The Ryland Boys

Chapter 3: Week 1

The first week was a bit rough, coming home I just wanted to sleep and shower. Thursday Lucas and I got into an argument because he tossed a toy truck at my leg. It was a long day after that.

During the weekend, I took my mom out for a dinner and then we got massages before heading home.

Sunday I slept in. All day.

"Wake up Lucas." I said giving him a small shake, he shook his head brushing me away "I'm too tired to get up. I don't feel good." He said furrowing his eyebrows.

Running my hand over his cheek, I felt for a fever, he's a bit warm. "Alright, how about we go downstairs and sit in the living room, and I'll call and ask your mom if we could watch a movie." I said brushing his hair from his face.

Lucas nodded and I stood picking him up and walking him down the stairs to the living room placing him on the couch and hurrying back upstairs grabbing a blanket and going back down to him tossing it over him.

Dialing Alison's number, I waited and she picked up "Hello?" She said on the other line.

"Hello Alison. I'm sorry for bothering you but I wanted to know if Lucas could watch a movie. He's not feeling too well and I think I might lose my voice if I read to him all day." I said waiting nervously.

She stayed quiet for a while "Yeah, just make sure he takes medicine and gets his nap in." She said.

"Will do, thank you and I apologize again." I said before hanging up and turning the tv on. Lucas smiled at me and I smiled back "Were watching tv today kid." I said putting on Tarzan.

He watched it with full interest, we sat on the couch and a woman in a white button up and slacks came in with a tray. "Mrs Ryland recommended chicken noodle soup for lunch along with medicine for his cold." She said placing he tray down on the coffee table.

I nodded "Thank you-" I waited and she smiled "Emily." She said.

"Thank you Emily." I said taking his medicine pouring a spoon of the strawberry children's Tylenol.

Lucas stared at it angry "I hate that stuff." He said scowling at it.

I eyed it "Yeah it definitely doesn't taste too good but it'll make you feel a lot better." I said watching him frown.

"If you take some I'll take some." I bargained.

He nodded and took a spoonful swallowing it down.

Pouring a drop onto the spoon, I took it and cringed, he laughed at my expression and I handed him his bowl of soup.

Taking my bowl, the front door opened and her voice entered the home "Why is he watching television?" I turned and looked to Lindsay eyeing her "He's sick." I said.

She walked over and felt his face "Well he should be in bed resting, you should be reading him a book or take him outside for a walk. I don't think you get paid to just sit and watch tv on a couch." She said arguing with me.

Lucas looked up at her "You eat anacondas!" He shouted at her.

She stared at him confused "What?" She asked.

I laughed and ran my hand through his hair pointing to his soup "Eat up." I said before looking back at Lindsay "Listen, Lindsay, I don't tell you how to do your job. Don't tell me how to do mine." I said smiling at her.

She scoffed "You call this doing your job? I give you a week tops before you're fired." She shook her head walking away.

I scowled and looked down at Lucas "What bug crawled up her ass?" I asked him.

He looked to her butt "An anaconda." He said nodding and I bit back a laugh watching the tv with him.

After the movie was over, Lucas was asleep from the medicine and I carried him to his bed placing him down and pulling his sweaty shirt off. The door opened and Lindsay stared at me "You ever babysat before?" She asked with her annoying voice.

I looked at her furrowing my eyebrows "You ever leave some alone before?" I asked her putting his shirt in the hamper and grabbing him a new one pulling it on him.

She eyed me "He hates that shirt." She said leaning into the doorsill.

Oh my f*****g goodness.

Walking past her, I headed to the door beside his bedroom door giving it a knock. Lindsay gave me an annoyed and confused look.

Jax opened the door staring down at me with confusion written all over his expression "We never formally met, I'm Norah. Listen, I wouldn't ever intrude on your work, or even in your life at all." I said watching him c**k an eyebrow at me "So right now doesn't count?" He asked.

I was a bit shocked because he said a word to me, but I shook it off quick "I'll stay out of your way if you stay out of mine." I said.

He eyed me "I don't know how I bothered you." He said confused.

Lindsay eyed me from the inside of Lucas's room, "In a more distant way. To you guys it's just playing around, to me it's a job. I take it serious." I said calmly.

