The Ryland Boys

Chapter 5: I'm Staying

Friday came faster than I thought it would and since I get home so late, I didn't have time to shop for a nice dress.

"I promise I'll take good care of it, thank you so much." I said sighing and hanging the phone up.

Knocking on the door, I smiled at Nicole's mom, she stared down with a smile "What's up kid?" She asked.

Her hands and shirt covered in paint, she's working.

"Nicole let me borrow a dress. Can I go grab it?" I asked and she stepped aside "Of course, just don't mind the mess, I decided to paint inside today." She said as I stepped past her.

Going up the stairs, I went into Nicole's closet pulling out the black dress and smiling. Perfect!

Taking her diamond strapped heels I headed out the room and down the stairs calling bye and jumping in my car.

Alison let me off at five and I had two hours to blow their f*****g minds. After realizing that they'll most likely remember me as they saw me the first day, I'm going to show them me on my best day. 

After an hour of pulling at my hair, curling the life out of it and then doing a makeup look that made me look older and sexier, I nodded. This is good, oh this is gooood.

I took the next ten minutes admiring my reflection before slipping on a pair of diamond earrings. I wasn't sure a necklace would be good for the dress, Lucas might pull it.

Heading to my car, I drove back to their home and tossed my keys to Jack. He stared at me for a while and I eyed him forgetting I actually look like a girl.

Smiling I headed into the home listening to Lucas shout at someone "I don't want to wear that!" He screamed.

"Just put it on Luke, we don't have time to be f*****g around." Mason called from upstairs.

Lucas shouted louder and Alison's voice came next "Just hold him down and force it on him!" From the opposite side.

Their all in their rooms.

Heading up the stairs, I walked to Lucas's room hearing him throw a fit. Opening the door I smiled at him "Hey Kid, what's up?" I asked looking to Emily who was about to have a break down.

I gave her a smile "I got him, thank you Emily." I said watching her run out the room.

Looking to Lucas I c****d an eyebrow "You scared poor Emily away." I said softly.

He scowled "I don't want to wear a stupid suit. None of the cool guys wear them." He said frowning.

Staring in confusion I shook my head "Buddy, I don't know who lied to you but all the coolest men in the world wear suits. James Bond, Superman when he's Clark Kent, Spider Man, Batman. Heck, even the astronauts wear them when they go to fancy dinners." I said watching him stare at me in disbelief "No they don't." He said quietly.

I c****d an eyebrow and pulling my phone from the clutch, typing in each one, I showed him a picture and he began so engulfed in the photos I don't think he noticed he was pulling on his dress pants.

Smiling, I put my phone down and began helping him button them and then pull on his white button up.

"You look different." He said staring at my face, he slowly poked my cheek and I laughed "better or worse?" I asked.

He shrugged "Better, but I like your real face." Lucas said as I did his tie.

Heading out the bedroom with Lucas, Alison was downstairs shouting for the guys to hurry. "Emily did you get him dressed?" She asked aggravated.

Jax pulled open his door trying to do his tie, looking like an i***t.

He sighed "Mom, how the f**k-"

I caught his attention and his eyes moved from my face down my body, it was like he was on pause, well all but his eyes.

Taking a few steps toward him, I took the two ends of the tie and did it for him straightening and tightening it. "You should really learn how to do it yourself. A girl won't be impressed if you make her or your mom do it." I said matching his stare and walking past him with Lucas.

We headed down the stairs and I felt those green eyes on me, get a good look at what you'll never have i***t.

Alison looked up from her phone to me and stared for a while "Oh my god, Norah. I didn't notice you, wow you look...wow." She said nodding.

Lucas hung on my hip and I smiled down at her "What a little makeup and some time will do." I commented as I stood by the door.

"Want me to buckle him in?" I asked her and she sighed "Yes you Angel, thank you." She said and I headed out the door to the SUV.

Oh this...

Jack pressed a button on the door and it automatically opened.

This is nice.

Getting in, I buckled Lucas and handed him a coloring book and some crayons.

Do I sit in the back-back?

I looked behind me to the other three seats.

Eight passenger truck, damn.

The other door opened and Jax took a seat beside Lucas, his eyes forward. "Should I move back for Mason?" I asked him.

Jax shook his head avoiding eye contact "No, unless you want to give everyone a show in that dress." He said adding the last part unnecessarily.

