Page 47 of Raise 'Em Up

“Yes, I also grabbed tampons, cherry-scented body wash, sour gummy worms, and that soda Rylee loves,” I grumble, trying not to blush at the fact that she added items to our weekly shopping list.

But, I mean, it's kinda par for the course. She lives here almost as much as she's in the room she shares with Ren.

Donny mutters under his breath, and he looks like he hasn't slept in days.

“Everything has to be perfect. This is our first Valentine's Day. We have to show her what she means to us,” he says for the third time today, and I grunt.

I agree that we need to make up for how we treated her before, but Ry isn’t some high-maintenance girl. She would be happy going to the party the Community Center’s hosting for the kids, not some five-star restaurant and all the other shit Donny is trying to organize.

Moving to the cupboard, I grab some paper plates and the Chinese food, then bring them into the living room.

Len is there watching something on TV, and I lean down to give him a quick kiss before handing him a plate and sitting beside him.

Colt is in his usual place, in the chair with Peaches purring on his lap. He's typing on his phone and seems to be concentrating really hard.

Nudging Len on his arm with my shoulder, I nod toward Colt, then raise my eyebrows. He shrugs before digging into his shrimp fried rice.

“So, we need a plan and…” Donny looks at us then pouts. “Where is Trev? We can't arrange the best Valentine's Day ever without him,” he mutters, then stomps off into his room and slams the door.

“Okay, we need to do something about him. He's not sleeping. He's moody as fuck, and the way he's hyperfixating on the date isn't good for him,” I mutter and Colton sighs. Petting Peaches on the head, he looks me in the eye.

“I've been doing some research and I think I’ve found someone he can talk to, but you know how he feels about therapy. I think we are going to need Rylee's help with this.”

I go to reply, but Donny’s door swings back open and he's talking to someone on the phone. There is a huge smile on his face, and he's his happy go lucky, golden retriever self once again.

Len leans closer to me and whispers into my ear.

“Let's get through Valentine's Day, then we can look more into getting him some help.” I nod and dig into my lo mein.

“Great news, Trev is on his way, and then we can plan the most perfect day for my Cherry,” Don says and I sigh, giving him a grin.

“Sounds good, but first, eat,” I grunt, handing him his orange chicken. Yawning, he blinks a few times, then plops down on the floor to eat.

Someone knocks a few minutes later, but before he can jump up to answer, I yell for them to just come inside.

Trevor walks in, looking nervous, and I don’t blame him. Ry and him seem to be doing okay after finding out he’s her step-brother, so I don't see him leaving anytime soon.

“Hey,” I mutter, and he gives me a fist bump. “Hungry?”

“Coach has me on a strict protein and carb diet,” he says, rubbing his abs.

Donny groans in commiseration. “I would die. It's bad enough that Len has us eating granola in the morning. I miss my donuts.”

Lennox throws an egg roll at him, and we all laugh at his dramatics.

“Sit down, Trev. We won't bite, unless Rylee asks us to,” Don says and I roll my eyes.

“So what’s the big emergency? Alex and I were about to play some games,” he says, plopping down on the other end of the couch.

He's wearing a ball cap and sweatpants with a T-shirt. I can see the appeal, why Rylee likes him.

Len smacks me in the dick and I hiss, turning to face him.

“Jealous?” I whisper into his ear and he scoffs, shoving another bite of food into his mouth.

I smirk and sit back, finishing my plate as Donny starts describing the perfect date.

“Are you sure Rylee is going to want all that fuss?” Trev asks, cutting him off about the time he starts mentioning dolphins at sunset.

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