Chapter 7

CHAPTER SEVEN

G etting off the plane, I was dreading stepping foot onto campus, but we have a plan, and a job. We will get Rylee back here where she belongs. With us. Mateo parks the truck in front of Rylee's dorm and Alex is waiting for us.

He's talking to Trevor and Teo grumbles about him helping us, but this is what Rylee wants, and after almost losing her again, I will give that girl anything she fucking wants. Donny is the first one to jump out and I turn toward the grump in the driver's seat.

"We need to just accept the fact that Trevor is a part of this weird ass harem. Rylee really likes him, and he was there for her when we fucked up. He doesn't seem like that bad of a guy either."

"Is it really that awful that I'd rather keep her just for us?" he mumbles and I laugh, moving a little closer to him. Raising my hand, I place it on the back of his neck and squeeze gently.

Donny comes back to the truck and smacks his hand on my window. He has a big smile on his face and he's bouncing up and down. He's excited to get this plan going and get Rylee back on campus.

"When are we going to your mom's?" Teo asks and I sigh. I would do anything for Rylee, but I'm not thrilled that I need to return to the House of Horrors to do it.

"We can go in a few hours," I say, then give him a quick kiss, before turning and opening the door.

Walking toward Alex, I give Trevor a fist bump and wait for Teo to follow. He doesn't like change, and I know how hard it is to accept someone new into our group, but he's trying, and I hope Rylee knows how much we are willing to sacrifice for her.

"Hey, guys, how was Florida?" Alex asks. This somehow leads to Donny and him getting into a debate about surfing versus wakeboarding. Colt is texting someone with a small smile on his lips, and I move closer to him.

"What are Rylee's plans for today?" I ask, already knowing who he's talking to, and he looks up at me.

"She's going to speak to her mom," he says, then turns his phone off and puts it into his shorts pocket. Looking over at Trevor and Alex, he nods. "Let's get this over and done with."

We walk back over to the others and discuss the plan with Trevor and Alex. The guys and I have talked about this at length, and after a huge fight with Teo, I agreed for him to come with me, while the others get Rylee moved into the Cheer house.

I just hope this trip home isn't like the last time.

We pull up to the front of the house and Teo parks. I can see my dad's home and my heart begins to race. Fuck, I could really use a drink right now.

"Are you sure about this?" Teo asks again for the fifth time and I nod. My stomach is in knots, but I have to do this. If anyone will be able to help, it's my mom.

She's never been the best maternal figure, but when it comes to me, she does try hard to make me happy. I used to blame her for the way Father abused us, but now that I'm older, I understand she's just as trapped as I was.

I hope one day she leaves him… before it's too late.

"Yeah, she said he's in a meeting, so he won't know we're here unless we want him to. She's in the pool house."

Opening the door, I climb out and make my way around the house toward the pool. My mom is waiting for me with a big smile on her face and glass in her hand. I can smell the vodka from here.

"My baby," she slurs and I sigh. I glance at Teo from over my shoulder and I know what he's thinking, but this is the only way.

The other guys are having a meeting with the team about Missi being kicked out and moving Rylee into the Cheer house, then they are going shopping.

Operation ‘Getting Rylee Back' starts now.

"Hi, Mom," I say, leaning down to press a kiss onto her clammy cheek. She looks like she's lost even more weight, and she didn't have any to spare. Gazing into her once sparkling green eyes, I wince.

They are as lifeless and dull as mine were before Teo and Rylee showed me what real love is.

"Mrs. Crane, how are you?" Mateo says, moving closer to us and giving her a gentle hug.

She squeezes his arm with a giggle and I roll my eyes. It's no surprise that she thinks he's handsome. We've been told many times after a few too many drinks.

"Better now that my baby is home. How about we have some lunch in the pool house and then we can talk?" she says as I take her arm, helping her the three feet to the front door.

I can see that she's remodeled in here again. Last time I was here it was her yoga studio. Now it seems she's into crafting. There is fabric and tumblers everywhere, but it looks like Marisa has cleaned in here at least.

The small kitchen table is full of toasted paninis and sides. I leave Teo and my mom to take a seat and move over to the stocked refrigerator grabbing us drinks. Soda for me and Teo, and water for my mom.