I nodded and faced forward.

My door opened and Mason looked from Benson to me, his eyes stopping on my face "Holy shit." He said covering his mouth and smiling.

He stepped back and then looked to his dad "Dad, look at this black magic." He said offending me a bit at the fact it must take magic for me to look this good.

Benson walked over and stared at me smiling "You clean up well Kid. Hope you enjoy the dinner." He said as I gave him a smile.

Mason headed into the back through the trunk and Alison got in the drivers seat with Benson in the passenger.

"Lucas if you behave I'll get you ice cream after. You understand?" Alison called to Lucas.

He held up a thumb, "What about Norah?" He asked.

I smirked, and Alison nodded laughing "Yes, and Norah." She added.

"You know that you're officially a ten out of ten." Mason said with his face right by mine. I wanted to push him to sit back but I don't want Alison to think I'd do that to Lucas.

I ignored Mason and as we pulled up to the place, I got out with Lucas, straightening my dress out and then sighing when Mason tossed an arm over my shoulder. "Can we just tell everyone she's my girlfriend?" He asked his mom and dad.

Lucas scowled and kicked his ankle "she's my girlfriend you dumbass." He said taking my hand.

Grinning, I looked to Mason "Yeah, dumbass." I said low watching his eyes on my lips.

We headed inside and Lucas kept introducing me as his girlfriend to which I had to correct and say "I'm Norah, his babysitter."

"Oh let me introduce you, you guys have not met a babysitter like this one." Alison said taking my hand and pulling me to a bunch of older woman. "This is Norah Brooks, She is an Angel, I trust this girl with my life. You should see, she's teaching him manners, might even be wearing off on the older ones too." She said smirking at the woman who stared at me like a sparkling diamond.

Okay I'm, yeah no.

Lucas pulled my hand and I looked to Alison "Sorry he wants to go. It was very lovely meeting you all, hope I get to see you more this evening." I said politely and following Lucas's pull.

We ended up with three other boys around his age "Norah, meet Chris, Steven and Joey. They're all my friends. Friends, meet my girlfriend Norah." He said smiling proudly.

The boys stared at me in awe and I decided to let Lucas keep this lie, "Wow...you guys play together? Does she know how to play astronaut and alien?" Steven asked eyeing me.

Lucas nodded "Yeah, and she can kick Jax ass, she doesn't like Mason either. We actually tackled his friends. Then he stole her and put her in a hoop and then she jumped down like a super hero." He said bragging.

"Norah!" I looked up to see Mason standing with a couple guys our age, he beckoned me over and I shook my head pointing to Lucas.

Mason stared at Lucas "Hey Lucas! Come show Brandon your girlfriend!" He called over the crowd.

Lucas eyed Mason "I'll be back gentleman." He said sighing and taking my hand walking me to the guys.

I stood by Lucas and he eyed the six men, "Losers, this is my girlfriend Norah." He said to the guys.

Laughing lightly I stared up at the guys shaking each of their hands and as they gave their names I dumped it in my mental trash bin.

"You are magnificently breath taking." One said, and I looked to him smiling. "You've only seen me on my good day. Tomorrow I'll look like a mess." I said truthfully.

Mason scoffed "Your breath taking with and without makeup, don't be so modest." He said sighing.

Lucas crossed his legs "Mason, I gotta pee." He said quietly.

I looked to Lucas "I can take you." I said watching as he stared at the guys and then me shaking his head. Oh right, Girlfriends don't do that.

He grabbed Masons hand and they walked to the bathroom leaving me with the guys alone.

Looking around, I caught eyes on Benson "I'm going to my table, will you let Mason know to bring him over?" I asked the guys who all nodded with goofy smiles.

Great.

Heading toward Benson, I was stopped by a hand in the crowd, the hand wound gently around my wrist. I stared down at it and followed it to Jax's arm.

He was talking to two guys, and I c****d an eyebrow at him, he looked to me and stared at my hands "Where's Lucas?" He asked keeping his stare short.

I looked to the bathrooms "Mason took him to the bathroom." I said as he let go of my wrist and eyed the guys who's eyes where on my t**s. Their dumb mouths hanging open, I smiled softly to them.

