Page 18 of Sweet Anarchy

"I'm so tired," I complain, my body slumping.

Blake nods. "Why don't you go back to bed then? Take a little nap."

I shake my head. "I wouldn't be able to fall asleep now. I'm too worked up."

Zayn lets go of my leg, standing up. "I'll go make us some food. Comfort food makes everything better."

He disappears out of the room and Blake takes his spot, wrapping his arm around my shoulders and pulling me against him. "Don't stress, they will get over it. If Dad can forgive us for what we did, and put up with Asher who is a shithead, this will blow over too."

Asher swings his head towards Blake, glaring. "Fuck you."

"I'd rather fuck Rylee," he says, tilting my chin up to face him and planting a gentle kiss against my lips. "But not today. You need to rest. I think I have some melatonin in my room. Why don't you eat then take one? It's no good staying awake like this."

"Okay," I mutter in defeat.

Zayn cooks us some cheese and bacon loaded fries which the four of us demolish quickly. The food, along with the melatonin, make me sleepy and I curl up in my bed alone afterwards. I sleep better with one of them with me, but I'm not ready to rock the boat yet. Mom and Gareth are still floating around the house somewhere, hiding. They are probably avoiding us as they try to process things or work out how to get me out of the house.

Surprisingly, I fall asleep quite easily, my mind equally as exhausted as my body. I must sleep for a few hours because when I wake, it's late afternoon and my phone is ringing next to me.

I glance at the unknown number, hesitant to answer. I hit the answer button, waiting a few seconds before I say anything to try to listen for any suspicious background noises.

"Hello?"

"Rylee, it's Tyson."

I sit up in my bed, suddenly wide awake. "Hey… how are you? How's Chuck?" I ask quickly. I'm already in a mild state of panic, clinging to a possible update of Chuck.

"I got your number from Connor, I hope you don't mind," he says quietly. "I just wanted to give you a call to let you know Charles is awake. He's asking for you."

Chapter 6

Chuck

Everything is on fire.

I can't even explain it. It's like someone has doused my body in gasoline and set me alight.

It's all dark, but slowly, the pain brings me further and further into awareness. I try to push through the pain, trying to remember what happened last.

The first thing that pops into my mind is Rylee, her blue eyes wavering as she stares at me at Wheels.

I'm finally about to tell her how I feel. I should have done this ages ago, made more of an effort. I wasn't ready to hurt her again, the fear of being sent away still fresh. Now that I was back, I planned to stay back. So, against my better judgement, I decided to do what I wanted for once.

My memories are tainted as loud banging sounds play through my mind. Suddenly, I remember…

I remember the sound of gunshots cutting off my speech. All I could think about was protecting her, when suddenly it was all black after that.

Rylee…

Fuck, where is she? Is she hurt?

The pain blinds me but I fight it, forcing my body to move as I try to get a grip.

"Whoa, easy there," comes a familiar voice.

Light stuns me, blurriness making everything appear out of focus as I blink rapidly. Slowly, things come into view properly.

"Ty?" I groan, staring at my brother.

---