The Ryland Boys

Chapter 7: Sleepless

I spent the daytime sleeping and stayed awake all night Sunday.

"You okay Norah? You're like a zombie today." Lucas said poking my cheek as I stumbled into a nap.

Waking up I looked to him "I'm sorry kid." I said yawning. He eyed me and then I felt myself drift off to sleep again, only this time, Lucas encouraged it playing with my hair.

"Shh! Don't wake her up!" Lucas's small whisper shout had my mind wake up but the rest of me was deeply asleep.

"Let's get her off the floor, can she lay in your bed?"

"Yeah, she's so tired. Poor Norah."

I smiled lightly at Lucas's voice before I drifted into a deeper sleep.

The sound of laughter filled my ears and I opened my eyes looking around the room, I eyed the bedroom staring at the toys and the Airplane blanket.

Shit, I fell asleep.

Pushing up from the bed, I flattened my hair down and adjusted my shirt heading out the door. Following the laughter, I made it to the gym and eyed Jax and Carter teaching Lucas to bench press.

Lucas laughed every time Carter pretended it was so heavy he couldn't lift it.

I smirked and Jax looked over at me looking back down at Lucas "Look who finally woke up." He said to him.

Pursing my lips, I tucked my hair behind my ear before smiling shamelessly at Carter. He smirked "Feeling better rested?" He asked.

Lucas pushed off the bench and ran over to me, I bent down picking him up and giving him a silly face which he mirrored.

Laughing I looked to Carter "I had a long night, I'm sorry." I said apologizing.

Jax eyed me before putting some weights on the bar.

Carter shrugged "Don't worry about it, you're human." He said smiling his cute smile. Lucas looked to him carefully "Shes not human, she's a woman." He corrected.

Jax gave a short laugh and I ran my hand straightening out Lucas's hair "Humans are woman and men. It's just another word for people." I said to him watching as his eyebrows furrowed.

He messed with my necklace before staring at me "Since you're awake now, can we play?" He asked me sweetly.

I nodded "Whatever you want to play." I said putting him down and following him out of the gym to the backyard.

Mason was practicing with some of the guys, Lucas called them all stupid losers and blew them some raspberries. I got to teach him how to jump rope and when I crisscrossed them he was astonished. Kids are so much cooler, they're easily impressed.

Later we played pretend and he had me wear a pirate hat, with a sword and a belt for my fake sword.

"Argh! You come onto me ship and wanna fight me?" Lucas asked in his pirate tone as he stood on the playground with the wheel.

I pulled my sword out as I climbed up the steps to the second story. "aye! I do!" I said in my own pirate tone.

Lucas drew his sword and we began swiping the swords around at one another, he shoved the sword into my stomach and I played dead, falling slowly to my death before I laid back and he pushed me down the slide.

Reaching the bottom, I hung off the slide staring up at Carter with wide eyes "Oh" I said scrambling up and adjusting my hat until I realized it was a pirate hat.

Laughing I pulled it off and he stared down at me smirking. "You're good with him." He stated looking back at Lucas who was shouting that he was the greatest pirate to exist.

I smiled and looked back at him "He's just a good kid." I said nodding.

Carter laughed "He drove away fifteen nanny's last summer. They said he was too much for them." he shrugged "I think he just needs someone who's dedicated and energetic."

Lucas came down the slide and stabbed Carter, he dropped to his knees, "Betrayed by my own blood." He said looking up at me and then dropping to the floor poking one eye open as he watched Lucas stab me too.

I held my stomach stumbling back into the slide and falling to the floor "All I ever wanted was a friend." I said softly before shutting my eyes.

Lucas went running toward Mason and the guys and I turned on my side looking to him. Go get em tiger.

Sitting up, I wiped my hands off and Carter grinned at me "You're good at this!" He said standing and holding a hand out.

I took it and he helped me up to my feet, "thank you for moving me to the bed by the way." I said watching his face turn to confusion.

He laughed "Well as much as I'd like to take the credit for that, I actually didn't move you to bed." Carter looked to Lucas who was running around stabbing them all.

Mason came running toward me and I looked to Carter "I'm sorry, please excuse this." I said to him before turning and running up the slide.

He laughed as I hurried down the steps and running down the field.

"Run Norah! Run!" Lucas was shouting waving his arms as he ran his little heart chasing Mason.

I laughed as Mason caught up and picked me up tossing me over his shoulder and running from Lucas.

Mason took me toward the guys and I shook my head "Don't you dare put me in the net again!" I said warning him.

