Page 102 of Taeja

Exhaling a long breath, Taeja looked at her nails. “My dad’s always been old school, but things got really bad when my mom left. He started telling me about who I could hang with, which places I could go, and the things I could do.

“When I met Liyah in high school and saw how much freedom she had compared to me, it changed me a bit. Not in a bad way. I just wanted to live more of my life for myself. I wanted to work. I wanted to leave the computer science club because even though I loved it, I was starting to hate it because Jerry was the one who convinced me to join when he realized I had an interest in tech.

“I just… wanted freedom. From him. And things were only getting worse the older I got, especially with Teddy always in his ear.” She sighed. “I guess he figured out that I was planning to go to college and never come back, so he hid all my important documents from me. Not that I had them in the first place because I was still a kid, but at least I used to know where he kept them.

“I turned the house upside down, but I didn’t find them. And that’s why I got stuck here for so long. With a joint bank account. Him having access to my phone records. A doctor he used to slip extra money to know if my hymen broke—”

“That fucking—” Zain hissed, jumping to his feet. His fists clenched at his sides as his eyes flared. “I’m going to kill him.”

Her first instinct was to rush over and get him to calm down. But she was too weak to. Talking about all she’d been through was draining. It wasn’t as liberating as she imagined. “Please sit down, Zain,” she whispered.

“Zain,” Damon said calmly. “Taeja needs you to listen. You’ll do what you need to do after.”

Zain stared them down. Taeja swallowed hard as his fists tightened with the passing second. A nerve-wracking minute passed before he sighed and sat down.

Shoulders slackening, Taeja looked at her nails. “And despite all that he did, I still love him. You guys probably think I’m stupid for that, but I miss the more easy-going dad I had before my mom left… The dad who used to sneak me ice-cream when Cassedi didn’t want me to eat too much sweets, and would get me all the new realistic dolls as soon as they were released.” She smiled at the memory. As it faded, she sighed. “Anyway, last summer it hit me that I was wasting my life waiting for my dad to give me freedom. I saw my schoolmates partying, drinking,and hanging up on their parents’ calls, just doing whatever the hell they wanted without a care in the world, and I loved that.

“So, I started having a bit of fun, too. Like staying out late and telling off my grandmother because of how much it angers him. Every time I did it, I always got scared he’d get stricter, but Liyah always reminded me that I should live my life for me.

“I tell her all the time that she’s my biggest motivator. Her parents aren’t rich like my dad, so she learned from a young age that whatever you want, you have to go out and get it. I always wanted to be like Liyah, so I did what I could with what little I had. I always wanted to work, but I can’t get a job with just my driver’s license. And college kids talk a lot. So, I always heard them talking about jobs you can do under the table, and that’s… what made me start selling myself.

“Being an escort was quick and easy money, but I wasn’t only in it for that. Older men make me feel pretty. Loved. Appreciated. Speaking about it now, I’m ashamed to admit it, but… I loved the attention I got from them.

“Even though I was an escort, I never slept with— Well, there were two of them. And one was my dad’s boss. Jerry found out about it, and it makes him look at me even more differently now. I know I should be happy that I’m finally getting his attention, but this isn’t how I wanted—” Taeja paused as a napkin came into her view. She knew she was crying. Hot tears streamed down her cheeks, but she had no energy to wipe them, so she pushed the napkin away.

Damon sighed, moving from the desk to sit on the chair beside her. He lifted her chin, gently wiping her tears away. He gave her a small smile as he released her chin. “Continue.”

Taeja licked her lips, returning her focus to her nails as she fumbled with her fingers. “The night you guys met me at the club was just another night I was trying to get out of the house. It’s nice being home for summer break, but there’s only so much I can take. I know you probably think I’m a bad person, and I’m sorry for not tel—”

“Taeja,” came Zain’s voice. Taeja looked at him, her insides melting when she saw the look he gave her.

Understanding.

“Zain’s right,” Damon said, always understanding his brother, even when Zain didn’t say much. “You don’t need to apologize for your past. You were doing what you thought was best for you. But I do have a question, though.”

She wiped the back of her hand below her eyes. “I’m listening.”

“Are you with us for his attention or do you actually want us?” Damon asked, and her mouth fell. “Because we want you. We’ve never wanted anyone this much before. But if you’re doing this out of spite, this isn’t going to work.We’renot going to work.”

Damon’s words shook her to her core. Slamming into her like a truck and knocking the wind out of her lungs.

“No!” Taeja rushed out, shaking her head back and forth. “I’m not using you. Either of you—” She looked between them, seeing Zain’s impassive face and Damon’s perplexed expression. “I want you both. I told you that a few weeks ago. I know I’m not the best at decision-making lately, but I’m sure about this. I’m sure aboutus.”

Damon smiled, then patted his thigh. “Come here.”

Taeja didn’t hesitate to move onto his lap. His hands rested on her waist as she laid her head on his chest and looked at Zain.

Damon’s hands moved from her waist and rested on her back, his fingers trailing obscure patterns on her. “You’re with us now. You don’t have to worry about your father or anyone else. We want you to focus on you.”

She sighed and wrapped her arms around his body, holding him tighter. “Thanks for being understanding, Damon.”

He placed a lingering kiss on her forehead, making her eyes flutter closed. “I wouldn’t be a good boyfriend if I weren’t understanding, would I?”

When she opened her eyes, they met Zain’s. “I want to hear what you have to say.”

“Damon already said anything I could’ve said,” Zain answered.

“Does it change how either of you see me?” she asked while leaning up so she could see Damon’s face, too. “I might act like it, but I promise I’m not a whore. I’ve only been with—”

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