The Ryland Boys
Chapter 32

“Norah? Hunny?”

Pushing my head up off the bed, I eyed the barely lit room. Staring up at Alison, she gave me a small smile.

I looked to Jax who was still asleep, “I fell asleep, I’m sorry.” I said embarrassed.

She shrugged “Its okay. I slept in the chair for a while too. Listen, I’m going to sleep here tonight, you go on home and I’ll see you tomorrow. They’ll probably discharge him in the morning.” She said quietly.

I stood and the sound came soft and low, it was a simple and quiet “No.” before his heart rate quickened.

Alison stared from me to Jax, “Hey Jax, you feeling ready to wake up?” She asked softly.

He turned his head and opened his eyes slightly, they caught my face before he shut them, “Stay.” He said breathless.

I looked over at Alison worried and she ran a hand over his chest “You’ll see her tomorrow. She needs to go rest in bed though.” She said softly.

He opened his eyes again and then looked from my face to his moms before shutting them.

Running my hand over his arm, I gave his hand a small squeeze and stayed quiet as I walked out the room watching Alison give me a small smile and wave.

Pushing out of bed, I got dressed and headed out the room stopping at the sound of Jax’s voice in the next room.

I walked over and stared into the room watching him sigh as he laid in the bed sighing at the nurse checking his heart rate.

Alison was lifting his feet and putting a pillow under them to keep b***d flowing through his body properly. Benson was carrying a bowl of oatmeal and cup of orange juice.

A hand pushed me aside and I looked over to see Lindsay walk in and sit by his bed side taking the oatmeal and orange juice from Benson.

He slowly walked out the room giving me a small smile as he passed me.

I watched Jax look to his mom “I’m fine, I’m okay.” He said trying to sound calm.

Staring at Jax, I watched him look to the nurse “Honestly I just want to sit and eat and watch tv. I’m not going anywhere.” He said to her as she nodded and he gestured for her to leave out the door.

His eyes following her as she left before catching me. They hung on my face and I felt the air in my belly expand my breath hitched. I gave a small smile before dropping my stare and walking out and down the hall.

Going down the stairs, I eyed his truck still in the wall.

Pulling out my phone, I dialed a tow company “Hello! Teds Tows! What can I do for you?” He asked.

I gave him the address and he arrived in twenty minutes. I got in my car and drove to the mechanic who put my car together for me.

Paying the tow guy, I eyed the mechanic Ralph “Hey Ralph. I had a request.” I said watching him look at me and smile but frown “Awe kid I’m sorry ’bout your mother.” He said and I nodded “It’s been quite the summer.” I said and he looked to the Hummer.

He eyed it “Damn what happened?” He asked eyeing the wreckage.

I crossed my arms over my chest “You know how some machines have heart monitors on the handles?” I asked watching him eye me suspiciously.

He nodded though, “How much to get a steering wheel like that? It’s already upgraded to push start. I need it to go to cruise control if the heart rate gets dangerously high.” I said watching him eye me before nodding slowly.

Ralph sighed “Okay kid but uh, that’s gonna cost a lot. That and the fixing.” He said pointing to the smashed hood.

I nodded “How much and how long?” I asked.

Ralph shrugged and crossed his arms over his chest, “I’m sure he’s got a nice car insurance. Maybe around four grand. That’s saying there’s a lot wrong and time, well maybe a week. I’m not very busy.” He said eyeing me.

“Alright I’m going to prepay.” I said watching him eye me before nodding, “Uh okay then.” He said going inside with me.

I paid and then drove to the Mexican restaurant ordering a steak burrito with fries in it and headed back to the house.

Handing my keys to Jack he eyed me and then smirked.

Going inside I shut the door behind me “Where’s his Hummer?” Alison asked staring at me with a small scowl.

I watched her and smiled “It’s okay. Plus I already pre paid. I uh, it’s getting a few upgrades too. Just to avoid that ever happening again.” I said watching her stare at me and then give me a small angry face before shaking it off “Stop spending your money you dork! Save it!” She said sighing.