"Thank you, baby," she says, but she doesn't put her vodka down. "So, I am happy to see you boys, but I know that's not why you wanted to meet. I'm assuming this has to do with your father and that horrid man," she grumbles before draining her glass and holding it out for a refill.

I didn't even notice Harry was here. He takes the bottle and gives her more. I grumble under my breath, but this is how things are here. It's a wonder I have an issue with alcohol.

Teo grabs my hand under the table and gives it a squeeze. Taking a deep breath, I turn back to my mom. "I'm not marrying her, Mom. I'm in love with someone else, and that's why I'm here. We need your help."

I tell her all about Missi and her father's schemes, and about Rylee. I watch as her face becomes red and she's shaking with anger. Thankfully, she stopped drinking after her refill, and now she's on her second bottle of water.

I haven't touched any food and Teo pushes the sandwich closer to me. I take a bite and wait for my mom to say something. She's staring out the window at the main house. Her hand is clenched into a fist and she's breathing harder.

"I will take care of everything, baby." Moving her chair away from the table, she stands, running her hand along her sundress as she strides out of the house, her heels clicking as she walks.

I immediately stand, following.

The moment I reach the main house, I can already hear the screaming.

Teo and I walk closer to my father's office, but keep out of sight. My mother is on a tirade.

"How dare you walk into my office like you have some say in what I do in my free time!" my father roars, shaking the walls. My heart races and my stomach twists. Oh, he's mad. Really mad.

"Just try me! I have proof of you and other women, Lennox. Don't think I won't go to the reporters about the great Lennox ‘The Lion' Crane having an affair with a girl that could be his daughter. You disgust me. I may be trapped in this marriage for the unforeseeable future, but I will not let you destroy our son's life anymore. You will go to the school board and get Dean Kondum fired, or so help me God!" my mom screams back at him. Teo grabs my arm, pulling me away from the office and into the guest bathroom just in time.

My father storms out, and the next thing I hear is the front door slamming. I wait a minute, trying to catch my breath before leaving and looking for my mother. She's sitting on the couch in his office, crying, deep heaving sobs.

Teo leaves us and I wrap my arms tightly around her, comforting her. "Thank you," I whisper, and she looks up at me.

"I failed you as a mother, Lennox. I know I did. But no more. I've missed most of your life wasted or on some kind of medication. After we get your girl back into school, I am going to sign myself into rehab and get clean."

My eyes widen and I fight not to cry. That's all I've ever wanted for her.

"Maybe after I get back, we can start over. Something small like weekly dinners, or maybe a movie night?" She looks at me with so much hope that I can't refuse.

"I'd like that, Mom."

"When are Len and Teo supposed to be back?" I ask Colt, dropping down onto the sofa beside him. He's doing something on his laptop and I'm bored. Alex and Trevor are at Target getting some things for Rylee, and I offered to babysit Peaches.

I'm exhausted. I didn't sleep well last night, knowing that I had to leave my Cherry. I pick up Peaches, who is rubbing against my ankle, and the little fluff ball curls up onto my lap, purring, making me smile.

Closing his computer, he takes his glasses off and rubs his eyes. "They should be back in an hour or so. Len texted that his mom took care of phase one. I guess she had some deep blackmail on his dad."

I snort. "That's not surprising. Lennox senior has tons of skeletons in his closet."

Len's dad reminds me a lot of the man who hurt me. He has an evil darkness in his eyes. His fake smile never fooled me.

"Yes, well, now they are starting to show, but in this case, it helped us."

"How soon do you think it'll be until Rylee gets to come back?"

"I guess his dad stormed out after the confrontation, so hopefully, within the next few weeks. We don't want her missing too many classes or practices. Now that Missi is going to be off the team, I will need to re-choreograph a good portion of our dances and cheers."

Sighing, I lean my head against the back of the couch and close my eyes. "Do you ever get tired of being an overachiever?" I mumble and Colt scoffs beside me.

"You know I need to be in control, Donny. It has nothing to do with achievements. Competitions are coming up and we need to be prepared. We need to dominate. This is our year."

He continues to talk about his new routine ideas, but I find myself drifting off.

I must have passed out because I jolt awake when Teo, Trevor, Len, and Alex walk in carrying way too many shopping bags.