He leaned into the hall looking over at Lindsay sighing "She has a habit of driving the help away. My apologies." He said reaching and grabbing Lindsay's hand pulling her to his room.

They began making out and I rolled my eyes going into Lucas's room.

So annoying.

He called me the help.

The help.

The f*****g help!

I sat reading about the old lady who once swallowed a fly, I then read the sequels, one of which was the old lady who swallowed a rose. My mind said this b***h needs to stop swallowing s**t.

After an hour, I listened to sound of moans next door followed by the repetitive tap of the bed frame. Well, at least I know their s*x life is healthy.

Leaning back into the rocking chair, I slowly rocked myself while I watched Lucas sleep.

He was a sweet sleeper, I rocked twice before the sound of the thudding ended. Well, that was a quick two minutes.

Walking around the room, I examined the toys, the cool collection of old Jurassic Park action figures and the shelf of more board games then I've ever seen.

Beside the shelf was a small vent, I stared at it questionably, pulling the small lever and as the vent opened I listened. "I mean she clearly doesn't know how to take care of him." Lindsay said. Her voice suddenly audible.

Gee, well thank god that was closed.

"Well you don't have much of a say, my mom likes her. Plus she's good to him." Jax said with a bit of a rustling tone.

He sounded like he was pulling shoes on or lifting a weight.

She sighed "I don't know why your mom didn't just give me the job. I told her I'd do it!" She said aggravated.

Oh, she's mad I stole her job?

I smirked "My mom thought you'd be preoccupied." Jax said in a low tone, the sound of kissing filling my ears. "I guess that's true." She responded.

I went to shut it but she spoke again "He told me I eat anacondas..." laughing, I covered my mouth and heard him laugh too "Mason made a joke." He said calmly.

"Masons a d**k. I swear he's just asking for me to kick his ass." She said annoyed. "I'll kick his ass and her ass. She probably laughed about it didn't she? She's turning Lucas from me." Lindsay said annoyed.

Jax laughed "I doubt that, Luke loves you. He'll forget all about Hannah, Nelly, whatever her name is as soon as the summers up." He said smacking my face again in a mental way.

She laughed "What about you? Will you?" She asked him, oh damn is she jealous?

"You jealous?" Jax asked her quietly.

Silence filled the room, "Don't be babe, she's got nothing on you." He said catching me off guard. 

Well that's about all I need to hear, shutting the vent I turned and eyed the clock. Time to wake up Lucas.

"Hey Lucas, up, up. Let's go play some football. I feel like tackling some people down." I said covering my rage.

Lucas popped his head up staring at me with one eye open and his hair sticking up all over on one side. The other side of his hair flat. "I'm sick Norah." He said furrowing his eyebrows.

I eyed him over "Want to go outside and watch me tackle people?" I asked him crossing my arms over my chest.

He slowly smiled and nodded. Dammit I was hoping he'd say no.

Grabbing him socks and a sweater, I pulled it on him along with a beanie and we headed down the stairs.

Lucas began collecting people for me to tackle, we made it to the backyard and Mason was with ten other guys all playing basketball.

He went running to them with his big jacket and his boots on, holding his beanie, "My friend Norah needs people to tackle!" He shouted running as fast as he could.

I followed behind laughing and trying to stop him before he embarrassed me some more.

Mason smirked and I picked up Lucas from behind "He's just-ignore him." I said hurrying to the other side of the backyard with Lucas shouting at them to let me tackle them. "Let her tackle you!" He shouted.

The staff stood in their own lines and I looked to Lucas "Yeah I don't know if I'm still going to do that." I said looking to the staff. They sighed in relief and I laughed.

Lucas held Jerry's arm "No, I wanna see you tackle people!" He said furrowing his tiny eyebrows and puffing his lips.

I laughed, "Look at poor Emily, I would crush her!" I said pointing to the petite Emily.

He looked her over "That's her fault. Grow some back bone Emily! I need men!" He said sitting on the bench.

Covering my face laughing, I watched Emily fight back a fit of laughter.

"You still need guys to tackle?" Masons voice came from behind me and I ran a hand through my hair staring behind me at all of the guys.

They're all hot too. Wonderful.

Lucas jumped up "Yes! These guys are weaklings!" He said pointing to the staff like they where witches from a witch trial.

I stared up at Mason "Please don't." I said covering my face in embarrassment.

