Curvy Girls Can't Date Bad Boys - Kelsie Stelting Page 0,69
gave me a ride. He showed me a new way of living. He exemplified how much bravery it took to step away from tyranny disguised in good intentions.” I turned my gaze Roy Taylor. “Abuse disguised as a loving stepparent.”
It wasn't my story to tell about what Roy had done to Ronan, so I didn’t detail it, but I would make sure they knew who Ronan really was.
“Ronan showed me that the most precious things in the world can’t be bought with money or social connections. That to help someone, you don't need to donate a million-dollar burn unit; you only need to lend your heart. And he showed me that to love, you need to be fully yourself.
“Unfortunately, I was not fully myself with him. I did not tell him about my father's wishes for my life, nor my own desires to break away from them. And so it looked like I lied. Like I cheated. But the only person I cheated was myself.
“Although I do not regret calling off my engagement with Ryde or my feelings for Ronan, I regret not being brave enough to share all of who I was with Ronan. I can only hope that as time progresses, he will find it in his kind and selfless heart to forgive me. And that you may find it in your hearts to look beyond the guise of money and polish”—I turned toward Roy Taylor and stared at him with all the hatred I felt—"and into the truth.”
For a moment, the crowd looked at me stunned, and then the applause erupted from my friends, toward the back. They stood and cheered. I had shown them who Ronan was, but more importantly, I’d shown myself who I really was. And I was the kind of girl who fought for the ones I loved.
Forty-Two
Beckett and Ray came to the front of the stage and acted as impromptu bodyguards as I made my way to the back. A crush of reporters attempted to come closer, always looking for more information, even though I’d already said everything that mattered. They walked me to the back of the crowd, the spot where the limo had dropped us off, while the same guy from the start of the press conference tried to call everyone back to order.
Their noise echoed off the surrounding buildings, assaulting my ears. Finally, Ray and Beckett got me back to my friends, and Ginger and Jordan immediately put their arms around me. Callie and Rory surrounded us, patting me on the back, hugging me, telling me how amazing I’d been.
“I didn’t do anything special,” I said. “I just told the truth.”
Rory shook her head. “Can’t you see? You gave Ronan the voice he never had.”
My heart swelled at the thought of him. I just hoped he knew how much he deserved every single word.
We continued walking toward the end of the barricaded street, a few reporters following us, but most swarming Roy for his response.
From a few feet behind us, a rough voice shouted, “Beckett?”
We all turned to see his father walking toward us. His eyes took us in, looking completely bewildered before turning back to Beckett. “What are you doing here?”
Beckett put his hand on my shoulder. “I had to support a friend.”
His father’s jaw seemed tight. “A little heads-up might have been nice.”
Beckett’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “I’m—”
His dad shook his head. “Not now. Are you kids okay? Do you need help getting out of here?”
Kai spoke up. “The limo’s almost here.”
Mr. Langley nodded. “Do that. I’ll get a couple officers to watch you.”
He disappeared back into the crowd and returned with a couple of men in police uniforms. After telling them to watch us, Mr. Langley looked at Beckett and said, “I’ve got to get back in there.” With a disappointed look, he turned back and walked away.
Beckett’s jaw twitched before leading us toward the limo.
“I’m so sorry,” I said. I knew how hard it was to be on bad terms with your dad.
“Don’t apologize.” He glanced over his shoulder again. “My dad will understand. You said what you needed to.”
The guilt slowly eased. Not every parent was like my dad, turning their back on their child for a surprise or a betrayal.
“Let’s get going,” one of the two officers said, looking over his shoulder toward the crowd. “Don’t want anyone getting ideas to follow us.”
As he suggested, we picked up speed toward the spot where the limo had dropped us off. For a moment, I wondered