Page 19 of Corrupt Idol

“I don’t know what the hell you do at your base!”

He scowled. “I’m not fucking anyone else.”

“Fuck you,” she snapped as she marched into the house and tried to slam the door in his face.

She poked her head in her parent’s bedroom and heard their shower going. She decided to do the same and locked both doors before she stripped and stepped under the spray. She had been in Texas for two days, but it felt like two weeks. Her mind bounced from one thing to the next. She had so much to do. She had to wrap up her life in Utah, spend as much time as possible with Lynne, avoid Jesse’s bullying ass, and get a job. By going to Utah, she could accomplish two of her goals—tie up a loose end and avoid Jesse. Avoiding Jesse was paramount in her mind.

After she dressed, she went to her parent’s room again to find Jesse sitting beside his mom. They were talking in low tones and Lynne’s face was drawn with worry. She backed away to give them privacy and found that someone had brought her sheets in from the line and hung the second load. She made her bed before going into the dining room to find Dad eating at the table.

“Okay?” she asked.

“Yeah.” He ran a hand down his face. “Nice to see your friends come by.”

“They’re Jesse’s friends.”

“And yours.”

She couldn’t refute that, not after what she experienced today. She braced her arms on the back of a chair. “Marissa says she can hook me up with a job at her mom’s shop.”

Dad frowned. “You don’t need to work.”

She averted her gaze. “I do,” she said uncomfortably.

“Violet.”

She held up both hands. “I told you, I got myself in trouble.”

“How much do you need?”

“No, Dad.”

“Tell me.”

“I don’t want you paying my bills.”

“I don’t want you working right now. Lynne needs us here.”

She grimaced.

“Tell me how much.”

She waved a hand. “I don’t need it right now.”

“Then let me know when you have a figure.”

She took the seat beside him and grabbed a fork to dig into the dish in front of him. “Brody’s mom’s casserole?”

“Yep.”

“She’s an angel.”

“Brody’s a good guy.”

She paused in mid munch and raised her brows. “What?”

“Brody.” Dad looked a tad uncomfortable as he speared a broccoli. “He has a good job and took care of his mom after his dad died.”

“Dad,” she said repressively.

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