𝖞𝖔𝖚𝖓𝖌 * / 𝙗𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙙 .

richie brookshire | @indulgencerpg

[demir-beli]

Asli took a pull from her pen. Holding her breath as she swayed to the music. Just minding her own business vibing  when she hear a commotion coming from the side of the building. This was her smoke break the last thing she wanted was to break up a fight: if it was a fight.  “Fuck,” expelling the smoke; she went to peek around the corner. 

“Hey! You’re fucking with my high. You have two option, you can join me and smoke a blunt. Or I can kick your ass. Don’t let these heels fool either I can do it. Choice is yours.” 

@indulgencerpgstarters​

[richiebrkshr]

Richie isn’t drunk but he might as well be. The night is still young and he’s been missing his best friend an awful lot lately, so wobbly legs take him to where he’s pretty sure she might be at. Crashing onto the dumpster at the side of the building wasn’t part of the plan and really, the moon could have helped him out but the dim lighting is the best excuse he’s got.

The familiar voice rings through the air and he’s already grinning at Asli’s threat because it’s just so her. “You know I will never doubt your skill on kicking my ass,” he throws out, remembering times when she did just that. The best thing about her is that she was never deterred by the captain title; in the end they’re still just Richie and Asli. “So I’ll take what’s behind door number one, Alex.” 

[richiebrkshr]

sunnylily​:

Breathe. Summer was good at keeping her cool when she prepared for it. At work she knew what could possibly happen. Here she didn’t. “It doesn’t change the fact that I still hurt you. I’m never going to apologize for leaving. What I will apologize for is hurting you.” One thing that she wouldn’t do is be sorry for putting herself first. More often than not she put others needs above her own. So when it’s time to put focus on her own needs there’s no question. She’ll do it because if she doesn’t it could have long term damage that could be irreparable. 

She reached out and took his hand. “Avoiding problems would imply that you are a problem which isn’t true.” This would be a lot easier if she told him to leave. Maybe they could end it here and never speak to each other again. Total strangers. “I need you to stay.” She flinched at her words. It’s true. Being around Richie the artist was different. He was relaxed and free. That’s the man she met. The one she knew before being exposed to his darkness. After that…it didn’t scare her. It made sense.

--

Richie wants to say that she didn’t hurt him, that she never had such a hold on him to do so, but they would both know he’s lying. It’s okay, he also wants to let her know, but then he’d be lying to himself. It isn’t okay. It hurt. She left and it hurt. Richie tries to keep it from showing on his face.

“No need to apologize.” The conversation feels too awkward -- a huge difference in what he’s used to when it comes to the woman. Just the sight of her already made him smile and now he’s not sure what to feel. There are too many questions he wants to ask, but he’s not sure if he wants the answer.

Richie doesn’t even know if he has the right to know.

Hand in hers, he feels the warmth on his palm. It fit together so easily and there was a point in his life when he told himself that this is the only hand meant for him to hold. “You want me to stay.” The irony isn’t lost on him. “Of course I’ll stay, Summer. I told you before I’d never leave. That still hasn’t changed.”

[richiebrkshr]

alessiaxcirrilo​:

Somehow, his confession of not knowing who the carnival people were makes the whole situation worse. It means that an outside force had tried to take over the town, and Richie and his family were still so casual about the whole thing. Alessia forced herself to remain calm while he answered the rest of her initial questions. “The prison system? How? This-this was self defense?” She was trying to make sense of everything. 

There’s the major part she was missing. We kinda grew up around shit like this. “What?” She questioned softly, “You grew up around this? Wha-what do you mean? How does anyone grow up around this?” 

--

“Self defense won’t mean shit if they realize who I am.” There’s no turning back now; Richie can’t keep something this big from the woman who’s so intertwined with his life. After the carnival, he’s sure that she’s seen more than he would have ever intended, but if it means keeping her alive, then he’ll force himself to be fine with it.

“I grew up around this because my dad,” -- it only figures that the only time Richie would voluntarily call him dad would be when he has to own up to who he is --, “forced us into this. He says his children can’t be weak, that he made a name for us and he can’t have us fuck it up.” Richie knows that the lectures were usually meant for him; he’s grown to accept the fact. “So we grew up around this. Money meant power and there was only one way you can get money.” 

He keeps his eyes away from Alessia. “It’s easier to get what you want when you’re the one holding the gun.”