Lucas was catching up and I pushed my chest up staring at Mason and shaking my head.

I laughed as Lucas began throwing rocks at Mason, only I stopped when two hit my head. "hey kid you're hitting me too!" I said to him.

"If you don't put Norah down I'll tell her your secret!" Lucas shouted loudly as he followed.

Mason turned and began running backwards "Liar!" He taunted Lucas, but he seemed a bit on edge.

I couldn't seen Lucas but I knew he was making that 'watch me' look. "Mason has-" Lucas began shouting.

"Okay, ill put her down! I'll put her down!" He called stopping in his tracks and putting me down.

I took ten steps back from him laughing "He has a secret?" I asked Lucas who nodded "Its a real juicy one!" He said eyeing Mason.

"Lucas!"

Turning, I looked over at Lindsay who held her hand out smiling at him.

My face fell into disgust, and I hid it quick.

Lucas ran to her hugging the b***h, "try not to look so jealous of her." Mason said from behind me.

I c****d an eyebrow at him "Oh no, I just don't like her." I said laughing.

Mason smirked "You sure it's not because she's f*****g Jax?" He asked taunting me the way he does Lucas.

Eyeing Carter as he walked over, I smirked at Mason "I got my sights set on the older one." I said watching him stare at Carter with a blank stare.

Looking to Mason I ran a hand over his shoulder "Thank you for moving me to the bed this morning, I was just so tired." I said before he furrowed his eyebrows "I didn't move you." He said laughing.

Jax....?

"You get a workout?" Carter asked Mason who laughed lightly and nodded "Uh Yeah, barely. She's light as a feather." Light as a feather huh?

I smirked at Mason, giving Carter a sweet smile and walked past them to Lucas who was talking to Lindsay. Jax walked up behind her wrapping his arms around her from behind, she leaned into him laughing as she told Jax about Lucas killing the whole basketball team.

"Lucas it's time for your nap." I said running my hand through his hair and adjusting his pirate hat.

He had one eye patch on and nodded "Lindsay why do all pirates lose their eye?" He asked her as he flipped his eye patch up.

She shrugged looking back at Jax, "Because they're always fighting with swords." She said guessing.

I smirked and shoved my hands in my back pockets "Want to know why?" I asked him watching as he looked up at me.

He eyed me "You know why?" He asked.

I scoffed "Of course, I know everything kid." I joked and he laughed holding his little stomach.

"So why?" Lindsay asked eyeing me with a challenged grin, her stupid face bugging me more. She's annoying, especially that dumb nose piercing, she looks like a damn bull.

Dropping to Lucas's height I placed the eye patch on his eye "They actually have both their eyes." I said watching him stare at me like I was crazy.

I smiled "When you go to bed, and shut off the light it's so dark right?" I asked him watching as he nodded still confused, "Well after a while your eye adjusts to the dark, meaning your eye can see in the dark. Right?" I asked if he was following along and he nodded.

"Sometimes I wake up at night and-and then I can after I keep my eyes open for a little." He said nodding.

Awesome so he understands "Yes, so have you ever been on a pirates boat? Or seen movies about them? It's always soo dark below deck." I said watching him flip his eye patch up.

"What does that have to do with their eye?" Lindsay asked laughing.

I put my finger up "I'm getting there, it's a process for a kid to comprehend." I said before looking back at Lucas.

"Let her talk." Mason said and I turned looking back at him, Carter stood beside Mason interested. Oh everyone's listening, okay.

I dropped Lucas's eye patch down "This eye" i pointed to his visible eye "Is for seeing above deck." I said watching him stare into my face in awe.

Then I pointed to the other eye "That one, is for seeing below the deck. In the dark." I said raising my eyebrows.

Lucas furrowed his eyebrows "How can they see with the patch on?" He asked.

I reached up moving the patch to the other eye "They switch the patch to cover whatever eye they don't need. This makes sure that if their ship gets over run, they can easily go from above deck to below deck without having to let their eye adjust. One eye is for the dark, the other is for the light." I said the last part in awe and he stared at me with his mouth agape.

"Damn is that true?" Mason asked Carter who laughed "Im not a pirate." He said causing us all to laugh.

Lucas looked to Jax "Go-go on your phone and check." He said staring confused.

Jax sighed "You don't believe her?" He asked c*****g an eyebrow at Lucas. I watched Lucas shake his head slowly "No."