Smiling I nodded, “Okay. I will.” I said watching her eye the bag in my hand. “What’s that? Why does it smell so good?” She asked eyeing it.

I laughed “It’s the greatest mexican food in the world.” I said moving to the stairs.

“Has he eaten lunch yet?” I asked.

She shook her head “Lindsay’s guiding the chef on how to make a delicious vegetarian meal for him.” She said c*****g an eyebrow.

I smirked “Then she won’t like me giving him a steak burrito.” I said low and watched her give me a wink.

Heading up the stairs, I knocked on the door before he called “It’s open.” Annoyed.

Oo bad timing?

I opened the door and watched his eyes move from the tv to me and he hung them over my face, “Norah.” He said obviously.

Shutting the door behind me I gave him a small smile, “I brought you a burrito but I’m actually thinking that maybe it’s not healthy for after a heart attack so maybe I should just toss it.” I said laughing lightly.

He smiled softly, “Are you kidding me, give me that before I die again.” He said as I handed him the burrito.

Jax patted the side on the bed and I walked over sitting down and staring over at him “You gave me quite the scare.” I said watching him eye me.

He stared down at the burrito “Who-” He was going to ask about the baby. I know it.

I went to say something but didn’t know what to say. “Thank you for postponing the wedding.” I said softly.

Jax took a bite of the burrito, sitting in silence as he finished the first big bite. “Why didn’t you tell me?” He asked staring over at my lips and then his burrito.

Play dumb? Don’t play dumb. Play dumb?

“About what?” I asked watching him look up at me in a ‘Seriously?’ Look.

I stayed quiet, “You where just going to go to his house and not tell me? You know if there’s anyone who could have protected you it’s me.” He said throwing my mind off.

Wait, what?

Watching him carefully, I shrugged “I-I figured you’d tell me no. That you would probably fight him or that…” I watched his burrito to distract myself.

He put the burrito down and laid back staring over at my face.

“That I might shame him for being a shitty man, walking out on a girl like you especially after he knocked you up?” He asked.

Oh f**k….

He’s pulling my games on me, no fair!

“Then he’d say ‘but we never slept together, so how could it be mine?’ And then you’d either have to admit that there’s a third guy, or…” he eyed me and I took a shaky breath “Or you’d find out that it was yours.” I said filling in the next sentence.

Jax watched me for a long time “I would’ve chose you Norah. I would’ve told Lindsay I couldn’t marry her, that I’d pay child support but I needed to marry you.” He said with his eyes watering.

I dropped my stare and felt the tears fall down my face “I’m so sorry Jax, I honestly just wanted to make your life simpler. Knocking up one girl out of wedlock is one thing but two? That would’ve ruined your family name, that would’ve ruined your name.” I said watching him sigh and look at me.

His eyes heavy in pain, “You didn’t even give me the choice.” He said catching me off guard.

That word.

I felt my heart racing and watched him raise a hand, out of reflex from my recent and past conflicts, I flinched.

His hand running over my cheek softly rubbing my tears away, “Id never hit you Norah. Ever.” He said looking into my eyes.

My heart was all over the place with its beating and I wanted to throw myself onto him hugging him and crying into his chest but he’s not my fiancé.

He’s not even the child of my father anymore.

The door opened and Lindsay walked in eyeing me “Get out slut.” She said annoyed.

“Don’t call her that.” Jax snapped at her and she stared at him taken back but I shook my head “Sorry to bug you Jax.” I said wiping my tears and hurrying out the door.

I packed a duffel bag and headed down the stairs. “You going somewhere?” Mason asked walking past me and up the stairs.

Staring at it I shrugged “Just for a bit.” I said watching him nod once “Be safe.” Mason gave me a smile and I headed out the door shutting it behind me.

Going to Jack I gave him a smile and he brought my car, I got in tossing my bag to the back and driving to the nearest hotel.

At around ten I got a phone call from Alison “What do you mean? Sweetheart, come home!” She said sounding worried.

