The Ryland Boys
Chapter 16

‘Alison please, you can’t.’ I wrote feeling my face fill with shock and my stomach turn.

She looked behind us toward the door and placed a hand over mine “If it weren’t for your love for my sons I would be mourning the death of all three of my handsome boys.” She said staring at me over her eye glasses.

I placed a hand over my face ‘I-you can’t pay for the bill. You’ve already got three to worry about!’ I wrote feeling a tear fall from my face.

With my insurance, the total cost for my bedroom, the bed, medication, neck brace, and all that bullshit in between, it was about two thousand. That’s with insurance.

I can only imagine how much Masons surgery costed, or Jax’s MRI scans and tests.

‘I can’t accept that Alison, I really can’t.’ I wrote looking to her.

She stared at me for a while before sighing “Are you sure? It would be between just us two. Benson wouldn’t even know. Just us.” She said brushing my hair back.

Writing I did a silent sigh ‘I can do this. Thank you, I have the money.’ And she stared at it biting her nail and nodding.

“Okay, I won’t push it. Just know if you change your mind, my offer still stands.” She said before getting up and walking out of the living room.

I stared down at Lucas who was watching the tv intently.

Alison let him watch Pirates of the Caribbean.

The front door opened and I sighed in annoyance that I can’t turn my neck yet.

“Oh look who it is.” Nicks voice came out and I waved.

He walked over “Heard you saved our best player. We brought you a strawberry kiwi smoothie.” We?

Nick stood in front of me and a couple guys moved standing beside him and smiling at me pointing to my neck.

I wasn’t wearing the brace, it looked ridiculous.

“Ah, that’s a painful bruise.” One guy said, I smiled at him writing on the board ‘Masons in his room sleeping. He’ll be up in twenty. Feel free to watch Pirates.’ Turning it to Nick.

He read it and then stared upstairs “Oh okay, we’ll let him sleep. You don’t mind if we sit and watch?” He asked.

I wiped the top half leaving ‘watch Pirates’.

Nick nodded and they all sat down talking to one another.

“Did you really get Han Solod?” One of them asked me. I smiled wide ‘Yup’ I held the board to the guy.

He smiled at me “You can’t talk? Or move your neck?” He asked tilting his head.

‘No, I talk a lot though, so you’re all lucky.’ I showed him it and he looked to Nick laughing “This is the one who kicked Cory’s a*s?” He asked.

Nick laughed and I shoved his shoulder furrowing my eyebrows. Taking a drink of my smoothie, Lucas took it slowly and began drinking it.

“Why’d you save Carter and not yourself? You don’t owe him anything.” Another guy asked, he was familiar, I think he was the other drunk guy from the party last Friday night.

I looked down at Lucas, ‘All I have is my mom. If I die, she will miss me but that’s one heart break.’ I showed it to him and he read it staring at me. I wiped it and finished ‘If they die. Hearts, small and big, will break. The world needs them more.’ I eyed it and then turned it to him.

The guy watched me carefully “You actually thought about that in that moment?” He asked me furrowing his eyebrows.

Wiping the board I stared at Lucas ‘I thought of Lucas never seeing his brothers and of Alison burying her sons.’ I turned it to him feeling my eyes water.

The guy smiled softly at me “You’re a genuinely good person. I’m grateful for your sacrifice. Masons a very big part of our team.” He said to me.

I smiled writing ‘He’s a great guy.’ And holding a thumbs up giving an ‘oh yeah’ expression.

They all laughed and Lucas laughed too even though I don’t think he knows what’s happening since he can’t read.

The sound of the wheelchair rolling down the hall told me he’s awake.

Pointing to the stairs I smiled at them.

“Mason!” They yelled running up the stairs.

I stood turning and sitting on my legs as I laid my chin over my folded hands on the couch. It was nice to see them carry him down the steps proud of their player. He was smiling wide and laughing embarrassed.

Mason smiled over at me “How’s the neck?” He asked.

I lifted my head rubbing my neck lightly and giving a bleak face.

He smirked “Still the prettiest.” He said low as the guys began telling him a story.

I winked and he was rolled outside by them.

Smiling I let out a small laugh.

The door pushed open and I eyed another tall guy, it was my first time seeing him but when he looked to me, he stared.

