Page 21 of Raise 'Em Up

“We have all night, baby,” he tells me, then kisses me. I moan as he tastes his release on my tongue before breaking the kiss to lock lips with Mateo.

Something tells me this is going to be one long, exhausting night, and I can’t wait.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Getting off the plane, I was dreading stepping foot onto campus, but we have a plan, and a job. We will get Rylee back here where she belongs. With us. Mateo parks the truck in front of Rylee’s dorm and Alex is waiting for us.

He’s talking to Trevor and Teo grumbles about him helping us, but this is what Rylee wants, and after almost losing her again, I will give that girl anything she fucking wants. Donny is the first one to jump out and I turn toward the grump in the driver’s seat.

“We need to just accept the fact that Trevor is a part of this weird ass harem. Rylee really likes him, and he was there for her when we fucked up. He doesn’t seem like that bad of a guy either.”

“Is it really that awful that I’d rather keep her just for us?” he mumbles and I laugh, moving a little closer to him. Raising my hand, I place it on the back of his neck and squeeze gently.

Donny comes back to the truck and smacks his hand on my window. He has a big smile on his face and he’s bouncing up and down. He’s excited to get this plan going and get Rylee back on campus.

“When are we going to your mom’s?” Teo asks and I sigh. I would do anything for Rylee, but I’m not thrilled that I need to return to the House of Horrors to do it.

“We can go in a few hours,” I say, then give him a quick kiss, before turning and opening the door.

Walking toward Alex, I give Trevor a fist bump and wait for Teo to follow. He doesn’t like change, and I know how hard it is to accept someone new into our group, but he’s trying, and I hope Rylee knows how much we are willing to sacrifice for her.

“Hey, guys, how was Florida?” Alex asks. This somehow leads to Donny and him getting into a debate about surfing versus wakeboarding. Colt is texting someone with a small smile on his lips, and I move closer to him.

“What are Rylee’s plans for today?” I ask, already knowing who he’s talking to, and he looks up at me.

“She’s going to speak to her mom,” he says, then turns his phone off and puts it into his shorts pocket. Looking over at Trevor and Alex, he nods. “Let’s get this over and done with.”

We walk back over to the others and discuss the plan with Trevor and Alex. The guys and I have talked about this at length, and after a huge fight with Teo, I agreed for him to come with me, while the others get Rylee moved into the Cheer house.

I just hope this trip home isn’t like the last time.

We pull up to the front of the house and Teo parks. I can see my dad’s home and my heart begins to race. Fuck, I could really use a drink right now.

“Are you sure about this?” Teo asks again for the fifth time and I nod. My stomach is in knots, but I have to do this. If anyone will be able to help, it’s my mom.

She’s never been the best maternal figure, but when it comes to me, she does try hard to make me happy. I used to blame her for the way Father abused us, but now that I’m older, I understand she's just as trapped as I was.

I hope one day she leaves him… before it’s too late.

“Yeah, she said he’s in a meeting, so he won’t know we’re here unless we want him to. She’s in the pool house.”

Opening the door, I climb out and make my way around the house toward the pool. My mom is waiting for me with a big smile on her face and glass in her hand. I can smell the vodka from here.

“My baby,” she slurs and I sigh. I glance at Teo from over my shoulder and I know what he’s thinking, but this is the only way.

The other guys are having a meeting with the team about Missi being kicked out and moving Rylee into the Cheer house, then they are going shopping.

Operation ‘Getting Rylee Back’ starts now.

“Hi, Mom,” I say, leaning down to press a kiss onto her clammy cheek. She looks like she’s lost even more weight, and she didn’t have any to spare. Gazing into her once sparkling green eyes, I wince.

They are as lifeless and dull as mine were before Teo and Rylee showed me what real love is.

“Mrs. Crane, how are you?” Mateo says, moving closer to us and giving her a gentle hug.

She squeezes his arm with a giggle and I roll my eyes. It’s no surprise that she thinks he’s handsome. We’ve been told many times after a few too many drinks.

“Better now that my baby is home. How about we have some lunch in the pool house and then we can talk?” she says as I take her arm, helping her the three feet to the front door.

---