Broken Promises

Uncle Bruce.

I woke up the next morning, Max's arms still tightly around me as Noah walked into the room with coffee.

"Morning sunshine" He smiled.

"Yeah, coffee?" I groaned as I struggled to sit up.

"No," Maxwell said tightening his grip.

"Come on Max" I laughed nudging him.

"I don't want to" He groaned.

"Someone doesn't like mornings" Noah smiled.

"That's not why, I'll explain later" I smiled as Noah walked towards the door.

"Rylee this really isn't fair," Maxwell whined.

"It is Max." I smiled at him.

"We had fun though, right?" I smiled.

"Yeah" He scoffs finally letting me go.

"Come on grump, your brother is probably awake," I answered sitting up.

"Rylee" Max groaned as he pulled my shirt back.

"Max" I smiled at him.

"It won't be so bad, I promise" I smile.

"You are terrible at keeping your promises" He scoffed looking down at my wrists.

I cleared my throat and looked down, before getting out of bed.

"Rylee that's not what I meant" He tried to explain.

"I know it's not. It's okay Maxwell, I'm okay. Come on, Noah is having a family meeting" I smiled putting shorts on.

"Do I have to leave for it?" He asked.

"You can't come here to see me anymore, maybe clear things up with Jay in a few days, okay?" I smiled opening the door.

"Yeah" He sighed as we walked down the steps where his brother Noah was waiting.

"Bye." I smiled at him before joining everyone else in the living room.

"Bye." he said lowly giving me a half-second handshake.

"What was that about?" Melissa asked as I sat beside her and Jason.

"Nothing, I just don't think I'll be seeing much of Max anymore" I smiled.

"What why?" Jason asked quickly.

"Don't worry, I asked him to patch things up with you. He's your friend Jay" I smiled.

"Not if he slept with you, he isn't" Jason scoffed.

"We didn't have s*x" I smile.

"You didn't?!" Noah asked.

"No, we went to bed. And today was the last time I will see him on my account" I smiled.

"Anyway, getting back to that later. I called this meeting so Rylee and Jay could talk out their problems without judgment from any of us. No matter what Jason or Rylee has done to one another" Noah stated.

"This is stupid" Jason scoffed.

"Please" I smiled at him.

"What do we need to talk about Rylee?" Jason asked.

"Well, we can start with how bad our relationship was" I shrugged.

"It wasn't horrible Rylee" he answered.

"Yes, it was," everyone said in unison.

"Okay, let's talk about it" Jay rolled his eyes.

"Okay, you start" I smiled.

"I shouldn't have gotten angry when you talked to other guys or went out with Melissa, or when you did anything, I wasn't a part of." Jason sighed.

"I shouldn't have excluded you from stuff even if I needed a break" I answered.

"I shouldn't have hurt you in any way because I was mad" He sighed.

"I agree" I smiled.

"I shouldn't have hurt you the other night, that wasn't okay. Even if you took it a little far" He smiled.

"I shouldn't have called you out at the party even if you partly deserved it for posting about the bet" I shrugged.

"I shouldn't have posted about the bet; it was your business and while I'm sure it would have gotten out eventually that didn't give me the right to post anything about it." He answered.

"I shouldn't have told you what happened, I trusted you a little. Enough to share information about my misfortune" I smiled.

"Rylee you should be able to tell me anything you want to without me using it against you. I'm tired of fighting all the time" He answered.

"Me too, so instead of being ex's can we just be foster siblings?" I sighed.

"Yeah" He smirked.

"Great now that that's handled." Noah rolled his eyes.

"Why didn't you and Max have s*x?" Melissa scoffed hitting me on the arm.

"Well, Luka came the first time, but after I got back, I went to bed instead" I answered.

"And then not seeing him anymore?" Jason asked.

"Not because of you" I smiled.

"But why?" Noah asked confused.

"I decided it was best for us not to see each other or hang out even as friends" I smiled.

"But why?!" Noah scoffed.

"Just because it's best" I smiled.

"I hate how chipper you are right now" Jake rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, me to" I smirked.

"I do like your hair Rylee" Jason smiled.

