The Ryland Boys
Chapter 8

I spent the last couple days dancing around my house singing out loud while eating all the worst foods for my body.

Later I realized I never have any of them my phone number so when I left, I really left. Alison was the only one with my number and I’m sure she’d never give it to them.

Turning the kitchen light on, I began putting the bread on the pan to toast before the sound of my phone ringing came out.

I ignored it twice before the third time made me answer, unknown number.

Answering I waited “Norah dead and speaking.” I said leaning into the counter as I bit a piece of lettuce.

“Norah! Norah it’s Lucas!”

His little voice shocked me, the sound of loud music blaring and the laughter and shouting filling the room. “Get out! Get out of my room you stupid idiots!” Lucas shouted.

I laughed and listened carefully as he slammed the door and the sound muffled. “Mom left this morning with dad. They had a party and I had a drink of something and I don’t feel good Norah.” He said nervously.

My fear racked up in my chest, “Where’s Carter Mason Jax and Lindsay?” I asked waiting.

He started to cry “Come take care of me Norah, please.” He cried deeper.

s**t.

Putting the sandwich down I headed out the kitchen “Okay I’m coming, stay in your room and stay on the phone with me okay kid?”

“Okay Norah.” He cried.

Running up the stairs I pulled on my converse and sweater zipping it half way and running down the stairs getting my purse and going out the door.

I locked the door and headed to my car getting in and driving to the house “How we doing kid?” I asked breathing nervously.

“Not good.” He said crying.

Breathe Norah, breathe.

Speeding, I made it to the house in ten minutes instead of fifteen and pulled up to the driveway putting the car in park.

Jack smiled at me and I gave a small wave running inside and shoving past people running up the stairs, making it to the upstairs, a few people hung around his door and I moved past them “Hey kid I’m outside the door open up.” I said nervously.

The door opened and Lucas dropped the phone to the floor throwing himself at my legs. I pulled him up hugging him and shutting the door. Taking him to the bathroom, I looked to him rubbing his stomach “How much did you drink Lucas?” I asked watching him shake his head.

I sighed “Alright you trust me?” I asked him and he nodded stumbling. How the hell did he get my number?

Taking him to the sink, I held him up and we made eye contact in the mirror “I’m going to shove my fingers to the back of your throat, it’s going to feel very uncomfortable but it’ll make you feel better okay?” I said.

Lucas cried and nodded.

Washing my hands good, I leaned over him and began holding him shoving my finger to the back of his throat.

It took us about eight tries before he finally went to throw up.

I moved him to the toilet quick and as he began vomiting everything out, I felt my body sigh in relief.

He kept crying and I rubbed his back “I know, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry Lucas.” I said sighing.

After ten minutes, I gave him a bath and put him in bed going out the door to get him water.

I headed down the stairs, a few of the guys I met at the dinner where here but I had a certain little guy on my brain. Couldn’t strain from focus.

Making it to the kitchen, I grabbed three bottles of water and made a quick turkey and cheese sandwich (since peanut butter gives him diarrhea) taking all of it upstairs.

“Norah?”

I turned looking to Lindsay. She scowled “What the f**k are you doing here?” She asked angry.

I was going to stop myself from saying something but then realized I was already fired “You’re the dumbest f*****g b***h I’ve ever met, you’re insecurities make me sick and your need to force people to your will disgusts me more. The fact that you probably didn’t know Lucas is drunk upstairs, and called me crying about how he doesn’t feel good is even more disgusting. You should never be allowed to mother.” I said watching her step back in disbelief, “What are you going to do? Go cry to Jax? You can’t get me fired, you already did that.” I said watching the small crowd stare between us.

Lindsay scowled “You know nothing about me.” She said stepping forward.

I nodded “Let’s keep it that way.” I said turning and going up the stairs.

Pushing open Lucas’s door, I shut it behind me and went to his bed side “Hey, want to eat something?” I asked him watching his mouth squished into the pillow.

He shook his head looking up at me with barely open eyes, “Lets try to drink some water and eat okay? I know you feel very weak, it’ll make you feel stronger okay?” I said watching him nod slowly.

The rest of the night I stayed with him hand feeding him and using a straw to let him drink. After three hours, he was fast asleep.

I monitored him for the next two hours, and he only threw up once.