"Isn't that your job?" Jax asked moving his eyes to from the guys to the bathrooms. I furrowed my eyebrows "Your business, my business." I reminded him of our deal.

He looked to me quick, moving his eyes to my hips for a while before nodding, "This is Eddie, he plays football. I was hoping he could teach Luke some things." He said as if trying to make things less awkward.

I held out my hand to Eddie "Hi Eddie, nice to meet you. I'm Norah, Lucas's babysitter." I said watching him shake my hand happily.

"You're annoyingly hot." The guy beside him said laughing. I looked to him confused "Cool." I responded and then looked back at Jax "Masons bringing Lucas back to the table after, just flag him down." I said before turning and walking to Benson.

He sat there reading a book and keeping to himself, I like this guy, even if he did marry and have kids with a woman too young for him.

I smiled and sat down "There's a lot of people here." I commented and he looked up from his book "I usually just ignore people and they go away. You're a normal person though." He said putting his book down.

Laughing I leaned forward "Do you guys always come to these things?" I asked him.

Benson nodded staring out at the crowd "All selfish snobs with money to blow their noses in and names to buy them anything. Spoiled. All of them." He said shaking his head.

I laughed "Aren't you rich enough to blow your nose in money?" I asked him and he nodded "Unlike them, I came from a poor background. My family and I lived in a tool shed. I had a rough upbringing. Not a dollar gets blown away. Well, until I married Alison." He said laughing.

Smiling I looked over at Alison, "That woman is expensive. Worth every dollar though." He said shaking his head.

That's cute.

"I'm hoping that Lindsay girl goes away, I think Jax would waste a lot of money on her." He shook his head "The boys have their inheritance from Alison's parents after they passed, and then my fortune. They won't have to work a day in their life." He sighed.

I eyed him "Is that why you made sure they're proficient in something?" I asked him.

Benson nodded "That way they make so much from their fights or games that the money seems earned rather than inherited." He said like a very wise old man.

That's pretty smart, "The guys make millions but they still live with you guys." I said curiously.

He nodded "In our house we have one rule, it's an important rule which lets us keep track of them. They can't leave the house until they get married and it must be to a wealthy family. I won't have someone mooching off my sons earnings." He said.

Damn, "If they don't follow it?" I asked.

Benson shook his head "They won't be in my will. Which means my wealth with be split between three boys not four."

Four? Oh yeah they have their older brother in the navy. Or was it marines? No it was navy.

The chair beside me was struggling to be pulled out and I looked over to see Lucas pulling it. I went to push it out but Jax pulled it out and picked him up putting him in the chair pushing it back in.

Alison came over taking a seat and smiling at Lucas "Everyone look over the menu and let them know what you want." She said picking up a menu and looking it over.

Jax handed one to me, his eyes avoiding mine again. What is with this guy?

I took it and then stared down at the bottom to the kids menu. "You want a burger, steak, chicken strips or fish sticks?" I asked Lucas.

He stared over the letters "Burger, with fries and ketchup." He said nodding and laying his cheek on the table, his eyes staring up at me.

I ran my hand through his hair as I looked over the menu, no prices-dammit, I decided on an item that seemed less pricey and placed my menu down. Alison looked from the back of the menu to me "You drink?" She asked, or stated, I'm not sure.

"Occasionally." I said sitting back in the chair.

She nodded and looked to a waiter waving a hand, he came over and Alison smiled ordering a few drinks for everyone on the table except Benson.

"The martinis strong." She said as he headed off to the bar.

Another waiter came by and we each put in our orders, Benson and Jax got the steak, Alison the Lobster, Mason got the Lamb and I got the rosemary and lemon salmon. "He'll take the burger with fries and ketchup." I said watching the waiter stare "How would he like the burger?"

Looking down at Lucas, I stared at him "Want it pink or white?" I asked.

He pondered it "medium." He said nodding.

The waiter wrote it down and headed off.

"Norah, Im pleased to say that I have a long list of woman who would pay to have you babysit their children, and I know many of them are great play dates with Lucas. Would you mind watching two kids a day sometimes?" She asked.

I shrugged "I don't mind." I said smiling at her.

Alison smiled widely "Perfect." She responded.

Our drinks arrived before the meals and I took a drink of the martini, enjoying its bitter taste. 

An hour after our first drink, we sat with our stomachs full and more drinks in our hands.

