The Ryland Boys
Chapter 11

Pulling on my jeans I slipped on a T-shirt and headed out the door to Lucas’s door.

He was asleep and I pushed open the door “Wake up kid.” I said smiling.

As he got up I began us off with stretches and then we played a puzzle before eating our breakfast and playing outside.

Our week was full of games, Jax had been training night and day like crazy. He was going to take that opportunity but lied to Lindsay. It’s not my place to tell him what to do so I just kept my mouth shut about it.

That was until it was the evening and he had to tell her.

Jax slept early last night and woke up around ten to do more training.

It was five which meant Alison would be home soon.

Picking up the trail of foam alphabet letters, I made it past the gym watching as Jax threw his punches. He was looking tired.

Pulling the door open I leaned into the doorsill “You should save your strength.” I said catching him off guard.

Jax turned around and eyed me “In three hours I’ll be fighting a great fighter.” He said adjusting his gloves.

I nodded “So will he.” I said catching his eyes and walking out the gym to pick up the rest of the letters.

Putting the whole damn alphabet into a bin I pushed it into the closet shutting it and going past the gym to see it was empty.

He took my advice.

Smiling I headed down the hall and to the door to see Lindsay walk in bored “Jax has been ignoring my calls.” She said and I pointed upstairs.

She headed up the stairs and I turned walking to the Kitchen to see Jax drinking some water.

I jolted a thumb back “Lindsay’s looking for you.” I said watching him nod as I went to leave “Norah?”

Turning, I looked to him “Come tonight.” He said more like a demand than a request. His eyes glued to mine, he was scared to say it but did.

Giving a small nod I headed upstairs to Lucas’s room. He was cleaning his room, “I’m done Norah.” He said.

The door opened and Lindsay looked to us “He’s not here.” She said.

I shrugged “Check the kitchen.”

She shut the door going down stairs.

God please give Jax this opportunity’s best result.

I sighed.

“Come on or we’re going to miss the first part.” Lucas said shoving Mason.

We hurried to the front bench and sat in the reserved seats, I didn’t sit since there was only enough for the family.

“Don’t worry sit, please.” Mason said offering his seat to me. I laughed “I’m good Mase, sit. When he looks over here he’s going to want to see your faces.” I said watching him sit down.

Mason is too good for me, way too good.

Looking to the back I watched as Lindsay was going off on Jax, he seemed disoriented from her nagging.

“Mason, can you go get Lindsay?” I asked him.

He eyed me “He likes her there.” He stated.

I bit my l*p “Alright.”

She shouted again and although I couldn’t hear it over the roaring crowd, I could see it.

The referee introduced the fighters and then they began fighting. After the third fight I got a bit aggressive “Upper cut his a*s!” I shouted to the guy Lucas was rooting for.

There was two more and it all led up to Jax’s fight.

Jax looked over the crowd, his eyes landing on his family before they moved from them to me. He gave me a nod. I smiled and he got ready to fight.

Across from him was an insanely built man with muscle on his skull. God damn.

“You happy?” Lindsay asked shoving me.

I stared down at her “Are you serious?” I asked watching her scowl at me. “Support him, don’t stand here fighting me.” I said shaking my head.

The bell rang and the two went to fight, Jax received three hard punches, only landing one.

Watching the big guy, I noticed he stepped when he punched, not only that but he was weak on his left h*p.

Jax was lifted and tossed to the ground, the guy got on him and tossed a hard punch to his face.

The referee blew his whistle.

Moving past Lindsay to Jax’s side of the ring I smiled at him through the cage. He looked to me placing a towel to his bleeding nose while his coach massaged his shoulders “You got this kid.” He said.

“Jax, he’s weak in the left h*p. Just give it a real good punch.” I said watching him look to me and nod “He steps when he punches too, watch his feet.” I said staring at the b***d dripping down his brow. Turning I went to walk away but stopped and looking back at him.

The coach looked to me and then to Jax “And Jax?” I said feeling my heart pound. He stared over at me “You can do this.” I said giving a small smile and stepping back from the ring to the crowd crossing my arms over my chest biting my nails.

Curse you stupid habit.

I watched as the whistle blew and they went again.

Jax watched his footing discretely before dodging a couple and then throwing one to the giants nose.

The guy stumbled back “Come on Jax!” I shouted.

He tossed two hard punches and then one last one. Giant slumped to the floor and the whistle was blown.

I ran a hand through my hair and looked to see Alison watching me, she stood and walked over to me “What did you tell him?” She asked looking me over as we watched Jax.

“Giants weaknesses.” I said trying to steady my heart.

She rubbed my back and gave my shoulder a squeeze going back to her seat.

After he cooled off, they went back into their spots and the whistle blew.

They threw punches, Giant threw a really hard one, kicking Jax to the side and then grabbing him and slamming him to the floor.

The whistle blew.

“Come on Jax.” I said softly.

Jax stood and walked to the corner, water was poured on his head and his face wiped. He drank his Gatorade before putting his mouth guard back in.

