Rumor Has It (Limelight) by Elisabeth Grace

they know we were here?”
    “Fuck if I know. Someone must have called them.”
    “But who would do that?”
    I chuckled because she sounded genuinely confused. Her naivety was endearing. “Anyone who wanted to earn a few bucks. One of the cops, our driver. Could’ve been anyone.”
    Her jaw dropped and her eyes widened. “That’s horrible. With all that you’re dealing with, your mom…that’s cruel.”
    I shrugged. “I’m used to it.”
    She scooted closer to me, our hips touching and she grabbed my hand with a squeeze. “You shouldn’t need to be.” She leaned her head on my shoulder.
    I turned to kiss the top of her head.
    “Where are we going?” she asked.
    “I want to stop by and see my brother and sister for an hour before we leave. Is that okay with you?”
    “Of course. I can wait in the car.”
    I shifted away and her head came up off my shoulder. I could see she was serious, which only pissed me off more.
    “You’re not waiting in the car, Ellie. You’re coming in the house.”
    “Oh…okay. I wasn’t sure if you’d want me meeting your family, that’s all.”
    Did she think she was my dirty little secret or something? I tucked her back under my arm. “Of course I do.”

 
    CHAPTER THIRTEEN
     
    We pulled up to a set of wrought iron gates and Mason hopped out of the car briefly to enter the security code. He told the driver to continue along the road until he reached the main house. We passed a smaller dirt road that forked off to the right.
    “What’s down that way?” I asked.
    “That road leads to the stables.”
    Of course. The stables. How stupid of me.
    After a meandering drive down the road past rolling hills of green we pulled into a circular driveway. We got out of the car and I stood staring up at an enormous ranch house that looked like it could span the length of a football field.
    “This is your house?”
    “Technically, but I bought it for my family. I’ve never lived here.” He placed a hand at the base of my neck. I was starting to really like that habit of his. “Come on. Let’s go inside.”
    We walked through a large set of wooden double doors into an expansive entryway. The home looked to be a nice mix of wood cabin meets contemporary with large exposed logs leading up to the cathedral ceiling but modern-looking slate flooring. A wide hallway ran between twin staircases at either side of the foyer.
    The sound of bare feet slapping against tile came from the back of the house, getting closer and closer. A young boy and girl ran into view. The little boy resembled Mason a bit with the same dark hair and jawline, but his eyes were dark brown. I guessed him to be about ten. The little girl looked maybe six or seven and had green eyes more reminiscent of Mason’s but dark blond hair pulled back into a ponytail.
    “Mason!” they shouted in unison. They plowed into him, hands extended, and almost knocked him over with their exuberance. Mason’s face lit up. He hugged them fiercely back, then turned to face me.
    “Olivia and Justin, this is my friend Ellie. Ellie, this is my brother and sister.”
    “Hi, Ellie.” Olivia said, jumping up and down on the spot.
    Justin smiled at me then turned to Mason again. “We thought you were Mom coming home. She didn’t come home last night.” He looked worried.
    “I know, buddy. Mom wasn’t feeling well so she went to the hospital to get looked at. She’s feeling better now so she should be home soon.” Mason ruffled Justin’s dark hair and Justin leaned in to give Mason another hug.
    “Let’s go in the living room. I want to show Mason the new dolls Mom got for me,” Olivia said. Justin didn’t seem to like that idea because he rolled his eyes at his little sister. Olivia grabbed Mason’s hand, tugging him in the direction they’d come from.
    The group of us made our way through the large foyer past an open dining room. The table looked like it could seat twenty. We entered a large living room decorated in