Page 14 of Raise 'Em Up

“I’m sorry that we couldn’t have a tree, Ma,” I say as Nando and I finish putting some ornaments on a small palm tree that they have set in the corner of the room. Lennox moves from the kitchen and hands me a beer.

“Oh, Nino, don’t worry about it. Just you being here is a blessing. I am so incredibly grateful to you, Rylee, and her mama,” she says with a shaky breath. “I just wish your sister would come to her senses and leave that dreaded town.”

Placing my drink onto a side table, I climb to my feet and pull Ma into my arms for a tight hug. She pulls away and blinks, trying to hide her tears. She’s always been so strong. I guess I can see who I got my strength from.

“She loves Kyle, Ma, but I’ll keep her safe,” I say and she sighs, shaking her head before moving closer to Nando to give him a hug.

He grumbles, but allows it. He doesn’t know how blessed we are to be loved so much. Especially coming from our neighborhood, and the family. We lucked out. Our mom is fucking awesome.

Tonight is Christmas Eve, and Rylee is at the penthouse, which has become our shared room. She’s still not talking to her mom, and she’s avoiding her father. I can’t blame her, but I hope she takes advantage of having a dad that’s alive and seems to want to have a relationship with her.

Donny is with her, cuddled up on the loveseat with his ridiculous blanket and Squishmallow as they eat a cart-full of room service junk food, which is totally going to ruin their dinner, and Colt is doing some recon for us. I was serious about kicking her slimy ex’s ass before we head back to school.

So far we haven’t been able to track him down. But if anyone can find some information about him, Colt is the guy for the job.

I don’t care if we have to show up at his house. He’s going to learn, he fucked with the wrong people. Not only has he threatened the woman we love, he almost ruined our relationship before it even started, and he’s helping the Dean.

He needs to be fucking irradicated, and if I could get him in a ring right now, I wouldn’t be leaving until he was either in a coma or a casket. Yeah, maybe it would be better to link up with him off the hotel’s property.

“Where did you go?” Len asks me and I rub my chin, sighing. I give him a smile and shake my head before moving over to the small palm tree and lifting Nando up into my arms, swinging him around as he squeals and my mom laughs.

Chaz will get his comeuppance, but right now, I need to spend time with my family and enjoy the memories we’re creating.

Len snaps a few photos and gives me a smile, but it doesn’t reach his eyes.

I know the holidays are hard for him. He’s missing his mom, and wishing things could be different. The door opens and I’m not surprised to see Donny, Rylee, and Colt walking through.

Rylee has a huge bag filled with wrapped gifts and I growl. “We already exchanged gifts. What is all this?” She hands the bag to Lennox and places her hands on her hips, giving me a purse of her lips.

Damn, she’s hot. I love riling her up. “It’s not for your ungrateful ass. It’s for your mom and Nando,” she snarks, and my heart picks up its pace. I swallow a few times and move closer to her. Taking her hand, I lead her out the door and into the hall.

“Teo, stop,” she grunts, fighting me as I move her away from the others. Pressing her back against the wall, I grip her hip and pull her flush to me, taking her lips for my own, putting all my thoughts and feelings into the kiss.

Moving back, I press my forehead against hers as I catch my breath. “Fuck, I love you,” I grunt.

Giving me a smile in return, I kiss her once more before releasing her to the guys.

When I enter the kitchen, Len is helping my mom make pasteles, pernil, and arroz con andules. It’s always been a holiday tradition, and I’m glad she’s continuing it here in her new home. There is a heavy absence hanging over the room, and I know that my dad is looking down on us.

Christmas was his favorite holiday. He would go all out, and when he thought Brenna and I were in bed, he would put on some music and twirl my mom around the living room. The twinkling Christmas tree lights were the only light to guide them.

I always hoped to have that one day, and maybe now with Rylee I do.

Christmas goes off without a hitch, and I find myself enjoying our vacation. Playing with Nando on the beach, Rylee and Donny making some crazy TikToks in the water, Len and my mom cooking together, and Colton relaxing for once.

All in all, it’s been a great break, but we still have one more thing on our agenda, and tomorrow night, Chaz is going to meet his maker. Colton was finally able to get his home address.

He’s been hiding at his mom’s house since he heard Rylee was back in town. Fucking coward. He’s lucky it’s just me and the boys coming for him.

Rolling over on the sand, I lift my sunglasses and peek at Rylee. Her and Len are playing in the water, laughing as he splashes her. Donny is moving toward me with a tray of snacks, and I roll my eyes as he plops down beside me.

“You know when we get back to campus, Len and Colt are going to put you through hell in the gym,” I mutter and he snorts, scrunching his nose, then running his fingers through his messy hair.

“I have a high metabolism. Plus, competition season is coming up. I’m not worried,” he mumbles before shoving some fries in his mouth, groaning. “The food here is so good,” he says with his mouth full.

Rolling my eyes, I search the beach for Colt. He said he wanted to check in on his mom, but that was hours ago. He probably decided to take a nap. We were up late talking about how to get Rylee back into school, and he is the master planner between us all.

I’m just the muscle and protector of my family. Plus, tonight will be another late night, if I have any say in it.

---