The Ryland Boys

Chapter 2: It Begins

"I know mom! I know!" I called closing the door as she called over at me to use the garage door instead. She didn't fix the front door, apparently it's my job to do.

Last night I called my best friends Amanda and Nichole spilling all the gossip, Amanda lost her s**t when she found out I was babysitting Masons brother and Nichole freaked out when I said hot men.

Heading to my car, I pulled open the door and got in, I was going to leave an hour early but then the cat was vomiting everywhere.

I think the salmonella of the gecko is getting to her. Poor Cheshire.

Pulling out, I drove off to my first day of work. God this is going to be good, yes!

Reaching the house, I pulled up and got out tossing my keys to the guy and heading inside and smiling because I was ten minutes early.

Alison walked down the stairs staring down at me "Lovely, you're on time. I'll be leaving now, there's a list on the counter in the kitchen. It will tell you what he eats and when he eats it, it also has his scheduled play time, piano lesson, nap time and anything he can't have. Peanut butter gives him diarrhea." She said as she walked out the door shutting it.

Okay.

Where's the kitchen? Where's anything?

I looked confused toward the two halls, two paths.

Damn this is going to be a long summer with these rich people.

Sighing, I bit my lip "Lucas!" I called cringing at my own voice and hoping I didn't disturb anyone. Last thing I need is getting s**t for being annoying.

The sound of little foot steps running over the wood flooring told me Lucas was upstairs.

Hanging my coat and purse on the hook by the door, I headed up the stairs to see the seven doors, all double. f*****g rich people.

Listening carefully, I heard the footsteps and it followed with a "Find me if you can!" Then a laughter.

God if I could have a kid...

Smiling, I headed quietly down the hall. "What did you say?" I asked tricking him into talking again.

His laugh came out loud "I said, Find me if you cannn!" He shouted sounding thrilled and nervous.

I made my way to the door where his voice came from and turned the knob poking my head inside.

"Hmm...I wonder where Lucas could possibly be." I said softly as I walked into the room which looked more like a book room.

Going to the desk, I ducked down searching under it "Gee he's a great hider this kid." I said standing and turning. My scream came out and I held my chest as I looked to the door.

A butler stood smiling kindly, "I am sorry to frighten you, Lucas's breakfast is down in the kitchen." He stated.

Lucas came running out from under a chair and hurried down the stairs. I smiled and passed by the butler hurrying after Lucas. Following the sound of chucky feet, I made it to the windowed double doors of the kitchen smiling at Lucas.

He gave me a sly grin "You're fast, but I'm faster." He said nodding.

I smirked "You could never beat me, I'm a champion at running." I said sitting across from him at the table.

Lucas ate his fork of eggs "I bet I could, my mom says I'm the best at everything." He said with a cocky attitude. Oh my this kids going to grow up a very rude awakening.

"Alright, well how about during playtime you and I race? If you win I'll bring you one of my metals tomorrow." I said thinking of my tub of metals. After doing track in middle and high school I've got too many trophies and metals just stacked in my closet.

His eyes lit up "Really? A first place one?" He asked gleefully.

I nodded "A big shiny one with the number one on it." I said watching him stare into dream land as he shoved more eggs into his mouth.

"You better have a metal to give him, he won't let it down or forget." I turned and looked back at Mason, smiling as he put himself a plate of breakfast I c****d an eyebrow "You think I'm lying?" I asked.

He shrugged "Isn't that what babysitters do best? They just lie their asses off." He smirked looking to Lucas taunting him.

Lucas scowled at him "He calls me a liar too, just ignore him. He's a dick." Lucas said it so casually, my eyes widened at his choice of words and I looked to Mason who was smirking.

Oh, "He uh, has a colorful vocabulary?" I asked Mason who nodded with wide eyes "As colorful as the world around us." He stated gesturing around him.

Okay, well that makes my job easier "Cool. So I don't have to watch what I say." I said thoughtfully.

I've slipped up so many times, it's hard when you have a potty mouth yourself.

Mason shook his head "Mom doesn't care about that, just make sure he's proficient in something." He said leaning forward.

"Well, we can try track." I said leaning into the table and watching Lucas as he matched my expression.

A laugh came from behind us "I'm serious, you better have a metal. With a big one and everything." He said.

I nodded "I've got some, and I'm going to bring it tomorrow if Lucas kicks my ass and wins me at a race." I said smirking.

Lucas grinned "I like her, she's cooler than you." He stated to Mason who scoffed "Lucas she has cooties." He said calmly.

I turned around staring at him "Hey! I don't have cooties!" I replied feeling embarrassed about the childish "disease".

Mason walked out the kitchen "It's okay, we all know it." He winked and headed to the hall.

"Ass." I said turning back around to Lucas.

He nodded "You said it sis. Listen I got some rules though." He said leaning back.

