Page 127 of That's Too Pucking Bad

Remy’s standing in the doorway, phone in hand, eyes wide with shock. “What the hell is going on?”

My father turns on her, fury in his voice. “You! Get the hell out of here.”

Remy doesn’t flinch. She raises her phone. “I’m recording. You better stop right there.”

My father freezes, fists still clenched. He doesn’t move.

“Dad,” I manage, holding my face, the swelling starting to take over.

But he won’t back down. He never does. “Your mother should start looking for a new job. She’s about to be out of work. That’ll teach you to stay out of things that don’t concern you.”

Remy’s eyes widen. “What the hell are you talking about?”

I look at her, my stomach sinking. It’s time to tell her everything. “When you mentioned your mom struggling, I— I pulled some strings.” My voice cracks. “I made sure she got better pay, better hours.”

Her confusion is clear. “But why would he—?”

“He found out,” I whisper, barely able to hold it together. “And he’s blackmailing me. If I don’t end things with you, he’ll make sure your mom loses her job.”

Her face falls, anger mixing with disbelief. “He’s been using my mom as leverage?”

I nod, the weight of it sinking deep. “Yeah. I’m sorry, Remy. I had to keep her job safe.”

She stares at me, eyes wide. “You should’ve told me. We could’ve figured this out together.”

I take a step forward, but she shakes her head, her eyes hard. “No more secrets, Zane.”

“Shut up, stupid girl,” my father sneers at her.

“Be careful how you talk to me,” she warns, voice firm, “and don’t take another step. I’ll send this to everyone.”

My father’s face turns red, fury boiling. He moves toward her like he’s about to make a move, but I step in front of her, hand out.

“Don’t you fucking dare,” I warn, my voice steady with rage.

He stops, fists clenched, eyes flickering with something— regret? But it vanishes as quickly as it came.

He sneers, turning to leave. “You think this will work?”

“Hell yeah, it will,” Remy says. Her voice doesn’t waver. “If you hurt him again, I’ll make sure everyone knows what kind of man you are.”

For a second, I think he’ll come at her, but he doesn’t. Instead, he turns and storms out, slamming the door behind him.

The silence is suffocating. I stand there, body buzzing with anger and pain, not sure what the hell to feel.

“Zane?”

Remy’s voice is soft, hesitant. She steps toward me, her concern obvious. I can’t look at her. I’m falling apart.

She touches my arm, fingers grazing over the bruise. “Holy shit.”

“I’ll be fine.”

But I’m not. Not even close.

She studies me, like she’s looking for something I won’t say. I want to tell her everything. How fucked up all of this has been, how I’ve been hiding, how I’m losing myself in it all.

Instead, I let her pull me into her arms. I close my eyes, feeling the warmth of her, the softness I didn’t think I’d get from anyone.

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