I was almost done with the shower when I felt tears in my eyes. They came out of nowhere and I just sank to the shower floor and cried. I cried because of what Jason did to me. I cried just thinking of everything Asher has to go through every time he went home and the bruises he left with. I cried because these guys were taking care of me when we had school in the morning and they had to go to practice after school. I think there was even some crying because my emotions were so fucked up when it came to my dad.
I didn’t even notice when the door opened and Asher was there with a towel. He wrapped me up and took me to my bed and just held me until I was all cried out. When I was done with my emotional bullshit, I call it bullshit because I never cry, I got dressed for bed. The guys all came in and held me all night. Unfortunately I just laid there all night tossing and turning, sleep never came and I wasn’t sure that I wanted to even attempt school today.
Just thinking of seeing that word spray-painted on my locker, Skylar, and school work, in general, is not something I wanted to deal with. Unfortunately for me, I didn’t get a choice in the matter because I refused to be anything like my father. I will do something with my life so therefore I needed to go to school and do well so I could go to college. When I woke up I noticed the guys were gone but the bed was still warm where they were laying. As I came downstairs I saw the guys were all ready to go as well. They already went to get my coffee since it was sitting on the counter for me.
“How are you feeling Malia?” Grayson asked for once not growling.
“I have a headache but I will go anyway. I will just take it easy for today. Tonight I have work again after school.” I let them know. From the looks in their eyes, it looked like they wanted to protest but they didn’t. Ryder just got me some medicine for my headache and we were on our way to First Academy for the day.
19.
Pink Hair
Ryder
In four weeks nothing has happened with Malia at the bar or the school. Everything has actually been quiet. We have been going to practice after school and have had a few games since school started. Skylar has backed off Malia too which is weird but I guess that is because Asher is her boyfriend at school. But what was weird was that she thought that I was single and she hasn’t bothered me at all. I had a funny feeling she was cooking something up that won’t be good for any of us.
“Ryder you with us?” Malia asked while we were all sitting at the island discussing the annual Halloween party I have been having for three years. Guess I got sidetracked.
“Yeah now who are we inviting? Do we have to invite Skylar and the twins?” Malia whined with a pout.
“I agree let’s leave them out,” Asher spoke up.
I pinched the bridge of my nose for some type of patience because these two have gotten really good at being the jokers out of our group together. They thought it was funny when they ganged up on me and Grayson.
“Unfortunately we have to invite them. Her aunt works for my parents. I really don’t have a choice.” I insisted.
“Fine but she needs to stay far away from me.” Malia insisted.
“Would you two fucking quit it with that shit already? It’s like you guys are thinking with the same brain.” Grayson grumbled. Malia walked over to him and snuggled into his arm when he put it around her and said in a baby voice, “Awe is Grayson being grumpy again?”
“Malia knock it off,” he grumbled at her. She reached up and ran her fingers through his hair and gave him a peck on what was supposed to be his cheek but Grayson turned his face and caught her lips. The kiss turned heated quickly so I cleared my throat since we had shit to do. Also because watching them is getting me hard but that has become the new normal for us since Malia came around. She turned to me and she was breathing heavily and her cheeks were pink. Damn it she looks so fucking good when she was turned on.
“You guys can pick that up later, let’s just get this done. So we are inviting all of the seniors and juniors in school. We are going to need to go shopping for food and shit. Do we want to do a costume party?” I inquired and got their opinions.
“Seriously Ryder? Do we have to dress up?” Grayson was still grumbling. I wonder what had his panties in a twist.
“Grayson what’s up your ass today man?” Asher asked the question that was on my mind.
“Nothing let's just get this shit over with alright?” Grayson answered. Somehow Malia ended up on his lap at the end of the conversation. I think she knew that she could calm him down even if we didn’t know what was bothering him. Finally we got the Halloween party shit over with. It was a Sunday so we had school tomorrow. The party was set for two weeks and hopefully would be drama free.
Malia had been sleeping here along with the other two ever since the bar incident. She normally switched rooms every night with us instead of her own bed. Tonight was Asher’s night. After we ate and showered we did what had become our nightly ritual as much as it could be with our clashing schedules and we all