The staff headed inside quick to avoid me tackling them down.

I eyed the guys and they all started lining up.

Looking back at Lucas I sighed "Listen, you're on my team after this. You have no loyal ties to anyone but me." I said pointing a finger at him.

He smirked "Go get em sweetheart." He said winking at me.

I swear this kid.

Facing the guys, I eyed the first "Please don't move, I really don't want to break a bone. Just take it like a man alright?" I asked watching him nod and laugh.

"Hey but don't hurt my team, we got a big game next week." Mason said laughing.

I nodded "Don't worry, I only weigh one fifteen. If I break any of them then they're-"

Lucas cut in "little bitches." He said challenging them.

I laughed nodding in agreement.

Running into the first, He let out a cry before we landed on the floor and I rolled over laughing and looking him over "Are you okay?" I asked him through fits of laughter.

He nodded smirking at me "Felt like getting hit with a pillow." He said sitting up.

I stood and walked to the next, "Be dramatic when you fall." I said to him watching as he gave me a wink and I headed for a distance. "This is gonna be good Lucas! You ready?" I asked as he was barely containing himself from the last crash.

"Go get him Norah!" He shouted.

Running, I slowed down a bit at the end, landing into the guys chest, he threw himself back, flipping a few times and then lying on his back. I laughed and looked back to see him holding a thumbs up.

Standing up, I took a long distance and did the same.

I continued that, landing into each one in a weird way, even managed to trip and land into one of the guys to get a couple laughs from Lucas. He was going to burst his laugh box by this point. "Take him down Norah! Kick his ass!" Lucas shouted as he stomped his foot pointing to Mason.

Mason stood like a football player ready to get the passing ball.

I smirked and went running toward him, only when I crashed into him, he wrapped his arms around me and carried me running off down to the basketball court.

"Stop! Mason! Stop! Norah!" Lucas was running after us holding his beanie as he held a horrified stare.

"Noooraaah!" Lucas cried out chasing Mason, "Give me back my Norah, Mason!" He shouted.

The backdoor opened and I stared as Jax and Lindsay walked out watching the scene.

Mason picked me up over his head putting me on the basketball hoop and I panicked sitting in the hoop and eyeing Mason as he left cheering as he "got a shot."

Lucas jumped and tried to reach up and get me down. I laughed nervously "Get her down!" Lucas shouted to Mason who stood with the guys eyeing me up there.

I eyed Mason "I'm going to break this thing." I commented watching him shake his head, then he went to the one across jumping and doing a couple pull ups "They're steel and new. They'll hold you. You said one hundred and fifteen? You'll be good." He said crossing his arms over his chest.

Lindsay clapped "You look good there Nelly." She said laughing and running her hand through Lucas's hair.

Get your nasty paws off my kid.

"Alright, I'll just get myself down." I said watching Mason rush over "Wait, let's see." Jax said smirking.

I looked down at Lucas "Don't you ever try this! Ever!" I called to him before taking a breath.

Lucas was crying, wiping his tears "Norah don't die! Help her!" Lucas cried to Jax.

Mason stood close by, and watched carefully.

Pushing myself out of the hoop slowly, I balanced myself slowly turning my back to them and lowered my first leg, then my next leg using my upper body strength to hold me up.

Lowering myself down, I hung from the hoop, looking down at the floor and letting go. I landed on my feet and stared at Lucas, "See! I don't need a man to save my ass, I'm too awesome." I said smirking as he ran over and jumped into my arms.

He hugged me tight and I gave Mason a small grin, he ran a hand down my arm "I knew you could get out. Anyways, if you did fall you'd just break an arm." He said shrugging.

Oh right, just an arm.

I held Lucas "Well you're lucky I didn't die, something tells me Lucas would've went all Chucky on your ass." I whispered.

Mason laughed and gave a nod "Sure would." He said agreeing.

Lindsay walked over reaching out to Lucas "Awe, come to Lindy." She said to him softly. He shook his head and I inwardly smiled, not showing it outside. She stared at him hurt "Just give me a hug." She said.

Lucas shook his head and hugged me tighter, "Just give her a quick hug." I said to him but he shook his head clinging tighter to me.

I looked up at Lindsay who glared at me "She's going to leave you after the summers up Luke, she's only here for the money, don't get too attached." She said before walking to Jax.

