Page 97 of Hold On Me

“Ew, she hit on Director Allen? Isn’t he old enough to be her dad? Wasn’t her mom like this too?”

I hold my breath to hear the answer, but I already know what it’ll be.

“Yeah, my dad said she was a slut. Would screw anyone for a drink.”

“Takes after her mom then.”

The voices start to fade, footsteps click-clacking against the tiled floor, and then silence.

I quickly open the stall door, and with my head dipped low, I exit the bathroom and turn left, away from the throng of happy people, trying to make myself as invisible as I can. I knew thiswas a bad idea. No matter what I do, people will always think I’m like her.

Weaving through the halls, I find myself alone and finally stop and let the tears flow. I should be stronger than this. Shouldn’t let the words of faceless mean girls upset me. But they do, and I can’t help it. My mom really did a number on me, and no matter how much I think I’ve put her in a little box, she always comes out again. I should never have come here. Shouldn’t have started anything with Ben, and should’ve just stayed in my lane. I know better than to expect more.

“Well, well, well.”

A voice from the shadows interrupts my pity party and my head snaps around to see who it is. Mr. Brooks. I swipe at my eyes, square my shoulders, and face him.

He swigs the whiskey in his glass and sucks air in through his teeth. “What do we have here? A little slut in a pretty dress. You wouldn’t fuck me, but you’d fuck him? More ambitious than I gave you credit for.”

“I have nothing to say to you.” I attempt to stride past him, my head held high, but he grabs my arm and holds tightly. My teeth are clamped together as I spit the words, “Let go of me,” through them.

Instead of relinquishing his hold, he digs his fingers in tighter. “Now why would I do that when you look so pretty?” He steps closer to me, the smell of sweat and liquor oozing off him, and I hold my breath to avoid it.

“Where’s your wife? Shouldn’t you be with her?” I know I shouldn’t be engaging in conversation with him, but I also don’t want to make a huge scene by kicking his ass. We may be fairly secluded here, but the music and voices from the party are still within hearing distance, and I don’t want to embarrass Ben. He hates being in the news, and me kicking someone’s ass on NewYear’s Eve will definitely make the papers. There are so many members of the press here it’s ridiculous.

“My wife isn’t here. Turns out getting you fired wasn’t enough and she’s speaking to lawyers about a divorce. Your big mouth cost me more than I’d have liked. Maybe I should put something in it to shut you up.”

He brings the hand holding his drink up to my face and trails a finger along my cheek. Pushing his chest with the one hand I have free does nothing but annoy him. He drops the glass, the liquid splashing up my leg as shards of the broken glass embed themselves in as well. I suck in a breath as his hand wraps around my throat and he pushes me against the wall.

I claw at his face, my nails leaving a bloodied trail of lines on his cheek.

“You fucking little bitch. I’ll fuck you up against this wall for everyone to see. You’d fucking like that, wouldn’t you? Dirty slut you are. Just like your fucking mom.” He spits the words out, saliva coating my face as I grimace against him.

His words make me numb. I feel no anger, no fear, just acceptance. That little voice in my head I’ve been managing to keep in its box lately is getting louder. Convincing me he’s speaking the truth. Penetrating the rational side of my brain and feeding every insecurity that tells me I’m just like her.

It’s not about protecting my reputation anymore, I have to let that go and allow my survival instinct to kick in. I know I can get out of this hold easily. I can knee him in the balls so hard he’ll be singing soprano for the rest of his life, but I’m holding back. I don’t want this to become a scene. I don’t want my inadequacy to reflect poorly on the man who brought me here tonight.

Keeping my voice controlled, calm and collected, I attempt to reason with him. “Just let me go and we’ll forget all about this. I’ll keep my mouth shut and won’t say anything. Just let me go, don’t cause a scene.”

And for a split second, it looks like it may have worked. But then his mouth twists in disgust and he spits in my face. “Do you really think I’d let a dirty little slut tell me what to do? You’re gonna get on your fucking knees and suck my dick or I’ll fucking hurt you.”

He puts pressure on my throat, squeezing tightly and forcing me down toward the floor. The panic starts to rise now. I can’t take a deep breath, only shallow pants can get through my restricted airways. My fist clenches at my side. He’s still holding my arm like a vice, but he’s forgotten I’ve got another hand. A swift punch to the side of the head will daze him enough to let go of me, and then I can beat his motherfucking ass. Crowd be damned.

My knees giving way to the pressure he’s putting on me, I lean to my left a little, gaining momentum for my hit, but it never happens. Before I can hit him, he’s thrown away from me and I’m pinned to the wall by concerned, frantic brown eyes.

Shit. So much for not causing a scene.

49

BEN

She’s been in the ladies’ for a while now. Angie’s pacing outside the bathrooms, talking on her phone, and my frustration at being away from my Little One for too long is building.

“I’m sorry, Jack, I just need to check on my date.” I excuse myself from the ridiculously boring conversation I was having with one of our table mates and stride off to find Penelope. Maybe she left. Didn’t like the way I was pawing all over her all night long. No, she wouldn’t have just left. She’s probably just gone for some air. It’s stuffy in here.

Mind made up, I head down the hallway from the bathrooms to try to find her. Turning the corner, I stumble slightly from the sight I’m met with. Penelope, pinned against a wall, a hand around her throat, and a man leaning dangerously into her face.

“Get your fucking hands off her.” My voice booms loudly in the almost empty hallway and the man jumps away from her.

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