Lindsay smirked and as Jax pulled his phone out looking it up, I stared at Lucas whispering "I never lie kid." Before Jax confirmed it, "Once again, she's telling the truth."

I smirked at Lucas who grinned at me "You're the smartest person." He said nodding "Do you know the distance to the moon?" He asked furrowing his eyebrows.

I pursed my lips watching Lindsay laugh "She isn't google." She said.

The thing is, I have read so many National Geographic magazines and books on cool facts that I did have the number in my head.

Lindsay went to turn away and that one move made it come to me "It's around two hundred and forty thousand miles. That's to the moon, not to the moon and back." I said watching Lucas move his attention from me to Jax.

Jax pulled his phone out and I looked up catching his eyes "Don't doubt her Lucas." He said shaking his head and staring at me carefully.

Lindsay eyed the number "Two hundred and thirty eight thousand nine hundred miles." She said before she eyed me "How do you know these things? You weirdo." She made a disgusted face.

"You'd be surprised how much you can learn if you try Lindsay. That's if you ever decided to learn." Mason said laughing.

I picked Lucas up and his smile was wide and he was staring at me with so much pride.

"I read a lot, mostly National Geographic magazines, old literature and all those boring things only old people read." I said laughing.

Jax smirked and I looked back at Carter who was smiling "Brains and beauty, damn." He said low.

"Alright Lucas, nap time." I said walking him through the door moving past Jax and Lindsay. Of course Lindsay had her own laughs at my comment.

Heading to the stairs I could hear Mason "Don't be so jealous Lindsay. Not everyone can be smoking hot and smart." I smirked at his response. That guys growing on me, and I think I like it, maybe.

"She's not even hot, she's just bland." Lindsay said scoffing.

I stopped walking and listened, "You should've seen her at the dinner party, she was a jaw dropping angel. Even your boyfriend was drooling." Mason said scoffing.

Laughing lightly, I headed up the stairs to Lucas's room. He had me read him Peter Pan and every time tinker bell talked, the book had a small bell that you ring.

"Is that really how fairies talk?" Lucas asked me curling into my thigh with his eyes shut.

I shrugged "I've never met one, but if I do, I'll catch it and save it to show you." I said promising.

He smiled "I love you Norah." He said before yawning and settling into sleep.

My heart melted, did he really just say he loves me?

I smiled down at him, before I unattached myself and tucked him in picking up the bedroom from our previous action figure game.

"You should leave him to sleep. You can do that later." Lindsay said from the door quietly.

Ignoring her, I finished putting the toy trucks in the basket quietly.

"You are never babysitting my kid." She said laughing.

I eyed her "You couldn't pay me enough Lisa." I said watching her shocked expression. "I knew you where a jealous bitch." She scoffed.

Smirking, I stared over at her body "Sure, whatever helps you sleep at night." I said watching her walk into the room "Jax and Lucas are Mine! Mine! You stay the f**k away from my boyfriend and remind Lucas you'll be gone soon." She said furious.

I stared at Lucas "He's a kid, he's not going to remember me anyways in a few years. Don't get so upset, and as for Jax, I like Carter." I laughed.

She stared at me with her jaw a bit hung open "You don't like Jax?" She asked shifting, she's really self conscious my goodness. I shook my head "He's too assholey for me, I like my men sweet and full of smiles." I said tossing the bear to the basket of stuffed animals.

Lindsay nodded "Do you think he loves me?" She asked watching me carefully.

"Jax?" I asked, wondering if she means him or Lucas. "Of course Jax you dumb broad." She scowled.

God, "I really don't know him well enough to answer that question. Try asking Mason." I said walking out the bedroom and shutting the door while she eyed me. "How do you do it?" She asked.

I c****d an eyebrow "You really need to be more specific with your questions Linda." I said being my salty ass self.

She eyed me "Lindsay. It's Lindsay, and I mean Mason, Carter, Alison even Lucas. They're all wrapped around your finger and you've only been here for two weeks." She said annoyed.

I shrugged "Honestly, I have no idea. Maybe because I can quit if their rude or mean but you can't." I said thoughtfully.

Lindsay leaned into the wall "Did you ever really have s*x?" She asked looking me over.

"If you want to call it that. I uh- I don't talk about it but I can tell you I've definitely had my cherry popped." I said laughing.

She stared at my face "Was it a bad one night stand? I've been there we all have. Some guys just suck in bed. Jax is pretty good, not the best but he's good. He's just tender and I like rough." She smirked.

Where's she getting the rough from?

