Page 69 of Raise 'Em Up

“Fuck, this isn’t good,” Donny shouts and I nod. Colt is driving, and he even looks unsettled.

“Who is Lincoln?” Ry asks, and I close my eyes, taking a deep breath.

“Mateo’s cousin, and if he wants us to call, it means someone is going to die.”

I’ve been a mess since Mateo’s fight. For the first week, I couldn’t sleep without having nightmares of his bloody face. And I still don’t know if his cousin did anything. The guys have been very hush-hush around me.

Since then, Teo’s been getting annoyed with mine and Lennox’s hovering, so I’ve been banished from the Cheer house. Rude. But I don’t mind it if it means getting to spend more time with Colton.

“I can't believe she really did it.” Colton gives me a bright smile, making it impossible not to grin back. “She stuck it out and is truly sober. Not only that, she’s choosing to stay longer, even though she’s done the required time.”

“Just means she wants to stick with it. If she feels like that place is the best option for her right now, it’s better to stay there.” I give his hand a squeeze.

This is the second time we’ve visited Colton’s mom. The first time, it went really well. She seemed like a very nice woman. When we left, Colton was a bit in shock. He said he never truly got to enjoy the true side of his mom, as she was always smothered by some sort of substance.

Even though we haven’t been able to come back to visit until now, Colton’s been calling her regularly. I’m so damn happy he’s getting his relationship with his mother back. I know how much it’s killed him to see her suffer.

Last time I was here, part of me wanted to talk to her, demand to know why she chose drugs and alcohol over her son, but I kept my mouth shut. I wasn’t going to ruin the progress they’ve made. And it’s really none of my business, because I don’t know her.

I don’t know the things that have happened in her life. It’s not my place.

“Colt.” His mom beams a bright and sunny smile as she walks into the rec room.

“Hey, Mom.” He hugs her tightly. “How are you doing?”

“So, so good,” she says as she takes a seat. “Rylee, sweetie. Hi.”

“Hi.” I smile back.

One day, maybe I’ll have some sort of friendship with her, but right now, I’m only here for moral support. To hold Colton’s hand while he has this time with his mom. I don’t say much unless asked a question, or to give my opinion on some subject they’re talking about.

“Colton, baby.” Her smile slips from her face as a mask of pain takes over. “I need to talk to you about something.”

His brows furrow. “Are you okay? You're not sick, are you?”

“No, no, hunny, I’m fine. Trust me.”

“Okay, then what’s wrong? You look like you’re going to be ill.”

Her lower lip wobbles, and something tells me, whatever she’s about to tell him isn’t going to be good at all. I’m on guard immediately. With all the bullshit that’s been coming down on us like a domino effect these past few weeks, my fight or flight mode is pretty much permanently on at this point.

“Part of the healing process in recovery is mending the past. And, well, baby, I’ve kept a huge secret from you. A really big one, and it’s been killing me. Literally. It’s why I’ve always had to numb the pain.”

“Mom,” Colton whispers, reaching for her hand. “You're scaring me.”

“I don’t mean to, baby. I don’t, but I need to tell you this. I can’t heal until I do.”

“Tell me what?” He sounds helpless. I put my hand on his knee, bracing myself.

“It’s about your sister,” she whispers, and Colton’s whole body goes stiff.

“What about her?” he asks in almost a hollow tone.

Colton doesn't talk much about his sister, it’s too painful. But the times when he does, they're always amazing stories about the two of them together. She was an incredible girl taken from this earth far too soon.

“It’s the truth about her death.”

“What do you mean the truth?” He takes his hands back, balling them up into fists on the table.

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