Peaches is now curled up in her cat bed and I'm alone, flat on the couch with a blanket covering me. Colt is nowhere to be seen. Yawning, I scratch my head and sit up. The smell of grease makes my stomach rumble.

"What time is it?" I mumble when Len walks into the living room, putting the bags of food on the coffee table.

"Around seven. We met up with the others at Target, then grabbed some food," he says, sitting beside me and sighing. He looks exhausted.

"How did it go with your mom?" I ask him. He doesn't say anything for a few minutes, then he turns to face me.

"She's going to rehab. She wants to fix things between us. I don't want to get my hopes up or anything, but I'm hoping this time it sticks. I'd like to have someone I can depend on, besides you guys."

I give him a quick side hug and someone grabs the back of my neck, pulling us apart.

"I already share him with Rylee, I am not adding another member to our relationship," Teo grunts and I snort, bursting out in giggles.

"No offense, dude, but I'll stick to my favorite food—Tacos. One in particular. You can keep your sausage party to yourself," I say, standing and grabbing some paper plates. Trevor gives me a shaky smile and I raise my knuckles for a bump.

"This is so awkward," he mumbles and I shrug.

"Doesn't have to be. Welcome to the family, man."

We all sit and eat Chinese and pizza, watching something on TV. Alex and Trevor discuss the football team, and I look around at all the people here, smiling. I wish my Cherry was sitting next to me, but this isn't that bad. Guys night. Maybe we will need to do this again soon.

"So when is this supposed to go down?" I ask Len as we sit in the courtyard. It's been a while since we all hung out on campus and not in our apartment.

"We have fifteen more minutes until we need to meet everyone in the practice gym. Are you sure this is a good idea?" he asks Colt.

"The only one I'm worried about throwing a fit is Ursula, because she's Missi's minion. But I think even she can see that she's bringing the team down," he says, flipping through his phone for something.

"Hmm, true, but this is now going to be a cheerocracy. I can't handle any more primadonnas," I mumble, turning and waving to Serenity. She already knows what today's practice is about and she's fired up.

"I can't wait to see that bitch's face when she realizes that Rylee isn't gone," she says, giving us a big smile and Len laughs.

"It's time. How are we going to do this?" I ask Colt, and he just shoots me a wink. I love that since Rylee came back into our lives, he's becoming more carefree.

"I have that covered. Let's go."

We walk through campus, ignoring the crowds who want to chat, and the hopeless girls that still try to get my attention. I think it's time I do a loud PSA that my dick and heart have been claimed.

When we reach the gym, our team is already on the mats, stretching. Colt walks in front and claps his hands, gaining their attention. "Listen up! We have a lot to cover in a short amount of time, so circle around me and sit," he barks and Ursula stands, scowling.

"But Missi isn't here yet. She's still at the airport, waiting for her flight," she shouts and I bite my bottom lip, preventing the cackle that wants desperately to escape.

"Precisely, now get your ass over here and sit!" Mateo roars. Her eyes widen, but she finally listens.

Colt starts getting into all the current drama, and it doesn't take long for the MUFFS to start to complain. Ursula doesn't want Rylee to join the Cheer house, but she's outvoted.

"Ursula, shut the fuck up. You hate Missi as much as we do!" Felicia screams, finally shutting Ursula's mouth.

I'm getting a headache, and I rub my temples as Lennox moves closer. Not one to miss an opportunity to practice, Colt has us run some laps to warm up our muscles, then do a few basic cheers.

I don't think he wants to do anything more until Rylee is back, and now he's going to have to replace Missi too.

"We are going to need to host auditions for two people," he mumbles as he's observing our pyramid.

"No!" Fatima shouts as Serenity wobbles when she's kneeling on top of her.

"Focus, we don't need any injuries," Mateo roars from the sideline and Fatima rolls her eyes.

"Okay, that's it for today. Get some water. We will reconvene practices once Rylee returns. In the meantime, don't slack on workouts."

I'm turning to leave when Felicia and Fatima run up to us. "We don't need to host auditions. My cousin is here this year and she's more than qualified to replace Missi. She was on a competitive team back home, and has been for the last ten years."

Colt crosses his arms, listening, and I nudge him. "Auditions will take up a lot of time. I say we see what she has, and if she's not a good fit, then we can put posters up."

