Tonya digs her hands into my back, and every muscle resists. My teeth grit hard as my body seizes.
“Honey, you need to relax,” Tonya whispers.
My hands curl into fists, and I scrunch my eyelids closed. Nothing in this house will change. I’ve felt nothing but pain since I arrived back. When Dax fills my mind, a sliver of peace runs through me. Nothing has felt more invigorating than being with him.
I lift myself up and gather the sheet around me.
Tonya steps back with her palms lifted. “Everything okay?”
I shake my head. “Not really. I don’t need this. You can pack up your things.”
Tonya’s face drops. “Oh, Miss Ashworth, I’m sorry if I…”
“It’s not you,” I cut her off. “I just know I need something else right now. Will you excuse me?”
Tonya backs away and leaves my bedroom. I slide off the massage bed and move toward my phone. I open up a text message and add Dax.
“I need to see you again.”
I’ve never texted anyone in such a hurry. Adrenaline has my heart pounding furiously.
“I knew you couldn’t get enough.”
When I get his reply, my body finally relaxes. Who knew a nicotine-scented boy would win against an essential oils massage?
Ten
Afrustratedhuffpoursout of me. “Mom, this really isn’t a good time.” She called me during the drive into Logan’s Point.
Mom smirks through my phone screen. “You don’t have five minutes to talk with your mother?”
When are our talks only five minutes long? “Okay. What do you need to talk about?”
“You have a prep meeting tonight.”
Ugh, don’t remind me. “Yep, that’s right.”
“And you will control the room,” my mother says commandingly.
I bite inside my cheek to stop the annoyance showing on my face. “It won’t be hard,” I reply. “You know they all fall into line when an Ashworth enters the room.”
“But you know how Naomi Fisher feels about the society event meetings,” Mom says, narrowing her stare. “We need to keep her in check. She’s gunning to take my place.”
“She didn’t succeed when I was in Switzerland with you,” I reply. “As far as I can tell, you still have full control.”
“You said she was undermining you at the last meeting.”
I sigh, wishing I’d never opened my mouth about that. Mom called me after the last meeting, and I was so wrecked I did something completely foolish. I vented to my mother.
“No, it wasn’t that bad,” I say, feigning confidence. “I’d had a long day at the hospital, and it was playing on my mind. I promise, I’ll be on my A-game. I won’t let you down.”
Mom smiles. “Good girl. I know you’ll handle this. It’s our legacy, but it’s your future. You won’t mess this up, will you?”
“No, Mother,” I say, sporting a fake grin yet avoiding direct eye contact with the camera lens. “I got this. I just need to go because I’m approaching the hospital.”
“And how’s the volunteer work going?”
I nod happily. “Well, thanks.”
