Tessa drove for a few hours, waiting for Kane's breathing to calm down before finally driving to a motel where they could spend the night. Kane did not glance towards her once, leaning against the window and keeping his gaze locked with the outside. When they reached the motel, Tessa asked, "Do you want your own room? Or do you want one with two beds?"

"I don't want to sleep alone tonight ma," his tone was deep, filled with trembling rage but worry, and she nodded her head.

"I'll be right back," and she left the car.

All Kane could think about was Ally and Mike's gaze when he mentioned he would find out what happened to Jay. They were suddenly through into such a panic, and based on what happened to Jay, something worse than that made him fée nauseous. He was furious against himself for not having been there, and all he wanted to do was protect Jay as much as he could.

If it meant going against the people he now needed to consider family, then it would be done without any hesitation.

Tessa finally returned, and she motioned for him to leave the car, "We can get breakfast in the morning or something, okay?"

Kane did not respond, the gloom obscuring his features as he followed behind his mother to the room. Inside, there were two queen sized beds, and Kane removed his sweat, pulling the blanket and squeezing himself underneath it. The pillows were much more comfortable back at his house, but he wanted to stay clear of that place for now or else he would lose all the composure he had.

He closed his eyes, but felt his mother sit down at his feet, crossing her legs on his bed.

She stayed quiet for a moment, and eventually asked, "Tell me what happened..."

Kane sighed, turning to his back and facing her, "Remember the guy we played pool with at the bar?" When she nodded, Kane had to turn away, "Mom, they beat the brakes out of this poor guy. He had the nastiest bruise on his cheek, his lip was busted open. They even broke his glasses, and they told him to stay away from me."

"Why would they do that?"

"I have no fucking idea why, but I will beat the living shit out of everyone who touched him—"

"Hold on," Tessa touched his knee with comfort, "you know I'm on your side. Where does Ally play into it?"

"She's the one that fucking got him beat up by these dumb trolls of football players!"

Tessa exhaled a long breath, biting her bottom lip for a moment before shrugging her shoulders. "That poor guy—he's so short and skinny."

"I know mom, now imagine huge football players just pounding his face in for no reason. They're not ready for what I have in store for them," he shook his head, chuckling. It was a murderous chuckle, as if his mind had fallen into a delirium.

Although there were certain things she could not say as a parent, she scratched the side of her face and said, "I'm glad you burned her stuff."

"Right? She fucking deserved it."

"There's no excuse for bullying," Tessa added, shaking her head. "I'll sort it out with Mike but if he tries to blame you, I'll be pissed."

"Thank you mom," Kane finally smiled, his rage subsiding just for a little bit, "I knew I could count on you."

"Oh, and another thing, all these guys at school..." when Kane nodded his head, she hissed, "beat their asses."