Bitch.

Mason and his buddies had begun playing basketball again and I headed past Lindsay ignoring her and taking Lucas inside.

She's a pain in the ass.

I should get paid to put up with her, not even to babysit Lucas.

Six o'clock rolled by and Alison came in as I had Lucas laying in my lap, we were on the couch in between reading the Bernstein bears.

She walked over and placed a hand to his face "Oh he feels better." She said softly.

I nodded "He ate some soup, took a nap, got his medicine in and then took a warm bath to tone the fever down." I said running my hand through his hair.

Alison sighed "How you feeling kiddo?" She asked him.

He was sniffling, "Mason almost killed Norah today." He said furrowing his eyebrows.

She gave me a worried stare but then Lucas looked up at me "But she doesn't need a man to save her because she's awesome." He said proudly.

I smirked down at him "That's right kid." I responded.

Alison took her coat off "You want to come eat dinner with us?" She asked Lucas. He nodded and we stood up going to the dining room and sitting around the table.

Lucas sat in my lap, Mason sat next to me and Jax sat across from us leaving Lindsay far from my Lucas.

"How'd you almost kill my new babysitter?" Alison asked as we each began eating the plate of lasagna in front of us.

Lucas got a bowl of soup and was eating it while glaring at Mason in a sideways look.

Mason laughed "I uh, put her in the basketball hoop." He said looking over at me grinning.

"Don't sound too proud." Jax commented scoffing as he took a breadstick from the basket.

Lucas leaned forward "Yeah Mase." He agreed with Jax.

Of course he did.

"Well, good to see she's an independent woman who doesn't need a man to save her." Alison said smirking as she stared down at Lucas.

He leaned back into me "If I was big and strong I'd have saved you Norah. Then I would have beat Masons butt." He said scowling at Mason again.

I laughed and dropped my head laying my forehead on his head as I laughed.

Mason was laughing and gave his shoulder a small nudge "If you where big and strong, you still wouldn't be big and strong enough to take me down." He said challenging Lucas.

Lucas went to jump for him and I held him taking his hands "Oh no, let's not do that at the table. How about tomorrow you can tackle him down?" I asked Lucas.

He nodded and let out a huff of tiny air "You, me, outside, tomorrow." He said scowling.

I laughed and took a bite of the lasagna.

Alison smirked at Lucas "You tackle him down and make him wish he never put Norah up there." She said to him.

He held up a thumb and she laughed.

Lindsay started talking about veterinary school and I was picking at the lasagna wondering where in the hell the meat is. Looking to Mason he smirked "No meat. Vegetarian in the presence." He whispered.

Oh, right.

"Good s**t babe." Jax said looking to her smiling.

She blushed "I almost forgot, I won't be able to make it to the dinner Friday." She apologetically said to the table.

Jax looked down at her "What came up?" He asked, she stared at her lasagna shrugging "They're doing extra training at the animal shelter and I signed up. I hope you don't mind." She said trying to be cute.

He took a drink "That's all good, focus on school." He said nodding.

His eyes moved to me "Are you in school?" He asked, before Mason cut in "She's here every week day, I doubt she has time for classes." He smirked.

Jax stared at me carefully "Really? Every day?" He didn't notice, Seriously?

I ignored his last statement "No, I'm not in school, I took the semester off to help my mom with bills and to save up for next summer." I said.

Lucas looked up at me "What's happening next summer?" He asked me thoughtfully.

Smirking, I stared down at him "I'm going to travel the world!" I said watching his eyes widen "You can take me!" He smiled.

Alison stepped in "Oh you'd leave me for a few months? She'll be gone for at least a month or two, and you think you can be away from me that long?" She asked him.

He shook his head and looked up at me "Sorry, I cant go." He said politely. I smiled "I'll send you postcards."

Lucas nodded holding two thumbs up.

"Have you ever been out of the country?" Benson asked as he poured himself more bourbon.

I shook my head "No, we never could afford it." I laughed at my embarrassment and shrugged.

Alison smiled "Well, after this summer you'll have enough to travel the world in five star hotels, drinking and eating luxurious." She said winking.

That's sort of the plan, "Sounds like heaven huh?" Mason asked me.

