Page 44 of Hold 'Em Tight

He looks frazzled as he pulls his glasses off to clean them on his T-shirt.

“I know. And I'll pay you back for the damages,” Teo grunts.

Colton sighs and shakes his head. “It’s fine. Let’s just get our bags and go home.”

“We were going to go get the truck, start the AC, and meet you all out front,” I speak up, and Colt nods before turning toward Ry and Trev. “Come on,” I mumble to Teo, who follows me out to the parking garage.

“Fuck!” he growls when we reach the truck. He kicks the tire a few times, swearing at it.

A little old lady a few rows away squeaks and quickly gets into her car. I give her a friendly smile and wave as she passes.

“Feel better?” I ask, and he grumbles before falling to his ass on the dirty concrete and bringing his knees up to his chest. His shoulders shake and I can hear the sniffles he’s trying to hide.

“Hey,” I whisper, sitting beside him and pulling him into my arms. “It’s going to be okay, Mateo. It really is.” He lifts his head and gives me a look.

“Yeah, right, Don. We shouldn’t have come back here. I knew it would be rough, but what the fuck, man?! Why are they in all the magazines? Is he enjoying rubbing our faces in his new life? Did we never mean anything to him?”

He shoves me away and gets to his feet, wiping his face on his arm and unlocking the truck.

I stand up, then move to the passenger side and climb in as he starts the engine and blasts the AC, rolling down the windows to cool off the inside.

“Maybe we need to pay Lennox a visit. Finally get some answers, or at the very least, closure,” I suggest, but he scoffs.

“You’re starting to sound like a fucking therapist, Don,” he grumbles, as he puts the truck in reverse and carefully backs out.

“Yeah, well, someone has to keep this family together.”

The rideback to campus is quiet, the only sound is from the music on the radio. Teo's glaring out of the window as he drives, and Colt is doing something on his phone.

Rylee is asleep on Trev's shoulder, and he just looks lost. Can't blame him. I don't even know what's going to happen next.

But it's about time we all get some happiness. Don't we deserve it? Haven't we been through enough bullshit and drama? I really think we need closure.

“What the fuck?” Teo grumbles, startling me, and I look at where he’s glaring. “Why the hell is he here?” He parks right next to Len’s car, and doesn’t even turn the engine off. Slamming into park, he opens his door and storms off toward the cheer house.

“What’s going on?” Rylee mumbles, and I glance back at her as she stretches with a yawn.

“Lennox is here,” I say as I reach over and turn the truck off with a press of a button, before racing after him. Colt is a step ahead of me. The front door opens as I’m reaching the stairs, and I freeze.

Shit! This isn’t going to be good. Missi steps out with a huge smile on her lips and a smug gleam in her eyes. She stands at the top of the steps and places her hand on her baby bump, displaying the huge diamond ring on her finger.

“Nope, no, hell fucking no! Get out of here, Pissy Missy.”

“Oh, please, as if I'd want to be anywhere near you, Donny, and your little skank.”

Missi blows on her nails and then finger waves at Teo.

“Don't pout, Mateo. Maybe if you're lucky, I'll let you join Lenny and I. I've always wanted to be stuffed.”

Bile rises in my throat and I gag. “Gross. I think I'm going to vomit.”

“You and me both,” Rylee snarks and I look over my shoulder at her with a wiggle of my eyebrows.

She looks livid.

I can hear a few of the other girls laughing inside, talking to someone. So I shouldn’t be surprised when Len steps out next with a few bags and a small box. He freezes behind Missi, and his eyes immediately zoom in on Teo, and then Rylee, as she walks up behind me.

He gives us a smile and says, “I didn't think you guys would be here. How are you?”