"Thanks" I smiled back.

We sat and talked for a while until everyone went our separate ways, this was how it was going to be from now on. None of us were going to be as close with each other as we were before and in less than a week, I'll turn 16. This means I can go for the job I wanted instead of working at the fast-food place I work at now. I got ready for my shift and headed on my way. Hoping I didn't have to deal with much today but of course, I was wrong.

I thought mostly about Max at work, it felt good to let him go but it hurts we aren't friends, and seeing him around the house with Jay is going to be hard now. I went through the motions of the day as someone caught my eye as they walked in the door.

"Can I have" They stopped and looked at me?

"Rylee?" Their eyes squinted as if they couldn't see me properly.

"Uncle Bruce?" I asked confused.

"Oh gosh, Rylee!" He smiled.

"Hey" I smiled back.

"How are you kiddo? and your parents?" He smiled. How could he not know?

"My parents are dead Bruce" I answered him getting a plain expression.

"What?" He asked as his Adam's apple bobbed.

"Yeah, they died a long time ago" I answered once more.

"And who are you staying with Nacy? Angle? Josh? Chris?" He scoffed.

"Oh no, I'm actually in a group home" I smiled.

"A group home?" He asked raising a brow.

"Yeah" I answered.

"Since when?" He scoffed.

"I've been in the same one since I was 11" I replied.

"Oh." He said looking at me like I was broken or something.

"It's okay. I'm okay" I smiled.

"I'm working right now though so I can give you my number and give you a call then?" I asked.

"Yeah, darling of course. You just write your number down and I'll give you a call, what time do you get off?" He asked handing me a napkin as I picked up a pen.

"5 o'clock" I smiled handing him the napkin back.

"Okay," He smiled and walked towards the door.

"Bruce?" I asked

"Yeah?" He looked at me. 

"Do you still want to order?" I laughed.

"Oh, no. I'm okay. Thanks anyways Ryles" He smiled.

What a weird way to start my f*****g shift, I scoffed to myself before continuing back to work.  

Maxwells P.O.V.

I woke up, arms wrapped tightly around Rylee; I didn't want to let her go.

"Come on Max" She smiled her perfect smile at me.

"I don't want to" I groaned in response.

Noah made some comments about not liking mornings, and while I'm sure Rylee will explain why she doesn't want to see me anymore while the only explanation I got was that she wasn't good enough. I tried to fight it to no avail. She smiled at me with every word she said, did it not bother her? I mean fixing things with Jason wasn't going to be easy in any way, I punched him over a girl I barely knew.

I drove Noah home, hoping to catch Jason after work.

"You okay?" My mom asked as I entered the house.

"Yep" I scoffed to myself as I watched her flavor of the week leave.

"Come on Max, it was one night" She scoffed.

"No mom, it's every night. It was just the first night you asked me to keep Noah so you could do whatever you wanted to without having to worry" I rolled my eyes heading down the hall to my room.

"Maxwell, I just needed a break for one night" She yelled after me.

One night for a quick fix before getting the same fix two days later, going to clubs to meet random guys who will give her anything for her body. I grabbed a quick shower, try to release all tension of the night before.

"Hey," Noah said as I walked past him.

"What's up bud?" I asked looking at my phone.

"Got any plans for today?" he asked.

"Erm, I'm going to see Jason at work. Why?" I asked confused.

"Leo asked if I could come over for the day," he said lowly.

"Is his mom okay with it?" I ask

"I think so" he smiled.

"Make sure she's okay with you hanging around without me if she is I'll take you. I'll stop by Jason's work on the way" I answered.

"Great thanks!" He smiled before running back to his room.

"So, who's Leo?" My mother asked.

"A friend of Noah's" I laughed.

"Yeah, but can you trust Noah to hang out there by himself?" she asked.

"Yeah" I scoffed closing the bathroom door, the truth is I trust Denise with Noah more than I trust her with him. At least with Denise, he wouldn't be making drug runs, he would be safe at a home I trust oddly enough. I took a quick shower checking my phone occasionally before hearing yelling between Noah and mom.

