Page 31 of Raise 'Em Up

“I’m sorry.” Her voice cracks.

“Don’t be.” I lean down and kiss her lips. “Don’t ever be sorry for things you have no control over.”

I want to drive her home. Leaving her right now is the last thing I want to do, but I also need to talk to James and get a few things straight. So, I get my mom's driver to take Rylee back to the Cheer house. When the car is out of sight, I head back inside and find James and my mom in his study.

“This can't be happening,” he says, sounding pissed off. “They can’t date.”

“Why not?” Mom asks.

“Because they're brother and sister,” he says, sounding repulsed. “It’s wrong. It’s messed up.”

“Is it?” Mom asks. “They are not blood relations. You didn’t even know about Rylee until recently. They didn’t grow up together.”

“What would everyone think if this got out?” he hisses.

“Is that all you care about?” I ask, stepping into his office. Both of their eyes snap over to me. “How people see you? Because I sure as fuck don’t care what people think about me. And I know my mom doesn’t either. I thought we were above all that bullshit.”

“Trevor. This is wrong. Why can’t you see that?” he asks me.

“It’s not wrong. What's wrong about it? Rylee is good to me, and I adore her.”

“She has other boyfriends. Don’t you want someone who can give you all the love and attention you deserve?”

“And what, now you're going to tell me your daughter isn’t good enough for me?” I huff out a laugh and shake my head. “Look, I love you, James. You’ve been an amazing father to me these past few years. But I’m going to tell you this just once, I’m not leaving Rylee. Not unless she asks me to go. And even then, I’d fight tooth and nail to get her to reconsider because she’s worth it.

“You don’t get to come into her life and tell her what to do. To judge her in any way at all. And you don’t get to make life choices for me. I love her. I don’t care who else she loves, as long as they treat her with respect. Something you need to learn to have, or you will lose her for good. And me too, at that.”

“Trevor,” he says in disbelief.

“I don’t want to hear anything more about it tonight,” I tell him as I turn around. I need time to think, to wrap my head around what the fuck just happened here.

The biggest thing is, I hope to God I don’t lose Rylee over this. I know she said we’re good, but after some time to think, what if she changes her mind?

Looking down at my phone, I text her, telling her I love her and that I hope she gets home safe.

She sends me back a heart, and says that she will text me in the morning.

I can’t lose her. I refuse to.

CHAPTER TEN

Ifeel both emotionally and physically drained as I walk up the steps to the Cheer house.

A few people say hi, and I give them a fake smile and a wave back. All I want to do is get inside and see my guys.

I’ve never felt so defeated. I’m not used to admitting that I need anyone. I’ve always been the one to take care of myself, always the one to hold things together. But sometimes, I can’t do it.

And right now is one of those times.

The house is loud when I step inside, something I’m not used to just yet. Same with sharing a house with all these people. Right now, I miss rooming with Alex. He would hug me, offer to kick James’ ass, and then he'd watch a chick flick with me.

“Rylee, I thought you were at Trevor’s for supper?” Serenity asks as she comes down the stairs, Alex following behind her.

“We were totally not having sex in your room,” he says with a smug as fuck grin, but it falls when his eyes meet mine. “What's wrong?” he asks, a bit of a growl in his tone.

“Nothing,” I say, trying to smile, but my voice cracks and my eyes sting.

“Bullshit.” Alex comes to my side. “Whose ass do I need to kick? Trevor is my bestie, but so are you. I’ll kick his ass if I have to.”

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