Page 13 of Hold ‘Em Tight (Solidarity Academy #4)

Florida has been really good for her. She has a lightness in her smile that I haven't seen in a long time.

“Teo, Donny, look what Mama got me,” Nando exclaims, showing us his new Nintendo game.

“Rock on, little man. I love Mario Party,” Donny murmurs with a huge smile.

“Will you play with me?” He looks up at us with so much hope in his eyes, I feel bad turning him down.

Rylee exits the bathroom and helps us put away the rest of the groceries. She's smiling and seems happy.

“I promised Ry we would get something to eat, but after we can play,” I tell him, and he throws himself into my stomach with an oomph, giving me a big hug.

“Ready?” I ask Rylee, and she nods, walking over with a wet paper towel. She wipes Nando's face, and laughs as he complains.

“I was saving it for later,” he whines as she boops his nose.

“How about I just bring you another one later, hmm?” His eyes widen and he hugs her tightly.

“You're the best, Ry,” he mumbles into her stomach, and she pats his head.

She's so good with him. Seeing them together makes me think of our future, and maybe having a kid of our own someday.

Rylee's stomach growls loudly and Donny laughs. “Come on, babe.” Taking her hand, he leads her to the door.

I kiss my mama's cheek, then follow them as Donny leads Rylee to the elevators.

“I'm starving. I could seriously eat a damn shark at this point,” Rylee complains as we exit the elevator.

“Me too, Cherry,” Donny agrees, nodding and taking her hand in his, before tugging her over to the hotel restaurant.

Her grandfather is there at a table, reading some papers with Rylee's dad, and he lifts his head as we enter.

He has a big grin on his face.

“Rylee, dear, why don't you join us?” he says, and her dad pops his head up, looking over at us.

Rylee freezes, and has a strange smile on her lips.

“Everything okay?” I ask, and she sighs.

“Yeah, do you mind if we sit with them… I should probably visit for a little bit. My mom mentioned that he's been wanting to see me.”

“Of course. We will leave you to it. Donny, let's go.”

“You don't have to…”

“Baby girl, it's okay. We will sit over there in case you need us.”

Smiling up at me, she leans in for a quick kiss. I oblige and then Donny steals her.

“No, you’ve hogged her enough,” he grunts and I laugh, then head for the bar, shaking my head as Rylee scolds him.

I glance over my shoulder as I pull out a bar stool and grab a menu. There is a young guy working today, and I'm glad that Barbie bitch left.

Donny gives Rylee a big, sloppy kiss, walks her to her dad, then meets me at the bar.

Pulling out a stool, he knocks on the bartop, getting the guy's attention. I look over at the table we were sat at the first time we met Rylee.

It's crazy to think so much has changed since that day. Pulling out my phone, my finger hovers over my social media.

I haven't checked it in a really long time, but I just need to know that he's okay.

I wish I didn't press the button.

“Fuck. Does he have no shame?!” Donny mutters, looking over at what I see.

Len is holding Missi's stomach, kissing her baby bump as she smiles at someone.

I press the button to turn my phone off and chuck it on the bar top.

“He doesn't love her, Teo. I still feel like something isn't right about all of this.”

I tune him out and order some shots of Tequila when the bartender joins us.

I don't waste any time downing them as soon as they arrive.

This afternoon was amazing with my girl, and I know I shouldn't, but fuck, I miss him.

The credits roll and Nando yawns. “I wish you could stay here forever, Teo. I miss you and Brenna so much,” he whispers, and I pull him tighter into my arms.

“Time for bed, baby,” Mama says, walking over to the couch and holding her hand out for my baby brother.

We played four rounds of Mario Party. Rylee and the others stayed for three, but after a while, I could tell they were over it.

Nando groans and complains, but he should know better than to argue. My mama might be small, but she's strong and feisty.

“Now, Fernando,” she scolds, and he grumbles as he gives me another hug, then stands and squeezes our mama.

“Tomorrow, can we go to the beach?” he asks me and I nod.

“Hey, before you go to bed, can you grab me a snack?” I ask, knowing that he will sneak one into his room for himself.

He gives me a big smile, then takes off for the kitchen.

My mama sits next to me. She hasn't brought up my last fight yet, but I have a feeling that's going to end. We've been living in a bubble, so to speak.

Not wanting it to pop, we've avoided any hard topics.

Nando tosses me a packet of goldfish and leaves the room. My mom sighs and rests her head on my shoulder.

I really don't want to do this right now, but it's time. I start off with a simple question.

“Have you heard from Brenna?” I ask and she nods.

“She called a few weeks ago actually. She broke up with that boy and wants to move out here. Work at the hotel. I haven't asked Maria yet though. She's done so much for us, I don't want to ask for more.”

“Rylee’s mom is amazing. I'm sure she would be okay with it, and the extra help here at the hotel is a bonus. Where is Bren now? She never called me.”

Though, when we last spoke, she told me she hated me and wished she wasn't my sister. But still, if she needed me, I would be there for her. She's my blood.

“Staying with her friend, Shelly. They are doing some type of grocery delivery service or something. I love my daughter, but she can be so dramatic, and I don't want to cause trouble for Mr. Sanderson.”

“She's an adult. Maybe just have her move back home. It's safe now. You and Nando could return too.”

Sitting up, she tucks her legs under her long skirt and faces me, placing a hand on my cheek.

“I've been thinking about selling the house. We love it here in Florida. Nando has friends, and a great school. Besides you and Brenna, I don't have much keeping me in California.”

My chest aches, but I nod. I know it's true, but it doesn't hurt any less. She's quiet for a minute.

“Do you think, maybe after you've finished school, you and Rylee would move here? Florida is her home after all.”

“Maybe. We haven’t talked much about it, but I’m sure it’s a possibility.”

She looks at me with tears in her eyes. I know what’s coming next. I take her hand and place it on my thigh. My chest becomes tight, and I’m on the verge of crying.

“Don’t give up on him, baby,” she whispers, “I know how much that boy loves you all. What he would sacrifice for you. I don’t think he’s thinking clearly. I have seen his pictures with that tramp. He’s not happy. It’s clear in the eyes, baby.”

I shake my head, then wipe my eyes and grunt. “It’s fine. I’ll be okay. Someday. I have Rylee, and the others. We will figure out a way to move on. We have to. He made his choice. It wasn’t us.” My voice cracks and she pulls me into her arms.

I let her hold me as I break apart for the last time. After this, Lennox Crane is dead to me for all intents and purposes.