Page 24 of Ribbons and Role Play

“The humiliation that you’re bringing to this family is unequaled. Do you think you’re one of those people who’s going to find fame and celebrity by leaking a sex tape? Do you think that because we have money, you can do anything you want? I absolutely will not have that in my family. You can watch your email for an official notification from the lawyer that my will has been rewritten and you are no longer in it. And your mother is in full agreement.”

The call goes dead, on par with my soul.

A few seconds pass before my mother’s strained voice adds, “I’m in full agreement with your father. This is unacceptable behavior.”

Did I get what I asked for? I get to figure out who I am with no access to my family’s fortune. I resist opening my bank app to see if he closed my account. I don’t think he’d want me to live on the streets, but I’m not ready to be sure.

My parents continue to drive their point home and I half-heartedly listen.

I’m not ready to face the world so utterly on my own. A million ideas run through my mind of how I can minimize my lifestyle.

I flip to my email to see if any of the companies have responded to my job applications. Not yet. I’ll send more applications today. It’s time to take care of myself.

Sixteen

Wendy

ItextNikkitocatch her up on things and she offers to come over, but I need to get my big girl activities done before I chicken out.

I text back:Thanks. I may take you up on it later

Nikki:Are you sure? I’m grabbing my keys

Me:No, I need to handle this

She sends a GIF of a car fishtailing as it speeds around a corner.

Me:I promise I’ll be in touch later today

I pull up the sibling chat.Can we meet?

I swear the message hasn’t even had time to send when all three guys respond.

Nova asks:Where

Knight:When

Axel:yes

We agree to meet at their office because I need to be somewhere that I can try not to fall apart. I need to be somewhere to remind myself of professionalism and responsibility. And they’re already there, so that makes it easy.

The secretary tells me they’re wrapping up a meeting and directs me to an empty conference room. The interior blinds are closed so no one can see in. I take a seat.

That wiggly, squishy, evasive feeling hasn’t left my chest. Sitting alone, I try to figure it out. It reminds me of snuggling on my grandfather’s lap while he told stories of his childhood. Of hanging out with my best friends in high school. Of getting the boss’s approval of my graphic designs. Of getting accepted onto the roller derby team.

All good feelings. All supportive. All about belonging. The emotions grow stronger and stronger as each realization hits me. Oh crap. I think this might be love. Everything starts clicking into place.

Fine time for the revelation. Or is Fantasy Wendy getting more savvy, and tricking me since I’m a bit desperate?

For now, stick to my mission… I owe my brothers a gigantic apology. At the very least, I need their friendship.

Cindy pops her head in. I’m so self-absorbed, I forgot she’d be here since she works for my brothers. She was in the auction too, also won by her stepbrothers. I guess she hasn’t quit her job to live a fantasy life with them.

“What’s going on? Is everything okay with your brothers?”

“I can’t blame them.” It’s hard to finish my thought.

“What happened?” She looks worried.

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