Page 99 of Daddies' Little Troublemaker

“Stop it,” I say. “Take my phone, Chloe. You can read all the texts there.”

When I try to pass it to her, Mom grips my wrist, hard.

“Don’t you dare,” Mom says.

“That hurts,” I tell her, unable to believe this has gotten so physical, so quickly. My chest feels cold and I’m not sure what to do. Except I know I need to get as far away from this shitshow as possible.

For days I questioned whether a relationship with Lincoln and Caleb could ever work. Two men with one woman? What would people think, what would they say? It simply isn’t done here.

But then I look at Chloe and Troy and the mess they’ve created out of their lives—and my life, for a while. And I sure as fuck don’t want a relationship like that.

No, I’m ready for what Lincoln and Caleb could build with me, assuming that’s why they’re here. I’m going to choose love, whatever form it takes.

My mom still holds my arm, even though I struggle, trying to pull away. “Mom, let go, you’re hurting me.”

The pastor steps forward. “I think we should all calm down and remember that we are family under God’s protection and we love each other?—”

“Go to hell,” Mom says to him.

He steps back again, as if afraid she’ll strike.

I wrench my arm away from my mother, and her nails leave scratches. Blood wells in the cuts. We look down, both of us shocked at what she’s done.

“If you hadn’t pulled away, Evelyn—” she begins.

Not an apology. Not concern for my pain. Just blame thrown on me—as always.

“I’m done,” I say, blinking back tears. “Chloe, I’ll forward screenshots to you, and it’s up to you whether you believe me or not. Troy, whether or not you end up married to my sister, I’m done—I’m blocking you, I refuse to see you ever again. And Mom—” My voice breaks. “All I ever wanted was your love and your approval. I can’t believe it’s taken me twenty-six years to realize I never had either of those things from you and I’ll never get them. I’m done trying.”

I spin on my heel and walk away. I can hear my mother tutting and complaining about what an ungrateful daughter I am, how she gave me everything, she doesn’t know what I’m talking about, and so on.

My arm stings as I march down the aisle, but I ignore it. Park workers are already clearing out the chairs and decorations.

“Are you okay?” one of the female workers asks, her eyes wide with concern.

“I’m going to be fine,” I say, forcing a smile. I wipe the tears from my cheeks and march forward, toward the two hulking silhouettes near the park entrance.

28

SAMMIE STARR

Evelyn

They’re still there, waiting for me. Even if I’d taken several hours, I think they’d still be waiting.

I don’t want to make more of a scene than what I just witnessed, and I don’t think I could run in these high-heeled sandals anyway, so I continue forward at a steady pace. My heart hammers in my chest. The wedding is over, I’m walking away from my mom for forever, and the guys I’m in love with are hurrying toward me with hopeful expressions on their faces.

“Evie,” Lincoln says in a low voice.

Daddy.

I rush forward and fall against Lincoln and Caleb, allowing them both to hold me. Lincoln tugs my forearm away from my body and sees the scratches my mom left on my arm. A murderous expression crosses his face, but I say, “It’s fine now. I dealt with her, and I’m never going to see her again.”

“We have company,” Caleb mutters.

I go rigid in their arms, afraid that it’s my mom. Also, in a sick way, hoping that it’s my mom. That she’ll run to me with sincere apologies and promises of doing better—promises that she’ll keep.

Finally turning around, I see that it’s Chloe. Tears streak down her cheeks, ruining her make-up. Her dress is beautiful and pristine, but her face is a hot mess.

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