Catching You (Saving Ryder Book 1)

Catching You - 4

Ryder's POV

Knock, knock, knock. Is the first thing I hear in the morning. Turning over in bed I look at the nightstand and search for the clock. I see that it's 9am.

"Ryder," one of my bandmates yells through the door. "It's time to get up. We have a photoshoot in front of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The photographer's going to have the shits if we're late."

I don't care if we're late. I need more sleep. Especially, after all the late nights we've had for the last six months.

"Give me fifteen minutes. Then I'll be ready."

"Okay, any longer and I'll be coming into that room whether you like it or not."

It's not the first time that they've threatened me with that.

"Get lost. You're wasting time by talking to me." Throwing the covers off my body I climb out of bed and head towards the bathroom. I close the door behind me and get the shower ready.

Once the temperature is adjusted I step inside and wash my hair and body. I quickly step out and dry myself. I wrap the towel around my toned body and step out of the room. I put on a pair of black boxers and a pair of denim shorts and a plain black tank.

Looking in the mirror my eyes land on the necklace that's around my neck. It has two letters on it. R for Ryder and S for Sutton. I keep the S close to my heart because I know the woman is going to come crashing into my life again.

I don't know when or where. But I do know that it's going to happen soon. It's been ten years since she walked away from us.

After we throw the caps in the air signalling the end of school I stand and search the crowd for Sutton. She's standing next to Ryan laughing about something.

"Hey, Sutton." I open my arms for her and she leaps into them. "Happy Graduation." I give her a kiss in front of everyone.

"Hey, Ryder. Happy Graduation yourself." She opens her purse and hands me a thick envelope.

"What's this?" I ask holding the heavy thing.

"Open it."

I tear it open and look at my bandmates as I read through a contract for our band being signed to a label here in Los Angeles.

How's that possible? Us getting signed without anyone coming out to see us.

"Is this for real?" I shake the contract in my hands.

"Yes," A smile spreads across Sutton's face. "You've made your dreams come true, Ryder. Congratulations. Rising Star is going to be heard everywhere."

"My dreams are coming true. Thank you." I pick her up and spin her around. "You're our lucky charm. Please tell me that you'll come on tour with us?"

"I can't." She steps away from me. "I got you signed so I could follow my dreams. I want to be an agent. Who finds bands like you and sign them. One day I'll run a studio and when that day comes I want you to sign with me."

"We would be honoured to sign with you, Sutton." Ryan says. "It's going to be hard without you here with us. Since we started this band you've been by our side. Supporting us. Pushing us and bailing us out of trouble. Now it's our turn to rise up and be the men that you want us to be. Do your thing and we'll see you when you return."

"Sutton, if you leave..." I begin.

"You'll what?" She cuts me off.

"I won't talk to you. This thing between us" I point towards her and I. "Is over."

"Fine," she doesn't fight over it with me. "Have a good life." She turns her back on me and walks away.

Walking out of the bathroom I head to the door and exit it. I look up and see my bandmates standing next to my door.

Ryan shakes his head. "I was going to bash the door down if you weren't ready. I'm ready. Let's see the leaning tower of Pisa."

"You don't sound happy about seeing the Tower. Why is that?"

"This is one of the many places that Sutton wants to visit. I should be going there with her."

Ryan slaps my back. "There's plenty of time for her to see this place with you. That girl still has her hooks in you."

"It's love, Ryan. I never stopped loving her. I'm never going to. She is who I want. Once you meet that person tell me that you wouldn't give up drinking and partying."

"If I found the right woman I'd give it up instantly. However, you never partied and you're staying away from woman. Some people think you're in the closet."

"We all know the truth and that's what matters. They're going to have a shock when I show up with the beauty on my arms." I press the button for the lift and wait for it come to our floor. "How are we getting to The Leaning Tower of Pisa?"

Kyle pulls a card out of his pocket. "By limo. I put it on the card. We deserve to be treated like royalty. As we're rock royalty."

Rolling my eyes. "We should be using those cars for an emergency not to use it whenever we feel like it. Next time be careful with what you buy with it."

"Yes, dad." He walks into the lift as the door opens. The rest of us step in. Kyle presses the button for the lobby.

Ding, my phone goes off and I pull it out of my pocket. Checking the screen it says. 'Mom' I click on it and it the message appears on the screen.

Mom: When are you coming home?

Me: In three days. We're doing our final concert tonight. Exploring tomorrow until we depart.

Mom: Call me before you leave. I want to make sure you've made it to the plane safely.

Me: I will. Love you.

Mom: I love you too, son. See you soon.

"Who was that?" Tyler asks as he looks at the phone in my hand.

"Mom, she wants me to call her before we board the plane tomorrow. Have any of you told your parents that you are coming home for Christmas?"

"No," Tyler says. "Mom and Dad know that I will be home for Christmas. Carlene will be over at the house annoying me. So keeping the home coming quiet will be better for me. She's the last pertain I want to see when we come home."

"My parents are going away for Christmas. They're leaving my presents under the tree. They'll be back for New Years. So, I'll see them then." Ryan says.

Kyle looks at all of us. "My parents will be on opposite sides of the country. They will be celebrating with their new in laws. I'm just the son they forgot they had. They're no lose to me. Besides, I have a better family with you guys. I'm sure one of your families will invite me to dinner. Or we might all end up at the Holgate's."