My mom shook her head and I saw the moment she found her cloak. It was like a steel trap of denial slammed down over her body. Her stance became rigid and her face void of all expression.
“You’re overreacting, as usual, Ridge. Your father isn’t here to defend himself, and I have somewhere to be, so we’ll have to agree to disagree and leave it at that,” she said, crossing to the table and picking up her purse.
“Where are you going?” Wes asked.
I shifted to see he had one arm wrapped around Karrie, who was looking at me with eyes full of sorrow.
“The MacAlisters have invited me to their lake house for Thanksgiving. Once you informed me of Ridge’s little power play, bringing this girl here rather than going along with my plans for the weekend, I decided to take them up on the offer.”
“Seriously, you’re leaving? Are we supposed to have Thanksgiving alone?” he asked incredulously, and a dry laugh escaped me at the proof that he actually still wanted to spend time with her.
“I’m sure the staff will keep you well fed, or you could always make reservations at one of those buffets … whatever fits your needs,” she said, looking haughtily at Karrie, as if she were the only person in the room who’d eat a holiday meal at a buffet.
She started past me, toward the door, her heels clicking on the hardwood. Once she’d reached the threshold, I turned slightly to look at her and said, “This is the last time I’ll step foot in this house.”
My mother glanced over her shoulder at me. “So be it,” she said, and walked out.
The breath left my body and suddenly everything hurt.
“Sorry, man,” Brody said, coming toward me. “She just told me about her change of plans this morning, and I tried to call you guys and give you a head’s up on her mood, but no one answered.”
“Ridge,” Wes began, but I held up my hand to stop him from speaking.
I couldn’t listen if he was going to defend her again. Not right then.
“I called Dru, she and the sisters are getting together for a big feast and said we were welcome to come down. I told them we’d be there by nine tonight. She said we can either stay with them or in the apartment over Three Sisters. You up for another road trip?” Brody asked.
I nodded and said, “I just need a couple minutes,” before leaving the three of them and walking to the back of the house.
Thirty-Two
Karrie
I was shaking.
I’d never witnessed anything like what had just transpired between Ridge and his mom. My heart was breaking for him, and I was filled with such anger at not only what I’d seen, but what I’d heard.
Ridge’s father had abused him … and his mother knew about it and didn’t stop it?
It was such a complete difference from the way I’d been raised, that it almost didn’t compute. My heart wanted to deny such a thing was possible, even though I’d just seen it with my own eyes.
First, I’d been devastated that he’d lied about my family, but the more they spoke to each other, the more I realized none of this had anything to do with me, not really. When he’d asked me to come here with him to be a sort of buffer and stop his mother from setting him up with some debutant she wanted him to marry, I’d thought it was kind of funny.
You know, some poor little rich guy problem that would be no skin off my back, especially if I got back at Drake in the process.
But, that scenario was just a drop in the fucked-up bucket of his family life.
“Should we go after him? See if he’s okay?” I asked Wes, who still had his arm around me, as if trying to shield me from the vileness of the scene we’d just witnessed.
“No, he needs to be alone to cool down. He’ll come back when he’s ready, then we’ll get out of here, yeah?”
I nodded, thinking, yes, please, let’s get the hell out of here.
“Uh, hey, I’m Brody, by the way. You must be Karrie.”
Brody had a boyish charm. Not as put together as Ridge, but you could already tell his tousled good looks and easygoing smile were going to slay the girls at U of M.
I accepted his outstretched hand and shook it, returning his smile.
“Nice to meet you.”
“Sorry about the drama,” he said sheepishly.
“It’s okay,” I replied, looking over his shoulder to where Ridge disappeared, hoping he was okay. “Actually, I’m going to see if I can find him.”
Although I realized his brothers knew him better than I did, it didn’t feel right for him to be off on his own, upset … maybe even devastated. I had to go and see if he was okay and offer him comfort, if he’d accept it.
“He’ll either be out back, or in his room … straight back, third door on the left,” Brody offered, and I smiled at him in thanks.
I glanced around the house, taking in the antique furniture, art on the walls, and crystal chandeliers that probably cost more than my tuition, but I kept my hands firmly to my sides, just in case I got the urge to touch.
The last thing I needed to do was break something in this museum of a house.
As I passed a large window, I looked outside, but when I didn’t see Ridge, I continued toward his bedroom.
When I reached the third door on the left, I noticed it was slightly ajar and knocked softly, before pushing it open to see Ridge standing in the center of the room, with his back to me.
“Ridge,” I called softly.
The depression of his shoulders had me crossing to him and wrapping my arms around his waist.
Before I could lay my head against his back, he turned and hugged me to his chest.
“I’m sorry,” I told him, hating the fact that his mother treated him that way. That both his parents had obviously mistreated him his whole life. “They don’t deserve you.”
I felt him chuckle lightly and kiss the top of my head.
“I’m sorry you had to see that,” Ridge said with a heavy sigh. “I knew she wouldn’t be happy, but the worst I expected was cold indifference, not a complete meltdown. I never should have brought you here.”
