Page 93 of Broken Rules
“Wait, Dad, no. I can’t just leave.”
He stops, turning toward me when I don’t move. “You want to stay here? Continue to show your body and let these pigs touch you because you know these men aren’t thinking about dating you at the end of the night.”
“Dad—”
“Why did you lie to me, Evie?”
“I—” My voice breaks. “That’s not what I meant.”
“Is this the kind of role model you want to be for your future daughter?” He touches the bra strap on my shoulder. “Do you honestly believe this is a good job? You’ll find a man who will respect you working a business like this?”
“Are you judging me right now?”
“No, I’m upset your mother brought you to this place. I’m disappointed you’re still here, and if you stay, then yes, I will because I didn’t raise you to be a slut.”
Gin gasps, Dad’s face falling just as my eyes widen, my vision blurring out the distress in his expression while my tears burn and the back of my throat constricts. “You didn’t raise me at all! You left me, or did you forget all the times I called you crying to come back?”
“Evie. I’m sorry, sweetheart, I didn’t mean—”
“Leave!” I push him. “Get the fuck out of here now, or I swear today will be the last time you hear my voice—you’ll ever see my face again.”
“Wait, baby girl, please come home with me. I don't want to leave this way.”
I let the tears fall, stepping back into room three while stripping off every layer of clothes until I bump into the guy still behind me. “Can’t. I’ve got a session to finish, and I never leave a performance unsatisfied.”
Dad turns away from my nakedness, sidestepping Gin while striding toward the stairs, and I start breathing hard, closing my eyes to block everyone out.
“Everly…look at me.”
“No,” I breathe, moving away from Gin when she touches my hand. “I’m fine.”
She calls my name again, but I’m already walking toward the stairs in a haze, taking each step with no course of action, ending up at my locker. I sit on the bench, staring at my nameplate for several seconds, then down at my naked body. How unfazed I am sitting here nude, walking through a crowded room of people without hesitation because I’ve become so desensitized where deep down, Dad’s words ring true.
I open the door and gather my street clothes, putting each article on. The ache settling in my gut starts to fester, hurting my heart. Someone sits next to me, touching my hand, and I clench my jaw, staring at Roni while holding back the tears stinging my eyes.
Her hug takes me by surprise, and I breathe out a shaky breath, saying something, maybe another apology, see you later, I don’t know what, but I’m standing, walking toward the back exit to my car, on the road heading to wherever my mind knows until I’m parked outside the cabin.
Getting out, I walk toward the front window, staring into Kylo’s home as he smiles at Sadie, holding their son Kaden, kissing his little cheek, and Lennox is sitting at the island watching them. I want to join the people I love most, but my chest constricts from their laughter. Looking down at my left hand, feeling furthest from center.
None of this is real—just a vivid fantasy since I don't exist outside the box.
The sob I’ve been holding cracks through my teeth, my tears breaking as I suck in a loud breath, backing away when Lennox looks straight at me. He stands, walking to the front exit as I rush toward the car, but he takes hold of my hand before I open the door.
“Evie, what happened? What’s wrong, baby?”
“I gotta leave.”
“What do you mean?”
“I can’t….” My hands shake as I go through my keys, searching for the guest house copy to remove.
“What are you doing?” he asks, backing me against the car door, those beautiful eyes glossing over, and I look away.
“It’s too much.”
“What are you talking about? Look at me.” He lifts my chin, wiping away the tears falling onto my lips. “Talk to me, baby.”
I shake my head. “I’m going home.”
