Page 88 of Yours, Unexpectedly

His mouth tightens with emotion and he nods once before leaving me alone to wait for Bex’s arrival.

Not even Erik’s surprise appearance can derail my excitement tonight.

It was a risk coming to a party at Hawthorne, but it’s my eighteenth birthday, and I wanted to get a taste of what my life will be like next year.

Having a Halloween birthday means we had lots of options for off-campus celebrations, and I know we picked the wrong one when Gabe sees me. He’s with Anders, because of course he is, and Gabe’s frown is the exact opposite of Anders’ smirk. I continue to dance with the random guy behind me, choosing to ignore my brother entirely.

That was the wrong decision.

Overall, I had an amazing day with Claudette and the SchoolsFirst team. I want to talk to Anders more about the fact that his family donates to them and if that’s something I should be concerned about, but I know that needs to wait until tomorrow.

I made it to the theater with about thirty minutes to spare until showtime. I look hot, if I do say so myself. I took extra time to tame my curls—well, as much as possible—and put on one of my favorite little black dresses, trying to look the part of the successful Broadway star’s girlfriend. I’m so excited to see Anders and give him the gift I picked out.

Halfway down the back alleyway I begin to hear what sounds like a very heated conversation. I hear an angered whisper before Professor Callahan storms past me, barely glancing my direction, irritation evident in his quick retreat, revealing none other than Erik Olsson standing at the backstage door. A smarmy smile immediately replaces his angered expression.

“Ah, Miss Bardot. Here to see my son, I presume?”

Unease washes over me.

Why is he here? Does Anders know?

I take a few cautious steps toward him, trying to figure out the easiest way to gain access to the door behind him. “Yes… the real question is, why are you here?”

“I hope you aren’t insinuating that I would miss the opportunity to see my son showcase his talents for the who’s who of New York theater.”

“I was not aware you were excessively supportive of Anders’ career,” I counter.

“Hmm. I’m sure there are a lot of things Anders has told you about me.”

At this moment, it feels as though Anders hasn’t told me enough about his father.

Erik must catch the surprise in my eyes because he closes the gap between us, still blocking my only path to his son. He raises his hand, caressing my cheek, and I immediately flinch away from his touch.

What. The. Hell.

“You certainly are a pretty one, aren’t you?” he asks, though I know the question is rhetorical. “I believe my son is aware that I have certain… tastes when it comes to women.”

Nausea rolls through my stomach as I try to take a step back. Erik catches my wrist in a deathgrip before I have the chance to get far enough away. My hand slackens, Anders’ gift falling to the ground, as I let out a small whimper.

He leans close enough that I can see the beads of sweat across his brow. I can also smell the alcohol on his breath.

“If you ever want my son to see a penny of his inheritance, let alone find work in this city, you just have to do one small thing for me.” His opposite hand glides around my waist as he yanks me to him. Everything about this is wrong. The only thought running through my head is that I have to get the fuck out of here.

Instinctively, I bring my knee up between his legs as hard as I can. He instantly releases me, screaming out, “You bitch!” as he keels over, clutching his groin.

I have so many things I want to say to him—yell at him—but all that comes out is, “Fuck. You.”

I turn and run. I have no idea where I’m going, all I know is I need to get the fuck away from this man.

I make it about three blocks from the theater before finding a trash can to empty the contents of my stomach. I knew Anders’ father was a horrible person, but I severely underestimated just how horrible.

My entire body is shaking as the adrenaline wears off. A sob wrenches free as tears I didn’t even know I was crying stream down my face. Every millimeter of my skin feels like it’s being unwound, and if I keep standing here I’ll eventually just be a pile of nothingness on the sidewalk.

All of a sudden my hand buzzes and I realize I’m holding my phone. I look down and see a message from Anders. I’m in such a daze, I can barely register the words on the screen.

Anders

Hey baby, you close?

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