"Try our Mason or Carter, Carter just got out of a two year marriage. She couldn't do the distance thing, she kept fearing he'd cheat on her which resulted in her cheating on him because she was afraid. Weird but that's what Carters psychologist says." She shrugs.

What?

I looked to Carters bedroom, the door open "He sees a psychologist?" I asked.

She nodded "All the boys have their own 'Secret' meetings with their health providers. Jax's Doctor Angeline comes over to check him up, and Masons therapist comes over too." She said before looking to Lucas's door "He's going to need a Doctor or psychologist. The kids got anger problems." She stated.

I looked to her eyes as they rolled, "He just needs to learn how to channel the anger." I said softly.

"Lindsay!" Jax called from downstairs, and she eyed me "Don't think this chat changes anything I still want you gone and I can't stand your goody good act." She said before heading down the stairs.

What a b***h.

Going down the stairs, I went to the kitchen to find Carter and Mason eating sandwiches. "Did Lindsay lecture your head off?" Mason asked laughing.

Carter stared down at Mason who smirked "Lindsay has it out for Norah. Tries to tell her how to do everything. They hate each other." He said like it was a juicy secret.

I grabbed a wrapped sandwich out of the fridge with my name on it, thanks Coleen. She's the greatest chef and I make sure she knows it.

"I don't hate her, I just don't like her." I said before taking the open seat beside Mason and biting into my sandwich.

Carter laughed "Don't worry Nor, no one likes her except Jax. That's cause the guys an airhead." He said smirking.

Mason turned to me "Jax is to Carter as I am to Lucas." He summed up.

I nodded "So carter taunts Jax?" I asked laughing, earning two nods.

The sound of laughing coming closer chilled my spine "Speak of the Devil" carter muttered as the door opened and Lindsay walked in.

She went to the fridge and pulled a sandwich out for Jax and eyeing the fridge then me "You can't just go around pulling food from peoples houses and eating it. Now I don't have a sandwich." She said annoyed.

Carter and Mason went to say something and I shook my head "Sorry Lindsay, you're right, I just figured since it had my name it was mine." I said watching Jax stare down at her curiously.

She scoffed "Liar." She said.

I really wish this family would stop questioning my honesty.

Gesturing to the Foil she picked it up and turned it around seeing Norah with a smiley face on it.

"But by all means you can have the other half of my sandwich. I don't mind sharing." I said holding my plate to her.

Jax held a small grin and she scowled at me then eyed the fridge "That chef b***h saw me, why didn't she make me sandwich?" She asked taking a bite of the other half of my sandwich.

I watched her carefully before she spit it and stared at me in horror "Is that ham?!" She asked.

Oh s**t! "You're vegetarian!" I stated with wide eyes, she nodded "Yes you f*****g b***h!" She spat in the sink rinsing her mouth.

Carter and Mason where laughing their asses off and I got off the chair going to the fridge grabbing her a water "I'm sorry I honestly forgot. I'd never do that purposely, I swear." I said feeling like the queen of douchebags right now.

Sighing I headed to the fridge grabbing peanut butter and jelly along with two pieces of bread making her a sandwich. "What are you doing?" She asked looking to me in annoyance with her eyes watering.

I turned and handed her the sandwich "I uh-I'm sorry. Here. Peanut butter and jelly." I said placing it down and shoving my hands in my back pockets.

She eyed the sandwich and then scowled "f**k you!" She said running out of the kitchen.

I sighed and stepped forward to chase her but realized she's not my girlfriend to chase after. "I'm really sorry." I said to Jax who nodded and took the peanut butter sandwich and his sandwich walking out of the kitchen.

Shutting the fridge door, I stared up at Carter and Mason, "That was so mean." I said shaking my head.

Carter shrugged "Shes been meaner." He commented smirking at me.

I shook my head "Not her, me. I just forgot, honestly." I said as my stomach knotted. I hate people who force others into things, I hated it, and I know she did too.

God, I'm a b***h!

Mason looked me over "Hey, Hey Norah, it's okay. You didn't mean to." He said with a worried look.

I didn't notice I had slipped a few tears until I felt them drip to my jaw. Wiping them I sighed, and Carter eyed Mason. "Oh she's crying, Norah don't be sad. She deserved it, the girls a nightmare." He said.

So she deserves it because she's a nightmare?

Eyeing Carter I shook my head "No one should be tricked or forced into something, no matter how horrible they are." I sighed walking out the kitchen and going upstairs.

