Page 36 of Dirty Shots

Chapter Twelve

Anya

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Anya ran from Eric’s apartment, clutching her clothes around her, tears streaming down her face.

How stupid she’d been. She didn’t know how she’d thought she’d get away with hiding who she really was from Eric. She’d just wanted to be with him so badly, she’d lied to herself as well, about the chances of him finding out the truth. She might have been able to hide the secret for longer had he not thrown the news of the exhibition at her, but the minute he’d told her about it, and she’d realized it was the same weekend her parents were in town, she’d had no choice but to come clean.

She gave a choked sigh and shook her head. Of course her parents would have found out eventually anyway. Eric Rutherford was famous in the art world. This change of direction would be talked about in every circle, and her parents would be right at the helm of several of them.

What had she thought would happen? That he’d fall in love with her so completely, he’d be too jealous of the idea of other men seeing the photographs that he’d never show them to another person? She’d been stupid and naive. He was Eric Rutherford, a man known to be obsessed with his art. What did she think was so special about her that he would give that up?

Afternoon was fading to evening, and she couldn’t walk back to campus like this.

She glanced behind her, hoping to see Eric coming after her, but the street was empty of anyone but strangers.

He wasn’t coming, and she could only blame herself for that. She’d lied to him and put him in a terrible position. She didn’t deserve to have him chasing after her.

Luckily, she’d managed to grab her purse on the way out, and she had just enough cash to be able to grab a cab. She looked a mess, with her makeup smeared from her tears and her clothes torn. Clutching her shirt together with one hand, she used the other to try to flag down any passing cabs. The first couple of vehicles drove right past, probably thinking she was trouble and wouldn’t have any money, but the third stopped.

“Oh, thank you so much,” she said, pulling open the back door and sliding onto the seat.

The driver looked back at her. “You’re not going to run on me, are you?”

Anya delved into her purse and pulled out some cash. “No, I have money. I can pay in advance, if you need.”

He shook his head. “Nah. Where you headed?”

She told him.

The driver looked her up and down and frowned slightly. “You okay, miss?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“You haven’t been attacked or something?”

She gave a forced laugh. “Oh, no, nothing like that. I had a fight with my boyfriend. I’m fine, honestly.”

“I’ve got a daughter not much younger than you. If she had a boyfriend who left her in the state you’re in right now, I’d be telling her to get rid of him, shortly before I paid him a visit myself.”

“I’m fine, I promise. It isn’t how it looks.”

The man gave a ‘humph,’ but turned back to the front and pulled the car back out into traffic.

It did look bad, her with her torn shirt and tear-stained face. She thought her own father would act in a very similar way once he found out the news.

After a drive across the city, the cab pulled up in the campus parking lot, and Anya paid the driver and climbed out. She needed to get to her room before anyone saw her, but now was the time when people were just starting to go out for the evening, not go home.

Clutching her shirt even more tightly around her chest, and holding her purse against her torso to try to hide the gaps, she put her head down and walked as quickly as she could without breaking into a run, toward her dorm.

“Hey, Anya!”

Her heart dropped, but she didn’t lift her head at the call. She recognized the voice all too well. Of all the people to see her, it would have to be him.

“Hey, don’t ignore me.” Gavin’s voice was closer now. She lifted her head slightly focusing on the building that housed her room. She just needed to get inside and then she could slam the door on him.

“I’m being serious, Anya. Look at the fucking state of you. What are you up to these days? Are you hooking, or something?”

The word shocked her into stillness and she twisted her face to him. “No, I am most certainly not! How dare you!”

“Really?” A smug smile spread across his face. “I think I’m going to ask some questions around campus. I’m sure someone will know something.”

Angry tears filled her eyes. If Gavin started spreading rumors that she was prostituting herself, her reputation would be ruined.

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