Page 18 of Shameless

That’s like putting a hungry tiger on a leash and giving the leash to a toddler expecting them to be able to control the predator.

In this scenario, Evan is the tiger, Tiffany the toddler and I’m the prey, just in case anyone was wondering.

Things get worse when Tiffany whines. “But where are we supposed to stay in Star Cove? When I used to spend the summer there, I stayed with Arianna and that’s clearly no longer an option. You know all the decent hotels will be fully booked by now and I’m not staying anywhere that isn’t the Grand Hotel or the Country Club.”

My worst nightmare becomes reality when Howard looks at Dad. “I’m sure your ex-husband can think of something, it’s the least he can do. After all, you’re both responsible for raising your daughter to the embarrassment she is today.”

Cold dread causes my pulse to skyrocket. I want to say something, beg Dad not to let Evan come to Star Cove. But I can’t speak, I can’t move, I can barely breathe.

Even if I could, what good would that do?

No one believed me when I gathered the courage to speak up about what Evan had tried to do to me. To the point that I had to go to Mason and ask for his protection.

When I arrived in Star Cove, it was obvious that Dad believes Tiffany’s story that I was having sex with Evan. That it was consensual. That I was jealous when he had to go back to school and made up the false story about the assault as a cry for attention.

Dad’s biggest concern was that I stay in my lane, not causing any trouble. That meant staying away from Stefan and Jules. Not once did he ask me if I was ok. He never even questioned Tiffany’s story.

I listen, powerless as Dad turns to Arianna.

“Do we have anything at the club?”

Please say no, please say no.

My stepmother’s smile doesn’t reach her green eyes. “I could maybe find one room. I’m not sure I can find accommodation for two people.”

Hopefully that means that Evan won’t be able to come.

“Well that’s not good enough.” Tiffany says, glaring at her ex-best friend. “You can’t expect me to share a room with Evan. But maybe this is for the best. Evan and I could join Howard and if my husband is worried about Lula, we could take her with us on the campaign trail. Like they say, keep your friends close, and your pain in the ass kids closer. I’m sure the good sheriff understands that Lula would be under strict supervision and not a flight risk.”

Howard looks extremely displeased. “That’s absolutely not ideal but if I’m under duress, I’d rather have Lula where I can control her.”

This is even scarier.

If the prospect of having Evan in my same town makes me feel sick to my stomach, following Howard’s campaign would mean even closer quarters.

I’d rather go to jail.

God knows I have nothing to do with what happened at the stables, but I’d rather confess to three murders I didn’t commit than go back East with Tiffany and her new family.

I lift my gaze to find Stefan’s. Maybe we could run away, like we wanted to do three years ago?

But I know it isn’t possible. If I violate the terms of my probation, we’d have the cops looking for us in no time. I’d rather live on the run than live with Evan, but I can’t do that to Stefan. I love him too much to ruin his life.

Whether I like it or not, my fate is in my mother’s and Howard’s hands.

“Maybe we could find Tiffany a great accommodation at the Club,” Jules intervenes. My stepbrother’s blue eyes are pleading with me to let him speak, to trust him.

I guess at this point I have nothing to lose, but after last night, I trust Jules.

Arianna looks at her eldest son. “Where? We’re booked pretty much solidly through to Labor Day. Like I just said, maybe I can spare one room, if that.”

“If you can find one room for Evan,” Jules says, looking at my mother. “Tiffany can have the manager’s quarters. I can move back in the garage apartment until the final stretch of Mr. Johnston’s campaign.”

Tiffany crosses her arms over her fake boobs. “I’m not staying in staff’s quarters, Jules.”

“The manager’s cottage has been refurbished since the last time you saw it, Tiffany. The plan was to rent it to VIP guests as luxury accommodation whenever the penthouse was booked. Mom let me move in earlier this summer when I needed my space.”

Howard nods, finally satisfied. “Perfect. My helicopter is waiting for me on the roof to take me straight to San Francisco’s airport.” He looks at his wife. “If you want to be a senator’s wife, keep your daughter from embarrassing me any further.”

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