Page 114 of Fixing to Be Mine

Donovan takes a step back. “Please. I love you. I’ve always loved you. Neither of us has been perfect in our relationship, and I know we can work through this. Stormy, get in the car with me,” he says, voice all command. “You’ve upset your entire family. If you want to embarrass yourself, fine. But don’t drag us into your reputation meltdown and?—”

“Don’t you dare,” she cuts in.

She’s trembling with volcanic rage, and I’m scared she might kill this man with the bat she has tightly gripped in her hand.

“Stormy,” I mutter, bringing her back to reality, “don’t fuck him up.”

I let out a laugh, and Donovan takes a step back like he’s scared she might.

“I’m not going anywhere with you,” Stormy says.

His gaze hardens. “Your parents and sister are worried. Get in the car now.” His voice tightens, and he tries to command her like she’s an animal. “You’ve already caused enough drama and damage. Now you’re living in this dump with someone so young. Talk about robbing the fucking cradle. Are you okay? Did you have a mental breakdown?”

“That’s enough,” I say, moving toward Stormy and grabbing the bat in my hand. Now I’m getting pissed. “Say what you gotta say, but if you keep disrespecting her, I’ll make sure you disappear. We don’t like people from out of town round here,” I warn. “You have no idea where the fuck you are.”

Stormy stares at him, and his face is unreadable, but I see the pulse in his neck kick up a few notches.

“I get it,” he goes on, watching Stormy. “You’ve made your point. This circus? It’s over. We both know where you belong. Your clients are furious. Your father is disappointed. We already have a story scripted to erase it all.” His words are picking up speed now, the smooth performance starting to fray at the edges. “But whatever this is, between you two, it’s over. You made amistake, and you’ve had your moment. You have the attention you’ve always craved. Now it’s time we get back to what matters the most. Us, our family.” He holds out his hand to her, pleading with his eyes. “This? All of this? It’s temporary. You’re not meant for this kind of life, and we both know it. Come with me, baby.” He says it slow, like he’s the only one here with a functioning brain cell.

By the way he carries himself, I know he’s used to everyone shutting up and following his orders.

Stormy steps forward, putting her arm around me, and I hold her tight.

“No,” she says. “I’m done pretending, and I’m done letting you talk to me like you own me. You fucking don’t.”

“Stormy”—he gives her a tilt of his head like she’s being a stubborn kid—“this has always been your problem. No one will ever be enough for you. You burn down everything around you.”

Her eyes widen, and then she bursts into laughter. It’s cruel, but I find it delicious, considering this man deserves all her wrath for what he did.

“I don’t believe anything that comes from your mouth anymore. Look at you. You’re pathetic.”

He flinches. It’s the tiniest tic, but it’s enough for me to see she’s landed a hit where it hurts.

“Does he even know you, Stormy? Does he know who you really are and that you?—”

“Yep,” Stormy interrupts, her voice clipped. “He knows me better than you ever did, which is so fucking sad. You had me, Donovan, and you lost me. That will be your biggest regret.”

“Damn,” I whisper, not because I’m shocked, but because I’ve never seen someone burn a man to the ground with nothing but the truth.

I watch her—shoulders steady, chin lifted, every word precise. She’s not breaking; she’s choosing herself this time.And, God, I’ve never been prouder to stand beside someone in my life.

Donovan’s nostrils flare, and he swallows hard like he knows she’s right. His fists clench at his sides, fingernails digging hard into both palms. “You can change your mind. I’ll forgive you. Plant a story about you and him and erase it. Call it a PR stunt. We can work through this.”

“Absolutely not,” she says. Her words hook hard.

The silence stretches long enough to make him uncomfortable, which might be the first time that’s ever happened.

I don’t say a word either. I’m not here to save her, only to stand beside her.

Stormy steps forward. My arm drops naturally, and I let her go. She walks down one step, then another, stopping a few feet from him.

“Want to know the best part, Donnie? When the truth is revealed, I won’t be the one trying to rescue my reputation. It will be you.” Her smile is sad as she stares at the man she once loved.

“Please,” he nearly begs her. His voice lowers. “I flew here because I love you. I drove all this way because I miss you,” he says.

Lightning breaks over the world and settles in her throat.

“You’re here,” she says, “because you’re saving face. Because you realized that you needed me for your public image. When I reveal the truth, you will sink. I’m not sorry for the karma that’s coming for you.”

---