Page 43 of Infinity Chronicles 2
Adam drops his arm over Scott’s shoulder. “Hey there short stack.”
I’ve never really thought of myself as short, I’mprettyaverage at five foot six. Ollie’s mom comes over before Ihave a chance torespond. Her eyes scan my body, lingering on my face. She squints briefly, but then her lips lift into a kind smile. Now I see why I can’t find much resemblance to his dads, Ollie looks just like his mom.
Without an ounce of reservation, Carolyn leans in and wraps her arms around me. She doesn’t squeeze me too much, and she releases before I have to decide if I should hug her back. “Welcome to the family Laura.” And it’s that simple.
Being in a group this large, I’m ableto mostly sit back and observe. Linda and Carolyn are obviously friends, since they sit next to each other and chat easily. There are too many conversationsgoing on to make out what they’re talking about, but I thought I heard Carolyn mention work.
“Are we eating or what?” Milo questions, his hand over his stomach like he’s starving.
“Go ahead,” Linda waves dismissively at a long table against the wall filled with several silver tins of food. Needing no further direction, Dante and Milo each grab a plate and lift the lids off of the containers. A spicy scent hits the air and my mouth waters. They reveal small bites of seasoned chicken and ground beef, followed by pans of Mexican rice and two types of beans. Once all the lids are off, I’m near drooling. It looks like they had an entire Mexican restaurant menu delivered, and I’m not complaining.
Ares pushes a plate in my hand and ushers me behind Dante. I fill my plate with so much yummy goodness I need both hands it hold it as I walk over to my seat. I take the open spot between Milo and Ollie, my eyes eating up the food before I evenhave a chance totaste it.
“Mia,” Carolyn calls out. I look up to find the two women embracing for a long second. Miadoesn’t have any problem returning her affection.
Linda’s eyes go to mine, I secure a mask of indifference over my face. I’mprettygood at pretending not to care, so I don’t think she questions my act at all.
“Did you come to celebrate with us?” Carolyn asks, her smile wide.
“Oh, I don’t want to intrude. Ijustwanted say hello,” Mia replies coyly.
“Nonsense, sit. Have you met the lovely Laura?” Carolyn waves a hand in my direction. “We’re just so lucky theguys found her.”
“We’ve met.” Mia’s voice is tight, but her acting skills are even better than mine because her smile doesn’t waver. “I haven’t been back here very much since we moved to the city.” Mia glances at Ares. “Tell me what you guys have been up to?”
I ignore her and their conversation as Mia takes a seat, Carolyn moved over so Mia is directly across from me and between herself and Linda.
Dante’s hand lands highupon my thigh. He squeezes but continues eating. Once everyonebegins eating the room conversation quiets down. Little topics pop up about the food, and Linda asks Milo about school, but it’s all pretty light.
Pushing my plate away, I rub my stomach, already regretting the second helping. “Have you heard from Rosa, or do you know when they’ll be in?” Linda wipes the corner of her mouth with a cream linen napkin.
“I would assume they’ll be on the first available flight knowing her. But no, Idon’t have any specifics,”Ares tells them.
Scott steeples his fingers, his elbows resting on the table. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m dying to know how this happened. Laura, you said you didn’t know about Infinites?”
Glancing around, I find almost everyone’s attention on me. Squirming in my seat I look over at Ares, hoping he understands that I’d rather one of them explain. His chin dips enoughso I know he gets it. “It would be easier if everyone was here, but it could be a few days before my parents arrive and wedon’t have that kind of time.” Ares leans back from the table, doing a quick survey. “Mia.” She jolts like a little lapdog excited for her owner’s attention. “I’m sorry, would you mind giving us a few moments?”
Her face falls, but she’s quick to recover. “Of course. Linda, Carolyn, it was great to see you. We should catch up soon.” After a brief hug for each of the women, she’s out the door, her head held high as she goes.
Ares looks over at Milo’s parents. “We already talked alittle bit about Laura’s situation, so I’m sorry if this is redundant.” Focusing now on Ollie’s parents, he explains how Dante first met me at school and that I knew nothing about the Infinities.
Once hebroaches the subject of my missing mom, Carolyn’s face falls into a heavy frown. “How long hasshe been gone?”she questions, directing it at me.
“Several weeks now.”
Carolyn makes a sound of censure. “Ares,you shouldhave come to us sooner.”
“You may be right. When I spoke to my mother, she seems to think she recognized Laura, she called her Amanda. Is that name familiar to any of you?” he asks them all but focuses on Linda and Carolyn.
“Amanda, you say?” Linda looks over at me, her eyes narrowing like she’s thinking back. “I don’t think so, nothing that rings a bell.” Her shoulders bunch up like she’s sorry she can’t be more help.
“She also mentioned a Leon.” Ares considers the men a little more closely.
Adam’s face twists up in a sneer. “Only one Leon I know of, and he was bad news.”
Ares perks up a bit at his declaration. “Iget the feeling they may beone andthe same. Who is he and what his name? Where can I find him?”
“You can’t. I’d say he’s been dead for sixteen years.” Adam tilts his head and nods. “About that anyway.” Adam looks around, sees he has everyone’s attention. “You all know the story, I can’t believe you guys aren’t remembering this.”
