Page 32 of Raise 'Em Up

“No.” I laugh, wiping at my eyes. “He didn’t do anything.”

“Then who?” Serenity asks, her voice soft. “Because clearly you're upset, and we don’t like it.”

“It’s a long story. But Trevor didn’t do anything.”

“So, no ass kicking?” Alex asks, raising a brow.

“I wouldn’t say that.” I laugh.

“Perfect.” He nods, grinning. “Tell me who and when, and I’m there.”

“Thank you,” I tell him, trying not to cry. God, I have amazing friends. Life might want to keep throwing me to the dogs, but at least I have some amazing people to stand by my side. “Are the guys here?” I haven’t texted any of them yet, I was in too much of a daze on the way home.

“Mateo and Lennox left a little while ago, but Donny and Colt are downstairs studying.”

“Thanks.” We hug before I go down to the basement where the guys’ rooms are.

When I get there, I find Colton explaining something to Donny. “Now do you get it?”

“I’m sorry, but were you even speaking English?” Donny groans, rolling over onto his back on the bed.

“I’m starting to think you're hopeless when it comes to math.”

“Math sucks almost as hard as Lennox does with Mateo’s cock.”

That has me laughing. Both of them look over to me and Donny sits up quickly. “Cherry?” His eyes search mine. “What's wrong?”

Like a dam, everything breaks. I’m across the room instantly, launching myself into Donny’s arms so hard that I end up tackling him to the bed. He falls backward with a grunt.

His arms wrap around me. “Rylee, what's wrong?” he asks me again, and I just start crying into his chest.

Deep heaving sobs leave me as I let out everything I’ve been holding back for a long time. The last time I cried this hard was at the football game.

Their panicked voices make their way through my crying as they ask what's wrong over and over.

I keep repeating that I’m fine as I continue to cry, showing them I’m anything but. I just can’t get the tears to stop. Not until what feels like a lifetime has passed.

At this point, Donny has pulled me up onto the bed and is leaning back against the headboard, propped up with pillows, my body draped over his as I bury my face into his chest.

“I’m sorry,” I tell them when I’m finally able to catch my breath.

“Want to tell us what's going on before we go on a rampage to find whoever hurt our girl?” Colt asks, brushing some hair away from my forehead, his eyes filled with worry.

Shifting my position, so I’m snuggled between the two of them, I sigh. “You know how I went to Trevor’s place for supper, to meet his parents?”

“Yes…” Colt says slowly.

“Well, you will never believe who his step-dad is.” I lean my head against Donny’s shoulder.

“Who?” Donny asks. “I swear, if you say Dean Kondom, I’ll lose my shit,” he growls.

“Eww, God no,” I scoff. “No. Not Missi’s dad. Nope, just my dad.”

“Wait, what?” Colt’s eyes go comically wide.

“Yup. Turns out, me and Trevor are step-siblings. How fucked up is that?”

“What the fuck?!” Donny gapes at me. “You're kidding, right?”

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