I mean you could’ve thrown something at the guys head and he would’ve just continued to stare.

He smiled slowly, awakening from his shocked look “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” He said laughing. It was a deep cozy laugh, I bit my l*p to stop the smile trying to break over my face.

Giving him the okay hand sign he stared confused at me “Oh, you’re the girl. The one…” he pointed upstairs “living with them right?” He asked smiling nervously.

I gave a thumbs up and he turned his head slightly “You can’t talk?” He asked me.

Lucas popped up next to me “She’s been Han Solod.” He said looking to me “Right. Norah? You said she got Han Solod?” He smiled at me.

I smiled giving Lucas a thumbs up.

He looked to the guy “Thumbs up is yes, thumbs up is no. This” he made the okay sign with his fingers “Is okay. And this one.” He patted his heart twice “is Love.” He smiled at me.

He held up the smoothie “She can only have drinks. Are you Masons friend?” Lucas asked staring at the guy who was still staring at me with a small smile. He seemed like he played, he was tall and built.

“Uh yeah.” He said, I could’ve guessed. “Where’s he at?” He asked Lucas moving his eyes from Lucas back to me. I smiled and pointed to the backyard. He gave me a blushed smile and nodded.

He took a few steps through the hall looking back at me and smiling before going down the hall.

The guys stayed and eventually Carters two friends showed up, along with Jax’s buddies.

Heading to the kitchen I stopped in my tracks “Is she single?” The voice was familiar, it was the cute guys.

A laugh came “She won’t date you. She only dates guys who have racecars and make snakeskin boots.” Mason said laughing.

Carters voice came “Do you still have that small plane? She might date you for that.” He said laughing.

“But is she single?” The guys asked again, this time all the guys laughed, Jax’s laugh was small andlow but I could pick it from the crowd.

I pushed the door open walking to the fridge with the silence and throat clearing filling the room. Looking around at the weirdos I gave them a strange look pulling out my lunch smoothie.

As soon as I left, the sound of them roaring into conversation came and I headed upstairs texting Nichole all about my accident.

Dinner rolled around a couple hours after and the house stayed full, Alison had the staff put three picnic tables together to make one very long table.

The door slammed open and I headed out the room to the stairs, I watched quietly as Lindsay came in with tears over her face.

Going down the steps to follow the storming Lindsay, she opened the backyard door, all the guys were playing soccer outside. I walked out to the backyard and stood beside Alison who was reading a magazine in a lounge chair.

She looked to me and then to the shouting psycho, she rolled her eyes and looked up at me “This girl is like a roach! I can’t seem to rid her.” She said standing.

As Alison walked over to her, she took Lindsay’s wrist trying to settle the moment. Jax stared at Lindsay with his jaw tensing.

“Get off me! I know you hate me! I’ve never been good enough for him! Ever!” Lindsay said shoving Alison twice before Alison fell to her a*s on the floor.

I hurried over pulling Alison up and staring at Lindsay in disgust.

That earned me a hard punch, one that turned my head and I took a step back holding my neck and looking to Lindsay with absolute annoyance.

f*****g b***h, I mouthed holding my neck.

“Chick fight!” Carter shouted, earning a soccer ball to the head by Mason.

As Mason went to grab Lindsay she shoved him hard into the stomach “f**k you! f*****g desperate for her approval, so f*****g desperate!” She screamed at him.

Mason was holding his stitches, b***d spotting on his shirt as he sat on the floor. The b***h opened his stitches.

My anger was fueling wildly and if there’s one way to see the evil and hateful Norah, it’s to f**k with those she loves.

I gave Lindsay a hard shove and she grabbed my neck gripping it tight. The pain firing through my body but my anger was greater.

“f**k you!” I managed to barely scream out.

Breathing rapid, I lifted my knee to her chest and she let go stepping back “You f*****g w***e! You have him now! Aren’t you grateful?! Aren’t you just so happy I f****d up?” She spat on me right after. I looked down at my shirt, looking to her spit and staring up at her with a calm and collected look.

She shoved my rib, I leaned forward holding it and ignoring the tears. Don’t Norah, for the sake of Jax.

Holding my hands up at her in a “stop” gesture, I approached her like you would a scared wild dog.

Lindsay shoved me again and taking a few more shoves, I tried to keep the tears of the pain in.