The party died down and I headed out the door to get more water for Lucas. The house was trashed and I eyed the red plastic cups all over the floor.

I headed to the kitchen grabbing a few more waters and then noticing Mason stumbling into the kitchen before landing on his face.

Sighing, I cursed myself for being a good person.

Two other guys came in laughing drunk “Mase come on, hold your shit.” One said, he was one of the guys I’d tackled.

“How much did he drink?” I asked the guys walking to Masons body.

The first guy eyed me “Norah, holy shit.” He said eyeing me over.

I stared down at my body, sports bra, my jacket and my sweat shorts. Oh, I didn’t even realize. Ignoring it I looked to the other guy “How much?” I asked.

He stared down at Masons body “A s**t ton.” He laughed.

I nodded “Alright Mason, time to go to bed.” I said leaning down and picking him up, he got his footing and I went stumbling to the side before one of the guys helped me with the other side.

We walked him upstairs “Just put him in Lucas’s room so I can watch both.” I said as the guy took over walking Mason to the room.

As he tossed him down I adjusted Mason onto his side “Thanks.” I said sighing.

The guy headed out the room and I looked down at Mason, “You’re so f*****g beautiful.” Mason said as he opened his eyes slightly.

I laughed “Yeah, well you’re so drunk.” I said going to the bathroom grabbing the trash bin and taking it to his bedside and adding a straw into the bottle putting it to Masons lips.

He slowly started to drink it and I rubbed his arm, it was supposed to be a soothing rub to calm him but his arms are nice so it was more for me.

“Hey doc” the same guy came back in and this time holding Carter.

I eyed Carter “Just uh put him in the rocking chair.” I said watching the guy nod and put Carter down.

He smiled and walked out shutting the door.

Putting the water down, I went to Carter “Hey, how you feeling?” I asked Carter, he opened his eyes lightly before closing them again.

He didn’t say anything.

Sighing, I headed out the door collecting two more trash bins and going to the room.

I placed one by Lucas and one by Carter, “You feel sick? If so move your finger.” I said watching Carters hands. His index finger lifted slow.

I nodded “want to throw up?” I asked watching his hands carefully. No movement.

Opening the other water, I put the straw in it and to his lips “drink.” I said calmly.

He took a small sip before he turned his head, his color fading.

f**k.

God, this guys got alcohol poisoning.

Sighing I leaned him forward and went to the bathroom washing my hands, here goes round two.

Slowly pushing my fingers into the back of his throat, he limply let me.

Oh yeah he’s got alcohol poisoning.

After the second gag, he began throwing up and I put the bin in between his legs as he threw up in it.

My shoulder and sleeve had vomit on them, ugh.

Rubbing his back I let him throw up some more before he moved to the side and sighed.

“Alright let’s move you to the floor.” I said grabbing a pillow and putting it on the ground moving him to the floor.

I kept him on his side going out the door to toss the trash bag of vomit.

Jerry took it and smiled at me “God bless you, It’s good to see your face around here again.” He said giving me a nod.

I smiled “Good to see you too Jerry.” I headed inside grabbing more waters and straws. Going up the stairs, I was curious why there was still like twenty people here.

Go home weirdos.

Going upstairs, I placed the waters down and shut the door taking my jacket off and my socks and shoes putting them in the bathroom.

The sound of vomiting came and I headed to Mason, holding the bin to his chin “let it all out.” I said running my hand through his hair.

He laid on his back and I put the bin back down turning him back on to his side.

Lucas had turned as curled into Masons back.

I pulled the blanket back over him and looked down at Carter who was turning onto his stomach ready to vomit.

Running over, I sat him up letting him throw up in the bin. “You guys ever heard of keeping someone sober?” I asked sighing.

“Lindsay’s sober” Mason said softly.

Yeah of course.

After an hour of this, the door opened and Jax walked in going into the rocking chair sitting.

“Jax” I said from Masons side, putting the water bottle down, I stared at Mason who was hanging his arm off the bed.

Jax didn’t say anything he just went to sleep in the chair.

Seriously?

Going out the door, I saw them start to clean all the staff was cleaning the guys party mess.

I began picking up the trash upstairs and went into the rooms picking the crap up before the house phone rang.

No one answered and it rang again.

“Where’s Lindsay?” I asked sighing.