"What the f**k is going on?" I yelled as I ran out in a towel.

"Mom wants me to steal from Leo so she has money!" Noah yelled.

"What the f**k?" I looked at her in disbelief.

"Just this once, Max they are rich. We could pawn some stuff for a couple of grand" She smiled at me.

"Noah go get ready." I turned to him, clenching my Jaw tightly.

"Come on Max it's not that big of a deal, you used to do it all the time" She pleaded with me as Noah walked to his room.

"You don't get to ask him to do that stuff!" I yelled at her.

"He's my son" She scoffed.

"No, you may have birthed him. But I raised him. Me. I did all the f*****g work while you were drugged off your ass, barely breathing on the couch!" I yelled back.

"What? You know I would use the money for you guys" She scoffed.

"No, you wouldn't. No, you would use it for drugs because I would know, from experience! You promise to change and that you are better but you aren't! But you don't! I am so tired of empty promises and stupid lies that I wish were f*****g true! Meanwhile, I work before school and after school to make sure there is a roof over our heads and food in the f*****g fridge!" I yell as I pace around the house.

"That's enough Maxwell" She scoffed.

"No, it's not. Want to know why mom? I give up everything, every day to fix mistakes you make!" I yelled as she walked towards her room.

"What mistakes?" She yelled.

"You almost lost our house because drugs were more important. You left your stash out and I had to stop Noah from getting into any of it! He was three years old!" I yelled back.

"That was one time Max!" She yelled slamming her door.

"It shouldn't have happened at all!" I screamed again at her door before walking down the hall.

"Give me a second, okay?" I sighed at Noah before walking into my room.

Quickly throwing clothes on so I could get him out of this f*****g mess, I grab my wallet from my dresser and my phone from the bathroom before heading to the door where Noah waited.

"Ready?" I asked with a smile. He nodded his head and we headed to the car. I didn't even bother stopping at Jay's work, I was too angry and I didn't want to take that out on him. I drove the 25 minutes to Leo's house instead hoping that I would calm down.

"Listen, I don't care what she says. You do not steal from Leo or anyone else for that matter. You need to be a kid, have friends and have fun" I smiled at him putting my hand on his shoulder.

"I know, I won't steal from Leo." He smiled back.

"Okay, good. Now go have fun" I smiled as we got out of the car.

"Max hello, and hello Noah" Denise smiled at us.

"Hello Denise" Noah smiled.

"Leo is in the game room. Go join him" She smiled.

"Thanks, bye Max" He smiled as he ran into the house.

"Are you sure it's okay for him to stay for a while?" I asked.

"Yeah, I like having him around, I don't have to worry about Leo if he has someone to hang out with" She laughed.

"Okay, thank you" I smiled.

"Your welcome Max." She smiled as I walked back to the car.

"Call me if you need anything okay?" I smiled.

"I will," she said closing the front door.

I looked at the time. 4:45, Jason gets off at 5. I scoffed to myself as I started to drive, the nerve she had asking Noah to steal for her drug problem. Who does she think she is putting him in harm's way to get what she wants. I hated that she even thought it was okay, he's 13 and while I stole for her I did it because I didn't have a choice. She works but all her money goes towards drugs while I had to steal to pay for things like clothes, the rent, food. That was different, I wasn't able to get a job to help pay for things. Now I make sure Noah has everything he needs and wants by saving all the money I have after paychecks. I would never want him to grow up the way I did or as fast as I had to. Lost in my thoughts I pulled into the parking lot of koshers; the store Jason worked at.

"What are you doing here?" He scoffed as he walked out of the doors.

"I came to talk to you" I smile slightly

"Yeah, about what? Want to get another hit in?" He scoffs.

"Come on Jay, you know it wasn't like that," I answer.

"Yeah, that's what it felt like" he laughs.

"I'm sorry man, it was out of line. But so, were you okay? You have to know that by now" I answered as we walked towards my car.

"I know I was, that didn't give you a right to hit me" He laughed leaning on my car.

"You're right, I shouldn't have hit you even if it was for a good reason" I scoffed sitting on the hood of my car.

"I really should've just left Rylee alone" He smirks.

