Page 7 of Toxic Obsession

“Don’t you dare speak to me, you ungrateful little bitch.” Her hatred for me clouded the space like a thick, heavy fog.

“Yup, that’s me. Paying the bills, taking care of your other kid, running the errands, cooking … I’m pretty sure most of that’s supposed to be your job, not mine.” I smirked. I was ready for a final fight with her before I left for college. Taking a deep breath, I throttled my anger and disgust with her down to a dull roar. If I wasn’t careful, she would take it out on Janine, and I wouldn’t be around to run interference.

“Get out!” Mom raised a skinny arm and pointed to the door.

I raised my hands in surrender. “I am.” I’d had enough of her anyway. My tolerance for a deadbeat parent was zero, and lucky me, I had two of them. It was time that I carved out a future for myself and my sister. The only reason I’d stuck around this long was because of Janine.

Hurrying out of Mom’s room and into the hall, I slammed the door closed behind me. Mom’s shrill screams hurt my ears, but not nearly as much as it hurt my soul when she’d dismissed my pleas for help.

An ache that had become too familiar spread through my body, a physical reminder of all that had been lost. My head bowed, allowing my hair to cloak my face and hide the tears pricking my eyes. “Goodbye, Mom,” I whispered.

“She sounds pissed,” Janine said, climbing the stairs.

“Yeah, I might have had something to do with it.” The corner of my mouth kicked up in an ornery grin. “Wanna help me pack? Mrs. Ogden will be here at six in the morning, so I need to be ready to load the car when she pulls up.”

“I’m glad she’s driving you. I feel better that you’re with someone you know instead of a stranger driving an Uber.” Janine walked into my room and opened my closet.

“Me too.” I followed her in, then went to my bookshelf to grab my most important books. I didn’t have a lot to move, so packing wouldn’t take too long.

“You’ll have to let me know how Oregon is. I’m guessing not much different than here except for the scenery, and I don’t mean the trees and buildings.”

I made my way to my sister, then slid my arm around her shoulder and grinned. “I think a lot of things will be different. I’m not too concerned about any guys, though.”Except to get laid. Turn ‘em and burn ‘em.I flipped on the light in my bedroom before I released a heavy sigh. Glancing at my sister, I said, “You can’t save her, Janine. Don’t try. It’s not your responsibility to save your parent. It was our parents’ job to save …” I couldn’t finish my sentence and instead leaned my head against hers. “It’s easier if you don’t rely on anyone except yourself. That way the only person you have to blame when life goes to shit is you. Don’t forget that.”

Chapter3

Quinn

“What do you think?” I asked Anderson and Kane, my best friends and fellow teammates on the Whitmore football team.

“It’s amazing what a new coat of paint will do,” Anderson said, looking around the newly painted office I was taking over. After some negotiating, Kane had agreed that the Black Widow Society, a secret sex club, could keep the same location as last year. Since he owned the house, we were all aware it was his decision. Once we had all settled on some ground rules, repainting the office was really the only change needed to the building. The playrooms were already set up, the locks on all the doors were thumbprint entry, and all the toys, whips, and equipment we wanted to fulfill any fantasy were at our fingertips.

“Just remember that you guys are responsible for paying any damages.” Kane shoved one hand through his light brown hair, his brown-eyed gaze serious.

I tipped my chin up. “We’ve got you, bro. Don’t sweat it,” I said, reassuring him that his gift was appreciated.

“I know you didn’t have to keep this place for the society, but man, that was cool as shit. You could have sold it or rented it out.” Anderson grinned at Kane.

“What he said.” I slapped Kane on the back as I looked at our hard work.

Not only had the guys and I painted the office, but we also bought better furniture for our meetings. Sneaking around and discussing details in an empty classroom at college would eventually land us in hot water. We had flirted with disaster for way too long and at some point, Lady Luck would slap us on the ass and say good riddance. Someone was bound to overhear us talking about sex kinks and the girls we had taken in the middle of the night to fuck senseless. Kane and I were gunning to get drafted and play pro, and we couldn’t afford any scandals. I’d lived through enough bullshit already.

“You’re welcome. I figure it’s better to hold onto the house as a financial investment for the time being. Might as well have some fun with it.” He cracked a grin, the tension melting off him. “Brie and I want to use the playrooms too, so it works out.”

“Damn, you got lucky with her. She’s fucking hot and super sweet too,” Anderson said.

My brow quirked, waiting to see if Anderson had just entered dangerous territory. The last time a society brother stepped out of line concerning Brie it hadn’t ended well.

“She is. And she’s all mine.” The corner of Kane’s mouth curled up.

It appeared like it was an opportune time to change topics. “Well, I gotta get the hell out of here,” I said to the guys. “Thanks for your help. Anderson, I’ll meet you later to review the new applicants.”

“Eight o’clock?” he asked.

“Sounds good.” I looked at Kane. “I’ll catch ya later. Thanks again.”

We bumped fists before we left, and I locked up behind us. The gravel crunched beneath my Nikes as I walked to my silver Mercedes AMG GT coupe.

Adam was always trying to buy my loyalty, which would never work, but I got a great set of wheels from his latest lame-ass attempt. I climbed in and started the engine, then waved to Anderson and Kane as they hopped into their vehicles as well. Removing my phone from my back jeans pocket, I pulled up Spotify and tapped my favorite playlist. “Kings Never Die” by Eminem and Gwen Stefani thumped through my speakers. I bobbed my head to the beat as I shifted into drive and left the society’s house in my rearview mirror.

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