Chapter 13

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

" I think I burnt them," Serenity says with a pout as she pulls the cookies out of the oven.

"I'm sure they're fine," Felicia mutters, grabbing one off the pan and holding it up. My nose crinkles as I see black covering the bottom.

"Yeah, totally fine." Ursula picks one up and taps it against the counter, wincing when it makes a hard banging sound.

"I followed the recipe." Serenity sighs. "I'm sorry, girls."

"No issue," I tell her, hopping down off the counter where I was sitting. "We still have all these to decorate." I stand in front of the table where all the cookies we made before are cooling.

It's the weekend before Valentine's Day, but we're celebrating with everyone beforehand. The guys suggested that me and Serenity host a cheer team building night. Which is pretty much a sleepover of sorts, so we can bond.

For the most part, it's been fun.

The music is playing, some girls are setting a few things up for the party tomorrow night, and others are helping with the cookies. We're all dressed in cute pink, red, and white PJs that Donny bought for all the girls. He's a frigging sweetheart.

"That's not going to be enough for the party tomorrow," Ursula says, reaching for a cookie.

Serenity slaps her hand away. "Not if you keep eating them, there won't be."

"There would be enough to eat if yours weren't hard as a damn rock," Ursula sneers.

"Alright! That's enough." I step between them. "I thought we're supposed to be the ones who have issues with each other."

"Oh, I still hate you." She eyes me up. "But your bestie is a close second."

"Look, I get it, your leader is gone, and now you feel lost and don't know what to do. But hey, maybe try being a decent human being and not a raging ‘C-U-Next-Tuesday.' Maybe if you actually try to get to know us, you'll see we're not as bad as she's made you believe."

Ursula just sneers and flips me off before turning around and leaving the kitchen.

"Don't worry about her," Fatima says. "She might be a lost cause."

"As long as she doesn't become Missi 2.0, I'll deal."

"I don't get why she's so mad to see her go. Trust me, the rest of us are more than happy," Felicia admits with a smile.

"It just means there's no one sneaking around and fucking our guys behind our backs anymore," Lucy, one of the girls who doesn't talk too often, adds. "It's why I was never around except for practice, or when it was time to sleep. She would corner me and taunt me. It's like she was a damn stalker. She always seemed to know who I was dating and loved to show me photos of her kissing them, or being close and intimate with them."

"She's really a fucking whack job." I sigh, shaking my head. "I'm so sorry you had to deal with that. She loved to act like Lennox was hers. It's not fun hearing about what your boyfriend's dick feels like in another woman."

"Ouch," Lucy says, eyes widening in horror.

"It's fine." I wave her off. "She's gone, and hopefully, she's not going to be an issue anymore. I may continue to scope out every room before I enter, just to be sure though. PTSD."

"Don't blame you." Lucy laughs.

The next hour is filled with girl talk and laughter as we decorate the cookies. By the time we're done, there's icing all over our faces, but the cookies look good.

"I'm tired," Serenity says. "Let's order food and watch a movie or something."

We all gather in the living room and order pizza. We put on a movie until it arrives. By the time we're done eating, the movie is over.

"So, what do you want to do now?" I ask, yawning.

"I don't know. I'm pretty sleepy."

"We could play a card game?" Felicia suggests.

"Lame." Ursula sighs. "The guys should be here, they're on the team too. Then we could play truth or dare."

"And dare them to do what?" Serenity asks. "Kiss one of us? Girl, you do know that all the guys on the team are dating Rylee? They would never."

"Not my fault that she stole all of them for herself," Ursula huffs and shoots me a glare. "Why can't you save some for the rest of us? You're even starting in on the football team. Careful, Serenity, she seems pretty close with your guy too. Might take him next."

"First off, fuck you." Serenity glares. "And second, fuck you. And third, Rylee and Alex are just friends. She would never."

"I'd never." I nod, but I'm not playing into Ursula's bullshit by getting upset. Mean girls love to hear themselves talk. I turn to the Sea Witch. "You do know we live on a campus with thousands of people. I'm sure there's someone out there you can find. My five being off the market isn't going to hurt anyone."

"Five." Ursula shakes her head. "I bet that pussy is used up already."

"I don't know. Want to find out?" I grin, opening my legs.

"Oh, gross!" She gets to her feet. "And catch whatever you have? No, thanks."

We all burst into laughter as she rushes out of the room.

"I vote for Cards Against Humanity," Lucy says.

"Oh yes, I wanna play that!" Serenity seems to perk up.

So we play a few rounds and it ends up being a good time. I laugh so hard, I almost piss myself. These girls aren't so bad after all. Maybe with Missi gone, I can make some more friends.

Things are starting to look up with the team. Maybe I can let my guard down just enough to breathe. It would be nice not having to watch my back anymore.

Now these are the kind of parties I like. Tonight, it's just the cheer team and a few of their friends. Some of their boyfriends are chilling as well. Nothing too crazy. The music isn't blaring, and there's not a bunch of passed out drunk people on the ground.

"Hey, baby." Donny grins, pulling me onto the dance floor. "Dance with me."

He's drunk, and while he seems to be having a good time, I don't like it. He's been off lately, I see it. It's small, subtle things, but since he ran away from his teacher and Serenity called me telling me that he wasn't in a good head space, I've been worried.

