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I take a deep breath, sinking into the couch that much more. I know I’m in deep shit the moment Taylor starts being the voice of reason. She’s right, of course. I need to tell Hunter, but is that even a good idea with everything going on?
Those stupid fucking pictures are still circulating. They’re only allowed to show so much on TV, but the internet is a different story. On late-night television, they blur out our nudity. Online, Hunter and I are bare for the whole world to see. It’s disgusting, reading all the things they’re saying about Hunter.
And the comments targeted at me are ten times worse. There’s nothing the anonymous strangers online love more than vilifying women.
AnonymousCommenter: LOL total graverobber…
CaliGirl123: Ugly slut probably after that Tarantula money!
ArmChairExpert: this boi is HUNG
AnonymousCommenter: damn she’s got gorgeous tits, gonna fap off to that tonight
I toss my phone to the other end of the couch and scream into my pillow. People can be really horrible. Instead of doing the proper, moral thing and deleting these pictures, they’ve chosen instead to spread them around like wildfire. I suppose it makes sense. It’s a lot easier to stand by and watch a flaming car wreck than to actually do something to put it out.
Everybody just loves a healthy dose of schadenfreude.
Taylor sits down next to me, taking my hands in her own. “Eden, I know you’re angry at him right now, but this is serious.”
“I know, I know. I just…”
“Just what?”
“I’mscared.” I’m not about to cry because I’m frankly all cried out, but that doesn’t stop my voice from cracking. “This wasn’t part of the plan, but he’s kept so much from me. He used tohurtpeople.”
“Used to,” Taylor points out. “Past tense.”
“And then there’s the whole thing with Annabeth.”
“Babe. She kissed hisforehead. Don’t you think you’re blowing this out of proportion?”
I clench my jaw. “And all the things he said about Dad.”
“Maybe he’s right.”
All I can do is stare at her, aghast. “What did you say?”
“Calm down, Eden. I’m not trying to pick a fight,” she says, her voice serious. “I’m just asking you to take a deep breath and think about things logically. I’m not saying that Hunter was right to speak so harshly, but he kinda has a point.”
“I can’t believe you,” I grumble, pulling my hands from her grasp. “Why are you taking his side?”
“Because you’re biased!” She grabs my hands again. “I know how much you love your father, and maybe that’s the problem. People tend to get defensive about things when it hits too close to home.”
My first reaction is to snap at her. What does she know? If she were in my shoes, she’d probably feel differently. But then reason washes over me, helping me see for the first time in a truly clear perspective. Taylor has a point. I love my father very much.
But just because I love him doesn’t automatically make him a good person.
I cross my arms over my chest. “What fortune cookie did you read that out of?”
Taylor grins. “It was something my whale said, actually. He’s goes to therapy.”
“Isn’t that a red flag?”
“I think it’s more of a red flag if he doesn’t.” She grins. “I prefer my men mentally sound and proactively talking through their feelings, thank you very much.”
I can’t help but smirk. “Don’t tell me he gives you free sessions after your… sessions.”
“He does, actually. He’s very insightful. Hell, I’ve finally figured out why I have such a huge praise kink.”
