Total pages in book: 122
Estimated words: 114337 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 572(@200wpm)___ 457(@250wpm)___ 381(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114337 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 572(@200wpm)___ 457(@250wpm)___ 381(@300wpm)
After I hung up, concern filled my dad’s face. “Colin, what’s wrong?”
I was disoriented as I rose from the booth. “It’s nothing,” I lied and gestured toward the restroom. “I’ll be right back.”
That did nothing to convince him, and he frowned as I walked away from the table on unsteady legs. I had to focus on my actions, because if I thought about anything else, it became overwhelming.
Go to the bathroom.
Get into a stall.
Look at your phone.
Once I got those tasks accomplished, I could think about the next steps.
My heart dropped into my stomach as I saw the notifications popping up on my phone. I went to Instagram first and found the post Riley had tagged me in. He’d been smart enough with the screencaps to not post outright nudity, but it was heavily implied with me bare chested and Mads’ naked back. The Petal Productions logo sat in the corner.
Sure enough, everything was spelled out in the caption.
I removed the tag, reported the post, and then blocked his account. I went as fast as I could, because every second that slipped by before it was done made me feel worse. I was sweaty and jittery as I opened the Facebook app. I hadn’t used it in ages, and it made me update and log in, which sent my frustration through the roof.
Finally, I got it open and repeated the process. The post was less than thirty minutes old, but already had a few ‘wow’ face emoji comments, some left by my former frat brothers.
And when it was done, I angrily thumbed out a text message to Riley. It took every ounce of restraint I had to compose it, because unleashing my full fury wasn’t going to help.
As much as I hated it, I needed action from him.
Colin: Take down the posts.
There was no response. Only the checkmark that it had been sent.
Colin: This isn’t a joke, it’s fucking dangerous. Posting the address threatens our safety.
Still nothing, so I had to move on. I punched the button to call Mads, who answered right away.
“Have you told Nina and Scott yet?” I asked.
“Yeah. When she came to me about the moderated comment, that’s when he made the post to Instagram.”
“At least he didn’t tag Petal Productions.” I clenched my teeth. “How pissed is she?”
“She’s upset, but I think it’s more with worry for us.”
Even though she couldn’t see, I nodded. “Pack a bag. I’ll text Preston and see if we can crash at his place until the address is down.”
I didn’t say until it’s safe because I didn’t know if that’d ever be true. It was possible Nina and Scott would tell us we couldn’t come back.
“Okay,” she said. “Are you coming home soon?”
There was a desperation in her voice I hadn’t heard before, and it nearly broke me. She was scared and wanted to be with me.
“Yeah, I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
We said goodbye, and after I hung up, I got so angry, I started to shake. I’d thought Riley wasn’t evil, but I’d been so, so wrong. He was trying to ruin our lives, and for what? All because I wouldn’t help him get into the business?
You also said he didn’t have a big enough dick.
Oh, fuck. My heart thudded to a stop.
Was this my fault?
I didn’t think I could possibly feel worse until that thought hit me. But I’d been gone from the table too long. I needed to get back there, find a quick exit, and do it without raising my dad’s suspicion any more than I’d already done.
I slid into my seat, only so I could grab my backpack. “Hey, so, Mads isn’t feeling well and needs my help—”
Something was wrong. My dad was sitting so still, he’d become a statue, and the air coming off him was icy cold. It was ironic because fire burned in his eyes. He looked so upset, he could barely speak.
And he didn’t need to. He set his phone down in front of me, displaying Riley’s Facebook post on screen. I wasn’t tagged in it any longer, but it didn’t matter. The damage was done. I didn’t use Facebook anymore, but a lot of my friends and family did.
I swallowed hard as I stared at the image of me and Mads, and the caption that congratulated us on our new careers as porn stars.
“Your mother sent me this,” he said, “after your aunt Diane asked her about it. Is this true?” His face twisted with equal parts of disgust and horror. “You’ve been in a porno?”
I could lie.
I’d gotten so good at it with them over the years, but it was unlikely they’d buy it with the photographic proof and how cagey I’d been about the mentorship. Plus, I was so goddamn tired. My parents treated me like a child, but one who wasn’t allowed to make any mistakes.