Page 56 of Raise 'Em Up

“Hey, is everything okay?” Ren asks, and Rylee sighs.

“We're about to get some pizza if you want to come,” Colt says.

“Ew, no thanks,” Ursula mutters, then walks off with Felicia following.

I lean closer to Rylee, while Len and Colt talk to Serenity.

“I know something isn't right with Donny, but I also know that he needs space. The guys and I have been trying to get him to open up to us, but he just says he's fine.”

“Then let me go to him. I miss my silly guy,” she mutters, and I can see the shine of tears in her eyes.

Sighing, I pull her into a hug. “I have an idea. Come with me somewhere after dinner?”

She nods and snuggles into my chest. My cock perks up, so I try to think about naked walruses and shit to get it to behave.

Len walks over and hugs her tightly from behind, making her grunt. I wink at him over her head and he gives me a dirty smirk.

“Okay, let's grab some food,” I grumble and Len laughs, shaking his head as he backs away.

God, I'm dealing with two brats, it seems.

Taking Rylee's hand, I lead her over to Len's vehicle. Opening the passenger seat door, I help her inside, then move to the driver's side.

Doesn't matter whose truck or car we are taking, I always drive.

“Aren't we just getting pizza at the place on campus?” Rylee asks and Colt scoffs.

“No, we always go to Maggio's by the mall. Only place to get a good slice,” Len says, shooting her a wink as he moves over for Ren to sit in the back.

“Oh, they have awesome garlic knots. Can I invite Alex?” Serenity asks, and I nod.

“You can invite Trev too, if you want,” I tell Rylee as I start the truck.

She gives me a smile and leans over to kiss my cheek before buckling her seat belt.

We chat about Regionals being in Vegas this year, and Ren says that Alex can't make it, so he can babysit Peaches.

I keep that information in mind for what we are doing later.

He may have his hands more full than he thinks.

“What are you smirking about?” Ry asks, reaching over to hold my hand. I placed it on her thigh, and I may not have reacted, but I noticed her little gasp of surprise and the way she squeezed her legs together at my touch.

“You'll see later,” I say ominously, then turn my blinker on and wait until I have access to pull into the parking lot.

“Alex and Trev are carpooling, they will be here in five minutes,” Ren says, hanging up the phone.

“Should we go inside and get a table or wait?” Ry asks me and I grunt.

“Doesn't matter to me. Parking lot isn't too busy, so we shouldn't need to reserve anything.”

“It feels weird that Donny isn't here. He loves pizza.”

Rylee takes out her phone and begins texting Donny. He doesn't reply and she frowns. I give her hand a squeeze and lean over to kiss her temple.

“He's probably asleep, babe. He hasn't been sleeping well, so leave him be. We will be sure to bring home leftovers. He loves cold pizza for breakfast.”

Sighing, she puts her phone away, unbuckles, then opens the door. Len is standing outside and holds it open for her.

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