Letting out a slow breath I shoved her back and held up my index finger shaking my head, before waving my hand under my neck for her to quit this.

“She doesn’t want to fight you Lindsay. Let’s go inside and we’ll talk about this.” Jax said looking down at her.

She yanked her hand from his hold “If she won’t fight, she’ll just have to stand there and get her a*s handed to her!” Lindsay said to him.

Jax stared at me with that watchful eye again, his single nod told me that he gave me the permission to beat his cheating girl. As he turned and walked back to the other guys, he slowly moved his eyes to Lindsay with so much pain.

I’m sure it was more because he still loves the psychotic b***h.

Pulling my hair into a ponytail, I looked to Lindsay and turned my neck allowing myself to get used to the pain so she couldn’t use it against me. Giving her a small smirk, she stared over at me.

“Oh you’re f****d Lindsay.” Mason said covering his mouth.

Walking up to Lindsay, she went to shove me again but I grabbed her arms with one hand while holding out the base of my other palm inches from her face.

Yanking her wrists down by my side, I kept my other palm forward. Her face slammed into my palm with the force of a hard punch, the crack of her nose telling me I broke that s**t.

Free nose job.

Shoving her back with enough space between us to reach her, I tossed three hard punches back to back, and she went for me again.

Lindsay managed a punch to my shoulder and I gripped her arm, we both landed into the muddy puddle on the ground.

“Should we stop them?” A guy asked.

“No, definitely not.” Alison said.

Letting go of her and stepping back, I watched her carefully. Let’s see if she’s had enough.

She pushed herself up wiping the mud off her face slowly and then throwing a kick.

It hit my rib and I hissed at the pain bottling that s**t up. f*****g cunt.

Shaking it off, I kicked her hard to the side watching her fall to the floor.

Picking her up by her shirt to her feet, I shoved her back to the ground.

Grabbing her again, I pulled the b***h to her feet and she stumbled, I shoved her to the ground with more force this time. This time she landed and moved onto all fours curling her head down.

Oh now she’s done?

Taking her arm, I yanked her up to her feet looking to her face staring into her eyes. She looked weak, tired, and broken. (Not just because he nose was bleeding all over the place.)

I know I looked like a monster right now, this is the side of me I keep hidden, the side that I keep a secret.

Lindsay lifted a middle finger to me and shoved it into my face, “You should’ve f*****g died.” She spat, her b***d splattering on my face.

Tossing one last punch, Lindsay went limp and I let her go.

She fell to the floor knocked out on her side and I stared down at her checking to see if she was breathing, she was.

Alison looked down at her, “I’ll call my lawyer. Carter go tell Mack I said to scrape the dog s**t off the backyard floor and drive it home.” She said wiping her hands.

Jax eyed his mom in sadness before he walked inside the house. If my mom called the love of my life “dog s**t” I would be hurt too.

“Damn Norah, you’re like a Laura Croft come to life.” Nick stated with a smirk, and I smiled softly before running my hand over the mud on my arms and legs.

Looking to Mason I pointed inside and he nodded “Go shower, we’re just going to stand here and talk about you.” He said smirking.

I headed inside and up the stairs to hear slamming and then heavy breaths. Lucas walked out his room carrying three trucks and staring at Jax’s door eyeing it over before he looked up at me “You look like crap Norah.” He said bluntly.

Laughing I nodded “You should see the other girl.” I said before walking into my room.

I headed to the bathroom washing off and towel drying my hair, my jaw feeling ready to bruise already. God so many bruises, my body is starting to look like it did when I had my first car accident with Nichole. Moving from my reflection, I listened as the sound of music was blaring loudly from the room next to me.

Heading downstairs, I grabbed Jax a plate of dinner and the bottle of liquor going upstairs and to his room.

The sound of the music blasting was louder than my knock and I bit my l*p slowly turning the doorknob and heading into the bedroom shutting the door behind me.

Jax was sitting on the floor with his arms wrapped loosely around his knees and his stare bolted to the broken frame on the floor.

It wasn’t the only broken thing in the room either. Jax looked so broken, so confused and sad.

Walking over to him, I bent down placing the plate of food on the floor beside him. He didn’t look over, didn’t even blink.

