Reject You to Break You (To Reach You Book 2)

Chapter Fifty Two: Game Over?

Tate-

Two Months later-

"I just hate seeing him like this," Lila says sadly, stirring the chili on the stove. "I don't blame her at all, Ridge is a handful...but, honey, they looked so right, remember?"

I did. North had looked happy, like the North I'd known before the world went to shit.

"Is it weird that they were the last people anyone thought would end up together?" I mumble, grabbing two plates from the cupboard.

Lila shakes her head. "No, hon, North is the untameable sort, the wild kind of girl, Ridge didn't--er--well, he didn't sleep with those kind of girls, he liked quiet, innocent girls that didn't talk too much. And North would have never liked to be with someone like Ridge, it just didn't--fit. But together...it's confusing how good they worked together, Ridge felt for something for her, he had to,"

"But if he had tried a little harder, she would have stayed," I insist. I couldn't put a finger on the reason she'd left but she never would if she felt important to Ridge. I was sure of it.

"He looks so...empty, it's upsetting everyone, the house...it feels wrong, Tate,"

That's it. He was upsetting Jack and Lila and the rest of his brothers and his friends and his dad. Someone had to fix this, and right now...I was the only one with the mood to try.

"I'm goin' up," I announce, swinging my legs off the stool. Lila spins around, grimacing. "Sugar, Jack and Cayne were up there a while ago...and they came down holding a grudge against him. You sure that's a good idea? His mood is as dark as Dylan's coffee,"

Dylan's coffee was a very pathetic excuse for coffee. It was popularly acknowledged among the Monroe household that Dylan drank the worst kind of shit ever. Dark, thick coffee, that was so black it rivaled with raven wings. It was disgusting and he seemed to love it.

"Aww, I can take him, Lila," I muster a grin, although I feel it tremble. This was going to be bad. Ridge and North were done, all we could do now was help Ridge cope.

"I just...I don't want you to hate him,"

Ridge was practically my little brother. I'd known him since forever. True, we weren't as close of friends as me and Dylan but we were friends. He wouldn't hate me too much after I talked him off.

I go into his bedroom without knocking. Placing my hands on my hips I walk inside, glaring at him, but seeing him as how he is now weakens my composure. A lot.

He's on his bed, his hair greasy, and a month's worth of stubble on his jaw. His cheekbones are hollow, like skin on bones, and terrible shadows under his eyes. And his eyes...the happiness that they had in them...the awe he'd held in them when he looked at North...was gone. Replaced by...well... nothing. His eyes were empty. Numb.

"You have to wake up," I say softly, sitting myself on the edge of his bed. He raises his eyes to me. And says nothing.

"Ridge, your mom feels like shit, your dad has no idea what to do to make her feel better or fix you up, two of your brothers are furious from the way you treated them, and one is not sure what to do. Your attitude is making everyone miserable. I get that North--"

"DON'T FUCKING MENTION HER!" He roars, making me flinch. I manage to look at him evenly.

"And why not?"

"No," he murmurs, pain flashing all over his face as he strokes his forehead.

"No you," I retort. "Tell me why I shouldn't be mentioning North Jacobs,"

"Tate," Ridge warns, sounding at the edge. I know I'm poking the tiger but I can't stop. Poking him is the only way to get him to show emotion.

"You don't get to be a baby about this, Ridge Monroe, North had her reasons for leaving you and you can't jump and hide whenever her name comes up,"

"Shut. Up." he growls, clenching his fists.

"Nope, not happening, I know I'm being harsh, but hon, you really need to pull your shit together," I say, raising my eyebrows. "You can't keep living like this,"

"Watch me," is all he grits out.

Okay, that's enough, I'd babied him enough. I get up and pull the dusty curtains open, letting the sunlight filter inside. He squints, wincing.

I grab his comforter before he can take them and shove it off of him. "Shower, now,"

I couldn't get him to get over North, but he needed a shower. He just stares up at me, shaking his head.

"Fine....North, North, North, North,"

"STOP!" he roars, getting up.

I'm being a child, but I don't care. "Shower. Now,"

"Fine, get out,"

"Shave too," I say, raising my chin.

He clenches his jaw, eyes blazing with anger. He's going to pop any minute now.

"Fine, out,"