“You heard what I said.”
“Who gave you that name?”
My father tilts his head, studying me like a common criminal. “I asked Davis why they held you. Asked if it was to do with me because fuck knows that thought had me ready to vomit,” he explains. “You had me think it wasmyfault you were put in danger, but all the while it was because you’re a goddamn whore showing yourself on the internet for anyone to see.”
My heartbeat whooshes in my ears.
He takes a step forward and lowers his voice. “Do you haveanyidea what you’ve done? What it would do to my career? My reputation, if anyone found out?”
Anger blooms from the maelstrom of sickness in my gut. “Of course, this is about you. It’s always about you,” I snap.
“And never about you taking responsibility for your choices,” he counters. “Is it? Do you ever stop to think about how your actions affect anyone other than yourself?”
“I guess if I don’t, I learned that from you.”
Tension crackles between us.
“You’re a goddamn disappointment, Kyra.”
“I’m well aware of that.”
He doesn’t back away, and neither do I.
“You had so much promise, and you threw that away, quitting your schooling to fucking undress for strangers.”
“Undressing for strangers bought my house,” I sneer. “It’s also paying for Mom’s specialist, which I’ve found.”
He twitches as though I slapped him. “Your filthy money isn’t doing a goddamn thing for her.”
“It has to,” I yell. “Because you won’t.”
His nostrils flare, and I ponder if this is indeed the most emotion I’ve ever seen him show in relation to Mom.
“She knows she can ask for help if she needs it.”
“Really?” I scoff, relaxing against the desk again. “Because she hasn’t so far. Do you know her pain levels are so high that they refuse to prescribe her anything stronger, saying she’ll become addicted if they do? Do you know she gave up all her club work and social groups? That she finds purpose in her day by serving you and your needs?” I shake my head, rage and injustice vibrating through my body. “It’s sad, Dad. She’s given up every piece of herself to support you, and you won’t do a goddamn thing unless you’reasked.”
“You’re not changing the subject that easily.” He takes a step back, eyes narrowed. “What you do isillegal, Kyra.”
“Here,” I hiss. “Not where I was living before.”
“Will you do it here?” The question lies unspoken in his words,“Will I have to arrest you?”
“I’m not that reckless.”
“But you’re reckless enough to associate with criminals.”
“And there it is,” I sass. “The real root of your disappointment in me.”
“I wish it were so simple,” he grumbles. “I thought you choosing to see that biker would be hard enough to cover up, but then you threw this Blue Babylon mess into the mix. God damn it, Kyra. What were you thinking?”
“That you’d never know,” I answer honestly. “Isn’t your two minutes up?”
He glances at the wall in the direction of Keller. “I want your things gone by the time I get home tonight.”
“You’re kicking me out when I’m moving out anyway?”
He stays quiet.
