Page 123 of Fear of Intimacy

“I’m okay.”

Trevor kissed my nose before stepping to the side.

“You attacked my son!” Mr. Brown yelled, coming at us. He halted when Trevor took a threatening step toward him.

“Yourson,”Trevor spat, “deserves more than he got.”

“I will have you arrested!” Mr. Brown’s face turned an ugly shade of purple.

The idea of Trevor in handcuffs had me stepping forward, finally finding my voice. I glared at Mr. Brown as his son laid on the ground groaning, his mother kneeling next to him.

“Ishould have your son arrested.” The voice that came outof my mouth didn’t belong to me. It came out cold and clear. I sounded like my mother at that moment. It was like seeing Trevor defend me ignited a fire in me. “Yoursonsexually assaulted me a year ago.”

I couldn’t believe I was saying this in front of everyone. In front of my parents.

“He touched me without my consent, and I’d be more than happy to throw his ass in jail.”

Feeling all my anger, hurt, and disgust well inside of me, I sneered at the pathetic people in front of me. My parents just stood there staring at me, like I hadn’t just said I was sexually assaulted. It was like the words didn’t even register in their heads.

“If you even think about going after my boyfriend, I won’t hesitate in making sure your son spends the rest of his life behind bars. I am my parent's daughter, after all.” The only thing my parents ever taught me was to hold my cards close to my chest until I needed to show them. None of them, my parents included, knew just what I’d do to protect Trevor.

Mr. Brown stayed silent, finally learning to shut his mouth, as he continued glaring at me but I felt nothing, the fire inside of me extinguishing with each passing second.

I wanted to go home. Wanted to leave this godforsaken gala. Like he could read my mind, Trevor wrapped his arm around my waist and tugged me close.

Neither of us said another word as we turned to leave, the ballroom silent. I dared a glance over my shoulder at my parents one last time. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting. Maybe some sort of remorse or shame. Something. But I should have known better because all I got in return were blank faces.

That was all it took. I knew with clarity that I was done.

Done trying to be the daughter they wanted. Donebegging for their love and acceptance. Done being their daughter.

Feeling like my heart was being ripped into pieces, I held onto Trevor as we left.

35

TASHA

“Are you okay?” Trevor asked once we were in his car. The moment we stepped out of the hotel we were swarmed with paparazzi, the cameras clicking, people yelling our names and throwing questions at us. Trevor shielded me from most of them and quickly ushered us into the car.

“Honestly, no.” I didn’t have it in me to lie.

I just felt…tired. So much happened that I was having a hard time processing it. My parents, the guy who assaulted me, Trevor protecting my honor. It was all a bit much.

I could feel myself wanting to shut down. To block everything and everyone out, just like I did when Daniel touched me in that club. But the hand on my knee kept me grounded. Just having Trevor close was calming the wave of emotions that threatened to drown me.

“It’s going to be okay.”

I barely noticed that Trevor was driving in the direction of his place instead of mine. In my head, all I could replay was seeing the set of eyes that had haunted me for a good year. Seeing the lack of emotions on my parents’ faces. There had been nothing there when I accused Daniel.

I think that was the worst part. The two people who were supposed to love me no matter what didn’t care that their daughter was assaulted. Didn’t care enough to speak up.

As soon as Trevor parked in front of his house, I felt my shoulders relax a little. His place was exactly where I wanted to be. It took me a minute to get out of the car with my dress. I was in such a daze getting in, I wasn’t even sure how I managed to fit in the front seat with it.

Trevor gently took my hand and led me up to the door, unlocking it with a quick flip, the comforting smell of citrus and woods wrapping around me. I wanted to bottle up that smell and take it with me everywhere.

Catching sight of Trevor’s bags near the door, I remembered he hadn’t even been home since he landed. Felt like a lifetime since I first saw him at the gala.

“You need to unpack. You can’t leave this here.” Reaching down, I grabbed one bag, grunting from the weight of it.

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