The Ryland Boys
Chapter 27

The last four days have been absolutely detrimental to my mind and honesty. I’ve had dinner with James twice, refused wine, refused alcoholic beverages and even avoided all seafood entirely.

It was Friday and tomorrow James and Jax are battling each other. The winner gets to move on up in the fighting battle.

Pushing the tuna on my plate, I eyed it and began eating just the rice and Brussel sprouts.

Alison has been watching me for the last two days and I’m sure she caught on by now.

“So Norah, your aunt called me and told me you’ve been avoiding her conversation about your parents money. You do know that’ll just get placed into the government right?” She asked me.

Jax and Lindsay day across from me with Mason and Lucas beside me and Carter beside Lindsay.

I nodded “I’ll give him a call tomorrow.” I said watching her wink and nod.

Her eyes moved to Benson before she smiled at him “You should take her, you know all about the legalities and the process. Make sure she isn’t ripped off or cheated any money.” Alison said to him.

He smiled and nodded “Absolutely, it’d be my pleasure.” He stated, and I wondered if he knew I was pregnant with his sons kid would he still sound so jolly?

More importantly, would he still help?

We finished up dinner and I headed to my room staring down at my phone. It was a new phone since my other one was horrible damaged with water.

I eyed my aunts message and went to dial the number she sent me but the knock on the door made me jump.

“Yeah? Come in.” I said turning and looking to the door.

Alison walked into the room and shut it behind her crossing her arms over her chest and brushing a perfect curl back “Does James know?” She asked eyeing my room.

I shook my head “No, he doesn’t.” I said biting my nails nervously.

She moved her eyes to my window “Who knows so far?” She asked c*****g an eyebrow at me.

Looking her over, I ran a hand through my hair “Amanda and….Jax. He took me to the store to get the tests.” I said running a hand over my face nervously.

Alison watched me carefully “You should tell James next week. Don’t let him be in the dark. It’s important to find out now if he’s willing to stick around rather than a week from delivery.” She said dropping her hands to the dresser leaning back into it and sighing.

I stared at her, my heart beating rapidly but I knew that if there was one person I couldn’t ever lie to, it was this woman.

Walking to the other side of the bed I crossed my arms over my chest “It doesn’t matter if I tell James.” I said sighing.

She scoffed “Honey, it takes two, he’s just as responsible.” She said shaking her head.

I shook my head “No, Alison he’s not responsible at all.” I said watching Alison stare at me cautiously.

“Norah…” She said softly “Who’s the father Norah?” She asked sounding worried.

I should start packing my s**t now, this feels like it’s going to get messy really quick.

Looking to the wall beside mine, I stared at her and she stared between the wall and me. Her eyes and mouth widening before she covered her mouth “It’s Jax’s?!” She whisper shouted.

I nodded and held my stomach, her eyes watering before she walked over quickly and gestured for me to come over to her “Come here, come here hun.” She said pulling me to her chest and hugging me.

To be honest I was a whole lot surprised, I mean I didn’t expect this for s**t!

“I’m scared.” I said low before hugging her back.

She nodded “I know sweetheart, it’s a scary thing, but I swear it’s such a blessing.” She said wiping her tears as she pulled back.

As she wiped her tears she stared confused at me “I didn’t know you two were active. I know you did it that one time, but I didn’t know you two actually kept it going!” She whispered.

I shook my head “We didn’t, in fact I haven’t had s*x since that night. Well to be honest, I’ve only had s*x twice in my life. And the first time wasn’t really my choice.” I said watching her stare at me with a protective glare.

Alison and I sat on the bed and she eyed me “What do you mean?” She asked running a hand over my hand.

I’d sworn myself I wouldn’t tell her, but at this point Ive got little to lose.

“Three years ago a man broke into my home and raped me. Since then I hadn’t been able to have s*x or even enjoy the touch of a guy. I don’t know why, or how, but I just slept with Jax. He was just so soft, so gentle. Completely opposite of the rough pig.” I said sighing.

Alison stared at me with furrowed eyebrows “What’s his name? I’ll send the boys to kick his a*s, or make his death look like a damn accident.” She said furiously.

I smirked and then shook my head “He’s burried. I uh killed him that night. Slammed one off track trophies into his skull and just kept beating it until his brains were all over my floor.” I said calmly.

She stared at me with a blank stare for a while before looking to my trophies “Oh no, it’s not there. I didn’t keep it. I lost it with the fire. Jax knows. I accidentally told him when we got drunk in my bath tub.” I said not feeling like hiding anything anymore.

Alison held up her hands “Woah woah, okay hold on. You just threw like three huge things at me. I’ve got a thousand questions on each one!” She said turning towards me.

I tucked my hair behind my ear “Don’t worry, I won’t kill your kids. I love your sons with all my heart. I’m not psychologically disturbed, nor do I have PTSD. Oddly enough, I became a happier person after killing him. The reason I am so great at fighting is because I spent a year training myself to protect my body from another threat like that. He was a horrible man, and he had been wanted for the murder of many young girls, all of which he’d raped and murdered. I did therapy for a while, and although they couldn’t fix me with my s*x life, I was fixed with the rest of my life.” I said summing it up.

She stared at me “Okay so why my son? Why Jax?” She asked leaning in.

I smiled softly “When Jax first wanted to k**s me, he asked me if he could. He gave me the decision that I just didn’t know I could have. Jax just made things feel easier, safer. Plus he’s a gentle lover, not to disgust you but he isn’t rough or that ‘f**k me into the head board’ type of guy. It’s hard to find guys who don’t like rough aggressive s*x.” I said watching her agree after a moment of thought.

“Why’d you tell Jax about this guy?” She asked leaning to the side and propping herself on her arm.

I shrugged “I just remember the guys where having a huge party and we didn’t want to get in trouble so we stayed in our rooms. Eventually he came to my room and we just ran a hot bath, sat in with our clothes and just kept talking. We told each other our deepest secrets.” I said watching her stare down at the bed.

Her eyes moving to me carefully “He told you about her didn’t he?” She asked, I’m sure she means her daughter.

I nodded and she smiled “He used to blame himself, saying he should be the dead one. It drove me crazy because he’s my favorite. Now I know a parent is never supposed to have favorites, but he’s mine.” She said proudly.

Smiling, I ran a hand over hers, “I hope you know that I’ve already decided I’d raise this baby myself. I can’t ruin Jax’s little family.” I said laughing.

She laughed “No you’re not, you’re not ruining Jax’s little family Norah. You are his little family sweetheart. That Lindsay girl is nothing compared to you. Nothing.” She said before c*****g an eyebrow “And now Ive got more of a reason to get rid of her.”

I sighed and went to protest but she stood and winked “You amaze me with your strength, bravery and sacrifices. You have no idea how much I admire you, it’s not every day a woman is willing to sacrifice her happiness for a woman who hates her.” She said c*****g an eyebrow and walking out the door.

God damn, she didn’t fire me.

Why was I so scared to tell her before?