I stared up at him "Yeah, I mean I've got more of a backpacking, tents and motels with hole in the wall restaurants kind of things. The non touristy things." I said taking a drink of my iced tea.

Mason eyed me "Who would want that? Imagine laying on a beach in Spain being served the finest drinks and fish fresh caught." He nodded.

Lindsay agreed "That's how you travel." She said looking to Jax who stared between Mason and her.

His eyes fixated on Lucas in my lap.

"What about catching your own fish? Going shark cage diving." I said the last part with wide eyes looking down at Lucas who smiled with his gapped teeth "Yeah!" He said nodding.

Alison shook her head laughing "God bless you, I could never. Have you seen how many movies they've made of those things failing?" She asked.

I laughed and nodded "I don't just want to see the world, I want to be a part of it. There's a lot I still want to experience." I said thoughtfully.

Lindsay snickered in her seat "Cherry?" She asked c*****g an eyebrow. Does she mean popping my cherry? That's absolutely vulgar.

I stared at her in disbelief, everyone's eyes on me waiting for the answer, you've got to be kidding me.

Looking down at Lucas, I moved my eyes to her "No, that was picked a couple years ago." I said shaking my head in disbelief that I was having this conversation.

Alison smirked "Would've pinned you as otherwise." She said shrugging as Benson gave her a hush look.

Lindsay laughed "She's bullshitting." She said pushing my buttons.

Mason shifted in his seat leaning forward "At least her tree hasn't been picked by the entire city." He said under his breath.

I laughed lightly in my seat looking up to see Jax staring at Mason in a 'Seriously?' Look.

Lindsay scowled at Mason, "Look who's talking, you're the biggest man w***e I've ever met." She said sitting back.

Covering Lucas's ears, I stared at her with wide eyes, Lucas looked to me "What's a man w***e?" He asked.

Oh god.

Staring at Lindsay, I looked around the table, they where arguing followed by Alison who was telling Benson she wasn't being rude when she said I looked like a Virgin.

Jax was watching it all unfold, looking to me with a small smoldering face, no smile, but the eyes.

Looking down at Lucas I sighed "A man w***e is someone who uh-gets cooties from lots of girls." I said nodding, that should explain it enough.

Lucas eyed Mason with wide eyes "You have so much cooties!" He said putting a hand to his mouth.

I propped my elbow on the table rubbing my forehead and looking to Jax, he placed his cup down tossing an arm over Lindsay's chair, his green eyes burning into me.

God damn, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it in any hurtful manner. It was honestly a light joke." Alison said to me.

Shaking my head I waved my hand back "Long forgotten, don't worry about it. I didn't even take it to offense. I usually get that a lot, that and then 'You look like your sixteen'." I said laughing.

Alison leaned back in her chair "Don't worry, that just means when you're my age you'll look like your in your mid twenties, sexy and young." She said.

I smirked and Lucas eyed Jax "Are you a man w***e too?" He asked him.

Jax shook his head to Lucas taking a drink and staring back at me again.

Stop it! You freaken freak.

"Give Nellys leg a break. Come here." He said patting his knee.

Lucas got off and walked over to Jax sitting on his lap and picking off his plate smiling and waving at me. I gave a small wave and felt so exposed without his little body to guard me.

Alison looked to me "I know this is short notice, but since Lindsay's no longer going to the dinner, would you?" She asked.

I eyed Lindsay who was scowling at me.

Looking back at Alison I nodded "Yeah, I don't mind. It's uh, Friday?" I asked.

She nodded "Its at eight. I'll let you off early to let you get ready." She said smiling.

Alison sighed "Perfect, you should know the attire is strict. Nothing too showy, no white, and it has to be a formal gown." She said looking to Benson "Am I missing anything?" She asked him.

He stared thoughtful.

"Don't wear anything you don't want Lucas to ruin." Mason said leaning back.

I nodded "Of course." I smiled at them.

I was sent home an hour later, Lucas was asleep in my lap and I snuck out giving Alison a bye before I grabbed my bag and headed out. Jack handed me my keys and I gave him a thanks.

When I finally arrived home, I let out a deep sigh and went upstairs. Mom was already asleep in bed and I felt sad, we work so much we barely see each other.

Shutting her door, I headed to my room and dropped onto my bed shutting my eyes and falling asleep.