I watched as both men stood, beaten and bloody.

Come on Jax.

The whistle blew and they went at it.

Jax received three hard blows dropping to one knee. Giant went to grab him and flip him but Jax gave him one hard punch to the left h*p. Jax stumbled upright and Giant fell over, Jax pulled him up and threw four hard punches back to back until the guy was knocked out.

The referee blew the whistle holding Jax’s hand. “The champion of tonight’s fight is Jax Ryland.” He said holding Jax’s hand up. Lindsay entered the ring and gave him a k**s on the cheek smiling for the crowd.

I smiled up at him and watched them clean him up “Lets get home. He’ll meet us there.” Alison said to us all.

We headed out the doors. I took my own car because I had to drop off money to Nichole’s house for the destruction of the dress and heels I borrowed.

Especially since it’s been burnt now too.

I headed to my car and they said they’d see me later as they disappeared. I drove off to Nichole’s and dropped the money in an envelope in the mailbox going back toward the house.

Pulling up at a light to see Lindsay in her Benz, I noticed her alone, she was shouting on the phone, I rolled my window down partly. “Find your own ride jackass.” She said before hanging up and driving on the green light.

I sighed and watched her drive off, noticing the street was empty, I did a uturn and drove back to the fighting place.

Pulling up to the front, I watched as the only person leaning against the building was the champion of tonight.

That’s just wrong.

Parking the car, I got out and looked to him “Need a ride?” I asked as he moved his attention from his phone to me.

He stared at me carefully “You always pick up strangers?” He asked me walking over to the car.

I shrugged “A strange hobby of mine.” I said smirking.

Jax walked over and pulled open the passenger door getting in. “How’d you know?” He asked as I got in and rolled the windows down.

“Ironically enough, we met at a red light and she was telling you to find your own ride.” I said looking over at him as I hung a hand out the window letting the wind run through my fingers.

He stared down at the metal in his hands “You shouldn’t be so sad Jax, you just stepped up two ranks. You’re closer to your goal.” I said smiling.

Jax didn’t smile, lightly hitting his arm I caught his stare “Be proud of yourself, even if she isn’t now, she will be later.” I said moving my eyes to the road.

Silence took over the car, I turned the music up a bit and we drove to the house. It was a good thirty minutes away.

“She wants me to retire.” He said clearing his throat running a hand over his forehead.

I stayed quiet, he sighed “I’m tired Norah. I’m so exhausted from this.” He said looking out the window, I didn’t know if he meant fighting or Lindsay. “I just want to scream loud and just let it all out.” He said low.

Rerouting, I headed south instead of west and he looked to the freeway “You did that on purpose didn’t you?” He asked after we made the turn.

I looked over at him with a small smirk staring ahead “Sleep, I’ll wake you in a bit.” I said feeling his eyes on me.

Turning the radio up, I listened to the song singing softly and quietly to the lyrics as I began the long drive “I keep on going the distance time keeps on making me hate this.” I sang looking over to see him watching me.

Looking away, I focused on the road singing quieter, “It was hard as hell but as good as it was I just couldn’t take the distance.”

He eventually fell asleep after the first twenty minutes of the drive, twenty more minutes, I parked the car and walked to the gate giving the lock a pull and as it unlocked, the chains fell to the floor and I pushed them open going back to my car and quietly getting in.

Jax was still asleep and I headed up the mountain for a good ten minutes until we made it to the top and I parked the car. Shutting the lights off, I stared at the city lights turning to Jax “Hey, Jax. We’re here.” I said shaking his shoulder lightly.

He lifted his head off the window and stared at me confused.

His eyes looked around and he stared over at me “You planning on killing me?” He asked looking around the dark mountain.

I laughed “Get out, come on.” I said getting out of the car.

Heading to the rock, I sat down and ran a hand over my name graffitied on it. The car door opened and shut, his footsteps came slow and I looked back at him seeing his eyes mesmerized by the lights.

“Scream.” I said staring at him with a small smile.

Jax stared confused and looked around for civilization probably.

I laughed, “Were about twenty miles from any homes or civilization. No one will hear. Scream it out, come on.” I said waving for him to scream.

He looked to me and I smirked “I’ll show you.” I said gesturing for him to cover his ears. He slowly covered them and I stood letting out a loud and angry scream.

His face lightened up and he dropped his hands, letting out a loud scream that sounded like a deep painful one. “f**k!” He shouted elongating the word. Then for the next ten minutes he stood shouting other words and then sitting on the rock shutting his eyes.

I smiled and sat beside him on the rock staring at the lights, he stared down and eyed my name

“Is this your spot?” He asked me.

Giving a nod, I eyed the rock “For three years.” I said looking down at the other three names.

“She passed away by choking on her own throwup at a party.” I said.

Pointing to the other name I laughed “Nichole’s f*g rich men overseas.” I moved my finger over Amanda’s name “She met the love of her life a couple days ago. She’s also overseas.” I said looking to the rock.