I know he has a past, and that he has nightmares. I know whatever happened isn't good. It breaks my heart. I wish I could help him, but I don't know how, unless he tells me what's going on.

"I love you," he murmurs against my neck.

"I love you too, baby." I turn my head to the side to kiss him.

We dance for a few songs before he tells me he's tired. Colton takes him to bed, telling me to stay and have fun.

Colton isn't big on parties, so I know he doesn't mind.

"Hey, party people!" Alex's loud, booming voice fills the room as he crashes our party, bringing Trevor in behind him.

Well, it's not crashing, seeing as how they were invited, but they said they couldn't come due to a football thing. Guess whatever that was is done now.

"Oh yay, it's the meatheads," Ursula says as she passes me. "Lock up all the food if we want to have any left."

I just roll my eyes and shake my head. "Hi," I tell Trevor.

"Hey, babe." He pulls me into his arms and presses a kiss to my lips.

"Careful, wouldn't want to get arrested for fucking in public again." Alex gives me a shit-eating grin.

"Why did you have to tell him?" I groan at Trevor as I rest my head against his chest.

"We're besties, babe. Just like me and you are supposed to be. And it hurts my feelings that you didn't tell me yourself."

"Because you would never let me live it down." Not that I'm ashamed of it. It was a hot as fuck night.

"Damn right." He grins. "My girl, Rylee, getting thrown in the slammer for fucking in a car."

"Oh, grow up." I roll my eyes, but grin.

"Never!" He scowls. "Growing up is boring. I don't want to be some stuffy old man."

"True." I nod. "Never change, babe."

"I don't plan to." He nods his head.

"So." I turn to Trevor. "Wanna have a repeat, but this time, in a bed?" I wiggle my eyebrows.

"Are you drunk?" He grins.

"Nope. Just a little tipsy. But still in the mindset of full consent." I nod and he chuckles.

"Go get it, my man!" Alex slaps his ass. "Well, make sure to turn up the music so we can't hear. Trust me, Rylee is a screamer."

"Ren, shut your man up before I do it," I growl, glaring at my best friend.

He grins harder. "You love me and you know it."

"We'll see." I raise a brow.

"Let's go test that then." Trevor grins, grabbing my hand.

"You know damn well it's the truth." I laugh, rushing up the stairs with him. We don't get alone time like this often, and I plan on taking whatever time I get with him when I can.

Today is the day! I can hardly contain myself. I have been planning the perfect night for Rylee and us.

I hope she likes it. I know I may have gone overboard, but I just want her to know how much I love her.

How I'd be lost if she was to ever leave me.

I'm aware it's not healthy how codependent I have become with her, but she helps me sleep what little hours I can manage.

I can tell the guys are starting to get mad at how much I monopolize her nights. But tonight, that's going to change. I have booked us a huge ass room at the hotel on the beach.

I don't see group sex in our future for this evening, but there is a huge ass bed we can all share.

Rylee can be in the middle, like a queen, as her harem loves and adores her.

I leave the apartment so the guys can get ready, and walk up to the kitchen. A few girls are making dinner and it smells amazing.

"Wow, you look sharp," Felicia says as I walk by her and go to the fridge.

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.

"Okay…?"

"I wanted you to have the best date with all of us. It's our first date, including Trev," I say with a pout.

Smiling, she steps closer to me and gives me a quick kiss. "Donny, I don't need perfection. Just you guys."

Nodding, I take her hand and we continue back to the Cheer house. The limo is still waiting, and when Rylee sees it, plus all her men beside it, waiting for her, her eyes sparkle.

"Give me ten minutes and I'll be ready," she says with a squeal, then rushes off.

Len moves closer to me, lowering his voice. "Are you better now?"

I nod and purse my lips. Tipping my head back, I look up at the evening sky. I wanted to be on the ocean at sunset, and I think we may still make it in time.

Colt and Teo climb into the car as the rest of us wait for Rylee.

Serenity and Alex leave the house, laughing and giving us a wave as they head toward his car.

"So, what are we doing tonight?" Rylee asks a few minutes later.

I shake my head and give her a wink. "It's a surprise."

Rolling her eyes, she climbs into the limo, sitting next to Len and Teo.

Closing my eyes, I say a small prayer that tonight goes well.

"I think that was the most delicious thing I have ever eaten." Rylee moans, sitting back and placing her hands over her stomach, looking at the view.

The guys and I rented out the dining room at Beachside Sensations. I wanted to have a table out on the beach, but Teo said the seagulls would bother us.

"So, what's up next?" Rylee asks, her eyes gleaming.

"Well, we all know how much you love the pier, so we figured we'd play some games and do some rides. Then we have a suite at the Surf," Colt says.

"Oh, you guys spoil me. Let's go."

We spend the rest of the night competing until Rylee's arms are overfilled with cheap stuffed animal prizes, and then we grab some dessert before heading back to the hotel.

I surprised everyone with swimsuits and Rylee laughed, making a joke about group sex, but I don't think we are at that point yet. But spending the rest of the night in the hot tub, and then cuddled together on the large bed was perfect.

She was right. We didn't need strawberries. Just each other.