Page 131 of When the Storm Breaks
“That’s not saying much.”
“It’s all good.” He squinted into the distance. “So… I was thinking… maybe I’ll give college a try.”
My brows shot up. “No shit.” I turned to face him. “You wanna go to college?”
He shrugged one shoulder. “I didn’t do so bad on my SATs. Even the guidance counselor was shocked.” He huffed out a laugh.
“I didn’t even know you took the SATs.”
“You were away. I didn’t want to say anything. Just in case I fucked them up. If I get in anywhere, I’ll be able to get student loans and shit.”
“Sounds like a good plan. As long as it’s something you want,” I added.
“Yeah. It is. Me and Walker have been talking about going together. We could be roommates.”
“You want to stay in Texas?”
He shrugged. “There are worse places to be than Texas. Guess I don’t hate it as much as I thought. And I kind of … I don’t want to be too far from family. I mean, I might not even get in anywhere…”
Ridge wasn’t used to getting what he wanted in life, so he was knocking himself down, trying to prepare himself for the inevitable disappointment. “Hey. You listen to me. Stop talking like you’re not good enough. Like you don’t deserve good things. You do, Ridge. You’ve worked hard for everything you have. Nothing’s been handed to you. Be proud of what you’ve achieved. Don’t put yourself down.”
He averted his face so I couldn’t see it. Then he laughed.
“What’s so funny?”
“You. Sometimes you’re so cheesy.”
I rolled my eyes.
He clapped me on the shoulder. “Maybe you should take some of your own advice while you’re at it, bro. You’re better than you think you are.”
With that, he walked away. The little shit. I scrubbed my hand over my face and laughed. Then I thought about his words.
“You’re better than you think you are.”
Shiloh had once told me that very same thing. Too bad she didn’t believe it anymore. A few days after all the shit went down in Miami, I’d left her a voicemail, apologizing for every fucking thing. I never heard back from her and I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. I’d promised I would always be honest with her. No secrets, no lies. I’d broken that promise, and she probably didn’t know what to believe anymore.
Chapter Forty-One
Shiloh
Three weeksafter I lost Brody, Dean quit the band.
Still reeling from the shock of the last bomb that had been dropped on me, I wasn’t prepared for another one to blow up in my face. But as bad luck would have it, I had a front row seat. After I’d finished my soundcheck, I decided to hang around and watch Acadian Storm rehearse. Ever since the media shit storm had been unleashed, Landry and I had gotten closer. He’d been my rock, by my side through it all, our bond stronger than ever.
Whenever I found myself missing Brody, which was every single day, I had to stop and remind myself that he wasn’t the man I thought he was. But still, I longed for him. Missed him so much it was physically painful.
Everyone was in place, instruments at the ready except Dean hadn’t showed up yet.
Landry checked his phone again. “Where the hell is he?”
In the past, Dean had been unreliable but for this entire tour he’d been playing it by the book, showing up on time and behaving in a professional manner. No drama. No crazy parties or trashed hotel rooms. He’d kept his word, and had stayed clean and sober, not causing any trouble. I should have known it wouldn’t last.
He showed up fifteen minutes later. I knew Dean, and it wasn’t hard to see he was furious, his rage simmering below the surface, about to blow.
I held my breath, wondering what had set him off. He strode across the stage and ripped Landry from his seat behind the drum kit. “I’m so fucking tired of your bullshit,” Dean said between clenched teeth, his voice low but ominous. “I’m done. You fucked me over so many times, but this is an all-time low. Even for you.”
I got to my feet, ready to defend Landry.
