Page 20 of Hold On Me

A tear slides down my cheek and I brush it away quickly. “While I absorbed that shock, he offered to make it all go away. All I had to do was the same things my mom was good at. With him.

“I left after that. I knew I could never work with him again. And I knew if I tried to get a job anywhere else it would be a disaster. He never shied away from reminding everyone at the school how well-connected he is. Or how vindictive he could be.”

She squeezes my hand again, but I still look down at the table instead of looking into her eyes. The little voice of doubt in the back of mind is loud, making me question things I know are true—like her loyalty.

“Pen, why didn’t you say something sooner? We could’ve all helped somehow.” Her voice is gentle but I hear and feel the restraint in it. She’s clearly holding back her anger.

“I didn’t want the boys doing anything to jeopardise their careers or lives, and I thought it better to handle it myself. I don’t want anyone else hearing about it. My dad doesn’t deserve to hear shit about his daughter.”

“If I hear anyone say a bad thing about you, I’ll shove a very large dildo up their arse without lube.”

My eyes shoot open and stare at her with my mouth hanging open.

“And if they insist on spreading their lies and innuendo, I’ll dip it in hot sauce and shove it right back up there again.”

I choke on my own saliva as I turn my head to find Mrs. Nelson standing next to us, holding two plates of food.

“You are a fucking legend, lady,” Angie splutters out through her laughter as I try to comprehend what the hell just happened.

“Now, Angie. You know Mama’s rules.” She places the plates in front of us and proceeds to slap Angie on the back of her head.

“She’s not even here and I’m getting slapped.” She rubs the spot as Mrs. Nelson laughs and heads back inside. “Thank youfor telling me, Pen. I’ll keep your secret safebutI want you to promise me if anything else happens you’ll tell me. I don’t want you going through all this shit on your own.”

“Actually, Ben wants me to tell him what happened as well. I told him I would if he signed an NDA.” I grimace a little at the smirk on her face.

“I’m glad I’m trusted enough to not have to sign a legal document. When are you telling him?” She leans back in her chair and lets go of my hand as I shrug my shoulders.

“When he signs the contract. I’ve got no reason to trust him yet and that gives me security that he won’t blab. You being an honorary Brady gives me the same security.”

She narrows her eyes at me and purses her lips. “I should’ve had that without being an honorary Brady. But if the Brady code is so important, can’t you tell the boys and have them swear on it too?”

“Nope.” I shake my head for emphasis as she rolls her eyes and motions with her hand for me to continue. “Fine, there’s a clause in the code. One I wasn’t going to tell you about because it revokes the trust but I guess I’ll have to now.” She smirks gleefully as I poke my tongue out. “The boys can overrule the secrecy aspect if the majority rules. So if Jenson and Jameson want to, they can tell anyone they want, or seek as much revenge as they want, without having to worry about others finding out. They’ve done it to me a few times, it’s why I won’t rely on the Brady code with them only. I can’t let them do anything that would jeopardise themselves. Jenson’s just got his career back and Jameson is looking to adopt a baby. I won’t be the reason they lose that. And my dad doesn’t deserve all this. He’s been through enough.” I force my shoulders back and stare her directly in the eye. “You will keep this a secret.” She holds her hands up in surrender and rolls her eyes.

“Of course I fucking will.” She’s louder than she was supposed to be and as the curse leaves her mouth Mrs. Nelson’s head whips up from across the way, she abandons the cleaning cloth she was wiping the table down with and stalks behind Angie silently. I roll my lips to fight the smirk threatening to spoil this. As Mrs. Nelson’s hand collides with the back of Angie’s head. I let the laughter barrel out of my mouth as Angie cradles her head and Mrs. Nelson strolls back to her table again. “You couldn’t have warned me? I swear Mama has eyes and ears everywhere.”

“That’s kind of my point. Now imagine trying to date or do other things in secret. It’s impossible.” I take a huge bite of my sandwich and chew aggressively, trying to shake my frustrations away. I don’t even know why I’m so frustrated. So we flirted a little, that doesn’t mean anything is going to come of it.

“I know what you’re thinking in that big beautiful brain of yours. And you need to stop.” Angie’s voice cuts through my thoughts and I frown, trying to swallow the food in my mouth so I can argue back. “Penny, you haven’t dated anyone since I got here. You’ve definitely not got down and dirty with anyone.”

She shoots a raised brow at me as I open my mouth to argue but shut it promptly when I realise I can’t. It’s been so long, I’ve probably grown my virginity back.

“Exactly. Just promise me you won’t shut the idea of you and him down completely. Go in there with an open mind, a smile on your face, and a killer outfit on that rockin’ body, and see where it goes. Not sure why he ever did, but he’s done ignoring you now. In fact, it seems like he’s paying very close attention to you, babe.”

She winks as she takes a forkful of salad into her mouth. Maybe she’s right. I’m overthinking things again and I just need to see how it goes. And it wouldn’t hurt if I was wearing a killer outfit while doing it either.

12

BEN

It’s eight thirty in the morning and I’m already on my last nerve. I’m tired, hungry, and beyond the point of caring about anything right now. I need caffeine.

When Hank was here, he’d have a cup of tea waiting for me. But this morning I have no Hank, no patience, and no fucking caffeine either.

Storming over to my drinks station, I snatch open the jar to grab a teabag and find it empty. “Fucks sake.” Obviously he was the one who kept me stocked up as well.

Slamming it back down harder than it deserved, I head outside into the communal office space. “Where the fuck is Penelope?” I growl to anyone who’s here and willing to listen.

“Um, I think she went into the break room.” A nervous voice comes from my left and I spin on my heels to glare at them. The young man lets out a small eep sound and I turn and head away from him, silently cursing Hank in my head as I stride through the office. He was supposed to be here to show Penelope the ropes, help ease her into her role. But apparently something came up.

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