I eyed the tv and the box of chocolates beside me, “I’m just going to take some time away. I’ll be back in a week. It’s okay.” I said listening to her say no and tell me not to hang up but I said goodnight and hung up placing the phone beside the bed and turning it to ‘Do Not Disturb’.

Wednesday, I spent the day by the hotel pool, trying to get my mind off the mess of yesterday.

Thursday, I binge watched some horror films and learned yoga poses on the tv. (Fell on my face about twenty times.)

Friday was when I ordered a box of pizza and got drunk by myself in my room.

Saturday was an all gym day, ending it with a night swim.

Sunday I stayed in my room learning how to crochet. Absolute nightmare.

Monday I took myself out to dinner and then took myself to the movies. (It was a strong reminder that I was naturally alone in this world)

Tuesday came back around and I received a call from Ralph saying that the truck was ready.

Packing my bags, I drove my bug to the house and Jack parked it. I left my duffel in the back making a jog to Ralph.

When I got there, he smiled and gestured for me to get in and try it.

I laughed “Uh how do I see if it works?” I asked him watching him gesture for me to get out.

Getting out, I watched him get in and then as the truck was lifted he turned it on pressed the pedal before a coworker tazed him and I let out a scream before covering my mouth.

But the truck switch to cruise control, slowing down and the hazards even came on.

He parked the car and the truck was lowered, he got out and gestured for me to get in.

I got in and placed both hands on the wheel watching the heart monitor in the corner, “Holy s**t Ralph! You did it!” I said smiling.

The guy shrugged “Talent. You need a tow?” He asked.

I shook my head “I ran here to drive it back.” I said watching him laugh.

Backing the hummer up, I drove down the road reaching his street and filled the tank up before parking into the drive way.

“The trucks here!” Mason shouted as he got out his new truck eyeing it and then stopped and smirking at me “Norahs here!” He shouted.

I smiled at Mason and put the car in park.

Alison came outside smiling and pulling me to a hug, “What’s the new improvement?” She asked walking to the drivers seat.

I gestured for her to get in and Mason moved to the passenger seat eyeing me.

Leaning in, I pointed to the heart monitor in the screen, “So if his heart rate reaches a dangerous high, the car will automatically switch to cruise control and hazards will be turned on. After a mile on cruise control it will stop.” I said watching her stare at me and then the truck in disbelief.

“And it works?” She asked.

I laughed “Yeah the uh guy had someone tase him to prove it worked.” I said watching Mason move and put his hands on the wheel smiling “This is badass Norah.” He said.

Staring at the front door, I watched Alison look over and smile wide “Jax! Come look.” She said waving him over.

He slowly walked over to my side and stared down at me running a hand down my back and then focusing on the steering wheel confused.

“So your heart rate is right there, and if it rises, it’ll switch to cruise control, put the hazards on and then after a mile, it’ll park.” She said smiling and looking to me and back at him.

Jax stared at it for a while before he gestured to the wheel “Can I?” He asked and his mom nodded and got out.

He got in and placed his hands on the steering wheel smiling softly before looking to his mom “Thanks.” He said.

She scoffed “Like I’d be smart enough to come up with that. Stupid Norah here took your Hummer in last week.” She said c*****g an eyebrow at me.

I smirked “But he got it done.” I stared up at Jax “It also has the police hooked to your location so once it’s parked, it’ll send your location to 911 for an emergency.” I said watching him sit back and stare at me for a while.

“You thought of all of that?” He asked looking me over.

Nodding, I eyed the side where the belt came out and pushed on the padding “It’s also padded and black so it’s not tacky. Just to avoid that happening again.” I said gesturing to the cut on the side of his head.

Jax sighed “Don’t ever run off again.” He said turning the Hummer off and staring at me.

Alison nodded in agreement, and I smiled softly.

Lucas came running out with Carter and they wanted to see it too.

I headed inside giving Jax a smile.

It’s a good thing he likes it.