Chapter 5 .

"Where is Thorn? We have plans to finish." Roxy frantically tapped her nails on the window as she looked over the skyline of the luxury suite.

Maven just sat quietly, watching his fiancée throw another fit. She had been stressed over the wedding planning, but this was getting a little much. "Maybe he got caught in traffic."

"It's Vegas. There is always traffic. He's supposed to be staying at the hotel, and the front desk said he's not checked in yet."

Caly sat up on the edge of her seat. "Do you think he's okay?"

Maven grunted. "An hour ago you said you couldn't stand the sight of him. Now you're worried? Admit it, Caly. You still care about him."

Scrunching up her nose, she frowned at him. "Maybe I do. But if you tell him, I'll rip each and every tooth from your head and sell them on the black market."

"To who? The tooth fairy? Fairy wedding godmother," he teased. "I haven't told him in all these years. Why would I tell him now? Trust me. You are not the only one holding secrets in that situation. Oops... I wasn't supposed to say that."

Both women looked at him, knowing he had juicy gossip, and he was holding out.

Roxy rushed over and gave a sly grin. "Secrets you say?"

Maven got up, shaking his head. "No. No. No. You are not getting it out of me. I made my buddy a promise, and I'm keeping it."

"Sugar baby. You can tell us. We are great at keeping secrets."

((Knock. Knock. Knock.))

"Too late. That's him." Maven stuck his tongue out at the girls and rushed to answer the door. "Hey, bro! We've been waiting for you."

Thorn walked in, seemingly beaten down as he sulked in the room. He ran his hand through his disheveled hair. "Sorry, I'm late. I had something important to take care of. Personal stuff. You know?"

Caly watched as his eyes made their way to her. She said, "Hey."

Thorn nodded his head. "Hey."

Caly walked over to him. "I wanted to say I'm sorry for walking out on you during lunch. It was rude."

Thorn gave her a reassuring smile. Grazing the back of his fingers down her cheek, he gave her a wink. "All's forgotten. I missed you, Caly."

She nudged him with her shoulder. "I guess I missed you too, ya big jerk. Now, can we get on with this? Roxy is about to blow a gasket if we don't get the dates set for everything."

"Yeah. She's sort of a tyrant sometimes."

Roxy picked up a pillow and launched it at Thorn's head, and he dodged it, laughing.

"You better watch yourself, Thornton Prescot. I may be short but I'm wirey. I'll come at ya like a tornado and tear up your trailer park."

"Oooh. I'm so scared of the rabid chihuahua. What are you going to do, Rox? Bite my ankles?"

She giggled. "I just might. Hope you're all up on your shots."

Thorn went over to hug her. "I love ya, you hillbilly princess."

"Damn right and don't ya forget it." Roxy squeezed him tight. "Now. Let's talk about this co-ed bachelor party. Maven and I want to combine both parties. We ain't got no time dilly dallying around. Our wedding will be here in no time."

"We can do that." Caly looked at her books. "Where are you thinking about having it?"

"What are we thinking? You and Thorn are planning it. Best man and maid-of-honor. You just tell us where and when. We'll show up with bells on."

Maven sat back on the couch, grinning like a Cheshire cat at Thorn. His friend's eyes veered over to him, trying to keep the girls from noticing. He knew what they were up to. Trying to force him and Caly together. "I don't think Caly will agree to that."

"I don't mind if you don't."

Thorn looked over to her, seeing her smiling up at him.

"Are you sure you can trust me?"

Caly's head dropped. "I can try."

"That's all I ask."

Roxy slapped her hands together. "Hot damn! It's a plan then. Now. I'm bored with all this wedding talk. Let's go out tonight."

Caly's head whipped around to her friend. That was like asking her to commit murder.

"I... I... I... Ccc... can't. Can't." Her breathing increased, and the panic was written all over her face.

Thorn was the first to notice. "No one will hurt you, Caly."

She looked around the room to each one of them, seeing the pity in their eyes. "I... Roxy?"

"None of that, sour puss face. You are going out with us. The Bella's and the KO team. You came here for a vacation, and you're not staying in the gosh darn hotel room all weekend. Don't make me get our girls in here to set you straight."

Caly looked at Thorn, who was smiling sweetly at her. "Fine. No tricks, Thorn?"

"No tricks."

***

The thought of her being afraid to even have a night out with him and his friends hurt deeply. He knew none of them had anything to do with the prank. Or at least he hoped not. When he found out who really did it, even two years later, he would make them pay. She was still hurting, so it was still relevant to him, even though it was in the past.

He always believed that her injury at the weigh-in event resulted from what happened after that night. Media and fans of the reality show were relentless at their taunts against Caly. The man who attacked her had been stalking her for months.

Thorn couldn't imagine what she must have gone through. But he knew one thing for sure, he wouldn't allow it to happen to his daughter. He would protect little Bella from the media at all costs. He just hoped that his ex-wife didn't ruin that plan going forward.