Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR

" F or the last time, Donny, we are not stopping for snacks. We are already thirty minutes late, and if we miss our flight, I am strapping you to the wing of the damn plane," Teo growls from the driver's seat and I pout.

I have a crazy hangover and I'm starving. And it doesn't help that all I can do is worry about my girl. So sue me for being a little hangry.

Lennox leans over and hands me a granola bar, and I accept it with a grateful smile. He's like the dad in our group, always carries snacks and healthy drinks in his gym bag.

Sighing, I lean back and enjoy my snack. Colt is on the phone, checking in with Alex and Serenity. We still haven't been able to reach my Cherry. I'm worried, but I know deep down she wouldn't leave me.

We need each other.

"This traffic is insane. We are never going to make it," Len comments from the passenger seat, and Teo begins swearing. He doesn't look well, and I have a sneaky suspicion that our beers were drugged. No one looks this wrecked over two beers. Not someone like Mateo.

But that's going to have to wait until we have our girl back and we return to campus. Missi's days are numbered. I don't care what we've got to do, that bitch has gotta go.

I still feel like shit myself, and I'm hoping to take a long nap on this flight. I packed some special comfort items too.

We tried finding Missi and the Dean before we left. But from what the secretary said, they had left on vacation for the holidays. But we have a plan for them both. I can't wait to watch their world burn.

Neither of them should have fucked with us or our girl.

I see the exit for the airport on the right and Teo cuts off two cars, hitting the ramp, ignoring their honks.

"Fuck, dude, let's not kill us!" I bark and he scoffs.

Pulling into the long-term parking lot, he parks and has barely shuts off the engine before he throws the door open and rushes toward the airport.

Len, Colt, and I quickly unbuckle, grab our things, including Teo's backpack, then lock up the truck before we chase after him.

We only have carry-ons, so check-in and security goes quickly, and soon we are sitting in the chairs at the gate, waiting. Somehow, it makes it feel like time is going by even slower, as we're just expected to sit and wait until it's time for our flight. That's a good way to drive me mad.

"We still have an hour before departure. I'm going to grab something at Starbucks," Colt says, standing.

"Oh, can you get me a pink drink, please?" I say, and he gives me a pointed look. "I took my pills, and I packed them too."

Nodding, he walks over to the small coffee shop and I pull my phone out, fucking with social media. I don't post very often anymore, but I still have a large following. I should start posting some cheer content. Maybe Rylee would be down to help out.

"So, what's the plan for when we get to Florida?" I ask, and Teo glances over at me.

Len has been trying to calm him down all morning, but he can barely hold still. His knee is bouncing, and he looks like he just wants to run.

"First, we are going to find Rylee and get the truth, then I am tracking down that asshole ex of hers and kicking his ass while we're at it," he grunts and I snort.

I didn't even think about that sleazeball, but this would be a good opportunity to finally get my hands on him.

"Here." Colt comes back with a cardboard tray filled with drinks, and hands me my strawberry concoction. I take a sip and sigh. It may not be caffeinated, but it hits the spot.

He walks over to take his seat next to Lennox and I pull out my headphones.

I don't turn any music on, but I've learned that people leave you alone if they think you can't hear them. I just need a moment to myself. My mind is a mess and I need my Cherry.

I need to know that she doesn't hate me again. That I didn't do anything to make her leave. I know that the guys think she was forced, but my insecurities won't shut up.

I must have zoned out, because Teo nudges my shoulder, nodding toward the people boarding the plane. Grabbing my bag, I finish my drink, then stand and toss it into the wastebasket.

Digging into my pocket, I get my ticket and ID, then follow Colt to the desk. The woman scanning our boarding passes gives me a flirty smile, but I can't even get my lips to twitch. I'm lost and broken without our girl.

"Have a nice flight," she says and I nod, taking my things back, ignoring the way she touches my hand and bats her lashes. Chills run down my spine and I feel nauseous.

Walking down the ramp, I find my seat and take the aisle. Flying makes me nervous, and I'll need to pace a few times. "Any luck?" I ask Colt, who still has his phone in his hand.

Sighing, he shakes his head and pulls out his laptop.

