Page 32 of Octane

“Don’t cake on the makeup like you usually do. It makes you look like a cheap whore.”

His words sting me. He’s been cruel to me for years, but he’s never called me a whore before. This is why I can’t get my hopes up. Even when a glimmer of the boy I used to know returns, the evil man he’s become is always there, just beneath the surface.

As tears prick my eyes, I nod my head slightly and walk into our room.

* * *

“CanI start you out with any appetizers this evening?” our waitress asks as she brings us our drinks.

Daniel ordered scotch for himself and a water with lemon for me. She’s got her eyes on Daniel as though I’m not here. I watch as she bats her eyelashes and dips her body lower than necessary when she puts the drinks down, trying to show off her chest to get his attention. He barely notices her, though. I used to love the fact that he only had eyes for me. It made me feel special, like I was the only girl in the world for him. Until I realized it’s because he’s a narcissist who only cares about himself.

I’m stuck between being disgusted by her behavior and wishing Daniel would leave me for her. Or for anyone else. I wish he would release me from this hold he has over me and sink his talons into some other unfortunate girl. I guess I should feel lucky that he isn’t cheating on me. Although it would probably be nice if he did.

Would that be enough to make me finally leave him?

“I’ll have the filet, medium-rare, and a side of steamed broccoli. She’ll have the salad with grilled chicken. No dressing.”

The way he orders for me, without asking me what I would like, used to drive me crazy. I mentioned it to him once, and the next few times we went out to eat, he criticized everything that I ordered. Finally, he made me feel so terrible and guilty about my choices, I gave up. He's ordered for me ever since. It's always water with lemon and a salad with grilled chicken. No dressing.

Still ignoring her, Daniel shoves the menus at our waitress. Effectively dismissed, she rolls her eyes, taking the menus, and storms off.

“So—” Daniel is interrupted by a notification coming from my phone.

“I’m sorry,” I apologize quickly. “I meant to put my phone on vibrate in the car.”

I fish my phone from my purse, and the screen illuminates when I touch it. Before either of us catch a glimpse of who messaged me, I turn the screen from our view so I’m looking at the side. Flipping the button at the top, I place it in vibrate mode.

As I’m about to put it back in my purse, Daniel grabs my wrist in one hand and my phone in the other. I let go of the phone, and he takes it from me.

I know exactly who the message is from when Daniel’s face contorts in anger, and his eyes shoot me a sideways glance. Instantly, my body feels like it has a thousand pins and needles rushing through it. I chance a glance at the screen and the green notification banner tells me what I already know.

Message from Jackson Powell.

Daniel unlocks my phone and opens my messages, grabbing the first glimpse at whatever Jackson sent me. I can hear the blood pumping through my veins, throbbing in my ears. Even my vision is pulsating, waiting for Daniel’s wrath to return.

When he places my phone down on the table in front of me, I’m hesitant to pick it up, as if touching it will burn my skin. Instead, I look at Daniel. His eyes bore into mine, but they aren’t angry. Looking at my phone again, I finally pick it up. I need to know what Jackson said so I can attempt to predict how the rest of my night will unfold.

Pulling up my messages, immediate relief flushes through me when I see that it’s a message not just to me, but to Ryder, Tim, Nate, and Robby as well.

Jackson Powell: I’m holding a mandatory team meeting tomorrow night. 7 PM sharp. Powell Corporation offices.

There’s no doubt that Daniel is trying to study my reaction as I read the message. Carefully controlling the relief on my face, and my breathing, I act like I didn’t just nearly pass out from fright.

Before I turn off my screen, another message comes in from Nate.

Nate Allen: See you then.

Followed immediately by one from Robby.

Robby Carson: ok

Before any other messages come in, I power my phone off for good measure and place it back into my purse. Turning my attention back to Daniel, I offer him a tiny smile.

“You began to say something before the interruption,” I say to Daniel, encouraging him to continue.

“I was going to say that I spoke with the board of Kramer Enterprises today, as well as my father.”

“Today? On a Sunday?”

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