Oh, I listened carefully "What are they?" I questioned.

This kids got spunk.

Lucas took two bites of his bacon "No spreading your cooties. No calling me names. No eating my food and no forcing me to do things. I'll get you fired." He said staring down at his food.

Woah.

I c****d an eyebrow "You're a very smart kid aren't you?" I asked focusing on the way he watched me carefully.

He nodded "We have alliances. Mason is the enemy. Jerry is the enemy." He pointed to the butler who walked in and he eyed Lucas ignoring him with a bored look. I can see why Jerry is the enemy.

Laughing lightly, I moved my eyes back to Lucas "Who else is the enemy?" I asked.

His eyes where busy scowling at Jerry, "All of Masons friends. And the dog. We don't like the dog." He said shaking his head.

Dog? "You have a dog?" I asked.

He nodded "Its a big dog, his names Bastard." He said but Jerry cut in "Baxter not Bastard."

I smirked "Baxter." I said watching him nod to me, "He has a very special vocabulary, do try and refrain him from using the words." Jerry said.

I nodded "Absolutely." I winked at Lucas who winked back.

He finished eating and I took him to the bathroom for a bath, he insisted I let him wear his swim trunks because he doesn't know me and I can't see him naked.

I didn't fight him, the kid is smart, strangers shouldn't see him naked and I'm not going to make him think they should.

"Let me see the hands." I held mine up and he held his up, prune fingers "Ah, raisin fingers. That means it's time to get out." I said holding the towel in one arm while I unplugged the tub.

He nodded and got out, I wrapped him in the towel and he changed into a T-shirt and pants.

Pulling the schedule from my back pocket I eyed it.

We followed the schedule which consisted of his piano lessons, reading, even a nap, followed by quiet puzzles (apparently they work the mind), and then we had play time. 

"Ready?" I asked him stretching my legs out.

Lucas tried lifting his leg up like mine, "I'm going to kick your ass." He said giving me a smug look.

I smirked "Butt and we'll see." I took a steady breath and stared down at him.

Looking to Jerry, he stood and whistled.

I ran pretending I was putting in all my might, He was actually very fast, at some point I actually thought I could try and still lose.

He reached the other side and touched the wall turning around and pointing to me "Loser!" He shouted laughing at me.

Rude, must be Alison's son for sure.

I placed my hands on my hips "Eh, lets try to not be rude about it. Sometimes after you win, the best thing to say is "it was nice racing with you, you ran a good run." I said to him.

He stared at me confused "Why? I won they lost." He said with a furrowed brow and confused expression.

I smirked "You won, but it's important to be a good team player in the end." I said smiling.

Lucas eyed me "You still suck, and I'm getting a metal." He said grinning.

I eyed him crossing my arms over my chest "Alright, you get the metal but let's race back." I said wanting to teach his ass a lesson.

He laughed "You want to get your butt kicked twice? Too easy sweetheart." He said turning and looking to Jerry.

Sweetheart? Who even is this Kid-Man?

Getting in position, Jerry whistled and I ran, tapping into my inner runner. I made it to the other side turning and eyeing Lucas who was angry as he lost. "Not fair!" He said stomping his foot.

"Now, I can do two things," I said to him as I steadied my breath.

He crossed his arms over his chest furrowing his eyebrows, "I can point at you and laugh, calling you a loser." I said and then watched his eyes water "Or I can shake your hand and say good race kid, you ran a good race."

Looking at his face I knelt down and caught eyes with him "Which would you prefer?" I asked him.

Lucas stared at me dropping his arms to his sides holding his hand out, I smiled and nodded taking his hand and shaking it "Good race Lucas, you ran a good quick speed." I said.

He smiled at me and then I stood and stared down at him "Lets go again." I said watching him nod.

Jerry whistled and I let him win, he turned and went to say something mean but stopped himself and held out his hand "It was nice racing you. Good race Norah." He said shaking my hand.

Progress.

I smirked and looked to Jerry who was smiling at me giving me a thumbs up.

We ran a few more times before we decided to play Survivor against Zombie.

I was the survivor because he didn't want me to bite him.

I've got eighteen bites on my arms and legs, all the size of his little teeth.

We ate lunch, and then played some sports, he liked football and playing with two people is not that fun so we had the staff help.

"Go! Go!" I shouted to Lucas as I followed behind him barefoot in the grass.

He ran with the ball, and I hurried up beside him blocking the staff from getting him.

Jerry went to grab Lucas and I knocked him down as Lucas went running to the end field.

He threw the ball down cheering.

I looked down at Jerry and smiled "Good game Jere." I said standing and taking his hand pulling him back up before I hurried to Lucas picking him up and tossing him over my shoulders cheering him on.

He smiled at them all waving "Good game guys!" He shouted to them.

We headed inside and he took my hand running us to the door as Alison came in smiling at Lucas and pulling him for a hug.

