Page 95 of Devious Temptation
Thirty-Two
I wantto crumble when Lawson leaves.
It feels like my heart is cramping, an uncomfortable ache that has me gasping for air. Aunt Kendall places a glass of water on the table before smoothing circles up and down my back as she tells me to breathe.
Mom and Dad whisper to each other angrily, which just adds to my stress. I can’t bear the thought of them being so disappointed in me, but what they might do to protect their little girl terrifies me more.
The divide was so apparent in Lawson’s eyes, and right now, I’m too blinded by hurt and humiliation to care much about what happens to Rhys. I’m so fucking angry with him. How could he do this?Whywould he do this?
Surely, he had to have known how serious it would be—had to have known that his dad would most likely lose his job and all for what? A bigfuck youto me? Rhys deserves punishment. I wasn’t prepared for Lawson to fight me on that.
I saw the panic in his eyes when charges were mentioned. And while he was just as uncovered in the video as I was, everyone knows men aren’t on the receiving end of the backlash for shit like this.
I feel dirty.
Exposed.
Vulnerable.
How will I ever face my friends? My phone is already blowing up with messages from Anna, Mike, and Justin. And headquarters has, of course, left a voicemail. I had to put the device on silent and leave it in my room because the anxiety was too much.
“It’s a chance you take when you do something so stupid!” Mom is spitting her frustration at Dad, who nods in agreement while he looks like he wants to tear something apart with his bare hands.
My parents aren’t violent people. They are caring and kind—look at how many chances they’ve given Liam. But the one time I fuck up—even if it’s a fuck up of epic proportions—it’s like I single-handedly destroyed our family.
What could happen if the video is posted somewhere else? What if this blows back on my mother’s business? She works with children. This could be bad for her as well if it gets out.
“Just to be clear, we are very,veryangry right now, Lucy, but that does not invalidate what has happened to you. This is a personal attack, and Rhys must be held accountable for his crime.” Mom blows out a breath as she looks up at the ceiling. “But ultimately, it is your call.”
This has to be killing her. Finding out that her child hasbeen lying to her all this time, creatingsex tapeswith an older man—a man she trusted.
“I think everyone should call it a night for now,” Aunt Kendall chimes in. I’m so thankful she didn’t out Lawson and me to my parents on the Fourth, and I'm grateful for the little wink she sends my way now. “Tensions are high, and I think what everyone needs is some good sleep. We can reconvene in the morning.” She sayswebecause my pseudo aunts and uncles are as much a part of the family as the ones with the last name Bradee.
Plus, crisis control is her job—literally.
Mom pulls me into a hug, squeezing me so tight it draws another wave of salty tears from my eyes, and Dad awkwardly pats me on the back. This must be so uncomfortable for him. No one says a thing as I climb the stairs to my room, and it’s only when I close my door that I hear my parents and aunts start talking about how upset they are and wondering how Lawson could do such a thing.
Multiple calls and texts litter my home screen, with new ones popping up every few seconds. To my surprise, when I swipe my finger across the screen and read through them, the majority of my coworkers are worried about me instead of throwing slurs and jabs about sleeping with our boss like I expected.
Anna
I’m sure no one watched it very long once they realized what it was. Justin is in a group text with a bunch of the guys, and they all called HR right away. Are you okay? Please call me.
Justin
Hey. I’m sure you don’t want to talk, but just know we have your back. Whoever did this will get what’s coming to them.
Mike
So, you didn’t want to date me because I was too young. That’s it, right?
I’m sorry, that was a shit thing to say. I was trying to be funny. I’m… awkward when I’m nervous.
What I was trying to say is that it’s okay if you guys are together. No one cares. But whoever leaked the video is a sick individual and deserves whatever they get.
There’s even one from Molly.
Molly