"Yeah, I think that would have helped in some way" I laugh.

"Did you sleep with her?" He asks narrowing his eyes.

"Almost, but no" I answer shaking my head with a smirk.

"Okay," He sighs.

"We good?" I smirk putting my hand out.

"We're good" He smiles doing our handshake we made up when we were 13.

"So, where to now?" I smirk

"Well Rylee's getting off right about now, wanna run over and grab her so she doesn't have to walk home?" He asks with a smirk.

"Yeah, we can do that" I smile getting in the car.

RYLEE'S P.O.V.

The rest of the day went by quickly as we had rush after rush for the big half-off deal, I sigh to myself as I punch out.

"Hey Rylee, everyone is going to the party down the street wanna come?" Collin asked.

"Not tonight guys" I smiled walking towards the door.

"Hot date?" Ashely asks pointing to the door as Max and Jason walk towards the door.

"Oh yeah, definitely" I scoffed.

"You sure you don't want to come to fry Ry?" Collin smiled.

"fry Ry?" Jason scoffed as he came in.

"f**k off Jay" Collin laughed.

"Yeah, I'm good Collin, thanks for the invite though" I smiled

"Okay," He smiled.

"What's up?" I looked at Jason.

"Just figured you wouldn't want to walk home" Jason smiled.

"So, you guys fixed things?" I smiled.

"Yeah, we're cool" Max snickered.

"Good, I'm glad" I smiled lightly.

"You ready?" Jason asked.

"Yeah" I smiled as Collin walked past me.

"Bye fry Ry" He smiled at me.

"Bye Collin" I smiled back as we went our separate ways.

"Something going on with you and Collin?" Jason hinted.

"No" I laughed.

"We are just good friends." I smiled.

"Seems like moree" Jason taunted.

"We are just work buddies" I chuckled climbing into the back of Max's car as my phone rang.

"I got it," Jason said pulling my phone out of my back pocket.

"Rylee's phone" He answered.

"Who is this?" He asked.

"Uncle Bruce?" He mouthed to me with a confused look on his face. I quickly put my hand out for the phone.

"Hey, sorry I had stuff on my hands and couldn't answer" I sighed putting the ear to my phone.

"It's okay Rylee bug," he said on the other end.

"What's up?" I asked as Jason watched me and Max drove.

"Would you like to go to dinner tonight?" He asked.

"Oh, um I'll have to check with my foster parents" I replied.

"Okay, your aunt Nacy and aunt Angle as well as Josh and Chris will be with if that's okay" He answered.

"Yeah, that's fine. I'll give you a call back in about 20 minutes." I said quietly.

"That's fine Rylee, talk soon." He answered.

"Yep, bye" I smiled as I hung up the phone.

"So, whose uncle Bruce?" Jason asked as he looked at me.

"My uncle" I smiled.

"And where has he been for the last 5 years?" Jason scoffed.

"He was actually in the military and didn't know my parents had died" I scoffed.

"What?" Jason looked at me confused.

"My family isn't full of a bunch of entitled d***s you know" I scoffed.

"I'm aware of that" he smirked.

"Okay" I slid back into my seat texting John about going to dinner.

'Hey, would you care if I went to dinner with my uncle?'

'Which Uncle?'

'Bruce'

'Wasn't he in the military?'

'Yes, I'm fairly sure he just returned'

'Yeah, that's fine. Be safe, back by 9 at the latest please'

'Thank you

I smiled as I put the phone down only to realize Max and Jason were staring at me as we were parked Infront of the house

"What?" I scoffed as I got out of the car.

"Nothing" Jason rolled his eyes.

"If there is a problem just say it Jay" I scoffed as I walked inside.

"I thought you guys were done fighting!" Noah yelled from the kitchen as I made my way towards it.

"We are" I scoffed.

"I just think it's weird that he showed up randomly" Jason scoffed.

"He is in the military Jason" I scoffed back hopping up on the counter.

"Wait who showed up randomly?" Noah asked.

"My Uncle Bruce" I answered.

"You have an uncle Bruce?" He asked confused.

