Chapter 51
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
HEATHER
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee enveloped our cozy corner of Carnegie Coffee Company. I kicked my legs back and forth underneath the table and stared at my computer screen that had gone dark.
Fingerprints smudged the screen, but I hadn t found the energy in the past two years to clean it off. Sierra, Athena, and Sun sat beside me, cracking jokes in a much-appreciated attempt to get me to smile.
I leaned toward Sun and rested my head on her shoulder, frowning. Dad hadn’t texted me all day, but Hector had mentioned that he had spoken with him while they were at work. He didn’t give me any more details than that.
Which meant that the conversation probably hadn t been good.
“I just can’t believe it,” I whispered. “He literally walked in on us.”
Sun rested her head on mine and gently patted my hair. “It’s going to be okay.”
“Yeah, he’ll get over it,” Sierra said. “Don’t worry about it.”
“But—”
Girl, he is dating someone our age. He doesn t have a reason to be angry, Athena said.
“Anywaaaaay,” Sierra said, “stop pouting and drink your hot chocolate.”
After gliding my fingers across my laptop keys, the screen lit up with my recent search.
Potential jobs for someone who doesn’t know what she wants to do with her life.
Sun gazed at my screen, then arched her brow at Athena, who sat across from me. Athena snapped my laptop closed and swiped it off the table, stuffing it into her backpack. I wanted to pout some more, but they didn t let me.
Which, I mean … was what friends were for, right?
“What?” I asked.
“You’re trying to make yourself feel bad,” Sierra said.
“No, I’m not.”
“Yes, you are,” Sun said.
“I’m just trying to find a job, so?—”
You should just be Hector s sugar baby, Athena said, wiggling her brows. If your dad wants to be annoyed at you for being in love with Hector, then you could really milk it. Let Hector shower you with goodies and fuckings.
“Fuckings?” Sun repeated, giggling behind her hand.
“Tons of fuckings,” Athena said.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I admitted.
Sure it is! Sierra exclaimed. Even in the contract you have with him, you re technically his full-time submissive, sooooooo She clapped her hands together and grinned wickedly at me. You deserve it.
I blew out a breath. “You know what I need? To pee.”
And to get the hell away from this table for a couple of moments. They all meant well, but I wanted to run a business too … I think . It felt like such a waste; I would feel like such a disappointment, only being a trophy girlfriend.
Wouldn’t I?
My chest tightened, and I scurried down the hallway toward the restrooms, Hector on my mind. What would I even have to do as a full-time submissive? Clean and cook for him? I didn’t want to be a housewife, and he loved cooking.
Once I made it to the restroom and did my business, I washed my hands and then splashed some cold water on my face. Maybe it wouldn t be so bad. Hector honestly didn t seem like he would mind.
But how could I even bring that up to him?
Once I patted my face dry with a paper towel, I dumped it into the garbage and stepped into the hallway. I headed back toward my table, but stopped before I could turn the corner, the sound of a man’s voice drifting through my ears.
And not just any man. My father.
I tiptoed to the corner and glanced around it to see Dad and Evelyn sitting on a sofa and chatting quietly.
Evelyn’s brows were furrowed, and she gripped Dad’s hand gently. “It’s going to be okay, Jacob. I promise.”
“I should have seen it coming,” Dad said. “I should have protected her.”
Protected her from who? Evelyn asked. Hector? You ve seen how sweet he is with her.
Dad’s shoulders jerked forward, the way mine did when I cried. “I just thought I knew her so well, Evelyn. But she’s been keeping this secret from me. How could I have missed it? Am I such a shitty father that I drove her to this?”
Evelyn squeezed his hand tighter. “You’re not a bad father, but you are hard on her.”
So, is this my fault? he asked, voice cracking.
My chest tightened, and I leaned against the wall, tears in my eyes. I forced myself to turn around and head in the opposite direction because I didn’t know what I would say to him if he saw me. I didn’t know how he would react.
He blamed himself, and part of me blamed him too. I d been seeking approval from him my entire life, and when Hector gave it to me I took it. But at the same time, there was nothing to blame my father for. I d met the man who I loved the most.