Love and Lies (22 page)

Mom gasped at my sharp words.

“Why didn't you tell me? Was it punishment for leaving early?”

“
We didn't tell you because you wouldn't have let anyone stay close enough otherwise. We knew how upset you were after the whole Stan incident. Your mother was worried about you being in New Orleans by yourself. We did it for your safety.”

“
Bullshit. You did it because you wanted to keep tabs on me.”

“
Young lady, you will watch your mouth in this house,” Mom chided me.

My cheeks flushed with anger.
“Oh, shut up,” I spouted.

“
Carissa!” Dad barked. “You will not talk to your mother like that. If you can't comply with her request, then you will leave this house now.”

“
I'm not leaving. Not until you tell me the real reason for hiring Eric.”

Dad turned on Eric.
“Young man, part of the contract was that you not tell our daughter you were watching her. You broke that contract. I believe the consequences were the return of all monies paid.”

“
With all due respect, sir, I didn't tell her. And as soon as she found out, I called and broke off the deal. If you remember correctly, you agreed to the cease and desist.”

“
What do you mean you didn't tell her?” He broke Eric's stare and spun to me. “How did you find out?”

“
Does it matter? The point is not how I found out, but that you did it.” I wasn't going to let him change the subject. “Now tell me why you hired Eric.”

“
I told you already, we did it to protect you.”

“
But Igor... wasn't that enough to stop?”

“
Honey, why do you make things harder for yourself when they don't need to be? We both know that didn't happen with Stan—you really should quit calling him Igor. Honestly, all you had to do was tell us you wanted to leave early. There was no need to make all that up about him trying to...” He paused.

“
Rape me, Dad. He tried to rape me. Just say it. I can't believe you think I made that up. What the hell kind of person do you think I am? I'm not a whore.”

Mom was fidgeting.
“Honey, we never thought you were a whore.” She winced at the word. “It's just well, Stan is a gentleman. He'd never do anything like that.”

“
I'm so fucking glad you think so. Heaven forbid you believe your own daughter before some asshole you paid to be my bodyguard. I don't know why the hell I even tried to come and talk to you guys.” I tried to stop the tears, but couldn't. It crushed me that they still didn't believe what happened. They thought I was a whore. What kind of parents did that?

Eric put his arm around my shoulder.

“Oh, don't be so dramatic. Gayle, honey, are we ready for the party tonight?”

She looked at my dad, taking a moment before understanding what he was doing. He was getting her out of the room.
“I'll go check.” With ease, my mom had been dismissed.

Dad turned back to me
, full of fury. He leaned in closer, and with a low, menacing voice, he began. “You know better than to talk to your mother like that. It would be in your best interest to quit telling the lies you've concocted about Stan. He is a friend of the family, and you will not disrespect him like that. Now, you are our daughter, and we will continue to provide for you, but other than that, as far as I'm concerned, you have no need to come back here. When you graduate next year, do as you please. You will have your inheritance when you turn twenty-one. Do you understand?”

I was furious. My dad
had just disowned me. “I understand. I'm out from under your control as of next year. No problems there. Good bye, Ethan.” I stood and reached for Eric's hand. “Come on. I want out of this hell hole.”

Eric stood with me
, and we walked to the door. My dad followed us to make sure we left without a fight. Just as I stepped into the hall, Eric turned to face my father. “Mr. Stein, I've been respectful up to this point. But what you just did and said—that was a line no parent should ever cross. You don't deserve to have a daughter as exceptional and fabulous as Carissa. I pray to God she becomes the best damn artist you've seen. When she does, I’ll be right by her side, laughing at you the whole way. I regret ever taking your money, you lousy piece of shit.”

Dad stood there
, his mouth gaping open.

“
Oh, and Mr. Stein, one last thing.”

I wiped the tears off my cheeks, shocked by Eric's response. That's when I saw Eric raise his fist and slam it into my father's stomach.
“Eric!” I shrieked.