Teo and Len agree, and Colt sighs. "Have her meet us tomorrow afternoon and we can see what she's got."

Serenity walks over and she gives Felicia a smile. "Did you want to help me decorate Rylee's room?" she asks her, and they walk off talking about color schemes and pillows or something.

"That went better than I thought," I say when we are the only ones left. Len laughs, shaking his head.

"Missi has a lot more enemies than she knows. People fear her because of who her dad is, but now that he's being removed, they will start showing their claws."

Tipping my head back, I roar with laughter, then groan, rubbing my empty stomach.

"Okay, now that our evil planning is done, it's time for food."

It took a few days, but Len's dad came through in the end. The school board decided to remove Dean Kondum once and for all. Len's mom called to give us a heads up, and after making some snacks and popcorn, we set up on the lawn, waiting for the show to begin.

"I can't believe you made popcorn," Alex says with a laugh, grabbing a handful.

"One thing you should know about me… I always need popcorn during a show," I mumble with my mouth full.

The front doors open and the former Dean is being escorted off the campus by two security guards, as his former assistant races after him with a box full of his crap. He glances over in our direction and I give him a saucy wink, watching his nostrils flare.

He shouldn't have fucked with my Cherry.

"So, what about Missi?" Trevor asks, then sips on the Italian sodas I brought. I give him a vicious smile.

"Oh, she's going to get hers really soon," I say with a wink, and he raises an eyebrow. Len points toward the ex-Dean and his daughter, who are having a screaming match in the parking lot. She has packed bags in front of her and tears running down her cheeks.

"Fuck around and find out," Teo grunts, and Alex nods in agreement.

"Getting her removed from the team was a lot easier than we thought it would be. Turns out, she's failing most of her classes, and her good old daddy Dean was boosting her grades. The school board was alerted of this favoritism, so she's on a suspension under investigation."

"Remind me not to piss you guys off," Trevor mumbles under his breath and I laugh, clapping my hands.

"The witch is gone… Well, at least for a few weeks, so I say we get some food and celebrate. Rylee will be back where she belongs now. With us."

Walking into the Cheer house, you would expect some tears or sadness, at least from Ursula, not a full blown celebration. The music is blasting and the drinks are flowing.

"Ding dong, the witch is dead!" I shout, and my team follows my cheer.

"God, I couldn't stand her. Is she really gone?" Felicia asks and I nod.

"She's like a cockroach. She will be back," Fatima adds.

"Who gets her room? Because I think as co-captain, it should be mine," Ursula states with her hands on her hips.

Rolling my eyes, I leave them to fight it out and walk into the kitchen to grab us some sealed beers. Alex and Serenity are grinding in the living room to a slow song, and I pass them to go to our apartment.

Trevor is sitting in a chair as Len makes us some snacks when I enter.

I hand out the drinks and take a seat on the floor. Peaches is still here with us, and races out of my bedroom to cuddle up with me. Me and her have a bond.

"We need to get you a friend," I coo to the kitten and Teo scoffs, exiting his room freshly showered.

"If you bring in any more strays, Donny, you will be moving out," he growls and I roll my eyes. He can fight it all he wants, but he loves the little fluffy fuck. I even caught him cuddling her on the couch last night when he thought he was alone.

Len walks into the room, talking to someone on the phone, and he has a smile on his face.

"Mom says we are all required to have dinner with her before she leaves," he explains once he's off the phone.

"Do you think rehab will stick this time around?" Colt asks him and he shrugs.

"I don't know, but I'm hoping it will. My dad is poison, and I'm glad she's finally making moves to separate from him. I think the final straw was whoever this girl is that he's been cheating on her with."

"Your dad has never been faithful," I say with a snort, and he rolls his eyes.

"I think it has more to do with her age. My mother is a proud woman, when she's not drunk or drugged out of her mind, and I feel that's the biggest betrayal he could do to her."

"Okay, this is supposed to be a celebration. Let's break out the Xbox and get some more beers," I crow, and they all agree.

All in all, today was a good day. The Dean is gone. Missi isn't far behind him, and soon my girl will finally be back where she belongs. In my arms. Lord knows I could use some good sleep.