but even more shocking was the zero-dollar balance and the word PAID highlighted in green. It almost seemed like a taunt rather than a miracle.
“You paid it?”
“Of fucking course, I did. Did you really think I wouldn’t?”
“I-I’ll pay you back my half.” It was the only thing I could think to say. I was that stunned. The amount on that bill hadn’t been small. “You’ve just got to give me some time.”
“I didn’t ask for your money, did I? I’ve got plenty of it.”
“That doesn’t matter. It’s my fault he was even in there in the first place. I—” A sob kept the rest of the words from coming. “I need to make it right.”
“You are. Right now. By being his mother.”
My shoulders slumped because I couldn’t hide the huge burden Vaughn had lifted from them. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Don’t go back.”
Guilt and frustration bubbled up inside of me as I stood there saying nothing. After what Vaughn had done for me, I hated to say no. “I have to,” I finally told him. “I still need to pay for school. My dad will use his retirement savings if I don’t find a way. He’ll take a huge hit in penalties alone. I can’t let that happen.”
“What if I paid for it?”
I took a step back. “Why would you do that? How would you do that?” I had to imagine he’d used up most of his money paying River’s hospital bill unless…his father left him money. I wasn’t sure I wanted to take anything from that man.
“Because it’s not even close to what my father owes me. Or you,” he said, confirming my suspicions.
“Thanks, but no thanks. Even if I could, I wouldn’t want to take anything he owned.”
“It never belonged to him,” Vaughn retorted. “Franklin Rees doesn’t exist. Edward Ridge died a long time ago. The house, the bank accounts, the assets, all of it have been in my name the whole time. I thought I was at his mercy, under his thumb, but this entire time he’d been under mine.”
“That’s great news, but Vaughn, I can’t…I’m sorry.” Even as I felt his cum drying on my thighs, I added, “I’ll only feel guilty taking your money, knowing it won’t change anything between us. I’m not your responsibility.”
Vaughn stared at me for a long while before turning on his heel and silently walking away.
The locker room was empty when I stepped inside. Since it was a Saturday, all the girls were out there working, knowing they wouldn’t see money like this all week. The weekends were the real cash cow, and even I, with all my reservations, was eager to get back out there. My toes were barking in the acrylic heels as I made my way to the locker in the far back corner. It was silent as a mouse, which was why I was surprised to see that I wasn’t alone after all. I forgot how to breathe long before the girl leaning against my locker and wearing a pink wig cut into a bob looked up. She was the last person I ever expected to see.
“Selena?”
“Hey, little sis.” Looking none the worse for wear, she smiled, and I hated her even more for looking exactly like me. “I missed you.”
“I can’t say the same, and I’m not even sorry. What the hell are you doing here?”
“I was just about to ask you that very question.” I could see the amusement written all over her as she crossed her arms. “What happened to Harvard?”
“Nothing. I’m going back in the fall.” Warmth bloomed in my chest because it felt like the truth. I told myself that this was just like high school when I was determined to get straight As. “A girl’s just doing what she has to.”
“My, my, how far we’ve come. I’m proud of you. You’re not so naïve anymore, are you, little sis?”
No. I wasn’t. I’d tried so hard to hold on to Selena because of the blood we shared and all along she’d been out for mine. Closing my eyes, I inhaled deeply to calm the bitter emotions roiling in my gut. Family hadn’t mattered to her as much as it had to me. Nothing she said or did would make me forget that. Slowly, my eyes opened as I felt my shoulders square.
“You have no idea, and if you don’t get the hell out of my sight, you’re going to.”
The laugh Selena released was condescending. “Little Ty-ty, don’t tell me you’re still upset