I placed the bottle of liquor into his lap turning and walking to the door.

“Why didn’t you just kick her a*s the moment she hit you? You took the hits, one after another.” His voice felt louder than the blaring

music and I knew that wasn’t truly possible but he said it loud, almost shouting.

I stared at him feeling my jaw drop a bit to speak but the reminder that I can’t speak hit me, I eyed the notebook on the table and took it along with the pen beside it.

Writing I watched him open the bottle and take a drink ‘I didn’t want to hurt her because you love her.’ Handing the notebook to him, he stared down at it and read.

“Loved.” He corrected.

I shook my head underlining love three times.

He stared at the word “How stupid could I be to love a woman who cheats on me, lies about it, brings the guy over and then comes to fight the nanny?” He asked.

Oh, the nanny….the nanny.

I stared at him for a while reminding myself, he’s in a bad mood, he’s heartbroken and he probably didn’t mean it to be so insensitive. Then again I am the nanny, why am I mad if it’s just the truth? Maybe because I was hoping for something other title….

“Right, the nanny.” I mouthed dropping my eyes to the paper, he didn’t look to me. I wondered if he didn’t want to see my face because he hated me.

I went for the door placing the notebook on the desk and giving the knob a turn.

“Don’t come in again. I’m not up for visitors.” He said with a tone that hurt me deeply.

I stared at him for a moment before walking out and going to the kitchen eating my dinner in the kitchen instead of outside. Sucks because while they’re eating delicious solid foods, I’m here eating broccoli and cheddar soup.

Getting up, I went to go outside and stopped when the cute guy walked in the kitchen with a big glass of beer. I could say he intentionally poured it on me and tried to make it look accidental but that’s just dumb. Why would he want to ruin my dress?

I gasped at the cold drink and he stared scared “Oh damn I’m sorry Norah, let me uh” he turned to go grab a towel and I took his hand shaking my head mouthing it’s fine.

He nodded slowly staring down my body, I headed past him going upstairs and to my room pushing the door open and shutting it behind me and going to change.

Pulling the dress off I went to my closet sighing at how many changes I’ve done today.

Grabbing out a pair of sweat pants and a T-shirt I tossed them on the bed and walked into the bathroom taking a wash cloth and drying my wet stomach and thigh. I smell like beer now.

The sound of my door opening caught my attention and I thought I heard Jax’s music instead since it was blaring but when I heard the door shut I knew I wasn’t just hearing noises outside my room.

Going out the bathroom, I looked to see the cute guy looking over my bed and then the photo of me and my friends that sat by my bedside “You know, I’m usually not the one to make the first move but you’re breath taking.” He said with a bit more confidence.

I stared at him holding a towel to my body, I went to ask if he can leave but realized, I don’t have my damn voice.

Giving him a small smile I stared him over nervously.

He grinned at me “You have this body, it’s….hypnotic and the eyes…” he looked me over licking his lips. Somethings wrong.

Stepping back a bit, I watched him walk toward me “Come on, you like me don’t you?” He asked smiling wide.

I cursed this doorless bathroom and headed instead to the window across the bedroom door.

He laughed and went to chase me “Don’t be afraid, it’ll be quick. You’ll love it, they always do.” He said walking to me.

Two things could happen, I could run for the door because I really am not about to test if I can fight this guy or not….or, I can kick him in the nuts and run.

As he got closer, I made my run for the door, leaping over the bed and making it to the door I unlocked it but he gripped my hair pulling my back to his chest and running his hot gross breath down my neck.

Not again Norah, not again.

I will not be a victim again!

He restrained my arms and I slammed my head back knocking it into his cheekbone. He gripped my arms tighter while cursing.

The guy tossed me to the bed shoving me hard onto it. I got up and scrambled off the bed to the floor.

“Come on Norah, let’s not play these games. It never ends well.” He said grabbing my ankle and yanking me to him, I kicked him as hard as I could but he just took the hits and then grabbed a fistful of my hair pulling me to my feet.

I stared at him with my pride “Coward” I mouthed.

He stared at my lips, “You got nice lips.” He said eyeing them and forcing mine to his. As he shoved his tongue in, I gave it a hard bite and he hissed letting out a horrified scream.

I wiped the b***d off my lips and stared at him with pure disgust and anger. I shoved him off and he held onto my hair tighter, Oo migraine.