My dad doubled over in pain, coughing. Eric leaned down and
said in a low voice, “That's for Igor.” He then slammed the door on my father and drew me to the elevator.

Once in the elevator, I lost control and started sobbing. Eric pulled me to his chest. He didn't say anything to me, just held me. Right before the elevator doors opened
, he whispered in my ear, “Come on, Angel. A few more steps and we're out of here for good.”

I nodded.

There was a chaise lounge in the lobby. Eric helped me to it and made sure I was okay before getting a cab. Once I sat down, I sucked in a breath and held it while I waited. I didn't want any of my parents' neighbors to see me the way I was. Not that they knew me, but I didn't want to get the sympathy card from some stranger. I rose to go outside, but Eric rushed to my side and walked me out, his arm around my waist and pulling me to him.

In the cab I could sense that Eric wanted to talk, but I was crying too hard to see anything
, I sniffled and took two deep breaths. “Eric, I'm s-so sorry about my dad.” I wiped my hand across my nose. It wasn't attractive, but if Eric didn't like it, he could leave. I didn't care. All I cared about was that the people who were supposed to love me had just written me out of their life.

I stayed wrapped up in his arms
, and he kissed the top of my head. “It's okay. You don't have to say anything. I'm here for you, not for them.”

We made the trip back in silence.

My sobs finally dissipated by the time we reached our hotel. Eric tried to help me inside, but I shied away from him. The only way to get through this was to deal with it on my own. If he was the reason I was able to deal, then how would I face things if he weren't around? Once we got to our room I took my coat off and crashed on the couch.

“
You know, we don't have to go tonight if you don't feel up to it.” Eric was trying. I had to give him that.

“
No, I want to go. I'm not going to let my parents ruin the trip. I just need some time. Do you mind?”

He stared at me for a minute
, his forehead creased. I wasn't sure if he was trying to decide if I'd be okay by myself, or if he even knew I wanted to be by myself. Finally, with a quick nod he left. Just outside the door he stopped and faced me. “I've got my phone. Just call when you are ready to go.”

“
I promise. And Eric, thanks.” I let him close the door and leave me in silence.

CHAPTER THIRTY
-FOUR

I sat by myself for an agonizing five minutes and replayed what
Dad had said over and over until the tears returned. Through blurred vision, I hit speed dial on my phone.

“
Hey, baby girl.”

Alec was chipper as always, but today it was all for me. I knew without having to see Alec. He was just that way.

“Can you come over to my room?”

“
Of course, I'll be there in a few. Is everything okay?”

“
No, but I don't want to talk about it over the phone. Oh, and can you come alone please? Eric is in the lobby—I think—if Sean wants to meet up with him.”

“
Whatever you want. I'm on my way now.”

More time alone waiting for Alec meant more opportunity to wallow in
self-misery. Then again, wasn't that what I was going to do once Alec showed up and I recounted the whole thing to him? I grabbed a bottle of water from the mini bar. If Dad wanted to disown me, I'd make him pay for it. Originally our group had planned to split the cost of the rooms, but now I’d let the asshole pay for both.

When someone knocked on my door
, I checked my watch. It'd been five minutes since I hung up with Alec. I made my way to the door, stood on my toes, and looked out the peephole. Alec stood on the other side, his jaw tight and face pensive. A little chunkier than usual, thanks to the peephole.

I snickered and cracked the door open slowly to make sure no one else came with him. It wasn't that I didn't trust Alec
to come alone. I just didn't trust anyone else not to follow, especially Eric. When he left the room earlier, his shoulders were rigid, his back straight. I knew the tension was too much; he worried about me. Probably unsure how I would handle everything.

Alec shoved his foot between the door and doorjamb.
“It's me, open the door.”

“I'm just making sure. Did you see Eric downstairs?”

“
No, I was in my room when you called. I didn't go downstairs.” Alec looked me over. “Come here.”

