The Hurting Kind

Fueled Rage

After her son failed to show up for the last meeting with the jewelry team, Brooke begins to worry.

"It's just not like him!" she explains to Eric.

Ridge, still in the boardroom after the meeting, laughs.

"Brooke - it is exactly like him. Keeps everyone waiting on him, no reason given and completely inconsiderate."

She looks at her ex in dismay.

"I understand that you are upset about how things turned out, but even you cannot deny that Rick has been doing well as CEO lately."

Ridge says nothing as he picks up his documents from the meeting and leaves, shaking his head at Brooke.

I will find out what is going on with my son - now!

She leaves FC and drives to the family home, trying not to imagine the worst. 

__

Arriving at the mansion, Brooke lets herself into the house and calls out to her son.

"Rick! Where are you?"

As she walks further into the living room, Brooke steps come to a stop as she hears a crunching sound beneath her feet. Looking down, she sees the broken glass as well as The LA Gossiper magazine. Bending down to pick up the article, she skims the front page and presses her lips together.

Maya Avant Moves on - to Another Forrester!

The photos of Maya and Thomas splashes over several pages, though before she could read more, the kitchen door swings open. Rick stumbles out, half dressed in a pair of slacks  with no shirt in sight. 

Brooke gasps as she sees her son drinking straight from a nearly empty Scotch bottle.

"Mother. What are you doing here?" Rick slurs out, as Brooke marches towards him, intent on taking away the bottle of booze.

"I was concerned, and now I see I have reason to be. Rick, what is wrong with you!"

As she reaches out to take the booze from him, Rick steps backwards.

"Me? Oh, I am fine." he says, before taking another swig of the brown liquor and wincing.

"You are not fine. What has gotten into you?" Brooke tries again. "I know seeing photos of Maya and Thoma-"

"Do NOT say his name!" Rick growls.

While thinking of another approach to try with her son, Brooke watches with wide eyes as he brings the bottle to his lips and guzzles the rest of the booze, before smashing the bottle to the ground.

"Rick please! This is not how to handle the situation - you know that." Softening her voice, Brooke adds, "I think you should ignore all this gossip and accept that Maya is gone. What she does now is not your concern."

Snatching the magazine from her hands, Rick sneers while reading, "The new couple was seen taking in the sights at Green Park. It is not for sure how long they have been an item, but from what we can see in these photos, the two have more than a love of fashion in common."

Brooke looks at her son and reaches out to comfort him, only for him to step away again.

"How could she, Mom? I love her and this whole time she was seeing Thomas?!"

"We don't know that sweetheart..." she tries to say but Rick shakes his head.

"Like hell we don't. Just look at them!"

Tossing the magazine towards her feet, Brooke looks at the pain in her son's eyes.

"You can't stand holed up in the house like this for much longer Rick, think of the company."

"You are right Mom, I can't stay here. I want - I deserve some answers."

Brooke looks on helplessly as her son staggers away and up the stairs.