Rocky’s POV
“So what do we do now? I don’t want Rydel dating that guy.” I said. Riker said, “Me too. I don’t care if Rydel quits R5, we can find someone else to play keys, I just don’t want her to get hurt.” Ross said, “He said, if Rydel breaks up with him because of Renee, he’ll kill her.” Ratliff said, “He’ll kill Rydel if she breaks up with him?” I tried to make it as simple as I could, “No, he told Renee that he would kill Renee if Rydel broke up with him.” Riker said, “So we need to get Rydel in the same place as Renee when Cameron attacks her.”
I said, “Should we go talk to Renee?” Ross said, “If we do, Rydel quits.” Ryland said, “I’ll do it while you guys are at rehearsal later. She’ll be on stage; I’ll go over to Renee’s house.” We all agreed then drove back home. Ratliff followed us and when we walked in the door we found Rydel and Cameron getting cozy on the couch.
Riker loudly cleared his throat. They both separated and looked at us. I said, “Rydel, are you ready to go to rehearsal?” She said, “Oh, right, hey can Cameron come?” Riker said, “He can come to the concert, but not rehearsal.” They shared a quick kiss then he said, “I’ll come a bit early.” She smiled and said, “Bye.” And waved at him as he walked out the door.
Rydel stormed over to Riker and punched him in the chest. He smiled and didn’t flinch. She said, “Why were you so rude?” He calmly said, “I don’t like him.” Rydel said, “Well I do.” Ross said, “Let’s just go.” We packed up our gear and got in the car. I nudged Ryland and he went back in the house.
Ryland’s POV
I saw them pull away in the van and I ran upstairs to Ross’s room and opened his window. Renee’s window was closed but the curtains were open. I put my hands on her window until she noticed and opened the window. I said, “Hi. Can I talk to you?” She nodded and picked up a wooden board and placed it like a bridge from her window to Ross’s. I walked across.
I said, “Do you and Ross use that to see each other?” She said, “Not lately.” I said, “Hey, are you okay?” She quickly said, “Ryland cut the crap and get to it. What do you want?” I said, “Well, ok. We all want Rydel to break up with Cameron.” She said, “If they do break up, it’ll get a lot worse for me.” I said, “I know, but that’s only if it’s your fault that they break up. If we can get Rydel to break up with him by herself then he’ll leave you alone.”
She hesitated and hopefully said, “Is Ross still mad at me?” I answered, “What would he be mad about, we all know the truth now.” She said, “I didn’t tell him it was Cameron. But then when I did, all of you got mad at me, you thought I was lying.” I said, “I’m sorry Renee, we all believe you now, except Rydel. Riker can’t change her mind. And she said she’d quit R5 if we spoke to you.” She nodded, “I’ll help you.” I texted Riker that she was in. I put my hand on her arm, “Thank you.”
Riker’s POV
I heard my phone beep while we were taking a break. Rydel was right next to my bag where my phone was. I said, “Rydel can you hand me my phone?” She said, “Sure.” And picked it up. She said, “Oh, it’s from Ry.” She stopped walking over. I said, “What’s wrong? What’d he say?” She gave me an angry look. “Renee’s in? What does that mean?” I said, “Oh.” She said, “Have a good concert boys.” And she stormed out of the theatre. I texted Ryland, “Ask Renee to play keys for us. Rydel’s out.” He texted back, “Dude, she’s deaf.” I said, “She can do it. I know it.” He answered, “We’re on our way.”
