Chapter 39

Have you ever had the feeling that you were better off dead? That is how Ross is feeling at this very moment. His relationship with Ratliff was spread across the headlines of every newspaper and gossip blog across the country. As soon as Ross turned on the computer last night his whole world changed. Sure he was thinking he was at a point where he wanted to come out, but he was supposed to do it, not someone else.

Ross still couldn't figure out how someone got photos of him with Ratliff. How could someone be so cruel and send those photos to the press?

That was pure evil.

As soon as morning hit, his phone was ringing nonstop. His parents were shock and upset that they found out this way, Ryland and Rydel were in a state of shock as well. Ryland at least offered his support. He hasn't heard a thing from Rydel. And His father and mother really haven't spoken to him yet either.

Ross was hysterical this morning when it all came out, The producers of Austin and Ally called to let him know that they will have his back and get with Disney to see what they could do.

Laura,Rikerand Rocky were amazing. They really did have his back and comforted him the best they could. They all knew that he really wanted to be left alone for a while and so they did. They told him they were there for him.

Raini and Calum were the same, both sending text that they still considered him just Ross and nothing would change that.

Ratliff was in the say way, his whole family hasn't contacted him once, and when he tried to call he was told not to bothering to call again. Ratliff was devastated. He knew that when the truth were to come out that it would be a tough thing for people to accept, but for his family to completely turn away from him, he didn't expect that.

Ratliff was lucky that he had his real family that consisted of Ross, Riker, Rocky and Laura. That was all that he needed. After breaking down after his last phone call with his mother, Laura held while he just sobbed. He was embarrassed of course but Laura just waved it off saying that is why she was here, that Ratliff was her friend and that is what friends were for. Riker was definitely lucky to have her. Every now and then when Ross thinks no one is paying attention, Ratliff could hear his silent sobs coming from their room and it broke his heart.

Ratliff couldn't help but think that if he didn't get drunk that ne night and offered Ross any, they wouldn't have hooked up and this could all have been avoided. Because the last thing that Ratliff wanted was to have Ross be hurt. It killed Ratliff inside that people were hurting Ross by their reactions. Ratliff really could care less about his family after they showed him their true colors today he really was better off.

Ratliff sighed. There he goes again crying into his pillow. Ratliff just walked into the room and laid next to Ross, Ratliff wasn't sure if Ross wanted him to touch him or not. Ratliff never felt so helpless in his life.

Ross made the choice for him when he rolled over and placed his head on Ratliff's shoulder. Ratliff did what came natural; he wrapped Ross in his arms and held him.

" I love you." Ratliff whispered into Ross's ear as he placed a small kiss on his forehead.

Laura hated seeing her two best friends hurt like this. How could someone do that to people that they haven't even met? She knows it is a shock to find out that a love one is gay, but to flat out and turn your back on him? Ratliff's family made her sick to her stomach.

Ugh, she wished there was something that she could do for her friends, but Laura figured the best way to help support them is to let them know that she loved them and that she was here for them. Laura just laid her head on Riker's chest and sighed.

" I just feel so bad for them." Laura said.

Riker nodded in agreement. He hated seeing his little brother in so much pain and Ratliff was like another brother to him as well and to see them go through this? It made Riker want to put a hole in the wall.

' I do too babe, but they know we are here for them. And they know we love them." Riker kissed her head and he brought her closer. He knew his parents would be accepting of Ratliff and Ross; they are mainly hurt that Ross felt like he couldn't come to them. They will be fine with it. Ryland had already got over the shock and was accepting. Rocky was fine with it as he has known about it for a while with the rest of them. The only person that Riker was worried about was Rydel.

And it wasn't because she hates gay people; Rydel is the most tolerant person that he knew. It was because he thinks she may have had a crush on Ratliff. Riker just hoped that she would be able to get over it in time and support Ross and Ratliff as they are family.

Riker sighed.

He just felt really horrible about Ratliff. His whole family turned on him as soon as they learned the truth about Ross and Ratliff. Riker couldn't fathom the notion of turning your back on someone you loved just because you didn't agree with their choice in the matter of love. That was silly and really unfair to judge. But after crying in Laura's arms, Ratliff seemed to be accepting this fine. Ratliff was more concerned about Ross mind fare then his, which made Riker, think that Ratliff was a really good choice for his brother. Riker had always wanted the best for his siblings. And Ellington Ratliff was that for Ross. Kind of like that Laura was for him.

Speaking of, after Riker got back from the pharmacy that is when he found out that Ross and Ratliff got exposed, so he and Laura didn't take the test.

The test that could determine if she was pregnant with his baby.

" Hey Laura I know this may be a bad time to do this, but should you take the test so we can know if your pregnant or not?" Riker asked.