[richiebrkshr]

traciisms​:

this man’s dismissed her worries about him getting hurt and her thanks, but she couldn’t help but still stare at what he’s earned from the one they’ve just encountered and almost took her life moments ago. traci’s thoughts are just a mess and she wanted to leave this place already, a huge part of her wishing that she knew how to defend herself and not depend on other people to do so. but then it was something she shouldn’t think about now and focus on what he just said, and this deal with them sticking together until she gets to her girlfriend, to abigail. she just hopes she’s in a safe place right now.

 though she sees his point, she’s got to keep moving or else she would be killed. she can stick with this guy, whoever he is until she gets to abigail and can leave this hellhole. the dancer adjusts her baseball cap, nodding at him as he speaks. “okay–i’ll be your lookout….i uhm….i’m traci, by the way…”

--

Under any other circumstances, Richie would have berated himself for wasting time on someone who means absolutely nothing to him. Who cares if this stranger were to die? He’s seen many do the same -- most of which by his own hand. But he saw the genuine fear in her eyes, the terror when she mentions her someone and Santa Ysabel, namely Alessia, may have shown him that there’s a side to him that could be human enough to actually feel some sort of sympathy. 

He can do this one good deed if it means the universe gives him enough retribution to keep the love of his life alive.

“Richie,” he throws back. This certainly isn’t the time for a teaching moment but he unsheathes the knife once more. “You know how to use the pointy end? Anytime someone comes near, aim for the chest, neck, or eyes.” The voice is his but the words are Mason’s. “If you have any moral dilemma, think about the person you’re trying to survive for.”

[sofiathatcherismss]

CLOSED STARTER FOR @richiebrkshr​

“So, I mean, here’s the thing…” Sofía sighed softly as she brought her coffee up to her lips and took a sip before placing it back down on the coaster. “I’m interested, I really am, and I’m not going to lie to you and say the money of it all isn’t a big incentive, because Lord knows we could use some extra cash at the moment… I just– I started this job because I liked solving the crime as I cleaned the scene, you know? I like puzzles, and figuring out fucked up shit. So I guess I’m just– What’s going to keep my mind entertained doing all this for y’all, you know?” 

[richiebrkshr]

Richie wasn’t meant to start anything in Santa Ysabel. The moment William took his spot, he thought that everything that connected him to the O’Riley business had severed, but he saw what his brother was doing to all that he’s worked for and he would be damned if his sacrifice goes to waste. And so he decided to work remotely, if only to make sure that they wouldn’t be the embarrassment of Brooklyn. 

He always knew that his operation wasn’t meant for small settings. 

New place meant new blood to hire and even if his sister doesn’t trust anyone, he knows that he has to make do with what he has. In either case, it’ll be a lot easier to get rid of anyone suspicious. There are no ties, no history, no familiar faces that he cares about putting a bullet through.

That’s how the meeting with Sofia comes to be.

“There’s nothing you have to figure out with this job,” he reminds her, his own fingers curling around his cup. “I just need someone who knows what to do with the extra trimmings afterwards.” Richie’s never had to interview someone before; he’s sure he’ll be at a more comfortable state during her initiation. “So tell me -- why do you think you’re fit for this job? It’s a pretty big commitment.”

[richiebrkshr]

shanexmartis​:

shane was still getting used to her new life and job. but after over a decade of buying and using, it was pretty easy to transition into the selling side of things. what was annoying was the waiting around part. which was brought her to this alley when richie passed bye. “you’re the most prettiest boy around,” she joked along, rolling her eyes as she said it. 

“mm yeah, that can make the job a little tricky.” shane shoved her hands in the pocket of her jacket, pulling it tight around her body. her eyes scanned down the alley as richie spoke. it was odd that they could have these conversations out in the open. not that anyone would know exactly what they were talking about. but in a town like this, no one would bat an eye. “oh yeah, i’m good. definitely don’t want to go back to william. santa ysabel is a dream compared to new york.”

--

There’s something about having someone that feels like a little piece of home that Richie still doesn’t know what to do with. His family seems to be taking over Santa Ysabel alongside with him and he’s sure that he didn’t want this at first. Now, though -- now he feels his life start to right itself a little and he’s not sure if that’s a good or bad thing.

“And don’t you forget it.” Maybe it’s because he’s deluding himself that he no longer holds the captain title but it seems a little easier to breathe when his responsibilities doesn’t extend to way more people than it needs to be. 

