Page 23 of Raise 'Em Up

I must have passed out because I jolt awake when Teo, Trevor, Len, and Alex walk in carrying way too many shopping bags.

Peaches is now curled up in her cat bed and I’m alone, flat on the couch with a blanket covering me. Colt is nowhere to be seen. Yawning, I scratch my head and sit up. The smell of grease makes my stomach rumble.

“What time is it?” I mumble when Len walks into the living room, putting the bags of food on the coffee table.

“Around seven. We met up with the others at Target, then grabbed some food,” he says, sitting beside me and sighing. He looks exhausted.

“How did it go with your mom?” I ask him. He doesn’t say anything for a few minutes, then he turns to face me.

“She’s going to rehab. She wants to fix things between us. I don’t want to get my hopes up or anything, but I’m hoping this time it sticks. I’d like to have someone I can depend on, besides you guys.”

I give him a quick side hug and someone grabs the back of my neck, pulling us apart.

“I already share him with Rylee, I am not adding another member to our relationship,” Teo grunts and I snort, bursting out in giggles.

“No offense, dude, but I’ll stick to my favorite food—Tacos. One in particular. You can keep your sausage party to yourself,” I say, standing and grabbing some paper plates. Trevor gives me a shaky smile and I raise my knuckles for a bump.

“This is so awkward,” he mumbles and I shrug.

“Doesn’t have to be. Welcome to the family, man.”

We all sit and eat Chinese and pizza, watching something on TV. Alex and Trevor discuss the football team, and I look around at all the people here, smiling. I wish my Cherry was sitting next to me, but this isn’t that bad. Guys night. Maybe we will need to do this again soon.

“So when is this supposed to go down?” I ask Len as we sit in the courtyard. It’s been a while since we all hung out on campus and not in our apartment.

“We have fifteen more minutes until we need to meet everyone in the practice gym. Are you sure this is a good idea?” he asks Colt.

“The only one I’m worried about throwing a fit is Ursula, because she’s Missi’s minion. But I think even she can see that she’s bringing the team down,” he says, flipping through his phone for something.

“Hmm, true, but this is now going to be a cheerocracy. I can’t handle any more primadonnas,” I mumble, turning and waving to Serenity. She already knows what today's practice is about and she’s fired up.

“I can’t wait to see that bitch’s face when she realizes that Rylee isn’t gone,” she says, giving us a big smile and Len laughs.

“It’s time. How are we going to do this?” I ask Colt, and he just shoots me a wink. I love that since Rylee came back into our lives, he’s becoming more carefree.

“I have that covered. Let’s go.”

We walk through campus, ignoring the crowds who want to chat, and the hopeless girls that still try to get my attention. I think it’s time I do a loud PSA that my dick and heart have been claimed.

When we reach the gym, our team is already on the mats, stretching. Colt walks in front and claps his hands, gaining their attention. “Listen up! We have a lot to cover in a short amount of time, so circle around me and sit,” he barks and Ursula stands, scowling.

“But Missi isn’t here yet. She’s still at the airport, waiting for her flight,” she shouts and I bite my bottom lip, preventing the cackle that wants desperately to escape.

“Precisely, now get your ass over here and sit!” Mateo roars. Her eyes widen, but she finally listens.

Colt starts getting into all the current drama, and it doesn’t take long for the MUFFS to start to complain. Ursula doesn’t want Rylee to join the Cheer house, but she’s outvoted.

“Ursula, shut the fuck up. You hate Missi as much as we do!” Felicia screams, finally shutting Ursula’s mouth.

I’m getting a headache, and I rub my temples as Lennox moves closer. Not one to miss an opportunity to practice, Colt has us run some laps to warm up our muscles, then do a few basic cheers.

I don’t think he wants to do anything more until Rylee is back, and now he’s going to have to replace Missi too.

“We are going to need to host auditions for two people,” he mumbles as he’s observing our pyramid.

“No!” Fatima shouts as Serenity wobbles when she’s kneeling on top of her.

“Focus, we don’t need any injuries,” Mateo roars from the sideline and Fatima rolls her eyes.

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