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Chapter Twenty
I stared at the computer screen through blurred eyes. After a full day of falling in and out of sleep underneath my covers and watching dramas on my TV, I had half hoped that the nightmare of today would just fade away. I was wrong.
Oh, so very wrong.
My story in the tabloids had gone viral. Everyone at school was talking about it online. Rock Valley Biz had posted about it on Instagram. They’d snapped a screenshot of the tabloid article with a caption about my secret relationship with Zane. It hurt to see him in that picture, kissing my cheek so innocently, without a clue that everything would be blowing up in our faces so soon. I skimmed over the comments. Most of them were simply curious about Zane and me, but some of them were one-hundred percent nasty. They accused me of using Zane. Of just wanting attention.
They were wrong.
I wanted to write back to each and every one of them, exclaiming my innocence. I wanted to tell them that if I could, I’d take back everything that had happened during the past three weeks. That I would keep a hundred-yard distance from Zane, if that was what it took to undo the damage. I could only imagine what his dad was saying right then. How he was convincing Zane that I’d done this all because I just wanted fame for my future career. The thought made my eyes burn with tears and I abandoned my computer to go sink back into my bed.
“Mija, where are you?” Dad’s voice came from down the hallway.
I gritted my teeth, preparing myself for the disappointment I’d see in his eyes the moment he walked in. “Here, Dad.”
His tie was disheveled and his top buttons of his shirt undone when he strolled into my room. He took one look at me, with my hair sticking up in weird places and my mascara a stained mess on my cheeks, and closed the distance between us to sit on the edge of my bed and pull me into a hug.
I wanted to beg his forgiveness, but instead, I found myself sobbing onto his silk tie. He patted my back for several minutes, until every cry had wrenched itself from my body. And when I was finally done, I looked up at him with guilt swarming in my gut.
“I’m so sorry. For everything.”
He nodded solemnly and ran a hand over my head. “I have to admit, I was a bit surprised when my boss dropped that magazine on my desk. What happened?”
A desperate hiccup escaped my lips. “That awful Janelle girl got them from my phone and sent them in to hurt us. We didn’t mean for anything to happen. We just fell for each other, even though we knew it could never happen between us.”
A muscle along his jaw twitched. Fire burned in his eyes. “She stole them?”
“Yeah, when I was at work.”
“And she made up the interview with the magazine?”
“Every word.” I dabbed at the corners of my eyes. “I never would’ve done that to Zane. To you. I’m going to make it up to you though. I’ll call every law office in the state to find you a new job. A better job. It’s not your fault your daughter is a selfish jerk. You shouldn’t have to be fired.”
He grabbed my wrists and pulled them gently down. “Woah, what are you talking about, chica? I didn’t lose my job.”
Hope sprang alive inside of me for the first time all day. “You didn’t? I thought for sure they’d can you.”
He chuckled and ran a hand over the stubble that had started to come in. “Nah, Mr. Terrance loves me too much to let me go. He’s grooming me to take over when he retires. I’m not sure he’s willing to throw that all away on some gossip rag. Don’t you worry about me, Lexi. I just wanted to be sure you’re okay. What that girl did wasn’t right.”
I buried my face again in his chest, fresh tears springing to my eyes. It was such a relief to know that at least I hadn’t cost my dad his job. Maybe I’d ruined my future in makeup. Maybe I’d cost Zane his career. But at least one thing hadn’t gone wrong. I’d take it, even as misery still threatened to pull me down.
“I’m okay, Dad,” I said, blinking away the tears as I smiled up at him. “Even if I’ve ruined almost everything, at least I didn’t ruin your job.”
“Oh, sweetie.” He swiped his thumb under my eye, drying some of the wetness. “You didn’t ruin everything. You’re only sixteen. You’ve got loads and loads of years ahea
d of you to make even bigger mistakes. Believe me. This one will seem small in comparison.”
Somehow, his horrible attempt to make me feel better forced a laugh out of me. Dad had never been great in the girly moping and sobbing territory. That was Mom’s territory. But since she was out of town, I was thankful for what I had. Throwing my arms around his neck, I squeezed in thanks.
“You’re the best, Dad.”
“No, I’m not.” He squeezed me back. “But I try, and that’s what matters. Remember that. No matter what, always try your best. That way, you’ll never have any regrets.”
I nodded in understanding as the sound of the front doorbell rang through the house. Dad was just about to get up from my bed when we heard it burst open. Footsteps clattered down the hall and a few seconds later, Charlotte and Beth appeared at my door, both wearing concerned expressions.
“Oh, sorry, Mr. B,” Charlotte said when her eyes landed on my dad. Her cheeks reddened. “We were worried about Lexi. Sorry about busting in.”
He chuckled and rose to his feet. “No need to apologize. No one ever needs to say sorry for looking after one of my girls. I’m glad you ladies are here. Lexi could use the distraction. I’ll leave you to it.”
