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“Get out!” my father roared.

“Fine!” I said. “I’ll get out. And I won’t just get out, but I’ll stay out. This is the most insane thing I’ve ever witnessed. You’re acting like a toddler who can’t have his way. The Benson’s company won’t give you exactly what you want, so you’re throwing an adult-sized tantrum about it!”

“Ava,” Hunter said. “I think that’s enough.”

“Just to let you know, I’m applying for a job at the library. I’ve been thinking about it recently with all the time I’ve been spending there, and a job has opened up. I’m putting in my resume for it and getting a place of my own,” I said.

“With what money?” my father asked. ?

?And what resume!?”

“I’m pretty sure being your daughter counts as work experience,” I said with a hiss.

“A job?” my mother asked. “Why would you want a job?”

“You’re impressed with my business knowledge but you don’t want me applying that knowledge anywhere? Really Mom?” I asked.

“You don’t have to respect me,” my father said. “You don’t have to appreciate anything I’ve given your spoiled little ass for your entire life. But you will not disrespect the woman who brought you into this world. Who ripped her body apart to bring you into it. Apologize to your mother.”

“For what?” I asked. “For calling her out on her hypocrisy? All I want is to no longer live off you guys. To make my way in this world and have my own place. To show you that I’m made of more than you could’ve ever imagined, and yet you are set on stuffing me into this ignorant, whimsical little mold. Why? I deserve at least that.”

“Deserve?” my father asked. “You want to know what you deserve, Ava? A swift kick in the rear! For the past week, you’ve been stomping around here like you’re an adult. Forcing your tongue into discussions that don’t require your input and throwing the life I created for you back into my face. You want to go live on your own? Fine. Because once you realize how hard it is out there for someone like yourself, you’ll find yourself right back on this doorstep. And when you return, you won’t step foot into this house until you apologize.”

I looked around the room before I glanced back at my brothers. Their eyes were worried, but their stances were strong. I knew they would stand behind me every step of the way. They had been ever since I had tiptoed around the idea of leaving in the first place. My eyes darted between the three of them, drawing strength from there love as Lorenzo nodded his head.

“Go for it,” he said with a whisper.

“Fine,” I said. “I’ll go. But I’ll leave you with this. If you do get your way and you do lay that pipeline through the mountains, two things will happen. You’ll destroy this town and your business will never be what you want it to be. Reputation is everything in the business world. And right now? Yours is shit.”

I turned on my heels and walked away before my parents could say anything else. I saw my brothers’ jaws drop in shock as their eyes followed me out of the room. I grabbed my purse and my keys, then made my way for my car. I closed the front door behind me as I sighed, allowing my nerves to subside. It was the first time I had to work through that kind of fear and my body was exhausted. My legs were trembling and my knees felt weak, my body leaning against the door so I could regain my strength.

Then I walked to my car, slid into the driver's seat, and sat.

I dug through my purse until I found the envelope full of money my brothers had given me a couple of days ago. In California, it was enough to get my own place and afford it for three months. But in Kettle, it was enough to get my own place and afford it for almost seven. I could do this. I had to go by the library and apply for that position, but I was already halfway there.

But there was someone I wanted to see first.

Someone who deserved an explanation from the company who was harassing his.

Nineteen

Travis

A knock came at my cabin door just as I was stepping out of the shower. Raking my hands through my hair, I wrapped a towel around my waist and headed for the door. I wasn’t expecting anyone and my parents were still in Florida, so I braced for the worst. I started running all sorts of scenarios through my head, like the fact that Breathline Energies had sent someone to intimidate me face to face. I wiped the water off my face one last time before I opened the door, prepared to intimidate them with my body that was still red from the hot water.

But instead, I found Ava.

Her eyes were scanning my body, taking in the water droplets dripping down my form. I stood there in shock, watching her as she studied me. She was in a pair of tightly-woven jeans and a black top that fell off her shoulders. There were silver earrings dangling from her ears, accentuating her slender neck. It took awhile for her eyes to meet mine. She took her time devouring me. Undressing me in her mind’s eye as a flush crept into her cheeks.

Then, a small giggle fell from her lips.

“What?” I asked.

“Don’t suppose you’re up for dinner?” she asked.

“Dinner?”

“Mhm. I came to invite you out to dinner, but I see you were a bit… preoccupied.”


Tags: Nicole Elliot Romance