Ross' Chapter:
“What's eating you?” Riker asked as soon as I walked into the house. He was sitting on the couch, watching reruns of the Walking Dead. I dropped next to him.
“I saw Roxy tonight.” I breathed.
“We knew that.” Riker said sarcastically. “You told us you were going to see her show at the Silver Heart.”
I shook my head violently. “No, afterwards. We went out to eat after the show. And there she was, with the bassist of We Are The In Crowd.” I gritted my teeth.
Now I had my brother's attention. He looked at me, his eyes were wide open. “I'm sure it's nothing, Ross.”
I tried to play it off, but gah! I shouldn't care if she was on a date. “It's not like we're together anymore. She can date who ever she wants to.”
That doesn't mean I have to like it. I sighed and stood up just as my parents came walking in.
“Oh, good,” Mom smiled. “Mark, go get the other kids.” She pushed dad towards the stairs. When the troops were rallied, mom and dad sat us all down on the couch. I was squished between Ryland and Ratliff. Ug, can I please just go to my room?!
“So, what's the big news?” My words were sharp.
Mom was glowing. “R5 is going on another tour!”
I stood up and started to walk up the stairs. Dad was calling after me. I turned. “What?”
“Where are you going?” He demanded to know.
“To pack. I'm so ready to get out of this town!” I stormed off to my room. But I could still hear dad asking what's the matter with me. Riker explained that I saw Roxy with another guy.
I slammed my bedroom door. Shoving things into my duffel bag, I was ready to go. “Ross, can I come in?” Mom's voice soft as it came from the other side of the door.
“Yeah,” I sighed and sat on my bed. “What's up?”
She sat next to me, resting her hand on my back. “Baby, I know it hurts to see Roxy, and I wish I could take that pain away. But I can't. Ross, you can't always be lashing out because of her.”
I rested my head on her shoulder. “I'm sorry.”
She pressed her lips to my head. “It's okay. Do you want to come back downstairs to talk about the tour?”
I shook my head. “Nah, I think I'm just gonna go to bed.”
Mom nodded her head. Before standing up, she pressed her lips to my head again. “Only you Ross.” She chuckled, glancing at my lame attempt to pack. “You still have a week to pack. We leave next Friday.”
I sighed, falling back on to my bed. But, I'm ready to go now...
~~~
“From the top one more time.” Riker called out as we stood in the middle of one of our many band practices a week later. “Last time, then we can be done.”
I gripped the neck of my guitar, waiting for Rocky to lead the song. Rydel came out singing strong. Riker and I bounced around, the beat of the drums kept me running high.
“That was perfect!” Ratliff called out as soon as the song finished. I smiled. A truly happy smile. Preforming and family were the things that could make me happy.
Ryland came running down the stairs. “Is everybody packed and ready to go?”
I glanced around, everybody was nodding their heads. Ryland smirked. “Than let's go on tour!”
