Right. Since the last time the depression was bad.
But right now, I’m not sad. I’m vengeful and weirdly excited.
So, I turn, giving her an award-winning smile. “It’s really nothing. I’m just going on a little trip with some family.”
She sighs, throwing her hands out in defeat. “Alright. Fine. But I’m here to talk if you need me, okay?”
I nod and accept her brief hug, watching her retreating back as she finally leaves me be. I hate lying to her, and I refuse to use coercion to do it, but I’m definitely not giving her the truth.
She wouldn’t agree to the idea of vengeance, and I’d have to admit to seeing Nathaniel in that hotel. Which was abigmistake. I have no business knowing how phenomenal thatman’s cock tastes, or how good he sounds while he comes down my throat, thick and hot.
Plus, he’s like, twelve years older than me. She’dkillme.
I should find it gross, right? Nathaniel being so much older than me? Why the fuck do Inotfind it gross?
With Susie convinced enough to leave me be, I drive over to my parents’ house, slipping into the dining room where they’re sitting for dinner.
Mom’s head pops up, her eyes widening at the sight of me. “Lan, honey, I didn’t know you were coming. Would you like a plate?”
“No, I’m alright,” I assure her. “I just wanted to tell you guys I’m heading out for a day or two.”
“Heading out?” Dad inquires, dropping his fork onto his plate as he looks me over. “To where?”
Why is everyone so nosy?! On the bright side,theywon’t call Julian.
“I’m heading back to Oregon,” I offer.
“Oh, to see Julian?” Mom asks.
Perfect, they’ll buy my lie easily. But something inside me also cringes, anger simmering in my skin as I think of him and howunfairthis all is.
“Yes, to see Julian,” I lie.
“Well, don’t be gone for too long,” Dad insists. “You can’t spend all of your youth messing around.”
“Of course, Dad,” I concede, giving him a small smile as I turn back toward the door.
“And I want you to think about it,” he adds. “When you’ll be joining the company. We need an answer soon.”
With one more subtle nod, never quite turning back around, I leave the house as quickly as I came.
The airport is surprisingly empty, though I guess midday on a Tuesday isn’t the best travel time.
I get to security about an hour before takeoff, and soon I’m boarding the plane, settling in for the short flight.
Personally, I can’t wait to start slowly unleashing the destruction I plan to cause. Nathaniel, with his cruel and self-centered nature, deserves everything I plan to dish out.
He probes and probes and doesn’t let up, willing to hurt me just to learn me. Nathaniel is a vicious bulldozer of a man—but I’m more than capable of knocking him down a peg. Iwillknock him down.
I’m still debating if I’ll let him touch me this go-around as the plane lands and I find my way to the carpool area of the parking garage, calling an Uber. It’s expensive as hell due to the location I’m going to, but it’s worth it.
It’s also notmymoney. Thanks, Mom and Dad!
The storm clouds overhead give Oregon a dreary feel, one that I’m noticing is almost constant here. Light rain drizzles onto the windows as we drive, fog rolling over the roads and the grass on either side.
It’s kind of nice. This atmosphere, thisfeelingthat Port Orford gives—I could see myself happy to bathe in it. Now, to be fair,I love the sunny state I was born in, but change is good. Maybe one day I’ll move here or go right above to Washington.
After I work for Ocean View Entertainment, of course.
