Page 74 of Raise 'Em Up

I wait in the parking lot for the rest of our group. I'm early because I couldn't sleep. We have been practicing non-stop, and I know we are going to decimate the other teams, but I'm worried about Donny.

Speaking of, he's walking down the path, chugging a coffee while looking around as if someone is following him.

I don't care if I need to handcuff him, kidnap him, and drag him into Robin's office, a therapist we found, after Regionals. Win or lose, he is going to talk to her.

Colton, Teo, and I have done extensive research to find someone that specializes in child abuse, and honestly, after talking to her, I may start seeing her myself.

I know Donny’s trauma isn't like mine, but the abuse I've gone through still weighs heavily on my shoulders.

Hell, even my mom is seeing someone. Therapy doesn't need to be some shameful thing. It helps people, and I know Donny needs it.

He won't open up to us or Rylee. The puppy helped for a few weeks, but even Cobbler isn't making him smile any more.

“Are you ready?” I ask him when he reaches the bus and shoves his duffle bag into the side compartment.

“Yeah,” he mumbles, then climbs up the steps and disappears inside the bus. He doesn't have a blanket, pillow, or headphones… nothing.

Pulling my phone out, I text Colt, telling him to grab some of his stuff before he leaves.

We have a six hour bus ride, and that's if traffic is nice to us. It could be closer to eight with stops and getting gas.

Even I brought a sketch book and my iPad.

Rylee and Ren are the next to show up, and I'm surprised Teo isn't with them. He's been overprotective lately, since no one knows where Missi is, and this would be the perfect time for her to pull some shit.

“Hey, baby,” Ry says, moving over to me for a hug. God, I love having her in my arms.

“Hey, are you excited? This is your first big competition.”

“Excited, nervous, nauseous, all of the above,” she says with a laugh.

“You will be great, and I'll be right beneath you to catch you if you fall.”

“Hey, sorry I'm late,” Teo says, panting. I glance at my watch and laugh.

“We have twenty minutes left still, and half the girls aren't even here yet.”

Opening his bag, he hands Rylee a ziplock bag full of cookies, and I raise my eyebrows at him.

“You baked?” Ry asks and he nods. Her lips perk up into a smirk, and I know she's trying to rile him up.

These two love each other, but still can't stop themselves from trying to piss one another off.

“Teo used to bake with his mama all the time. Do I get some?” I ask with a pout and Teo laughs, grabbing another bag and handing it to me.

“I also have some brownies for Donny,” he mumbles and I can't help myself. I have to kiss him. He's this big bad alpha most days, but when he loves someone, it's fierce with no apologies.

“I got everything you asked Colt to bring. He's talking to his mom.”

Fuck, I hope that doesn’t mess with his head. Since her revelation, he’s been avoiding her, so I’m not sure why now, of all times, he’s decided to chat with her.

I nod and turn to get on the bus. Donny is in the back, staring out of the window, and doesn't even notice when Rylee sits beside him, until she rests her head on his shoulder.

She presses a kiss to his cheek and he turns to look at her. He’s a little bruised right now, but that’s okay, we all are.

I think that’s one of the reasons we work so well as a group, or harem, as Alex likes to call us. We all have trauma, and we are just trying to survive, but as long as we stick together, we will be okay.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

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