I stayed where I was. I was tired of crying
, and I knew if I took the two steps between us to close the gap, the dam would break again. I shook my head. Alec didn't catch my silent plea. He moved toward me, wrapped his arms around my shoulders, and buried his head in my hair.

“
I'm so sorry he hurt you again. Eric isn't...”

Eric? What did Eric have to do with this? I pushed away from Alec.
“Eric didn't do anything. He's been nothing but helpful and caring.”

Alec let out a long sigh.
“I'm glad to hear that. So what's wrong? Who upset you so badly your eyes look like you've been hittin' the pipe?”

I proceeded to tell him everything that happened with my parents. He sat there like the perfect best friend, never interrupting me. When I finished
, he pulled me into another hug. I was proud of myself for not shedding tears once again. I guess there was a point when they all dried up.

“
Okay, so they definitely get the vote for worst parents ever.” Alec hung his head. “How are you handling it?”

“
I dunno. I'm not sure it's all sunk in yet. The one thing I know is that I will not be holding back when it comes to spending. That asshole is going to pay.” I ran my hands through my hair. “Alec, am I really that bad of a daughter?”

“
Oh, baby girl, no, you aren't that bad of a daughter. Don't ever think that. You did nothing to deserve the way your parents have treated you over the years.”

I held my head in my hands. When I
had left New York for Louisiana I thought it would make everything better. I'd leave my parents, and my life would be happy, no more bodyguards, no more feeling lonely in my own house. Alec went with me, which meant I had at least one person that cared about me. Then I met Logan and Eric, and they cared about me too. Yet there I sat, tears rolling down my cheeks. Tears caused by my parents. Because they were supposed to care. Regardless of why I left, they weren't supposed to let go. I had no clue what I was going to do. Sure, I had they said they’d be be there financially until I graduated, but then what? The most I could hope was that Eric and Alec would stick with me. For that, I would forever be grateful.

I rested my head on
my best friend’s shoulder. “Please don't leave me.”

He rubbed my arm.
“I won't. I'm here as long as you need me.”

“
I don't mean tonight, I mean ever. You're all I have left. I think Eric will stick around, but I'm not sure. I need you, Alec.”

“
Baby girl, I'll always be here for you. You've saved my life more times than you know. Whatever you need, whenever you need it, all you have to do is call.”

I laughed. Alec sounded like he'd break out into song at any second.
“Thank you.”

The phone rang
, pulling both of us from our thoughts. I tugged it out of my pocket, and Eric's name was on the Caller ID. “Yeah?” I answered.

“
How are you doing?” he asked.

“
I'm better. I guess we need to get ready to go, huh?”

“
Yeah, but I didn't call for that. I called to check on you, and I wanted to tell you that I love you. I want you to know that.”

I smiled.
“I love you, too. Now, get back up here so we can get dressed.”

Alec turned my face to him.
“You're right, you are better. And you'll be fine. Eric loves you, I love you, and Logan does, too. Although, you may want to watch how much alone time you spend with him.” He laughed, and I smacked him on the arm. “So we're going tonight?”

“
Yeah we're going. I'm not letting them ruin everything. You need to find Sean and hurry up. Eric and I will meet you in the lobby.” I kissed Alec on the cheek then kicked him out of my room.

I came out of the bedroom area just as Eric ended a call.

“Who was that?”

He
grinned and relaxed his shoulders, looking happier than I'd seen him since we'd arrived in New York. “Logan.”

“
Oh?” My eyebrows arched.

“
Yeah, I needed to ask him a question.” His face lit up with amusement. “Did you know he and Mari are dating already?”

“
Yes. It's not really dating, I don't think. She won't be here for good until next year, and Logan will only be around for another year after that.”

I made my way to him. As soon as I sat down, Eric yanked me into his lap. I laughed, startled by his quick action.

“You have no idea how much I love you, Eric.”

“
Oh, I think I do.” He kiss stopped my heart, and I never wanted it to start again if it meant I’d have to leave the man who taught me what it meant to truly love, and to have a family who loved me back.