"Yeah" I answered pausing for a moment. "Well technically he's not related to my mom or dad but he served with my dad for two tours, technically he's my godfather," I replied.

"So, a man you barely know is your godfather?" Jake asked concerned.

"I don't barely know him; I know he served in at least 4 tours basically back-to-back and he is a mechanic," I answered.

"So does he kill people or?" Jake asked.

"No, he works on their vehicles," I smirked.

"So, no PTSD?" Jason asked.

"Not that I know of," I replied.

"Hold on a second," I said as I answered the phone.

"Hey Rylee bug," Bruce said.

"Hey, they said it was okay I was just about to grab a shower," I said quickly.

"Oh good, text me your address and I'll be there when I can," he said.

"Sounds good, see you soon" I replied as I hopped down from the counter. I hung up the phone and everyone looked at me.

"What?" I asked.

"We weren't done talking about this" Noah scoffed.

"Okay, then follow me to the bathroom and talk to me while I shower" I yelled as I walked up the steps.

Once I got into the bathroom and started the shower, there was a knock on the door.

"Give me a second to actually get in!" I yelled.

"It's Grayson" He laughed.

"Oh, still," I said lowly. I got in the shower as everyone pilled upstairs.

"Come in!" I yelled as the water ran over me.

"So, are you seriously going to dinner with this weirdo?" Noah asked.

"He's not weird, he was just gone for a while" I reply as I wash my hair.

"Who are you talking about?" Grayson asked.

"My uncle" I answered

"Her uncle who isn't actually her uncle but her godfather as well" Jason answered.

"That's confusing," Max said.

"Okay, anyone who isn't family get out" I scoffed.

"What?" Max said confused.

"Seriously out!" I yelled as I popped my head out of the shower glaring at them.

"Shut the door" I scoffed.

"Okay, express your concerns." I sighed.

"Well, I don't think it's a promising idea" Jason scoffed.

"I agree, he's been gone for 5 years," Jake said.

"And you've already been through so much," Noah said lowly.

"Okay, anything else?" I asked.

"No, I think that about sums it up" Noah shook his head at everyone else who did it in return.

"I appreciate your concerns and I love your insight, always. But I need to do this, for me." I replied.

"But Rylee" Jake started.

"Listen, will it make you feel better if I give you daily updates?" I ask.

"And share your location?" Noah added.

"Yes," I sighed rubbing my hand over my face.

"Then yes" Jake answered.

"Great, please leave so I can finish shower" I groaned.

"Okay okay," Jason scoffed.

"Thanks" I rolled my eyes as I heard the door close. Quickly finished my shower and got dressed in a long-sleeve dress and threw a little makeup on as my phone dinged.

'Be there in five'

'Okay

I quickly finished my make up rushing over to my room grabbing cute boots before running down the steps.

"Woah, slow down!" Max laughed as I ran past him to the kitchen.

"Haha, very funny" I mocked him.

"Hey Grayson, what's up?" I asked jumping on the counter to put my boots on.

"I wanted to see if you wanted to hang out" He replied with a low smile.

"I'm actually heading to dinner with my uncle but I'll be home by 9, swing by then and we can" I smiled.

"Okay" He smiled back.

"Great," I said jumping off the counter heading towards the door.

"Rylee" Noah said lowly.

"Yeah?" I said at his demanding look.

"Oh yeah, doing that now" I smiled as I pulled out my phone, sharing my location with Jake, Jason, Noah, and Melissa.

"There," I smiled.

"Updates every 30 minutes please" Noah smiled.

"Yes sir" I smirked.

There was a knock at the door and Jake raced over to answer it.

"Jake," I said lowly.

"I'll play nice" He smirked as he opened the door.

"Hello," He smiled.

"Hi, I'm here for Rylee" Uncle Bruce smiled.

"I'm right here" I smiled walking towards the door.

"Where do you plan on taking her?" Jake asked.

"Just out to dinner with the rest of the family" He smiled.

"I'll be fine" I smiled.

"Text or call if you need anything okay?" Jake said pulling me in for a hug.

"I will" I smiled hugging him back before walking out of the door.