Page 9 of Stevie
Brooks: WHICH SHE AIN’T
Me: What kind of breed is it?
Brooks: I think it’s the kind that died eight years ago and her owner couldn’t accept it.
Me: oh my god! Stop it! You are there to protect her body! Protect it!
Brooks: FROM WHO STEVIE? NO ONE is going to come within ten feet of this thing willingly.
Brooks: She is the thing that nightmares are made of.
Brooks: I may need to be protected… if you’re interested
Me: No back-to-backs, and also I started bleeding.
Brooks: I’ve been with you for a while now. The blood doesn’t bother me, Peaches.
Been with? What the…
Me: You have not ‘been with’ me. Don’t make it weird.
Brooks: You like it weird and you know it.
Me: GOODBYE
Turning the alerts to silent, I let out a long sigh before turning to my computer and surfing through the different piercing groups and boards to see what’s happening in the community. It appears to be a relatively calm day online, which is always lovely. It’s upsetting and stressful when the community turns on one another, especially when so many things need to be addressed and made better in the future.
“Speaking of,” I mutter when I see the all too familiar and triggering face in the comments. Vincent, with a girl with pink hair and… a leather collar? She looks so degraded; her eyes are glazed over, andI knownothing she is going through right now is consensual. I feel my bottom lip quiver as I read the title of his post:Breaking in the new girl.
He’s lower than scum. I hate him so fucking much, and it angers me that he’sstillabusing his position to hurt women. This industry is so hard to get into. Knowing the hell you have to endure, I can say without a doubt if I had been aware to begin with, I wouldn’t have done it, even though I’m out on the other side. I’m still not great. Sure, through therapy—both professional and exposure—I’ve gotten to a place where I can be around men and pierce them and engage, but…
My eyes drift to my phone, and I am overcome with a feeling of loss. I can’t explain why loss though. How can you mourn something that you never had?
Looking back at my computer, anger and determination fill me as I open a Word document. I shouldn’t do this. I’ve spent years keeping my past to myself. And now, I’m about to let it out to the world. It’s a bad idea. I know how this industry is, and I know the type of backlash I’m going to receive. But…
Breaking in the new girl.
I shudder, remembering when I was the new girl being broken in. I can’t. I won’t allow anyone else to be harmed by him or the other predators out there hiding under the guise of “mentor.” I’m only one voice, and it may not make any difference, but I refuse to be quiet about this anymore.
I need to organize my thoughts, and then I will start taking my voice back and hopefully save some of these other apprentices in the process.
Brooks
CHAPTER FOUR
“Brooks, thank you so much for caring for my little lady!” The breathy blonde woman hugs me so tightly I’m afraid her fake tits might burst. I look at the demonic dog sitting on a pink tufted chair that I’m sure costs more than my vehicle before giving the woman an uncomfortable smile.
“No worries, Mrs. Whiteford.”
“It’s Ms. You can call me Carrie.” She gives me a wink, and her overly large lashes seem to weigh her eyelid down, making it take some effort to open back up. “You know,”oh god, here we go.Instantly, I reach for my phone and hit the camera icon before hitting the video record. I’ve been through this too many times. I won’t let her make me out to be the one that made a move on her. “Why don’t you stay for a while?” she purrs. My eyes land on Lady again, and I flinch.Fuck, that dog is ugly.It also likes to try to kill itself any chance it gets. Apparently, I was hired to protect Lady from herself. She spent all day yesterday rubbing her two brain cells together to get just enough charge to do something stupid; like try and fall down the stairs, drown in the pool, or get taken by a fucking bird of prey.
Safe to say, it’s been a long twenty-four hours.
“I actually have to get going,” I give her a fake smile as I back towards the door. “It’s my sister’s birthday, and I… still have to pick my girlfriend up. Have a nice day.” I rush out the large door and head down the massive steps across the driveway to my Jeep. Once inside, I let out a loud groan. I set up my business to keep people safe, not watch wealthy ladies’ dogs.
I glance at my phone.No new messages.Well, that’s not true. My mom and sisters are all texting to ensure everyone is ready for my sister’s birthday tonight. My best friend and business partner, Greyson, is texting me memes. But the one person I want a message from, there’s nothing but silence.
Stevie Campbell.
