Page 81 of Raise 'Em Up

Taking my hand, I pull her into my arms and hold her tight. I don’t want to let her go. the sound of someone screaming pulls us apart, and then we see paramedics rushing toward the arena.

My heart races and I pray it’s not Donny, or someone from our team.

Pushing through the crowd, we meet up with Colt and Len.

“What happened?”

“Her flier didn’t catch her and she landed on her hip. I think someone said it's a shattered pelvis,” Len replies as we watch a girl in a black and yellow uniform being placed on a spinal board on her back with a collar on her neck.

“Shit. And this is why I get pissed when people say cheerleading isn't a sport,” Serenity begins to rant, and Rylee chimes in when appropriate.

“I hope she’s okay,” Ry mutters as Colt pulls her in for a hug.

“How much longer until they announce the winners?” Felicia asks, rubbing her stomach. “I skipped breakfast because I was too nervous. Now I’m starving.”

“That was the last team, so now the judges just need to tally their points and then they will make an announcement,” Len mumbles, then sighs.

I glance back at Donny, and he’s curled up on the floor asleep. All this commotion and he’s not even fussed.

“Is Rylee coming with us after this?” Len asks me and I grunt, nodding. He reaches for my hand and squeezes it.

“Good. This is what we need to do. I hope Donny understands.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

“Idon't want to do this,” I grumble and pout at the guys. Rylee holds my hand tighter. “I'm completely fine, and we won first place. We should be celebrating,” I complain, but it falls on deaf ears.

“Don, you're not okay. I know you're not ready to talk to us about it, but you need help. You almost dropped Felicia during our routine. You're not eating, you're losing weight, and you constantly have dark circles under your eyes, so I know you're not sleeping. Please. We love you, Donny,” Len says from next to me, and I'm man enough to admit that I have tears in my eyes.

“Let's just try this, okay? If you don't like this person, we will find you someone else. Your mental health is more important than a celebration,” Teo mutters from the driver's seat.

Sighing, I nod and wipe my eyes. “I love you guys too. I'm so damn exhausted,” I admit.

And I really am. The nightmares haven't let up in months. Every day I feel myself getting pulled further into the past.

Teo parks in front of a nice brown-brick building. There are pretty flowers planted in front of it, and I hesitate.

Rylee squeezes my hand again and I turn to face her. “Come with me.”

Her eyes widen and she licks her lips, nodding. “If that's what you want,” she says gently, and I'm not sure I like that.

I don't want her to be hesitant with me. I think it's worse than pity. Lennox opens the door on his side and climbs out.

They sat me in the middle like a little kid, worried I might try to make a break for it.

Giving me a pat on the shoulder, Len pulls me into a hug and Rylee releases my hand, talking to Colt and Teo.

“Do you want us to wait?” Len asks but I shake my head.

I know when we leave here, I'm going to need some space, and I think it's time Rylee and I had a serious conversation.

“No. I'll get us an Uber.”

Nodding, he returns to the car and Rylee joins me, taking my hand once more. When we reach the front door and the guys have pulled away, I stop.

“I'm scared,” I whisper. She turns me to face her by placing her palm onto my cheek.

“You are one of the strongest, silliest, most loving men that I have ever met, Adonis Baros, and I love you, no matter what.”

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