“He’ll kill you if he finds out you’re here, you know,” he reminds her. It’s something that he has to remind himself as well. Richie hates the thought that aiding him in any way would put a target on anyone’s back. “You fitting in here though? Find something that makes it easier to stay?”

[maggierossii]

Closed starter for Richie | @richiebrkshr​

Maggie loved her entire family, you had too with a lifestyle like the ones they lived, but even she had her favorites and Richie happened to be at the top of the list. Ironic really considering he had been the one to kill her father, but she knew he had lost as much as he had at the hands of Mason and there really wasn’t anything anyone could say that would convince her Richie was to blame for all of that. Now that he was older they were alike in many ways, but she liked to think she kept him in check too. Heels clicking Maggie made her way into the newly purchased manor, a brow raised at the size…clearly a new home base if she had ever seen one. “Richard O’Riley I leave for what…five months and you let every O’Riley back in town and buy them a house. Care to explain?” She asked with a raised brow as she found her cousin in the expansive kitchen. 

[richiebrkshr]

There’s something to be said when one picks favorites within the family. Richie has never been silent about whose his are -- cousin Maggie being one of them. That’s what made it even harder to face her after Mason’s orders against his uncle. The guilt eats at him and childhood memories are now replaced with the ever present thought that he’s the one that pulled that trigger. Of course she’s never held it against him so he holds the self induced rage for the both of them.

In the kitchen of the new manor, Richie tries to not compare it to the one at the hotel back in Brooklyn. It’s a little eerie how it feels both familiar and foreign at the same time. His cousin’s voice distracts him and he can only offer her a snort. 

“You see me giving out invitations and a map? Nah, they found me here. Guess I gotta work on my stealth skills.” Though it’s said in jest, they both know that if Sammy and Ophelia can track him down, it wouldn’t be long before William finally starts using that brain of his to do the same. “You don’t like the family reunion, Mags?” 

[richiebrkshr]

norawinterfield​:

– 

Watching the almost tumble Nora didn’t even try and attempt to hide her chuckle. She wasn’t trying to be sexy this morning, her hair was all over and she had done enough of that last night in her tight jeans and whatever thing she’d had on to make her boobs look a little bigger than they were. Now she was just here for the fun of it and her partner seemed like he was up for plenty of fun too. “I could do that but I swear to god if I hurt myself in the shower I’ll hold you accountable.” Nora hummed as she slipped herself from the sheets leaving them behind and standing in front of him naked. “Oh thank god because I swear I thought your name was Paul.” Pushing on her toes for a second she locked her lips onto his for just a second before she pulled away and headed to the bathroom. “This way slugger.” 

--

Not really the type to stick around after a quick romp in the sack with a stranger, Richie surprises himself by actually wanting another round with this woman. She seems fun and if there’s anything that’s he’s wanted out of the open relationship, it’s to have as much fun as he’s allowed to.  

“Oh don’t worry, you can hold me all you want in that shower.” Standing bare in front of him, Nora has Richie ridding himself of his jeans swiftly. Approaching her, he holds her by the waist, pulling her in closer, remnants from the night before still evident by the crumpled sheets and the way his hands find a familiar grasp. “I could be a Paul,” he leans in to keep the kiss but she pulls away before he can have any fun with it. Rolling his eyes in amusement, he follows her to the bathroom, giving her ass a smack along the way. “Alright, your bathroom, your rules.”

[richiebrkshr]

opheliadavis​:

–

The second Richie had confessed to what he had gone and done, a true O’Riley smile had pulled at the youngests lips and she had felt like she was on the right path again. Even in New York, things hadn’t felt normal, following William just wasn’t right and though Ben had made things easier, it had felt as if she was playing through the motions. Physically she was there and she was calling shots, but she hadn’t been happy about most of it. Now stood watching her brother as people pooled into the house she couldn’t help but let that smile from a few days ago return. 

“I already picked my room, as far away from you and Alessia as I could get with a massive window.” She mused, truthfully just glad to be out of the fucking motel she had been staying in. “I like it though, honestly you picked good, quite but big…enough room out back, potential for pop up buildings…you thought of it all..” She nodded as she looked up at him. Ophelia let her eyes wonder to the kitchen area and back to the entrance. “How long till it looks like a bunch of people actually live here?” It probably wouldn’t be long but it would be better than it looked emptier like it did now. 

“It’s home now right?”