"Norah, I forgot how you'd like to be paid, day by day, weekly or biweekly?" She asked putting him down as he took my hand messing with the ring on my middle finger "Biweekly is good, I'm not in a rush." I said watching her stare and nod "Do you mind staying for dinner? I know usually you'd go home but I need an hour after dinner to do a few phone calls and emails." She said.

I shrugged "I don't mind."

She nodded "So most days would be similar to today, I usually come home around six and we have dinner and then you'll be leaving by seven thirty or eight." She said.

I nodded "I'm available as long as you'd need." I replied looking to Lucas who smiled up at me. "We raced and I won, and she's giving me a metal!" He said gleefully to his mom.

Alison eyed me and then Lucas "You should know he holds promises." She said trying to hint, I swear do I not look like I could own a metal?

"Yes, I've been told. Don't worry I won't promise anything I can't live up to." I said watching her expression move to Lucas.

She nodded and Lucas eyed me "Can we show my mom later how I race you?" He asked.

I looked to her and she smirked at Lucas "You think it might be his profession?" She asked.

Running my hand through his hair I nodded "We'll give it a try. If it doesn't work out Im sure we can try another sport." I said to her.

Alison eyed her son "Show me." She said to him, I looked down at Lucas and he began pushing me to the backyard.

I headed out there with him and smiling as we hurried to the line.

"Momma you gotta whistle to start!" Lucas called over at her.

She laughed "I can't whistle!" She said before turning around and pulling someone from inside outside.

Jax stood eyeing Lucas and then his mom giving a small smirk, Lucas smiled wide. His face said a lot, I think he looks up to Jax.

"Don't forget to be a good sport." I said to Lucas who smiled at me nodding.

Jax whistled and I ran fast slowing slightly to let him think he was winning me at my best.

He reached the wall first and I followed behind touching the wall and giving him a half five. He shook my hand smiling "Good race Norah. I'm sorry I won." He said.

I laughed and nodded "Thank you." I replied as we walked back over to Alison, she held her arms out and Lucas ran into them smiling "Did you see me run? Did you see how fast I was going?" He stated excited.

She's a mean boss but a loving mom.

Jax smirked at him "Good run kid." He said watching Lucas smile at him "I kicked her butt, but we have to be nice. If we call her a loser she'll cry." He whispered loudly.

I crossed my arms over my chest smirking "Oh really?" I asked Lucas as I stared at his bug eyes.

Jax looked to me for a moment before heading back inside.

He's completely disinterested in me, I mean who can blame the guy, I come to work in jeans and a T-shirt with no makeup and my hair in a ponytail. There's nothing sexy about me like this.

I followed Lucas inside as we sat around the table for dinner.

Lucas had me sit next to him because I was his friend not theirs.

"When Lindsay comes over she sits next to Jax, and when Thomas comes over he sits next to Mason. Since you're my friend you sit with me." Lucas said placing his tiny hand on my arm.

I nodded down at him and he nodded in agreement "You make Lindsay sit next to you too." Mason said laughing.

Lucas shrugged "She puts her cooties on Jax. I don't like it." He said in disgust.

Mason smirked and looked to me "Lindsay is Jax's girlfriend." He said jolting a thumb to Jax.

Ignoring Jax, since he's officially off limits, I stared down at Lucas who smiled at me "You're prettier than Lindsay anyways. I like you more." He said nodding.

I smirked and looked to Alison who laughed.

Benson was sitting across Alison, "Yeah kid, no one likes Lindsay." He said watching Mason nod.

Lucas eyed Benson "You don't like her because she makes us eat only vegetables when she comes over." He said taking a bite of his chicken.

Benson nodded "Exactly, I don't trust vegetarians." He said shaking his head.

I held a fork of chicken to my mouth as he looked up at me. I ate it and he nodded "See, a normal girl." He said gesturing to me.

Looking to Mason, he grinned "I heard the only meat vegetarians eat is anacondas." He joked.

I bit back a laugh and slowly dropped my head brushing my side bangs shaking my head.

"Anacondas?" Lucas asked.

Alison shook her head at Mason "Great." She sighed.

I looked down at Lucas "It's a type of snake, they're found in the amazons." I said watching his confused face drop to a sudden understanding.

Staring at Mason who smirked and elbowed Jax who was drinking his water and giving Lucas a careful stare. "Don't ask Lindsay if she eats anacondas, she might go crazy and kill you." He said calmly.

Lucas stared at Jax in fear and worry "She's probably scared of them, a lot of people are." I said to Lucas who nodded "Got it Jax." He held up a thumb and Jax held one back up to him.

"Can I see a picture of an anaconda later?" Lucas asked me, and Mason busted up laughing. I gave him a look before looking down at Lucas "Sure, just make sure you eat all your food." I said gesturing to his plate.