Teo and Len take the seats across from me and I open my bag, pulling out my hot-pink fuzzy blanket and bright-purple unicorn squishmallow. Colt grumbles next to me.

"You can't be serious, Donny," he says, and I look at him, confused. Spreading the blanket, I lay it over his lap too.

"You should have told me you wanted one. I have five more back at the house," I say, then snuggle down into my seat and get ready for take off.

It won't be much longer until I'm with my girl again. I hope she's okay.

"It's hotter than Satan's ball sack," Teo grunts as we exit the airport and flag down a car. The flight was boring and the snacks were lame. Next time we are sitting in first class.

"Welcome to Florida," an Uber driver says with a smile as he climbs out of his Escalade and opens the back door for us.

Colt and Len thank him, but I'm too busy staring at my phone. Rylee still hasn't answered any of my messages and I'm starting to think maybe her phone is broken.

Climbing into the SUV beside Teo, I look out of the window at the endless water surrounding us on this bridge. It's almost nighttime, but there are still people out on boats, and the beaches are extra crowded.

"So, I tried to get us a suite at the hotel, but they are booked up for the holidays. My mom said we could stay with her, but the place is kinda small for all of us," Teo says to us as we get stuck in some traffic.

There was a moment where we wondered if Rylee had even gone back home. Thankfully, Mateo's mom texted him, asking why Rylee was back so soon. Turns out, while she didn't talk to Rylee, she saw her around the hotel in passing.

That has us all breathing a sigh of relief, knowing she was safe, at least. With Mateo's uncle and Len's dad, you can never be too sure.

Colt yawns and removes his glasses to rub his eyes. I know we are all in need of some sleep and food.

"Should we call the hotel and see if they can track down Rylee?" Lennox asks and Colt sighs.

"I tried already, they wouldn't give out personal information about their guests."

Traffic is light and soon we are pulling up to the valet. "Thank you for everything, Liam," Lennox says, handing the driver a few bills as a tip.

"Here's my card, call me if you need any more transport while you're here. Good luck on getting your girl back," he says with a smile and I wince. I've been so out of it, I didn't even know that Len was telling the Uber driver our life story.

The guys grab the bags and climb out of the SUV. Someone comes to take our things, but I hold on to my bag, replaying the words Liam said over and over.

Rylee left, and though we have our suspicions about why, now it's time to find out the truth, but I do know one thing as fact…

"I never lost her," I grumble under my breath, my mood souring once more. "And I'll prove it."

When I wake up, my head is pounding. I feel like death, like I've got a bad hangover. Only, I didn't drink anything.

"Fucking hell," I mutter as I look at myself in the bathroom mirror. My eyes are still puffy and swollen from all the crying I did last night. And with the dark circles under my eyes, it looks like I haven't slept in days. My body sure as hell feels like it too.

When my belly rumbles, letting me know I need to feed it—seeing as how I haven't eaten in over a day—I give myself a once over and sigh. I should probably shower, but I don't have the energy.

After I'm done peeing and washing my hands, I head back into the room and slip on a pair of sweats and a hoodie. Not giving a single fuck about what I look like, I give my hair a quick brush and toss it up into a messy bun before grabbing my room key.

I'm about to grab my debit card, then I think, why? My grandfather owns this hotel. I should be able to eat whatever the hell I want and not pay for it, even if I don't work here anymore.

Frowning, I leave, truly not in the mood to care about anything right now.

When I get to the restaurant, I ignore the odd looks of the guests and sit at a table. With this being a more classy establishment, I'm sure they're not used to people walking around the hotel in anything other than their best clothes.

Well, screw them. They didn't have their crazy ass Dean threaten them, kick them out of school and send them home, only to find out when they get there that not only does their mom know who their dad was, but he had no idea about having a daughter, and he's the son of a millionaire who owns a chain of hotels.

And if they have experienced all that, then maybe we can form some sort of fucked up club.

"Hi." A girl I've never seen before stands next to the table, holding open a notepad ready to take my order, giving me an odd look. I can tell she's trying not to judge, but I don't blame her. I'm a hot mess. She must be a new hire.

"Hi. I'm Rylee."

Her eyes widen. "Oh, Rylee. Your, ah, your grandfather told the staff about you. I'm Lacy, what can I get you?"