The guy tossed me to the bed, he shoved my face to the bed and held my hands with his other hand leaning down into my ear “You’ll thank me for it later.” He said low.

I did not spend an entire f*****g year of training to just get raped again!

Steadying, I calmed my body and as he let go of my hands, I moved them to my side before crying lightly. “That’s my girl.” He said low.

Now I have his trust that I’ll comply.

Slamming my leg up between his, I watched him take a moment to grab his balls. Turning, I gave his face a hard kick and pushed myself to the wall.

“Get the f**k over here!” He said yanking my arm.

He began slamming me into the wall as I gripped his face and tried to shove him off.

I tossed a punch and his nose started bleeding, I kept throwing punches and kicks until he flipped me over, shoving my face to the wall.

Pushing off the wall, I slammed my foot to his stomach hard, he fell to the floor on his back taking the chair with him.

A knock came to the door followed by Jax’s voice “Norah?” He said listening.

I jumped up on the bed running to the door but was tackled to the dresser, falling onto the floor as the guy crawled over me.

The silence grew and I couldn’t scream. It was going to be too late!

The door opened and I looked to see Jax standing there staring at the guy in a quiet anger. “Get off her.” He said calmly as he began rolling his aching wrist.

As the guy scrambled off me looking to Jax in fear and regret. I wonder if he truly regrets it, they usually don’t.

Jax looked to me staring over my face “You okay?” He asked giving me the okay gesture.

I gave one back nodding and avoiding eye contact.

He nodded and went to the guy lifting him by his neck and taking him out the room dragging him by his neck with his flailing feet following behind.

I watched Jax stroll out the room whistling to a Papa Roach song, he shut the door and I listened as the guy called for Mason loudly.

Then he was in the next room.

The music grew louder, I couldn’t hear the screams anymore.

I pulled my clothes on and held my knees to my chest listening to the music for a good thirty minutes before the music stopped and the sound of dragging came along the hallway followed by a rumbling of someone falling down the stairs.

“Mason!” Jax called.

“Holy s**t Jax, what the f**k did you-is Tony even breathing?” Mason sounded horrified.

Jax stayed quiet “He’s alive.” He said before his foot steps headed back to his room and the door was slammed.

I quietly stood and went to the hall seeing the b***d streaks along the floor dragging from Jax’s room to the stairs.

Going back into my room, I shut and locked the door pressing my back to it.

I ran my hand through my hair sighing and letting a cry come out. It felt shaky and endless, my body weak now, feeling so helpless. I’d been preparing for the last three years in case that ever happened again, and I couldn’t defend myself completely.

Alison came to Jax’s room moments later and they began talking in the room, their words low and muffled before she headed out and down the stairs.

I headed to the shower scrubbing my body and mouth off from his touch and scent. After crying more in the shower, I shut it off and dried myself off staring at the red marks around my wrists.

Rubbing them, I walked to the room pulling on pajama shorts and a shirt going into the covers and curling into the middle of the bed.

Shutting my eyes I let myself drift to sleep, exhaustion taking me over.

I woke up to the sound of a knock at my door, a note slid under my door and I slowly moved off the bed walking to it and picking it up.

It was folded with ‘Norah’ written on the front in all capital letters.

Opening it, I stared at the writing, and then the signature at the bottom. JAX.

Unlocking the door, I opened it and looked around, no one was there, but when I dropped my eyes, I stared at the bottle of Wine sitting by my door. Smiling softly, I leaned down and took it with the cork screw by it and went into the room shutting and locking the door behind me.

I opened the bottle taking a long and much needed drink of it before sitting in bed and reading the letter.

‘Dear Norah,

Don’t let your mind think you failed, I know if you hadn’t been in a wreck the prior day you could’ve kicked his a*s. You loosened two of his teeth with your punch (don’t worry I loosened the rest). Have a drink, read a book and remember that you’re annoyingly badass. If you’re afraid, angry, sad or just need company I owe it to you. Also, you should know that no one knows what happened or why I did what I did, that’s your story to tell if you want. If not, it’s our secret. Drink up, I’ll probably be doing the same thing next room.

-JAX’

Placing the note by my bed, I tipped the bottle up and eyed the paper.

Such a strange man.