and tell him but she realized that that wouldn’t be a great idea. He might do something that he would regret later. Though those assholes deserved whatever was coming to them.

She turned and ran back downstairs. She rushed out of the house and immediately plowed into Max. “Maria why are you in such a hurry?”

She looked wildly up into his eyes. “Have you seen Tess around?”

He looked down at her in concern. “I think I saw her and Isabel drive off in Alex’s car about five minutes ago. Why what’s wrong?”

“Can I use your cell please? It’s really important.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. She dialed the number to Isabel’s cell and walked a few paces away from Max so he couldn’t hear the conversation. Isabel answered on the first ring.

“Hello?”

“Isabel it’s me, Maria. Is Tess with you?”

“Yes she is. What’s wrong Maria?”

“I just over heard some guys talking about her, about what they did to her. Isabel is it true?” Maria asked with tears in her voice.

“Hold a moment Maria.” Isabel looked over at the sleeping girl next to her. Then she spoke again. “Yeah it’s true. I came up on her when she was in the restroom after it happened. She doesn’t want anyone to know, especially not her brother.”

“But Isabel she needs to tell someone. I think I know who’s all involved. I don’t know what to do.” Maria stated.

“Me neither. On one hand I don’t want to go against her decision, after all it’s her choice. But on the other, she needs to tell the police. Those responsible need to be punished.”

Maria nodded but then realized that she was on the phone. “You’re right. It is her decision. I just wish… I don’t know. Have you taken her home yet?”

“Yeah we just left her house. Now we’re on the way to my house. Her parents aren’t home and she didn’t want to be alone. Do you want to come over?”

“Yes. I’ll be over there as soon as possible.”

“Okay and if Kyle asks where Tess is tell him that she decided to spend the night with me. Tell him we’re making it a girls night.”

“Okay, will do. Talk to you later.”

“Kay, later.” Maria hung up and walked back over to where Max was looking at her with a perplexed expression. “What was that all about?” He asked troubled.

She shook her head. “I can’t say. It’s not my problem to share. Max can you take me home please?”

“What about your date?”

“My date is an ass and so are his friends. Let’s find Kyle and Alex first before we leave.”

“Look no further. Here we are.” Kyle said. “Have y’all seen my sis?”

Maria cringed at not being able to tell Kyle about the pain his sister was probably going through right now. “She went home with Isabel. We’re having a girls night.”

“I wish she would have told me she was leaving. I was looking all over for her.” Kyle fussed. “Sometimes I don’t know what to do with that girl. Gosh I feel like I’m her dad or something.”

Alex looked at him and grinned. “Now do you understand why I’m so overprotective of my sis? If you had seen me kissing Tess like you were kissing Isabel wouldn’t you have pushed me in the pool?”

Kyle yelled. “Hell yeah. Whitman you better not be thinking about pushing up on my sister or man I’m going to kick your ass.”

Maria whimpered at that. She pitied those guys if Kyle ever found out what they did. If he wanted to kick Alex’s ass for just thinking about kissing Tess then what was he going to do to the guys who raped her. She shook her head at the brutal image that came to mind. All pity for them was pushed aside when she thought about how they raped an innocent girl and were planning on doing the same to her.

She grabbed Max’s hand, seeking comfort from his warmth. “Max I would like to leave now.”

He looked down at her noticing the strained look in her eyes. “Okay, Maria. I’m ready.”

He walked her to his jeep and held the door open for her. He got in on his side and started up the car. He noticed the way she gripped his hand as soon as it was free again. She held on tight to him and wasn’t about to let go.

“Maria is there anything I can do to help Maria? Are you in some kind of trouble?”

She shook her head. “I can’t talk about it right now Max, but there’s nothing wrong with me.” She looked up into his face and gave him a tentative smile. “As soon as I can I’ll explain all to you.”

He nodded at that. “Okay. Just know that I’m here for you whenever you need me.”

“I know you are. You’ve always been there for me. And it might not seem that I’ve appreciated you before but believe me when I say that I do. I love you Max.”

He smiled. “I love you too Ri.”

They continued the rest of the drive in silence. Each lost in their own thoughts.