Chapter 18: RYDER

"Ryder, where are you? Everyone has been looking for you. They say you just disappeared, and you never called me back to let me know that you were okay. You didn't tell them where you were going? I thought you'd at least tell Scott."

"I'm fine, mom. I'm staying at a hotel, and no one needs to know. Scott is my business manager; she's private. From now on, I'll be keeping the two separate."

"Oh, Okay. What hotel are you staying at? You know what, never mind, I'm guessing you went to see Elena. Well, did you see her? How is she? How is our girl? Is she alright?" That's odd; mom still talks about her the way she used to when we were together like she was one of her own. She's never done that with Janie.

"I saw her, yes, but she was asleep. According to the guy I talked to, she's doing better; she just needs to rest."

"Oh, that's good then; the news reports were freaking me out. Those bitches started a rumor that she was in rehab for drugs, but I knew that couldn't be it because she was ne