“Hey, it’s okay,” I assured him, pulling back so I could look up at his face.
He looked like the weight of the world was resting on his shoulders, and I wished I could ease his burden.
“You don’t have to worry about me, I can handle it,” I added.
“Thank you,” Ridge said, lowering to brush his lips across mine.
“For what?” I whispered, rubbing his lower back.
“For being here, for not running screaming after what just happened out there, and for coming after me.”
“Anytime,” I said, resting my head on his chest and giving him one more big hug, before letting him go and looking around. “What were you doing in here?”
“Actually, I was looking around, seeing if there was anything I needed to pack and take with me to school. I was being completely honest when I said I never want to come back here. Luckily, they don’t control my money, it’s in a trust from my grandparents, so I really don’t need them for anything,” he said, rubbing his hand over his face. “There’s nothing for me here but bad memories.”
“Okay, do you need help packing?” I asked.
“No,” he said, shaking his head as he looked around the room. “There’s nothing I want in here.”
I glanced around, taking in the trophies, the large sailboat painting, and the assortment of visors hanging from a rack.
“Probably for the best,” I told him, fighting back a grin despite the ache for him in my heart. “Looks like a douche lived here.”
Ridge let out a bark of laughter.
“You’re right, one did,” he agreed, before pulling me back into his arms and making me melt by saying, “But you make me want to be better than that guy.”
“You don’t need to change who you are, just keep being you.” I tiptoed up to kiss the corner of his mouth. “Cause, I think you’re pretty great.”
He kissed me sweetly, then said, �
��What do you say we get the hell out of here?”
“Let’s do it.”
Ridge took my hand in his and led me out of the room.
“Sorry about having to do another road trip, but we’ll be much happier at my sisters’ … They’re not assholes.”
I laughed and smiled up at him.
“Actually, I’m excited to meet them.”
“They’re gonna love you,” Ridge promised. “The real you, not Stepford Karrie whose family’s in shipping.”
“You mean Nirvana fan club, Karrie?”
“That’s the one,” he said, smiling and looking lighter than when I’d found him.
A surge of happiness rushed through me, with the knowledge that I was the one who helped him feel better.
Thirty-Three
Ridge
We’d ended up being on the road later than expected and grabbed a hotel room, rather than driving all the way down in one trip. Since we had time, we’d slept in a bit and grabbed breakfast, before getting in the car and finishing the journey.
Walking into my sister Tasha’s house was a completely different feeling than walking into my childhood home.
Rather than tension, there was joy.
We’d only met our sisters a few times, but we’d all felt an instant connection. A bond. The three of them were very different, just like my brothers and me, but at their core, they were kind, compassionate, and extremely family-oriented.
I was proud to introduce Karrie to them, and them to Karrie.
“Thanks for setting this up, bro,” I told Brody as we entered the living room.
Tasha and Jericho’s place was an open concept, so we could see everyone coming down to greet us.
There was lots of laughter and hugs as we said hello.
Since our sisters were all either married or about to be, we not only gained three sisters, but three brothers, a niece, and grandparents. Our family had gotten a whole lot bigger, and I hadn’t really appreciated it until now.
“It’s so nice to meet you, Karrie,” Millie was saying. “This is Jackson, my husband, and Kayla, our daughter.”
Karrie already looked right at home, completely at ease amidst strangers. But, I guessed this group was much more like her own family, so she was probably more comfortable in this situation than I was.
I hadn’t grown up with big family holidays and game nights, but I was starting to see my brothers and I had been missing out by not having them growing up.
“And, I’m Dru,” Millie’s twin, Druscilla, said. They were fraternal, but looked a lot alike with their tanned complexion and dark hair that matched ours. “That’s Mick, and his mom, Dottie,” she added, pointing to the pair who were standing just off to the side.
Mick was a PI and the one who’d found our father for Dru, and was the catalyst in getting us all together. He was built like an MMA fighter, and was a little rough around the edges, but he was a great guy and he obviously loved our sister.
“Hi, Karrie, I’m Jericho, welcome to our home. That gorgeous woman blooming with child is my wife, Natasha. We’re so happy to have you.”
Karrie blinked up at Jericho, and I could tell she was a little struck by his good looks.
“Calm down, killer,” I said, leaning close so only she could hear me. “He’s married and about to be a father.”
Karrie flushed and slapped my arm.
“Thanks so much for inviting me,” Karrie replied when she finally found her voice.
Jericho just grinned down at her, then moved to help Tasha, the youngest of the sisters, to the couch. She was very pregnant and eased down to the cushion with a happy sigh, then tilted her head back so Jericho could kiss her.
It wasn’t a peck either; no, once their lips touched, it was like they forgot we were here.
“Get a room,” Jackson called out good-naturedly.
“Would you like something to drink?” Dru asked as we all started to disburse and relax.
“God, yes, something strong,” I said, thinking a drink sounded great after the day I’d had.
“Ridge Temple!”
Shit!
