Page 9 of Say You're Mine

The car had barely pulled away and Eros was texting me. I texted him all the way home. Until I came face to face with my father.

He was back. Lovely. He’d gotten Mom to lie so that I would come home after she’d told him I hadn’t the night before. I got the third degree. I could smell the whiskey on his breath, and it was only early afternoon.

I spent the rest of my day in my room texting with Eros. The texts were fun and flirty, but they started to really freak me out. In a moment of panic, I blocked him.

I stretch, getting out of bed to get ready. I was told the office was casual, but I’m not too sure what that means. I go with a pair of black jeans I can wear my boots with and a plain black shirt that has rips in the bottom of it that I’d done myself. Then I get to work on my hair and makeup. I may not have the fanciest clothes, but I can make anything look good with hair and makeup.

Throughout the entire process, my thoughts constantly wander to Eros. How can I miss him so much? I hate thinking of him texting someone else. It’s stupid because we aren’t anything, but he’d been so easy to talk to.

I give myself one last glance. Doubt creeps in, and I freaking hate it. That people are going to judge me and turn their noses up. I should give a flying fuck, but I don't. I’m going to be working there. This might be a launching point to bigger things. It might not be a dream job, but if I can make good money, then I can do other things on the side.

“Fuck it.” I grab my bag off my bed before heading out. When you leave this early, you don’t have to worry about running into anyone. I go to snag a s'mores Pop-Tart out of the cupboard, but when I grab the box, it’s empty. I toss it into the trash.

“Where are you going?” I let out a small scream and spin around to see my father standing there in nothing but a pair of boxers.

“To work.”

“Be home at a decent hour.”

“I’m an adult,” I remind him. He is a total control freak. What happens in my life doesn't affect him, but that’s not the point, I have learned.

“My house. My rules.” I knew that was going to be his comeback.

“I pay rent too.” It’s pointless to say because I have said it a million times before. Hopefully I won’t have to live here much longer.

“Your name on the lease?”

“Whatever.” I want to say so much more, but I know he’s not worth it. I go to walk past him. His hand comes out, grabbing me by the arm. “What the fuck?” I shout. His fingers are digging into me. He hasn’t laid hands on me since I was a kid and got ass beatings. The scent of whiskey still lingers on him. His eyes are bloodshot.

“Be home at a decent time or I’ll throw your shit out.”

“Tom.” My mom's hand comes down on his shoulder. “She needs to get to work.” Mom gives me a smile. I don't return it. She didn't really save me. This is her mess, after all.

“You heard me,” my father says before he lets his hold on me go. The second he does, I’m out the door. I bypass the elevator and take the stairs down and out of my building. Our neighborhood isn’t terrible, but it’s not the best either.

“Lev Valentina?” a man leaning up against a black SUV asks, pushing off it.

“Maybe. Depends on who’s asking.” I hold my bag tightly. My arm is beginning to throb. I can’t believe my father did that. I push the thought away because I’m already on the verge of tears, and I don’t cry. Ever.

“You start work for Mr. Cupid today. I was sent to retrieve you.”

“Really?”

“That’s why I’m here.” He’s in an all-black suit. I’d think of him as more of a security guard than a driver.

“All right,” I agree. Gabriella's husband is putting in a lot of effort. She married him, so he’s out of the doghouse. I’m not going to turn down the ride, though, if it’s here already.

The man opens the back door for me, waiting for me to climb in before closing it. The inside is fancy.

“The coffee in the cup holder is for you,” the driver says as he pulls out into traffic. Like I said, this is super fancy. I reach down and grab the cup. “The bag too.” At this rate, I'm going to have to send a thank you card. “Is there anything else you might need before we head to the office?”

“Oh, no. Thank you,” I get out my egg and cheese sandwich. This day might take a turn for the better. I finish my sandwich, realizing I haven’t eaten since breakfast yesterday. Then I sip on my coffee. I fight a moan because it is how I would make it. It's the ideal ratio of sugar to cream.

The driver pulls up outside of a building. It is white, entirely made of glass, and spans approximately five stories. It has an edgy feel to it. I’ve seen it before and have always wondered what it was. There's no signage outside, but based on the windows, I assume the first two stories are offices. This is a less busy part of town sitting near the river. I bet from inside you can see it.

“I didn’t catch your name,” I say, slipping out of the SUV when the driver opens the door for me.

“Royce.”

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