Page 31 of Sweet Wicked Vows
Not that it mattered. Kink-shaming was something I never tolerated.
However, not everyone felt the same way.
“What happened this time?” I dared to ask.
Lola’s bottom lip disappeared between her teeth. “It doesn’t matter. All that matters is that everyone wants me to stay away from him. Lilly, and my head of PR, are worried what being associated with him will do to my image, especially being this close to qualifying for the next Olympics.”
“But you don’t want to do that?”
“I don’t know what to do,” she sighed. “It’s not like I’m in love with him, but I care for him so much. He’s a massive douchebag, but he ismymassive douchebag. If I finally do it, finally stop myself going back to him, then what?” Lola ran her hands down her face. “It’s stupid. I’m stupid. He just… he gets me like no one else.”
She may have fooled herself into believing she wasn’t in love with Mickey, but I saw through it.
It was easier to deny her true feelings, to keep pretending that they were never going to be anything else. When the truth was, Lola fell in love with him the second she met him. He, however, did not feel the same. Hell, he cared for her—a lot, but that wasn’t the same as being in love.
“So, what’s the plan?” Violet popped a piece of a cupcake into her mouth. “Hide out in New York?”
Lola nodded. “I’m going to do all my training here, hide out until the competition and hope by that time I will be able to pull my head out of my ass and tell Mickey it’s over.” She turned to me. “Plus, now I am here, I can help you with the whole fucking up your life by marrying a stranger thing.”
“I haven’t fucked up my life.” I swallowed the bitter taste of my lie. “Marrying for love was a fool’s dream, especially with Dad being so sick. He isn’t going to see the end of the year, I know that.” Pressure pushed behind my eyes until tears blurred my sight. “I’m going to be expected to run his company all by myself.”
“Flynn…”
I shook my head, cutting Lola off. “He deserves the chance to finish his degree, even if he would prefer to spend all his time partying.”
Violet frowned. “He’ll find his way soon.”
“I don’t know how to run the company, not without my dad there to hold my hand.” I swallowed the lump making itself right at home in my throat. “I don’t have a freaking clue how to be a CEO. Jaxon will help me run the company and stop me running it into the ground.”
“I understand.” Violet smiled, though her eyes told a different story.
“But you don’t know him.” Lola ignored Violet. “You don’t lovehim. You basically sold yourself off like cattle to him, and for what? Business?”
“My dad has given me everything.” I tried to keep my voice level. “He paid for my education. He promised to let me do whatever I wanted in life. Until he got sick, he didn’t expect me to ever step into the role of CEO because he knew it wasn’t what I wanted. My dad is a great man, he worked his life to find the balance between being a successful businessman and being a fantastic dad.” A couple of tears escaped—traitors.“I will do whatever it takes to make him proud. Even in his death, I will do whatever to ensure his legacy is protected.”
“I hear what you’re saying. We both do,” Lola said. “We’re just worried about you, that’s all. This whole getting married in secret, telling no one until it was too late, it’s just not like you.”
“I appreciate your concern, and I get it doesn’t make sense to you, but it’s only for a year,” I steeled my voice. “All I ask is from here on out, I don’t want to talk about it anymore. I hope you both will respect what I needed to do.”
“Of course we will, Evie,” Violet said. “You know we have your back no matter what.”
Lola’s eyes softened. “From diapers to dentures, you know you have me forever. As long as you know you can turn to us, no matter what happens. We’ll be there, day and night.”
A small weight lifted from my chest. The air in my lungs flowed that bit easier.
Having Lola and Violet at my side, cheering me on though they may not have agreed with me, was all that mattered.
I meant what I said. I’d do whatever it took to ensure my father’s business, his legacy, and his very name was safe in my hands.
After all, it was the least I could do for the man who gave me my life.
Even if it meant dancing with the devil himself.
A very handsome and annoyingly stubborn French devil.
“Now.” Violet clapped her hands together. “Let’s talk about color themes for the party, because you know yellow washes me out and I’ll never forgive you if you make me wear it.”
Chapter Ten