--

It’s different, Richie tries to reason. This manor is meant for convenience. It isn’t going to be how it’s like back in Brooklyn, but after already planning how training would go and accidentally referring to it as the new headquarters, he’s not quite sure if he believes himself anymore. He doesn’t want to mimic the life he had back then. It was paved out for him and it’s supposed to be different here.

Yet the O’Riley name burns and Richie will forever be drawn to its light.

“O, that hurts my feelings. Aly and I are perfectly capable of keeping it down when needed,” he lies. Richie ignores the compliments, unsure of how to react. When it comes to providing for his family, there’s always a standard that he needs to reach and with Mason’s voice ever present in his mind, he’s yet to do so. “My guess is when we finally get people to move in or at least bring their stuff in. So I take it you’re staying in this town?”

Home. 

With Ophelia here and Alessia agreeing to actually move to the manor, the answer should be obvious, but even the hotel didn’t provide the same comfort as home. Richie’s not exactly sure what would qualify, but he doesn’t want to be the one that ruins it for her.

“Yeah, Phe. It’s home.” 

[richiebrkshr]

opheliadavis​:

–

It was  almost surreal how normal all of this was but that she didn’t recognise any of the people that were surrounding her. Had this of been home, the two of them would have been surrounded by more family, generals…god knows how many others. This was all so small compared to what she was used to, and yet at the same time all she could see was potential. Her brother had been keeping himself busy that much was to see but there was so much more than could be done here, so much that the police would turn a blind eye too. It would never been Brooklyn but it would be something, a strong hold, if only Richie would step up too what he could. 

When he didn’t push her off Ophelia felt herself relax a little. She still wasn’t sure where the two of them were with each other but she could only hope that now he could see that she was here for the right reasons and like fuck was she here to spy for William. She was here for Richie and that was pretty much the only reason. “She’s still here.” Ophelia assured as she looked up to him. “She’s still here and she’s still alive and I don’t think you have to worry about her going anywhere.” From the look that she had seen on that girls face when she had mentioned getting back to Richie, it was pure determination. “She loves you.” 

As he winced Ophelia shook her head. “You’re going to make sure he fixes you up fully….but yea I’m fine, he got the bullet out and I’ve actually had painkillers with this extraction. Just be sore for a few weeks is all.” 

--

Shrouded in nostalgia, Richie wonders where he’d be at this moment if William didn’t have the balls to come back. It’s funny to think that there’s a high chance that he’d be in the same predicament -- getting patched up in the med suite back at the hotel. He wouldn’t have Alessia but she wouldn’t be hurt because of him, because he couldn’t protect her. Richie’s not sure what he’d rather have at this point; he’s shouldn’t be that selfish when it comes to her.

“She’s still here,” he agrees -- for now. It’s not fair to subject the woman he’s in love with to a life that she never signed up for. If anyone knew -- if William knew -- just how much she meant to him, it’s a big target on her back and he can’t risk that. “I just don’t think this is what she expected. I don’t want her to think that she has no choice in this.” Like how their whole family didn’t. “I love her and I’m selfish but I can’t do that to her.”

Rolling his eyes, he realizes he misses the way Ophelia seems to fuss. “You say you’re more Mason, but you’ve got a little of mom in you,” he tries to not think about that just yet. “Didn’t hit anything too deep? You good with just the pills?”

[richiebrkshr]

opheliadavis​:

alessiaxcirrilo​:

Alessia was so incredibly confused and honestly terrified. Were they going to survive this? Ophelia was bleeding from a bullet wound in her side, Richie was bleeding from an injury in his shoulder and she was grazed on the arm. How many of these people were left? How close were they even to any exit? Her chest was nearly heaving with panic, Richie words not doing much to help. 

That was something that scared her even more. Normally, Richie is the one who keeps her sane, but now? He’s playing along in this chaotic night and she’s worried. “How can we even get out of here? I don’t even know where the exit is from here and I’m sure we can’t just walk out of here.” 

@opheliadavis​ 

– 

Ophelia simply nodded at her brother as he processed whatever he seemed to have just realized, they would have whatever moment they were long over due tomorrow when they were safe. Right now it was time to pull themselves together and get out of here otherwise everything they had just been through would be worth nothing. All they needed to do, was get to the medic, get out, get to the medic and all three of them would be fine. 

Watching as her brother pulled Alessia out of the downward spiral she was heading towards Ophelia gave a small grunt before she pulled herself together, her grip tightening around her gun, pushing green sprayed hair from her face and her stance altering to something far more straight so that she didn’t look like there was a bullet lodged in her. “Alright we have to make a call we fight to the exit, or we go over the pier and we swim, what are you both up too?”

