“So it’s him,” Brody said, frowning up at me. His head swayed and my heart dropped to my stomach.
“Brody…w-what are you doing here?”
“I came to see you, talk about a few things, but I guess I shouldn’t have. You were gone all day. I know, because I came by earlier to see if you were around and you weren’t. I assume you were spending the day with him.” He scoffed, looking back at the parking lot with a grimace like Cane’s car was still there. “He’s the guy you can’t get over? Didn’t you say he’s your dad’s friend?”
“He was my dad’s friend,” I emphasized.
“What happened with that, huh? Did you fuck it up by fucking him? They must be ashamed of you.”
I blinked hard when my eyes prickled with emotion. Most of the emotion was out of anger. How could he say something so rude?
“Brody, I—” I clamped my mouth shut for a second. “Are you going to tell anyone?”
He shrugged hard, his shoulders nearly touching his ears. “It is what it is. I mean, I get it. He’s rich. He’s nice looking. He probably buys you whatever you want. I bet he’s a real catch. Kind of like a sugar daddy, right?” He laughed, a bitter laugh that cut me deep. ”Whatever though. You’re better off with him.” He turned his back, but kept his eyes over his shoulder to glare at me. “I’m not into sluts who fuck their family members’ friends anyway.”
He walked off, way too fast for me to even utter a word or try and stop him. He vanished into the darkness and I felt like I’d been shot right in the chest by a cannon. Brody had never spoken to me that way. Ever. I almost started to chase after him, but what would that have solved? He would still be upset with me about it. And it wouldn’t make me want him any more or Cane any less.
I went inside before I could let his words get to me, heading straight up to my room and thanking the heavens that Morgan wasn’t around. She must’ve been with Gina. I grabbed my shower caddy and towel and went for the showers. I thought I was doing fine—that his words meant nothing and his opinion didn’t matter—until I realized I was washing so roughly with my loofa that my skin became sensitive and red.
Slut.
I’d used that word many times in a conversation with Frankie when we talked about girls in high school who wanted all the attention at parties…but never had it been used on me. At least, not spat right at my face like that. It was an ugly word. Cruel and insensitive and I vowed to never use it again because yes, it did hurt.
I finished up and went back to my room, got dressed, and tried to catch up on homework. It was useless because when I thought about what Brody had said, I realized he was right.
Only a slut would be okay with sneaking around with a man who was nearly twice her age.
Only a slut would fuck her father’s best friend, ruin everything, and still choose him afterward.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
KANDY
Despite how low I felt and how much the guilt was eating me alive when I had to go to class and see Brody—only to have him completely disregard me—I couldn’t help being happy when the time came for me to go back home for winter break.
I had my suitcase packed, my phone in hand, ready to go to the airport and fly home. Morgan had already left, and Gina was driving home so she offered to take me to the airport before making the trip. I hugged her around the neck when she dropped me off, and then made my way to the line to check in.
It was a quick flight, and though the bad memories were trying to resurface and remind me that I’d left from a broken home, I was ecstatic to see my parents after so long. I was even happier to see them both standing at the front of the airport, waiting for me.
Dad spotted me first, and instead of getting the scowl or disgusted look I kept imagining he would give, I got a warm, comforting smile.
He opened up his arms and I rushed into them, burying my face in his chest. I missed that the most. The protection he always provided. How I always felt so safe in his arms. When I was little, I loved the way my Dad smelled. His smell reminded me of a safe place. Of home.
“Hey, kid.” He kissed the top of my head.
“Hi, Dad.”
I pulled back, but kept my hands pinned just below his ribs. I scanned him quickly, trying not to make it too noticeable. He looked really good, unlike the last time I saw him, when his eyes were filled with fear and horror and a hint of repulsion. “How are you?” I asked.