Shark Strike Survivor

Chapter 5

"Dude, why are you so sluggish today?" Lochlan demands with a frown as we enter a store in the mall behind Lake and Lyric.

"Had nightmares again last night, accidentally woke dad again," I mumble through a yawn behind my left hand.

"You need a different therapist, and you need to get laid," he grumbles as he sifts through the shirts hanging on a round, silver rack.

My jaw slacks slightly at his last comment as I hiss in shock;"Lochlan! I do not need to get laid, nor will I for the foreseeable future! Men do not need to deal with my baggage."

Lochlan stops his movements to frown over at me as I continue to look through the rack of tongue rings in the case at the register.

"What baggage, Lark?" he questions, causing me to look over at him with a quirked left eyebrow.

"Um, my leg," I sass him, focusing on the jewelry again, and find two tongue rings I like, and ask the employee behind the case. "Can I get those two pieces, please?"

I will admit the employee is extremely cute, and would definitely consider a one night stand with him. He nods with a large grin as he opens the glass door in front of his legs to grab the two pieces, handing these to me, so I can inspect these closer. Grinning, I tell the man I will take these as I hand them back to him for him to scan, and tell me the total, and I gladly pay the amount.

"Larken?" Mason's voice asks from behind me in disbelief, causing me to softly groan before turning slightly to face Mason with a small smile that I am not feeling.

"Hi Mason, how are you?" I ask before focusing on the employee again to get my card back, sign the receipt, and take the small bag with the jewelry.

"I, uh, I am doing well," he answers, looking between Loch and me as if he is trying to figure something out about us.

Moving us away from the counter as Lochlan continues to browse the store not that far from us, and I know he is trying to discreetly listen to our conversation.

Glancing over at Lochlan, who Mason is watching, I tell the man in front of me; "He is my little brother. So, how are you?"

He looks relieved at my comment as he answers; "I am doing good, thanks, how about you? It is nice that you are spending time with your brother."

Nodding as I smile over at Lochlan as I finally notice Lake and Lyric heading toward Lochlan; "Yeah, I am actually spending time with all three of them."

Mason follows my gaze that is locked onto my three brothers, and his jaw slacks slightly; "Lyric Carrigan is your brother?"

"Yeah he is, and how do you know him?" I reply, absolutely confused until Lyric answers instead of him.

"Hey Mason, nice to see you outside of the courthouse and your office," Lyric warmly greets as the three of them join us.

"You and Mason have worked together before? How?" I demand quietly as I look between the two men in shock.

"I've had to give statements on several occasions for crime scenes," Lyric grins as he and Mason briefly shake hands.

Mason rapidly blinks as he takes in the four of us together as the five of us exit the store toward the food court in the center of the mall.

"Damn, all of you are brothers?" Mason mutters under his breath in awe as we walk toward an empty table large enough for the five of us.

"We sure are," Lake chuckles before he and Lochlan walk toward one of the food options, leaving Mason, Lyric and I alone.

Feeling awkward as hell standing next to Lyric as the two of them talk about their jobs. Much to my surprise, I find out that Mason is a lawyer.

"I am going over there, do either of you want anything?" I ask, gesturing toward the pizza option.

"Sure, I want two slices of pepperoni, and two cheese breadsticks," Lyric replies almost absentmindedly, and Mason agrees with Lyrics food request.

Wordlessly walking off toward the option I picked to purchase the three meals as I silently think to myself how strange it is to know that my brother and Mason know each other. I never realize with Lyric's job that he would have to give statements of what he saw at crime scenes that he investigated.

Taking our orders to the table when those are done, still slightly confused about how I feel about them knowing each other like they do. Placing the tray on the table, Mason and Lyric take their plate as they continue their conversation as do Lachlan and Lake while I eat in silence while people watch.

Finishing my food, I throw away my garbage in a trash bin before walking to the bathroom. After relieving myself, flushing the toilet, I am at the sink washing my hands when someone enters. Not paying attention to the newcomer, but I am startled when the person gently touches my right shoulder.

Snapping my head to my right, I find Mason dropping his hand from me quickly, taking a step back with wide eyes; "Sorry. I thought you saw me entering. I was wondering if you are alright because you were quiet during lunch?"

"Yeah, I am fine," I answer, shaking excess water from my hands before drying off with a piece of towel.

"Okay. I wanted to apologize for disrupting your time with your brothers," he says with a tiny smile of apology.

Shrugging my shoulders as we leave the restroom; "No worries, Mason."

He gives me a frown as we rejoin my brothers at the cleared off table. As Lochlan and Lake decide where they want to go next while Mason and Lyric finish their conversation. I notice a little boy staring at my prosthetic because even when it is covered with material, it is noticeable that my leg is different.

"Mummy, why his leg look funny?" the boy loudly asks as he tugs on his mother's pant leg.