Laura sighed.

" I guess I should, but it just feels so wrong to do so after Ross and Ratliff going through hell." She said.

" I know, but we have to know so we can start planning on what we are going to do." Riker said.

" What are we going to do if I am? I mean we are still so young are we ready to have a baby?" Laura asked.

" Well I think we are young that is correct, but Laura you know that you are it for me. There is not going to be dating anyone else. You are my family and if you bless me with a child, then I would consider myself the luckiest guy on earth."

Laura smiled. " Then let me go take it real quick." She said as she got up and Riker followed her into their room. He closed the door. In about ten minutes they would find out if their lives were about to change.

The tears finally lent up and Ross went numb. Was this how someone felt when they were empty inside? Ross couldn't deal with any of this so he shut himself down. It was better than having to feel the rejection of his parents and sister. How could anyone who claimed to love him only to turn around and reject him? Ross could feel that Ratliff was trying to comfort him and as much as he loved him, he couldn't make himself to comfort Ratliff. Ross knows he is being selfish right now, but Ratliff understands him so he knows that Ross isn't doing tit to be mean or spiteful.

Right now at this time and point, all Ross wanted to do was disappear. Maybe that will solve all his problems.

Just in a few minutes, and he will know if his life will change. It was funny how this time was different from the time with Maia. It was probably due to the fact that Maia had to drug him to get him into bed and with Laura he was more than a willing participant and he wants a family with her.

Riker sighed.

Could time be going by anymore slow then it is right now?

Laura came out of the bathroom, Riker looked up.

" Well?"

" We are not pregnant." Laura said.

Riker walked over to her and hugged her.

" It is okay, it isn't our time yet." Riker said comfortly.

" I know it is silly, and I know that we are young, and that it is not the right time but I couldn't help but imagine having a little boy who looks just like his daddy." Laura sighed.

" You will have that someday babe. I promise you we will." Riker said as he rubbed his arms up and down on hers while looking her in the eyes.

Laura smiled.

" Thanks Riker, I love you."

" I love you too." Riker said as he kissed her gently and pulled her into his arms. As much as Riker believed in the words that he just said to Laura, he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed in the news.

Rydel was sitting in her room just writing in her journal. She honestly didn't know what she felt. Her brother was gay and his lover was the guy that she was in love with. How could she wrap her head around that? Ross knew that she was in love with Ratliff and what did he do? He had sex with Ratliff and probably confused him. Why else would Ratliff be with Ross.

Rydel sighed.

She knows she sounds irrational right now, but right now she didn't care. Why was she always the forgotten one? Even in the band it seemed that the majority of their fans were googly over her brothers or Ratliff.

But never her. Don't get her wrong she had her fans, but it didn't even come close to the ones that were crazy over her brothers. That is why when she discovered her crush on Ratliff she thought she could actually have something that was hers. She had waited throughout his whole relationship with Kelly, and when that ended Rydel thought she had her chance at a relationship with Ratliff. She was ready to make her move the night she found out about the breakup. Rydel had made her way to his apartment that night. She could still remember that feeling that she had when she was about to knock. Her stomach was in knots. But she was also very excited at the same time. It had taken her a long time to work up and be truthful about her feelings. As she was about to knock the door wasn't shut all the way and it opened with the breeze. Figuring it would be alright to come in after all she and Ratliff knew each other for a long time now so she thought it would be okay. So she made her way into the dimmed apartment, the only light was coming from his bedroom. Rydel made her way down the hall, she was too scared to call out his name so she made her way silently and the sight that she saw broke her.

Ratliff was busy taking off Ross's clothes and throwing him on his bed, Rydel froze in place not sure she was seeing things correctly, but when Ross was moaning Ratliff's name that is when she realized that she lost. As Ratliff and Ross continued to make love, she didn't know what came over her, but she took out her phone and started to take pictures.

Rydel sighed.

She knows she should feel bad, but she felt betrayed. Ross always got what he wanted always. The other siblings knew that Ross was the favored one because all the attention that was astounded upon him.

She was tired of it, why did Ross always have to win when everyone else had to lose? It wasn't fair and it was time that Ross found out what it was like to lose. Rydel knew she should feel remorse for what she did, but she couldn't.

She had kept up with all their moments by going to their apartment and taking photos. Her family would be so upset with her if they found out what she did to their precious Ross.

Rydel let out a small sob. Look at what Ross made her do; this was his entire fault anyway. He couldn't have kept his hands off the guy that she wanted and looked at what she did?

Ross was the only one to blame and he had to lose. It was beyond tiresome that he always got what he wanted. Ross may have landed Ratliff but she was sure going to make him lose everything else.

If it was the last thing she would ever do.