Vengeance by Kelly Carrero

Gemma followed her, looking as though she’d just had the “you behave or else” talk.
    “I feel like I’ve been given a new lease on life.” Grandma had a twinkle in her eye as she thought about how the pains of old age had completely disappeared after the transfusion.
    “So everything’s good then, is it?” I asked as Mum put the tray on the coffee table.
    “Better than I could’ve ever dreamed of,” Grandma said. “And I owe it all to you. Whatever you have running through your veins feels like it’s the fountain of life that we’ve all been searching for.”
    I laughed. “Well, I just hope for your sake, and ours, that it doesn’t wear off.”
    She laughed. “So do I.”
    Gemma handed me a cup of coffee. When I stared at the coffee, she said, “I didn’t spit in it if that’s what you’re thinking.”
    “Gemma, don’t be so vulgar,” Mum said as she passed out the mugs.
    “You better not have.” I wished I was able to penetrate her thick head and see if she was lying.
    When Mum wasn’t looking, a smirk crept across Gemma’s face. After finding out Nathan had been drugging my coffee, I wasn’t about to take any chances. For all I knew, she could have put some illicit street drug in there because she wanted to see what would happen. Or maybe it was payback.
    “Yeah, I think I might go make my own,” I said, getting up.
    “Jade, really?” Mum said. “I was right there when she made it.”
    “Still going to make a new one,” I said as I walked into the kitchen. “Chels, Aiden, do you guys want a new one, too?”
    “I’m good,” Aiden said.
    “Yeah, I’ll take my chances,” Chelsea called. “And if anything happens to me, you’ll kick her arse, won’t you?”
    “Chelsea,” Mum scolded.
    “Bet your arse, I will.”
    Grandma chuckled. I felt sorry for her for having spent so many years without anyone in her life, and I wished we could’ve been there for her—especially after her husband died.
    Once I had made a new coffee that I was sure was safe… well, as safe as I could hope for, I made my way back into the lounge. I sat between Aiden and my grandma again. “Hope Chelsea hasn’t been telling you any more bad things about me.”
    Grandma laughed. “No, dear. She hasn’t.”
    “No, that stuff is going to come out when you’re not around to spoil my fun,” Chelsea joked.
    I turned to Mum. “Is Harry here yet?” I wanted to spend more time getting to know my Grandma, but I needed to get those drugs out of my system.
    “One boy’s not enough for you?” Gemma asked.
    “Ew,” I said, thinking how old Harry probably was. Aiden tensed beside me.
    “Gemma,” Mum said, as I put my hand on Aiden, trying to reassure him that I would never think of Harry that way.
    “Please, he’s only thirty-five,” Gemma said, ignoring Mum. “Like that’s too old for you.”
    “Gemma!” Mum yelled. “If you can’t behave, then go.” She pointed toward the hallway that led to the bedrooms. “Actually, go. You’re going to be late for school, and I’m not having you miss another day—especially when it’s just to stir up your sister.”
    “Sister?” Gemma and I said.
    “I so don’t think so,” I added.
    “Damn right,” Gemma agreed.
    “Go,” Mum said more forcefully.
    Gemma headed that way. “Keep an eye on your girlfriend if you want to keep her,” she warned Aiden.
    Mum massaged her forehead as if we were really giving her a headache. She put her hand down and looked at me. “Are you ever going to give her a chance?”
    “Is Harry here?” I asked again.
    She sighed. “Yes, he’s in the room now.”
    I turned to Grandma. “I’m sorry, but I really need to talk with Harry about something.”
    “That’s fine, dear.” She patted my knee. “I’m sure we’ll have plenty of time to get to know one another.”
    “Definitely.” I stood up. “Chels, do you mind staying here while Aiden and I go see Harry?”
    Chelsea was about to ask why she couldn’t