“Why aren’t you overseas with men?” He asked looking over at me with his eyebrows furrowed.

I dropped my smile “I’m not rich.” I said laughing, “I was saving up to travel. That’s why I’m working.” I shrugged.

Jax stared at my eyes “I admire that. You work for what you want.” He said dropping his eyes to the rock and then the city lights.

Leaning back I propped myself up with my hands “You do too.” I said staring at him, he stared at the mountains across shaking his head.

“You wanted to win, you worked to get it. You earned your place.” I said watching him turn and look at me.

Jax stared at my lips for awhile and then leaned forward moving his attention to the city lights.

We sat there for a while, just in the silence admiring the night and the city lights.

“Ready to go home?” I asked watching him take a long look “Yeah.” He said slowly getting up. I stood with him and headed to the car. Starting the car I waited and watched him let out one more shout before he got in and shut the door.

Driving us to the house, I made it to the house in forty minutes. I pulled the car into the garage and hung the keys since Jack was off by now.

We walked into the house and it was dark that means everyone was asleep.

“Thank you for tonight Norah.” Jax said looking down at me as we made it to the front door.

I nodded “Don’t worry about it.” I waved it off.

Jax stared down at my lips again, “I mean it, I wouldn’t have this metal if it weren’t for your tips.” He said before the door opened.

Alison stood in her robe staring at us both “You two okay? Where’s Lindsay?” She asked looking between us.

Jax looked from me to his mom and then headed inside without saying anything.

I pursed my lips “Lindsay left him at the place. He uh, he’s having a rough night.” I said watching her nod thoughtfully.

Walking inside, I turned and looked to her “Don’t worry, Rule three wasn’t broken.” I said smiling at her.

She smirked “Scared me a bit after the first two hours.” She sighed.

She shut the door and I looked up at the stairs “No, I took him to this spot I used to go to when I needed to just scream my lungs off and cuss the world out.” I said watching her sigh and smile.

Alison crossed her arms over her chest and then dropped them and pulled me to her hugging me, “We needed you Norah. I’m starting to believe God sent you to me.” She said as I hugged her awkwardly back and pulled away.

She placed a hand on my cheek “Don’t stay up too late.” She said going upstairs and to her room.

That was weird.

I headed up the stairs and listened for the small cursing.

Going to Jax’s door, I noticed it open and walked in slowly making it to the bathroom.

He was holding his bleeding nose cursing, going to him, I grabbed some napkins handing it to him and watching him hold the napkins to his nose. “Had to break it back in place.” He said sounding nasally.

I nodded “Warm water helps. Just uh-go in the shower, warm shower, just let it drip out.” I said watching him stare at me “Did your parents beat you?” He asked very serious in his question.

Laughing I shook my head “Why would you think that?” I asked as I eyed the rubbing alcohol and the cotton pads.

He stared at the sink “You just, self defense class, you take insults, you’re smart, you got a secret screaming spot, and you know about bloody noses.” He said pointing a thumb to the shower.

Leaning into the counter I stared at my converse “No, not abused. Dad passed when I was three, my moms never really around.” I said eyeing the girls shirt hanging out the hamper.

“What’s your story then?” Jax asked before I handed him more napkin.

I looked to his reflection staring at his eyes “If I told you, I’d have to kill you.” I said laughing lightly.

Jax held a small grin “Really?” He asked.

I nodded “Oh yeah, you’d be surprised at how serious I am.” I said watching him laugh lightly into the sink.

“Go to the shower.” I said turning it on and as it got warm, I looked him over watching him walk right in with his clothes on.

Laughing I stared at him “Well that’s one way to do it.” I said grabbing the trash bin and tossing the bloody napkins in the bin rinsing the sink down and washing my hands.

Jax was in there for a few minutes before he shut it off.

“You really are google.” Jax said pushing the door open and breathing normal.

I nodded “The things you learn when you read.” I said with a fake surprised face.

Jax smirked at the floor “I’m going to go so you can really shower. Sleep with two pillows and keep your mouth open, you don’t want too much stress on your nose.” I said watching him stare at me as I walked out moving the hamper by the shower in one swift move.

Walking out I shut the door behind me and headed to my room shutting and locking the door.

God that was the most I’ve ever talked to him!

Oh thank you Lindsay for leaving him there.

I ran a bath and filled it with bubbles calling Nichole and talking low to her, after her, I called mom and aunt Elle telling them I was doing good, mom was doing good too I guess, Amanda and I talked for a good hour about her love and I felt happy for her.

Hanging up I put the phone on the counter and got out wrapping a towel around me and unplugging the tub.

I pulled on pajamas and got in bed going to bed with a smile on my face.

Pushing up out of bed, I looked to the clock, two in the morning. I’ve only been asleep for three hours.

Walking to Jax’s room, I slowly pushed it open seeing him asleep with two pillows and his mouth open, good he listened.

Shutting the door, I headed to Lucas’s room next covering him back up and then smiling at him shutting the door and going back to bed.

We’re good