Picking it up I answered and waited “Hey kids were coming home, uncles surgery got postponed to next week. You guys okay?” Alison asked.

“Yeah.” I said in a manly voice.

Alison stayed quiet “Okay we’ll see you in a couple hours.” She said and I hung up.

f**k!

Deep breaths Norah.

Speed cleaning the upstairs, I checked on all four boys before going downstairs and helping the staff clean up.

It took us two hours and I was continuously checking on the boys, and I guess Lindsay and Jax got into an argument so she left.

The sober one left.

Finishing up wiping down the last counter, I sighed in relief “Finally clean!” I said sighing and watching Emily nod. “Sorry you have to deal with the guys.” She said.

I shrugged “As long as they all are alive by tomorrow I’m fine. I had a friend a couple years back who died choking on her vomit.” I said thinking of Kate.

She frowned “Sorry.” She replied.

I shook my head “It’s okay, just taught me a lesson.” I said before grabbing more waters and going upstairs again.

At some point, I dozed off laying my head into the bookshelf and falling asleep.

“What in the hell is that smell?” Alison’s voice woke me up and I quickly looked to all the boys. Jax sat up looking around confused, Carter pushed himself off the floor sitting up and rubbing his forehead, Mason sat up and stared at me for a while. Lucas sat up and looked around confused.

Alison walked in picking up the toys before her eyes moved to me, “Norah.” She said surprised.

Carter took his moms wrist “You’re home.” He said.

Alison’s eyes went down my body “What are you wearing? Rather, what aren’t you wearing?” She said eyeing me over.

I stood up and ran a hand through my hair “Sorry, I should go.” I said heading to the bedroom door.

“Norah?” Jax asked looking over at me, his eyes running down my body “We invited you?” He asked confused.

Lucas cut in “I called Norah cause I was drunk.” He said getting out of the bed.

The guys stared at Lucas with wide eyes and confusion, Alison in horror.

“You let him drink?!” She asked shouting to the three boys.

They all covered their ears and I realized that’s my cue, walking past her, I went to leave but she stopped me by taking my wrist “Wait for me in my office.” She said sternly.

I nodded and headed out the door down the steps to the office.

Alison’s shouting echoed the home and when she finished she slammed the door.

I was going to feel the ultimate wrath of a mother and to be honest I’m not sure I’m ready.

She was talking to someone and when she said Jerry, I hoped he said good things only.

The door opened and she shut it softly behind her, “This house is a disaster when I leave, usually flipped upside down. It’s not.” She said eyeing me as she took a seat behind the desk.

I nodded softly “We cleaned it up when everyone left.” I said low.

She leaned back “Why are you here? And don’t tell me it’s because Lucas called. You’re fired, you don’t owe me or him anything. Let alone to watch all four of my sons and clean my home.” She stated crossing her arms over her chest.

Alison leaned forward “Which son is it? You’re sleeping with one aren’t you?” She asked.

I felt my eyes bulge from my skull and shook quick “No, no I’m not. Absolutely not.” I said shaking my head again.

She shrugged “Then why?” She asked.

Shrugging I eyed the desk, “I don’t know, I just felt like I had to be the one to help.” I said calmly, she shook her head “You could’ve called the police instead, or me for that matter.” She said.

I nodded “I know, I just”

Alison leaned closer “Yes?” She asked.

I wasn’t about to tell her about my deepest secret, my one moment of weakness. If she found out, she’d never let me in her home again.

“I missed them.” I said sighing.

She eyed me, “You can leave now. Thank you for watching my idiots while I was gone.” She said pulling out a pen.

“Here.” She said writing something and handing me a check.

I took it carefully, walking out the office and to the front. Jack had my car brought out and I got in driving to the house eyeing the check in the passenger seat. At least three thousand and I’ve only been working two weeks. Rich people are ridiculous with their babysitting.

God I can’t believe I lost that job, I can’t believe I was so stupid!

Pulling up to my street, I eyed the rental car in the front. What the hell?

Looking from the car to the-well what was left of the house….I felt my heart sink into the floor of the car as I let out a loud chain of curse words.

Mom was sitting on the front steps with her head in her hands, Aunt Elle beside her calming her down.

Oh my goodness.

Pulling up, I parked the car and got out slowly staring at the black charred up bits of the house.

I f*****g burnt down the house.