I wasn't sure what number I was on, but I was on the thin line of "drunk" and "wasted".

Alison took a drink and looked to her friend that she'd invited to our table "And then- then she said I thought this was the restroom!" The woman said laughing so hard she spilt her drink.

I laughed and took another drink of the Long Island ice tea. It had waaaay too much alcohol, so did the s*x on the beach, the Bahama mama, the three martinis and the watermelon cocktail.

Lucas was asleep in my lap, and every time I laughed his little eyes would open a bit and he'd go back to sleep.

Alison shook her head laughing "Oh please Norah tell me a good story." She said holding a hand toward me.

I thought about my life pondering before remembering the ban I have on Victoria secret.

"I'm banned from Victoria Secret." I said calmly with a small laugh.

Alison leaned in "Details!" She said smiling at me.

I looked down at my lap to see Lucas still asleep "My friend Nichole and I-"

"Nichole sound hot." Mason commented.

Staring at him I laughed "She is, you'd totally like her." I said before continuing "Well, we had been on this week long 'prank' back and forth thing. Well it was my turn." I said laughing as I remembered the incident.

Taking a drink, I eyed it "I uh put a pill in her drink, it made her very horny." I said laughing and then wondering how my drunk self doesn't find his inappropriate to talk about.

"Well, she didn't know why! We went to a cute clothing store but the girl was just grinding on the male mannequins and the manager had to tell her twice not to molest the mannequins." I said calmly, laughing and then shaking my head.

Alison and her friend where in a fit of laughter by now, "We got kicked out, and she grabbed some hot guys hand and told him to bang her in a dressing room." I said laughing and watching Mason stare "She f****d a stranger?" He asked.

I nodded "Jax, your type of girls." Mason said laughing.

Laughing, I shook off the laugh "No, wait, so we headed into the first store, well actually I was chasing her saying use protection." I said laughing.

"But we ended up at Victoria Secret, and she took the guy to the dressing room." I said looking to my drink "Well she's loud. So I was outside walking around the store singing off the top of my lungs while pretending to shop." I laughed.

Alison gasped "Did they find her?" She asked.

I nodded "We got thrown out of the store and the guy asked if we'd be down for a threesome. Nichole and I are polar opposites, I was not going to f**k a stranger. Well the guy wasn't done with her. She wasn't done with him. So they headed into her car. I stayed in the mall and waited." I said before shrugging "She left with the guy to her house and left me at the mall."

Mason laughed "Your own prank backfired!" He said shaking his head.

I nodded "Yeah, till this day though she has no idea it was a pill." I said laughing harder.

Jax's laughter cut in my ears, barely audible and I looked over at him, his eyes hanging low, he's drunk too.

I looked to Mason and he eyed Jax "Tell Norah about the time you almost f****d a guy." He said smirking.

Looking to Jax, I cringed "Really?" I asked.

He scowled at Mason "I didn't even kiss the guy, let alone almost f**k him." He said shaking his head.

Mason leaned in "We went clubbing for his twenty first, and this really hot chick was grinding on him, and he danced with her and they disappeared to the bathroom. When he came back out he walked right out the club and drove home leaving me and the other guys confused. Well one of the other guys wanted to get at her, they went to the restroom and the guy came out screaming she had a dick." He said laughing and slamming his hand on the table dropping his head into the table laughing.

Laughing, I looked to Jax shaking my head.

Mason shook his head too "I don't know what could be worse." He said.

I eyed him, my mind wandering over what could be worse.

"We should get going." Benson said breaking the laughter.

Benson picked up Lucas and Alison followed with Mason helping to guide her to the car.

I stayed seated and looked over at Jax "I don't want to get up. I know I'll probably fall on my face." I said laughing.

Jax stared from the last of his drink to me "Ill help you up." He said downing his drink and standing up.

Shaking my head I stood, the world spun to the left and I stumbled into the table laughing. Jax's eyes on my legs "You-they gotta work slow." He said laughing.

I looked down at my legs "Work slow." I told them watching him look at me and stare for a

while before laughing.

"Goodnight Norah!" I turned and stared at the guys smiling and walking out the place.

Pushing up, I stood and balanced myself "Goodnight losers." I said softly laughing to myself as I took a step forward.

Jax nodded "Yeah slow." He said to me placing a hand on my hip. Oh no, no, no.