He nodded and began eating and telling them all how I tackled Jerry and he got a goal. "Touchdown" I corrected.

He eyed me "Yeah, a touchdown." He said correcting himself.

Alison stared at me and I gave her a small smile, which she returned.

Lucas was eyeing my plate, his had potatoes chicken and Brussel sprouts. His eyes on my carrots before he gave in and reached into my plate grabbing a carrot.

"Lucas!" Alison scolded and I looked to see Lucas stare at me ashamed.

I stared at him as he sunk into his chair slowly eating the carrot.

"You want my carrots?" I asked watching nod softly.

Looking to them I moved my eyes to him slowly "What do we do when we want something?" I asked him.

He sat upright, lets see if he learned another thing I taught him.

During puzzles, he kept snatching the pieces from me. I had to teach him manners.

"May I have some of your carrots Norah?" He asked me shyly.

I nodded and lifted my plate moving the carrots to his plate. He smiled wide and began eating them.

Mason laughed "Fatass." He commented.

"We don't say that word in front of grownups Mason, it's fat Butt." Lucas corrected Mason giving me a wink and a half five.

Jax smirked and I caught eyes with him sitting back and hoping this dinner would end so I can stop feeling so tortured by his dashing looks.

Lucas told them about how we played zombie and I was eaten alive, we finished the dinner with Lucas telling everyone thank you for dinner.

I smirked and we headed to the living room while I taught him how to do a proper push up.

"Can I see the anaconda now?" Lucas asked.

Nodding, I headed to my purse pulling my phone out and typing in anaconda snake.

Going to the one that showed a mans boat beside one, he stared in astonishment "That's huge! It could eat the mans boat!" He said staring at it scared.

I smiled and put my phone away, "Don't worry they're only in the amazons." I said walking to the living room and sitting with him on the couch.

"Where's Baxter?" I asked him.

He eyed the stairs "Baxter is upstairs, he's Masons dog so he has to stay in Masons room." He said eyeing me.

Oh, okay, that explains why we don't like the dog. It's associated with Mason, the enemy.

I laughed and he began telling me a story about Tarzan, only he was telling the story all wrong. God, poor kid doesn't watch any television.

I mean that's great for his brain and imagination but damn, how boring.

"Alright, you're free to go!" Alison said and I smiled getting off the couch, "See you tomorrow Lucas." I said giving him a hand shake.

Going to Alison, I began walking to the door pulling on my jacket and grabbing my purse until Lucas popped his head up "Don't forget your LEGO person!" He said pointing to the stairs.

I stared up at the stairs "I'll be back tomorrow, don't worry." I said.

He frowned "Don't forget it. You said you'd keep it in your car." He said sad.

I nodded "That I did! Thank you for reminding me." I said heading up the stairs giving Alison a look when she smirked.

Going to Lucas's room, I picked my LEGO person off the desk and headed out the door to the hall slamming into a body.

"Ah" I said stepping back and eyeing the blonde, her big blue eyes moving up and down my body. She looked spray tanned and as she dropped open her mouth giving me a look I caught onto her tongue piercing.

"Who are you?" She asked annoyed.

I looked to the stairs and then my lego in my hand holding it up "I'm Lucas's babysitter." I said feeling intimidated by her.

She nodded "For a second I thought you where his play date. You look like you're twelve."she stated laughing. God she's a b***h.

"You're Lindsay." I said watching her nod "You're in my way." She said pointing to the door beside me.

"Oh" I stated moving aside as she knocked on the door and eyed me up and down.

The door opened and Jax pulled it open smiling and pulling Lindsay to his chest kissing her.

I quickened my walk past the two making out and headed down the stairs, Alison stared at me with a look "You met Lindsay." She said smirking.

I shook my head "No I met the antichrist." I said softly watching her laugh as I headed out the door giving he stairs a look and cringing.

God that girl was awful.

The chauffeur smiled holding my keys out as my car sat in the driveway "What's your name?" I asked him smiling.

He seemed a bit surprised "Jackson." He said politely. I took the keys "Thank you Jack, Mind if I call you that?" I asked.

Jack smirked "I usually don't get anything, Jack is more than fine." He said and I got in my car driving to my house.

That kid Lucas is going to have to learn a lot of manners by the time this summers over. I feel bad for him, raised by wolves....and the shedevil.

I got home and mom was sitting on the couch eating leftover lasagna, "Hey hun, how was work?" She asked.

Looking to the front door, I remembered I promised I'd get my key out. "Good, the kid Lucas has no manners. I had to do a lot of teaching today." I said going to the fridge and pulling a strong magnet off it, I headed to the front door and placed it to the lock carefully pulling it off and taking the broke key out.

Taking the broken key, I shut and locked the door tossing the broken key away. "How about you?" I asked her.

She shrugged "Normal." She said tired.

I feel you mom.