Chapter 72

When I wake up the next morning, my brain has finally decided to actually process and interpret information. For a few bliss-filled seconds, I am at peace. Then I remember all the shit I did the night before.

How utterly humiliating.

I decide that I hate Archer with the entirety of my being. At the very least, I hate the side of me that he exposed: so wanton and desperate, like his cock was the only thing I needed in the whole world. Looking back, it almost seems like I had been hypnotized or something. I certainly wasn’t myself.

But in my heart, I know I can’t blame foul play. I made my choices. I stood in that doorway. I removed my own shirt and put my hand into my panties.

I have no one to blame but myself.

Though I also plan to blame Archer. It’s easier that way.

Either way, I resolve to avoid him for the rest of eternity. That should solve all my problems nicely.

Especially when, as I go about my morning routine, I realize he might have much the same idea as me. He’s seemes to have totally disappeared from the Pyramid.

It’s Beau’s day to watch Mia while I’m at class. Fortunately, he’s still half-asleep and too tired to see beyond himself to catch my nervousness. I’m blessedly in and out of his room with minimal fuss.

In class, I’m not so lucky. Debbie takes one look at me as soon as I enter the room and can tell that I’m upset.

“What happened?” she asks before I’ve even sat down.

I rub at my temples as I sit. “I don’t even know where to begin.”

Debbie takes that in stride. “You can tell me anything. We’ve already seen each other at our worst.”

I’m not entirely sure that’s true. The Cave might have been Debbie at her worst, but I apparently still have new depths to drop to, if last night is any indication.

I still feel so goddamn humiliated, but… truthfully, I really do need someone to talk to. Someone outside of the Hayes brothers and their associates. Debbie is as far as I can get without leaving town.

So I clear my throat, lean closer to her so that our classmates can’t eavesdrop, and ask, “Do you know anything about when guys like to tie up girls and slap their ass and stuff?”

I’m blushing so hard, I’m sure even my cheeks are red.

Debbie, however, possesses none of my shame. She loudly proclaims, “Oh, you mean BDSM?”

“Shush!” I hush her, but she’s already turned a few heads.

“What’s there to be embarrassed about? Lots of people are into it,” Debbie says.

I blink. “They… are?”

“There’s a really popular book series out right now, best seller, that has a BDSM relationship. Here let me write down the title for you.” She writes me a list instead. “This is the order to read them in.” Then she scribbles down a name. “This is the author.”

She passes me the list and I look at it, unsure.

Debbie lowers her voice again, thank Gods, as she leans closer. “It’s nothing to be ashamed about. It’s a gift, surrendering control to someone. Trusting them to give you what you don’t even know you need.”

I open my mouth. Close it.

Trust like that doesn’t seem possible, especially not with Archer Hayes.

Yet last night had proved differently, hadn’t it? I was so eager to surrender and trust, but he was the one who denied me. Maybe he knew I wasn’t really ready.

Or maybe he’s just a big jerk.

Both could also be true.

I tuck the list of book titles into my bag and try to focus on class. I think I’m doing okay, though I’m still scribbling down notes when our halfway break starts and Tide finds his way to my desk.

Debbie doesn’t approve of Tide and my friendship, so she turns away to talk to some of our other classmates. Tide looks relieved as he inches closer to me.

For a brief moment, I think of sending him away like the brothers want me to do. But then I scoff at myself. Tide is my friend, and no matter what they might say, the Hayes boys have no right to dictate who I speak with.

Still, I almost change my mind again when Tide speaks.

“I need to borrow more money,” he says.

I stare at him a moment, half-expecting him to crack a smile and say just kidding.

He doesn’t.

“Wasn’t the last payment enough? That was the full amount you said.”

“I thought it would be, I swear,” Tide said. “But when I gave them the money, they said there’s interest. Chloe, they’re threatening to kill me again.”

“I don’t know…” I have already given Tide so much to help him. That two thousand dollars was more cash than I’d ever held in my life. To give him more now…? I don’t know. It feels like too much.

“Please, Chloe. It’s my life on the line here. I wouldn’t ask you otherwise, I swear.”

“I don’t have too much more than what I gave you.”

“I only need another two thousand. That’s all. That will be it this time.”

I want to believe him but I’m not sure. He seems twitchy and uncertain, like he’s not telling me everything.

I don’t want him to die, though.

“I’ll think about it,” I say.

“Oh, thank you.”

“I haven’t said yes yet.”

“I know, but thank you anyway. You are the only one on my side, Chloe. It means so much.”

As class begins again, he scurries back to his desk.

A sinking feeling opens up in my chest. I haven’t agreed yet, but I still feel like I’ve committed to something well over my head.

Back at the Pyramid, my souring mood persists. There’s still no sign of Archer, not that I want to see him. And the other brothers are giving me the cold shoulder. Even Steven looks at me, and then away without saying a word.

Beau straight up calls me a gold-digger when I go to collect Mia.

I’m ready to barricade myself in my room when all is said and done. Yet before I could reach my sanctuary, Mia in tow, Neil steps out into the hallway and calls me into his room.

“I’m on time today,” I tell him. I’ve been doing my best to keep to his schedule. Granted, I can’t meet every task with quiet the amount of efficiency he requires, but I’ve gotten pretty close I think for being a human and not a robot.

“I’ve altered the schedule somewhat to help accommodate you.”

Oh, thank Gods. I accept the new lists and peer over them. “You’re kidding me, right?”

“Steven mentioned that you need some tutoring so I added in some time for that.”

Okay, that’s fine. But everything else? “I can’t brush my teeth in thirty seconds! And it takes at least an hour to put Mia down for bed. You know how she fusses.”

Neil looks at me, and I can tell he’s tired. Bags hang under his eyes. He must be under some kind of pressure. I hate to cause even more trouble for him, but truly this is an outlandish list, even worse than before!

“We have to put these schedules into action, Chloe. For you and for Mia. You must learn to adapt.”

“I’ve been trying to adapt, Neil, but this is too much. I need more than five minutes to make a sandwich, let alone eat it.”

Neil rubs at his forehead. “You consistently prove you cannot be trusted, Chloe. Therefore, we must continue to place you under more rigorous time constraints.”

“Is this because I sold those clothes?”

He glowers at me, and I know I hit the nail straight on the head.

“Neil…”

“We’re done playing your games,” Neil says, straightening. “Now it’s time to play mine.”