I moved his hand "I got this." I said but he just put his hand back.

We made it a few more steps before Jax went stumbling and landed onto his ass. He sat there staring at me with a crooked grin, and his eyes on the floor. I laughed holding a hand out to him, he shook it off and tried standing but fell forwards, I caught him trying to balance myself.

"You're heavy Jax!" I said under his arm as we walked to the SUV parked in the back.

We landed in the street a few times and I broke my heel laughing harder about it. Jax was staring at it "Oh you're not mad?" He asked me laughing.

I shook my head "It's jussa shoe." I said waving

It off.

Jax eyed me for a while before he smiled and we finally made it to the SUV.

"You-your stick." Jax handed me the stick to my heel as I sat in the back seat buckling up.

I took it thanking him and watching as he shut my door and walked around the other side falling.

Alison laughed loudly and then leaned forward "Jax! Baby you okay?" She asked.

He stood up and smirked getting in the seat on the other side of Lucas.

"Wait, How will you get home?" Alison asked me confused.

I stared at her for a while, "I could drive." I said nodding.

Benson stared back at me "I can drop you off." He said looking tired.

Poor guy, "Would your mom be upset if you came home tomorrow morning?" She asked me.

I shook my head "My mom just works and goes to sleep. I just don't wanna bother." I said drunkenly.

She laughed "No, you won't bother. No, no, stay. Please." She said smiling.

I'm staying.

We pulled up to the house and I opened the door looking at Lucas "Awe he's so beautiful when he sleeps." I said smiling.

Alison stumbled out of her seat smiling at me and leaning into me for support "He really is. They all are. I like watching them sleep." She sighed "I bet your mom does that. If I had a daughter Id watch her sleep." She said sounding a bit creepy now.

I laughed and tried to help her inside.

We made it half way up the stairs before she dropped to the steps and pulled me down with her. I laid on my back turning and looking over at Mason who was laughing and stumbling up the stairs.

Pushing myself up, I watched Benson carry Lucas to bed before he came back down to 

pick up Alison and walk her to the room.

"I'll help you." Benson said and I shook my head "I'm good! Thank you Benson. I'll be good." I said taking my steps one at a time.

Making it to the top of the stairs, I turned around and saw Jax passed out on the floor at the bottom.

"Jax." I called down to him.

He didn't make a sound, I think he passed out.

I laughed and looked back at Alison's bedroom, the sound of a shower going on. Bensons showering.

Sitting on my butt, I scooted myself to the bottom of the stairs and looked down at Jax "Jax, wake up Jax. You can't sleep on the floor." I said patting his cheek.

He laid there with his lips, calm, not pursed or angry. His expressions calm, not angry.

I ran a finger over his eyebrows, and down his jaw line. His eyes opened and I pulled back looking at him "Hey, you gotta sleep upstairs." I said laughing.

Jax slowly took in his surroundings and then sat up and looked to the stairs "Fuck." He said rubbing his forehead.

Standing I stumbled to the right catching myself "Stay, ill get you Advil." I said watching him drop his head into his hands.

Going to the kitchen, I went to the top cabinet where I got all of Lucas's bandaids from. Looking each bottle over, I found the Advil and took out two putting the bottle back up and grabbing a bottle of water walking back to him.

Only he wasn't there.

I looked around and saw the light from upstairs shining.

Sighing, I slowly headed up the stairs almost falling a few times before I made it to the top. Thank god.

Walking to Jax's room, I eyed the open door.

Peeking into the room, I eyed the trophies and metals that hung all over shelves, posters of half naked woman and then one of a UFC fighter. I headed inside to see him on his stomach on the floor.

Laughing, I walked over to him and sat on the floor "Jax." I said nudging his arm.

He turned his face to me and sighed turning over and sitting up slowly. Dropping the two Advil's in his mouth, I opened the water bottle and held it to his lips. As he drank some down I shut it and placed it by his bedside.

Jax stood and stumbled into his bed, "Go away." He said to me, a bit rude.

I nodded and pushed myself up off the ground going out the door and turning the light off shutting the door.

Standing in the hall, I eyed the rooms and then sighed and walked to the only room I knew wasn't occupied.

Heading inside I shut the door and pulled my heels off laying on the bed shutting my eyes and drifting off to sleep.