Page 51 of Raise 'Em Up

The one downstairs was too small for the treats I bought for my Cherry. Opening the door, I scowl at what I see.

“Who ate the strawberries?!” I roar, and everyone looks at me.

My face is red, I'm panting and vibrating with anger.

Ursula comes around the corner with the half eaten tray and I'm about to lose it.

“Wait, were these not for the whole team?” she says with a pout, but I can see how fake she is by the sparkle in her eyes.

“It said ‘do not touch’ in black fucking marker on the box,” I growl, and she just rolls her eyes as she walks away.

Pulling out my phone, I start searching for local places that can replace the treats I had made for Rylee.

Colton walks into the kitchen and pulls my phone away. “Donny, it's okay. Rylee doesn't need them.”

“Yes, she does. Everything has to be perfect,” I huff, trying to take my phone back, but he won't give it to me.

“Donny. Look at me!” he snaps and I do. He's always been snippy and controlling.

“Rylee doesn't even know about the strawberries, so it's not like she's going to miss them. Just let it go, man.”

Mateo and Lennox walk into the kitchen, and by the way the girls are staring at me, and the smell of burning, they can tell something is going on.

“I failed. Everything is ruined now,” I mumble, then shove Colt out of the way before I storm out the front door.

The limo I rented is there waiting, but it doesn't matter now. The driver stands there ready to open the door, but I ignore him and walk down the sidewalk toward the coffee shop.

I should have known that today wasn't going to go right. Nothing in my life ever does. I'm a fuck up.

Walking inside, I sit at a table in the corner and wallow. The place looks like Cupid threw up in here, and even the smell of baked goods doesn't cheer me up.

Someone laughs in the back and I look up. Rylee’s walking down the hall and she has a smile on her face.

“Hey, baby, what are you doing here?” she asks me and I stand up, moving over to her. I don’t say anything, just wrap her in a hug.

“Are you okay, Donny?” she asks me while rubbing my back. I just sigh, holding her tighter. The ache in my chest goes away. She always makes things better.

“I love you so much, Rylee Moore,” I mumble into her hair and she laughs.

“I love you too, Adonis Baros, but if you don’t let me go, we’re going to be late.”

I release her and she gets on her tip-toes for a kiss. When we pull away, there is a girl there smiling and watching us. Rylee gives her a wave and takes my hand, pulling me toward the door.

“See you tomorrow,” she calls over her shoulder.

“Thanks again, Rylee,” the girl shouts back.

“What are you doing here? You don’t work evenings,” I ask as we walk back to the Cheer house.

“Annie had an emergency and asked me to cover her shift for a couple of hours. I figured, why not, and I could use the money, so I did… Wait, if you didn’t know I was there, what were you doing at the cafe?”

She stops walking and I sigh, looking everywhere except at her face.

Hmm, when did the trees become so green?

“Donny, focus!” Rylee snaps her fingers in my face and I pout.

“They ruined your surprise,” I blurt out. “I have worked tirelessly to make tonight perfect for all of us, and that witch ate your strawberries. I hope she has an allergic reaction, or all that chocolate makes her break out,” I mumble and Rylee scrunches up her nose.

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