Ride It

Chapter 21

"C'mon man, just go and talk to him. It's not that hard."

"Why should I? He started it, so he should end it."

The next morning, I walk downstairs to find Cash pestering Bentley in his office. I knock on the door, turning their attention to me.

I smile, trying to contain my nerves. "If you have time today, I'm ready to visit my grandparents."

Bentley sighs and shoves his paperwork aside. "Gimme a second."

"Bea!" Cash quickly comes to my side and grips my arm. "Help me out here. These idiots are pissing me off."

I furrow my brows. "What can I help with?"

He glares at Bentley. "I spoke to Jack and he said Bentley threw hands first so he should apologize."

Bentley snorts. "He's full of himself if he thinks I'll ever do that."

"Why'd you swing on him?"

"He disrespected Macy."

"You're the older brother. Be the bigger man and just approach the dude. Seriously, both of you were in the wrong. Get rid of your pride and apologize. We don't have time to be fighting amongst ourselves." Cash stresses.

I nod along, agreeing with Cash. It really is a stupid argument.

Bentley frowns and pinches the bridge of his nose. "I'm not talking about this anymore. Just give him his space. He'll come around like he always does."

Cash sighs. "That's the problem with you. You're always dismissing everything that doesn't directly impact you. Did you forget why I came back here? I can't stay here for too long."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"What time do you want to go?" I quickly cut in, ungluing a touchy Cash from my side and going to Bentley's side to grab his arm. I can feel the tension in the room, and I don't need to witness another brawl between brothers.

What is up with them, anyway? I don't remember fighting with my siblings to this degree. Or maybe it's because we didn't have much to fight about.

Cash sighs and places his hands on his hips, lifting his head to the ceiling. "This is ridiculous."

I look at him in pity. I can't deny that he's right. I know just how stubborn Bentley is.

I look at Bentley and nudge his side. He looks down at me with a raised eyebrow. I glance between him and Cash, signaling that he needs to make it better with my eyes.

He just stubbornly stares at me, not budging.

I huff in frustration and lean in to whisper in his ear. "Jack said that Macy's disappearance destroyed your family. Are you trying to prove him right? There's resentment built up from years of you ignoring him. Be the better person, Bentley, because given the circumstances, you were both wrong."

His eyes tremble, and I can see my words finally reach him. Satisfied, I step away and look at Cash. "Don't worry, everything will work out fine."

Cash sighs and runs a hand through his hair. A common trait in this family, it seems. "You don't know these two like I do. It can take a whole ye-"

"I won't let it get that far," Bentley says. "I'll speak to Jack after I come back from visiting Bea's grandparents. I want us to take the Beauregards down before the race."

We both turn to look at him.

Cash's eyes start to glimmer. "You mean we're striking now?"

Bentley nods, his fists clenching at his sides as his eyes harden in resolve. "We're going to slowly wane them down. Then on the day of the race, we'll end everything in one go."