I was already wincing when I turned to face Dottie, Mick’s mom, who was glaring up at me from the recliner she was sitting in.
“Yes, ma’am?” I answered, hoping my respectfulness would win her over.
“Did I just hear you take the Lord’s name in vain? Is that how you act on Thanksgiving?”
“No, ma’am?”
She huffed.
“Cursing on Thanksgiving and no hug for Dottie,” she muttered loudly under her breath, and I heard Karrie giggle beside me. “It’s like we’re strangers…”
“Sorry, Dottie,” I replied, lowering myself down to give her a hug and kiss on the cheek.
Dottie patted my cheek, looked around to see if anyone was listening, and whispered, “All will be forgiven if you bring me some of those hot Funyons. Hide them in one of those red solo cups or something.”
“Coming right up,” I assured her with a grin.
“That’s a good lad,” she said, before looking at Karrie and waving her over. “Come here so I can get a look at ya.”
I left Karrie in Dottie’s hands and went grab her Funyons from the kitchen.
“Ma’s not giving you a hard time, is she? Her heart’s in the right place,” Mick said, handing me a glass with amber liquid.
“Thanks. And, no, she’s great,” I replied, then moved so my back was to Dottie so she couldn’t hear what I was saying. “It’s okay if I get her the hot Funyons, right?”
Mick chuckled.
“Yeah, don’t worry about it, man. She just likes to feel like she’s getting away with something.”
I nodded, grabbed a cup, and started filling it with the hot Funyons, which looked really out of place on the counter that was overflowing with amazing dishes of Thanksgiving food, so I knew they were probably there for Dottie.
My sisters ran a catering business and small shop. Millie was their cook, and her food was some of the best I’d ever had … and, I’d dined in more five-star restaurants than I could count.
My stomach growled as I thought about the feast to come.
“Here you go, Dottie,” I said as I handed her the cup.
She smiled happily, looking around again before covertly popping a Funyon in her mouth.
“I hope you’re all hungry, because it’s time to eat,” Dru called out.
“Yes!” Brody exclaimed, making our sisters laugh happily.
“I could eat that whole turkey,” Wes agreed.
“You guys eat as much as you like,” Millie said, obviously pleased that we were here.
When Brody had initially told us we had older sisters, I’d been skeptical about meeting them. I hadn’t seen the point in meeting women who shared our blood, but were virtual strangers.
Now, I was so glad my brothers had overruled me and forced me to let my guard down, because I was grateful to have them in my life.
Thirty-Four
Karrie
Ridge’s family was amazing.
His parents not included, of course … but, everyone else … perfect. Wes and Brody, his sisters, their men, Dottie, seriously, they were the best. They reminded me of my family in the best possible way and made missing my family Thanksgiving a little more bearable.
And, could I just give a personal shout out to Jericho? Holy buckets! He was the most gorgeous man I’d ever seen in real life. At first I couldn’t even speak, only look at him and drool. I wasn’t even embarrassed that Ridge caught me. Tasha was one lucky woman.
To make matters worse, he was totally sweet, one-hundred percent in love with his wife, and cooed sweetly to the baby in her belly.
It was almost more than a person could handle.
Crushing over Jericho aside, the dinner had been amazing. The food was great and everyone spent the night talking and laughing. Dottie was a hoot and Jackson’s daughter Kayla was a sweetheart.
We’d all stayed at Tasha and
Jericho’s, with Ridge and Wes in one spare room, me in the other, and Brody on the couch. They’d said Ridge and I could share a room, but I didn’t feel right about sleeping in the same bed in his sister’s house, so the brothers had agreed to the arrangement.
I’d felt bad about Brody getting the couch and offered to switch, but he wouldn’t hear of it.
Brody had to get back to study for finals, and Wes was eager to check in at U of M and see if there was any blowback from Trixie’s article. There was going to be a board meeting on Sunday, where they were going to discuss whether or not Crush needed to step down as VP and maybe have to leave Delta all together.
I knew Wes felt guilty about it, although Ridge had assured him it wasn’t his fault.
So, with all of that going on, we were cutting our holiday short and leaving Tasha’s after breakfast. Once Ridge had told them of our plans last night, Millie and Dru had insisted on meeting up for breakfast, so they could all get a little more time together.
I’d gotten up early, so I was already showered, packed, and ready, while the boys were still getting going.
I took my stuff out to the living room to find Tasha, Dru, and Mille all sitting around the table having coffee.
“Good morning,” I said, setting my bag by the door before going to join them.
“Morning,” Millie said.
“Grab yourself a cup,” Tasha added with a smile.
Dru just lifted her mug in greeting.
Once I had fixed my coffee with cream and sugar, I pulled out a chair and joined them.
“The boys still asleep?” Millie asked.
“Brody’s in the shower, Wes is still sleeping, but I think Ridge is waiting to get the shower next,” I replied.
“So, we have you to ourselves for a little while,” Tasha said gleefully.
Uh-oh, I thought, but replied, “Looks like.”
“Oh goody.”
Frat House Confessions: Ridge Page 12