My stomach turning, my mind replaying a memory of the past. I tried to blink it away but I couldn't, not his hand gripping my wrists, his breath, the smell of Old Spice or his hand that pushed my face, this is making me feel nauseous.

Going to Lucas's room, I headed inside shutting the door and going to a corner in the room hiding behind the laundry basket and the toy trains.

Taking steady breaths, I calmed myself, thinking of funny memories with my friends instead.

"Norah?" I stayed silent eyeing the door from behind the stacked trains, Mason was looking around going to the bathroom and then under the bed. "She's not here." He said to someone.

I steadied my breath laying my cheek on my knee before I drifted off to sleep.

A small shake of my knee came, I lifted my head looking to see it was dark "I found her!" Lucas shouted.

I stared at him for a while "How long have I been asleep for?" I asked him.

He stared at me with wide eyes "A long time. They thought you went home!" He said sitting across from me.

The door opened and Carter walked in sighing in relief "Are you okay?" He asked.

I nodded "I just needed to be alone, I uh fell asleep again." I said embarrassed.

Carter stared at Lucas "Good finding kid." He said walking to me.

I stood, "Is your mom home?" I asked nervously.

He shook his head "She'll be home in twenty minutes. We'll keep quiet about this, just uh-don't worry about Lindsay alright?" He said watching my face.

I nodded and walked past him down the stairs to where Lucas was singing a song in the kitchen.

As soon as Alison got home, we had dinner and all of us sat around the table, only it was extended now with the leaf, two more chairs where added and I took a seat between Mason and Lucas.

"There's this opportunity that came up." Jax said staring down at the vegetarian burrito bowl.

That was tonight's dinner, because Lindsay's joining.

Lindsay looked to him annoyed "Jax, you aren't doing it." She said aggravated.

He stared down at his bowl pushing the food around with his fork, "What is it?" Carter asked taking a fork full to his mouth.

Lindsay eyed him and then Jax stared over at Lindsay, they stared at each other with so many unsaid words "I'll be fighting Keptin. If I do that jumps me up two spots. Which means I only have to beat one more before I play for the world champion." He said keeping eye contact with her.

She shook her head dropping eye contact "What he isn't tell you is that if he loses he drops two spots as well. It's not worth it. Everything you worked hard for this year, just thrown away." She said scowling and taking a bite of her food.

I kept my mouth shut, and tried to enjoy the meatless burrito bowl.

"Shouldn't it be his decision if he wants to do that? You aren't his wife, you can't control how he progresses with his work choices." Mason said glaring at her.

Lindsay leaned forward "He hasn't told you guys?" She asked.

We all looked around, clearly not.

She eyed him "What are you waiting for? Perfect timing?" She asked giving him attitude, something tells me this announcements a serious one.

"You're not pregnant right?" Alison asked staring at her with complete horror.

Lindsay shook her head, "Well not yet." She said waving it off.

"Yet? What-Jax what does she mean yet?" Alison asked her chest rising and falling nervously. Lindsay saw her reaction and then went to change the subject by.....

"Norah slept practically the whole day! You paid her for nothing today." Lindsay said before saying "ouch!" Holding her leg and then scowling between Mason and Carter.

Jax sighed and dropped his face in his hands "I proposed." He said sitting back and looking over at his mom.

My heart fell for Alison, but her eyes went from me to Alison to Jax. "Norah please go home, don't bother coming in tomorrow." She said standing.

I think I just got fired.

Letting out a small shaky breath I smiled down at Lucas "Bye kid." I said low before walking out the dining hall "Are you serious? Did you just fire her?!" Mason shouted.

Lucas's voice cut in "Norah!" He cried.

Alison slammed a hand on the table, and I quickened my steps to the door grabbing my bag and heading out the door.

Jack stood there and I smiled softly "Can you bring my car?" I asked watching him stare confused.

I dropped my eyes "I think I got fired." I said before sitting on the steps.

Jack sighed "I'm sorry hun, I hope the nights turns around for you." He said before going to get my car.

"Norah!" I looked back to see Lucas running out, behind him was Mason.

I smiled sadly "Don't worry kid, Ill see you in a couple years when you're a big star!" I said ruffling his hair.

Mason gave me a small smile and I hugged him "Hit me up, maybe I'll take that date offer." I said smiling and biting my lip.

He laughed and winked "Will do angel." He said as my car pulled up.

I got into my car driving off to my house.

The house was dark and I felt my stomach turn in fear.

Eyeing the street, I pulled in and headed inside locking all the locks and going to my room.

Here's to another sleepless night.