Page 91 of Raise 'Em Up

He’s done so damn much to help me, why won’t he let us help him?

“Just wait back there,” Colton says, pointing to where he wants us to hide, while only turning on the front entrance light.

“God, this is stupid. Why do we have to hide?” Donny mutters. “What would he want to talk to just Colton about? Why not me?”

“Shut the fuck up,” Mateo grumbles as we walk into the dark gym.

“No need to snap at me, dickhead,” Donny hisses.

“Both of you, shut up,” I grumble.

I lean against the wall and close my eyes. A few minutes later, I hear his voice.

“Hey,” Lennox says. “Thanks for meeting me.”

“Yeah, of course. What's up? How have you been?” Colton asks.

It’s dark but I can see the outline of Donny and Mateo from the moonlight casting through the window.

“I’m not here to talk about that.” Lennox sighs. He sounds tired. My eyes well with tears as I move away from the wall. I peek around the corner and my hand shoots to my mouth to cover my gasp.

He looks thin, like he hasn’t eaten much. And there are dark circles under his eyes. My heart aches. I’m about to step forward and run over to him when Lennox says, “I wanted to meet to let you know that I’m leaving the team. For good.”

“Lennox, what is going on?” Colton urges. “Please, whatever it is, we can help.”

“Oh, please.” Her voice has my stomach dropping, and I have to swallow down a wave of vomit. “There's nothing wrong with him.”

Missi walks up behind Lennox. “What the fuck are you doing here?” Colton asks. Missi ignores him.

“You have got to be fucking kidding me,” Mateo snarls from next to me.

“Lenny, you told him what you wanted to tell him. Now, come on, let’s go.”

“I told you to fucking wait in the car,” Lennox growls.

Missi glares at him. “Don’t talk to me like that,” she huffs.

“I swear to God, Lennox, if you’ve been with the crazy bitch this whole time you’ve been gone, I will fucking lose my shit,” Mateo roars, stepping out of the shadows.

Lennox’s eyes snap over to his, and I see a flash of longing. But it’s gone when he looks at Colton. “I thought I told you to come alone.”

“Fuck off,” Mateo says, stepping in further. “What the fuck is all this about? And why are you here with her? Rylee has been in fucking hell since you’ve left, and now you're all buddy buddy with this bitch.”

“Listen here, you overgrown gorilla,” Missi snaps. “He doesn’t give a fuck about that slut. She’s the past, and I’m his future.”

“What kind of delulu pills have you been taking?” Donny asks, stepping out into the light.

Lennox shoots Colton another glare.

“I haven’t taken anything.” Missi gives Donny a slow grin that makes my chest feel like it’s been filled with cement. “I know I’m his future.”

“Enlighten me, why do you think that?” Mateo scoffs. “You're just a batshit crazy bitch who can’t accept the fact that no one fucking likes you.”

“You might think that's true.” Missi rolls her eyes. “But, I also happen to be the mother of his child.”

The whole room goes quiet and my eyes widen. “You're lying!” I shout as I step into the room.

“Rylee.” Lennox’s eyes fill with horror.

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