She sure as hell wasn’t going to be the one to slow them down. 

@richiebrkshr​

--

Contingency plan. Five years away from home and it’s like he’s already forgotten how the world works. Richie should have known he shouldn’t have trusted Santa Ysabel from pulling stints like back in Brooklyn. Granted, the enemies back then intentionally tried to come at them because of their last name and the ones here are doing it for -- what exactly? Richie hasn’t been paying attention.

“Those are ocean tides, Phe. They’re going to rip you apart against the rocks.” The night time makes it even harder to see if there’s a chance of surviving the current. “What do you have on you to take them out?”

Alessia’s presence grounds him a little. “Baby, the props I gave you. Which ones do you still have?”

@alessiaxcirrilo​ @opheliadavis​

[richiebrkshr]

closed: @teixeiraonfire​ loc: coin op

It isn’t advisable for Richie to lose himself in alcohol. Guard down, there’s no telling what could go wrong and if he isn’t in the right mind set for it, then it’s just a matter of time before someone renders him vulnerable and goes in for the kill. As it is, he tries to keep his drunken mishaps within the confines of his own home, but Alessia is out and there’s the urge to drink while someone plays with his custard launcher. 

Loaded with a half a bottle of tequila, Richie stumbles through the  streets of Santa Ysabel, looking for his next new friend. That’s one of the beauties of having an open relationship: his ding dong mcdork is open for business without the worry that it’ll land him in trouble. He’s gone through a sea of men and women but Alessia’s soft shelled tuna taco is what he comes home.

But she’s not here and Richie needs his piss weasel handled now.

Bright lights catch his attention and his feet take him closer. It’s a comic book shop, he thinks, and the door opens with a flourish. Stumbling through the entrance, he can only hope that he isn’t kicked out right away. He makes his way towards the cashier, finger gunning the first person he sees. 

Confidence: something Richard O’Riley Brookshire definitely does not lack.

“Hey there,” he tries to make sure he isn’t slurring. “With great wang doodle comes great responsibility.” That’s how that Spiderman quote goes, right? He’s eighty three percent sure he landed it.

[richiebrkshr]

alessiaxcirrilo​:

Alessia was truly and utterly speechless. She had just gone from believing that Richie was an artist, working day and night on projects to make his money to just buying a massive manor out of no where. 

At the mention of training, she looked at him. “Training? What?” She questioned in total confusion. Then he asked what she thought. “I, uh, I think it’s incredible.” She couldn’t lie about that. “It’s huge, but it’s really… empty.” Alessia held her hands close to herself. “Richie, how did you afford this?” She asked honestly. 

--

There’s still that niggling thought at the back of Richie’s mind that this all will be too much for Alessia. He wouldn’t blame her for leaving and if he were any less selfish, he’d actually push her to. Now, he finds that he can’t be without her.

“Training,” he reiterates, smile slowly forming on his features. “You’ll find out soon.” While he gets to be a little too much during said training, Richie loves the thrill he gets once it’s played out. For one it’s a way to actually bond without finding something to kill and for another, it assures him that they’re ready for whatever life decides to throw at them.

“It is,” he agrees, reaching out to draw her in closer. “Which is why I’m asking if you can help me decorate it.” Richie contemplates on ignoring the question but he did promise he’d stop lying. “It’s my family’s money,” he answers truthfully. “The money I made for my family, actually.”

[richiebrkshr]

traciisms​:

traci hated herself watching all of this unfold, that she could not do anything about it. all those lessons with natalia, they’ve all gone to nothing now. just for once she just doesn’t want to feel like she’s useless, or she’s not doing anything to help others or herself. she just watches the man wraps somewhat like a compression bandage for his wound. she caused this and she had to bite her tongue or else she wouldn’t stop apologizing to him. “he didn’t–you just got him in time, thank you, thank you.” she glances up at him for a moment before looking down to her feet, quickly wiping her tears away. “i’ve been looking for someone, we got-we got separated when everything went down.” she lost grip of her girlfriend and has been looking for her for at least an hour now, hoping she’s doing safe. “i’m just looking for a place to hide until she shows up–i’m sorry again, i didn’t–i didn’t mean to be a burden.”