"He did?" I ask, raising my brows and letting out a disbelieving laugh. "Guess the old man isn't holding back anymore. Good on him." I sigh and rub my face. "Well, Lacy, can you turn back time and make it so that the last forty-eight hours didn't happen?"

She gives me a confused look, her lips parting like she's going to speak before she closes them.

"Never mind, I'll just have some fried eggs, bacon, and some toast."

"Yes, of course. Any coffee?"

I think for a moment. "Yeah, coffee would be great. Why don't you just make a pot and leave it at my table. I feel like I'm going to need more than a cup or two to make it through this day."

"Sure…" she says slowly.

It doesn't take long before my food is out and I inhale it like a starving woman. When I'm done, I notice that the place is starting to get a little more crowded. Not wanting to be the freak show of the hour, I decide I better head up and change into something more fitting.

Or maybe I should just go back to bed and sleep the day away. If I'm sleeping, I don't have to think about just how much my life fucking sucks.

As I'm stepping out of the restaurant area and into the main lobby, I bump into the man I guess is my father.

"Rylee." His smile is genuine and a little nervous. "I've been thinking about you."

"Well, don't," I mutter, crossing my arms with a scoff.

He huffs out a little laugh. "Kind of hard when I just found out I have a daughter."

"And I'm sure you can imagine how I feel. I knew I had to have a dad, since it takes two to make a baby. But never in a million years did I think he would be some heir to a million dollar hotel chain. Or is it billions?" He gives me a bit of a guilty look. "Thought so." I nod.

"This is a lot for both of us. Why don't we sit down and have some breakfast, talk a little?" he asks with so much hope, it kind of hurts to say what I'm about to say.

"Look, you seem like a nice enough guy. But the thing is, my life is in shambles right now, and I have no damn clue how to fix it. So I'm sure you can understand that doing some father-daughter bonding isn't something I'd be up for right now."

"Is everything okay? Maybe I can help," he says with a hint of concern.

Ugh. Now is not the time for this. But he doesn't seem like he's one to back down easily.

A familiar voice has my eyes snapping over to the reception desk. No. No fucking way.

My heart starts to pound in my chest, my lips parting in surprise. They're here. All of them.

Tears prick my eyes. They came for me. I should have trusted they would. Thank God they saw through that note. I hoped that if they truly knew me, they would know I'd never just leave like that.

"Rylee? Are you okay?" James asks, looking from me, then over to the desk.

"No." I laugh, wiping at my eyes. "Nothing in my life is ever okay."

"You know them?"

"Yup." I turn to face him. "Want to know something about your daughter? Here's one that's gonna really take a few years off your life. I've got five boyfriends. Yup. Five." I grin and his eyes widen. "So, maybe if you can accept that, with time, we can talk. But right now… it's not that time."

He blinks at me, his mouth opening and closing a few times. He lets out a heavy sigh. "I understand. Just know, I won't stop trying."

Not knowing what to say to that, I nod and leave. I don't have time to think about him at the moment. I'll deal with all that later. Right now, I need my guys. God, I need them like I need air.

As I rush over, Donny's head turns and his eyes widen. "Rylee," he whispers, just in time for me to launch myself into his arms. I cling to him, like if I let go, I'll lose him forever.

"You came," I murmur into his neck, inhaling his scent. It's only been a day, but it feels like a lifetime. A part of me thought that maybe I was too much trouble, that they would be better off without me.

"Of course we came, Cherry. Nothing could keep me from my girl," he says, hugging me so tight I lose my breath. I don't even care. I love this man so damn much. All of them.

"Want to tell us why the fuck you took off and left nothing but a bullshit note?" Mateo growls from behind Donny.

Moving my head, I look over at a very pissed off Mateo. "You look like shit."

Donny snorts out a laugh and Mateo glares harder. "And you're a fucking brat."

Is it fucked up that my heart soars at his words? God, I missed them. "You need to work on your flirting, Teo."

"Enough stalling, Rylee. What the fuck is going on?"

Sighing, I slide down Donny's body and stand. But he doesn't let me go far, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me to his body. "Come to my hotel room. I'll fill you in on everything."