Page 98 of The Boyfriend Experience

“All of it, Oaklee?” He huffs out some air.

And right now I feel more like I’m moderating a couple’s therapy session than pretending to facilitate a messy divorce.

“OK,” I say. “Oaklee, did you buy the Boyfriend Experience for someone else?”

“Yes.” She nods. “But that’s not even how it turned out! He’s my boyfriend experience! I don’t even want him to keep the game going.”

Jesus. I hope she doesn’t want her money back. I was counting on that cash for the down payment I need.

“Good,” Law says. “Because I’m out. I’m done with you two. What you and your sister are doing to each other, I don’t want any part of it.”

“My sister!” Oaklee yells.

“Shh,” I hiss. “If my dad come back in here—”

“Sorry,” Oaklee says. “Where the hell did you get the idea she was my fucking sister?” And to her credit, she whisper-yells that entire sentence.

“She told me the whole story last night. How your father cheated on your mother and then abandoned them both. And when he died she contested the will and—”

“I will fucking kill her!” And this time it’s not a whisper-yell, it’s the real deal.

We all look at the door, and yup. Two seconds later my father is knocking and entering again. “Jordan,” he hisses.

“Sorry,” Oaklee says. “I lost control. It won’t happen again.”

My father gives me one more stern look. A look that says, Do not fuck with me right now. And I’m actually kinda happy about that. So I smile when I say, “Last time, promise.”

I watch him go. Actually stare at the door even after he’s gone. And feel sad all of a sudden. Lawton and Oaklee are whisper-fighting over whether or not she has a sister called Hanna, but I let my thoughts linger on my dad for a few more moments.

Until Law says, “She sent two assholes to fucking beat me up this morning!”

“Who?” I say. “Oaklee?”

“No, fucking Hanna.”

“OK,” I say, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Run this all by me again. And this time keep your fucking voices down.” I point to Oaklee to go first and when Law interrupts, I point to him and say, “Shut up. You already had your say so just let her talk.”

So she does. Her tale comes spilling out as quick as Law’s did. It’s a tale of betrayal, and misplaced trust. A jealous woman taking away a life hard earned. And even though she does admit to the breaking and entering last night, I find myself… on her side.

Because sometimes one can only take so much before they run out of rational options. They map out a diplomatic course of action. They focus. They aim themselves on their road, stay in their lane, play by all the rules… and what good does it do?

I can relate to that part.

People make mistakes, but should one mistake define them forever?

I glance up at Darrel just as Oaklee gets to the part about this morning and find him watching me. He nods. A small nod that no one else sees. Not even Finn.

But I do.

And I know exactly what that nod means.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR - OAKLEE

I pace back and forth in front of Jordan’s desk as I tell my side of the story. It’s a story Law already knows, because it’s the one I’ve been telling him all along. I have no idea what Hanna told him, but he must see through it. I must make him see through her lies. I’ve given up way too much of my life to this crazy bitch already.

I will not give him up too.

So when I’m done explaining things to Jordan, I take the seat next to Law, turn my body so I’m facing him, look him in the eyes, take a deep breath and say, “I’m sorry. I know this is all my fault. I was the one who wanted to play this game, but I don’t wanna play any more, Lawton. I’m sorry if you think I didn’t like you as you were. Because that’s not true. Yes, it was my idea for you to get that tattoo, and if you felt pressured… if you felt that I somehow talked you into it, I’m sorry for that too. I’m sorry for the boots you’re wearing, and the shirt, and the jeans. I’m sorry if you feel I didn’t accept you for who you were. I do. And I had nothing to do with the TV people showing up this morning. That was not me.” I stop to catch my breath. “It has to be her.”