--

The woman is crying and Mason’s voice rings through Richie’s head. Leave the weak. He shakes it off because Alessia’s taught him to be better than that even if she doesn’t know she has. Now he’s about to lose the only woman that’s ever made him feel more than his last name and just the thought of it makes the pain subside only slightly to be replaced with the rage his father has always shown him. 

“No need to thank me.” It’s his girlfriend they have to thank. Richard was only left back in Brooklyn because Richie finally found happiness. 

Nodding he pockets the knife, keeping his gun on hand. Recall is going to be a bitch to work with, he can already tell. 

“You can sit and hide out here but I’m telling you right now, more will come find you and probably kill you. I’ll get you to your someone.” His own someone better be safe at the hands of his sister. “Not a burden.” Lie. “Be my look out and we’ll keep each other alive. Do not fucking hesitate to run when I tell you. Deal?” 

[themickey]

closed starter for @richiebrkshr​ || directly after the event

for some, this night was straight from a nightmare. but for dylan, it was a dream. the only part that she didn’t want to think about was what happened with dom. but the rest of the night was just what dylan needed. she felt free after everything. the chaos started to die down, she wasn’t sure if it’s because the people gave up or because whoever sent them called it off. but that didn’t stop dylan from being on alert. most people had gotten home. everyone probably shell shocked and dealing with the trauma that they went through, but dylan was wide awake. she was walking around the pier, checking for anyone when she came upon a person a few yards away. dylan raised her gun at the figure. “friend or foe?” dylan called out, her finger on the trigger as she stood her ground. she probably looked pretty crazy herself, covered blood and walking the pier after everyone was long gone. 

[richiebrkshr]

The screams ringing through the air of the night is a familiar sound and were it not for the fact that Alessia was in the midst of it all, Richie would have given in to the nostalgia. The perpetrators are gone, or so he hopes, but to ensure that they didn’t come from William, he stays behind after making sure that the rest of his family is safe. One person. He just needs to find one person and the moment he knows it’s an O’Riley from Brooklyn, Richie will drop the niceties. 

Gun up and he’s met with another. Instinct tells him to shoot but he knows William would kill anyone who hesitated so the stranger probably isn’t a lackey. What strikes his doubt is the person coming up behind her, knife up and it’s at his knees where he directs his bullet.

“Friend.” He nods over to the man now writhing in pain. “I need to ask him a few questions. Help a buddy out?”

[jugurtti-deactivated20210925]

[richiebrkshr]

@alessiaxcirrilo

[richiebrkshr]

I wanted it to be you. 

Richard O’Riley, now Brookshire, was never meant to have good things in life. His father taught him at a young age that anything can be used against you, anyone can be a liability. The lesson burned right into his very soul the moment he pulled the trigger against the only person that’s ever made him feel like he can be more than what his surname’s paved. It was okay, though, for the time being. He didn’t have anything to lose and because he didn’t, there wasn’t much that could hurt him. For a while, he became a hollow shell of a man that Mason used to mold into his little soldier. 

And then Summer came along. 

Summer Lily was, for all intents and purposes, the sunshine of Richie’s life. She was the light that chased away the greys, the one that brought back the array of color he’s missed. She was the hand just out of reach, the only thing he’s ever wanted at that point. 

Mason would have called her his weak spot; Richie called her his. 

And at the crux of it all, that’s what he needed -- something that belonged to him, something that no one else can touch: not death, nor responsibilities, nor the very weight of the O’Riley name that seems to suffocate him at every turn. Summer taught him how to breathe. 

At night he would hold her and wonder when did the universe deem him worthy enough to have someone like this. What good must he have done with his life that he was given a chance at happiness with someone that’s made him feel more than he ever could? Scarlet stains his hands and there are screams that echo in his nightmares, but Summer’s never seen that. She only sees him like he’s something worth looking at. 

Richie loved her -- he did -- and no amount of time will ever make him deny it. 

But of course, Summer came and went and he was left waiting for someone that never came back. He never resented her for it; hell, were he a less selfish man, he would have pushed her to leave even sooner. But he needed her, craved her in a way that he thought he could never find in anyone else. 

Then he met Alessia and it seemed like all was right in his world.

It doesn’t erase the fact that Summer still holds a spot in his heart that she’s carved for herself. Deep in the crevices, Richie gives her a home. It’s different now. When he sees her, all he can picture is what they could have been, what they were. 

He’s happy and he knows she is, too, but there are moments when he thinks: we could have been happy together.

It was supposed to be me and you.