I clutch my towel against my chest as I try to pass Marcus in the hallway. I hate him. He’s disgusting. The moment I was placed with this family, I knew he was going to be trouble. While the social worker was still sitting on the couch, I saw him smirking from the hallway.
I’ve been here a month, and I try to avoid him at all costs. He’s sixteen, and I’m not even thirteen. Boys are the farthest thing from my mind, but this idiot has his eyes on me.
He won’t let me pass. Instead, he chuckles and reaches out to tug at my towel. “Whatcha got under there, Ellie Bellie?”
I grip it tighter. “Leave me alone,” I beg.
“Just being friendly. You don’t have to be such a bitch.”
I purse my lips and lower my gaze. I just need to make it to the bathroom, and then I can lock the door and take a shower. I always plan to shower in the afternoon after school to avoid running into Marcus. He shouldn’t be home yet. He’s usually at soccer practice until later.
He grabs my towel again and manages to jerk it out of my grip.
I cross my arms. I know what he wants to see. He’s a pig, like all boys and most men. I can feel his gaze on my chest without lifting my head.
He laughs. “You should tell Karen to buy you a bra, Ellie Bellie. Your boobs are getting bigger every day.” He reaches out so fast that he manages to pinch my growing bud before I jerk free and run into my bedroom.
I slam the door, trying not to scream, but a noise of frustration escapes my lips anyway. A knock at the door makes me jump.
“Eloise?”
I cry out, opening my eyes as I take in my surroundings. My heart is racing from the stupid dream. It’s been ten years since Marcus tormented me, and I still have nightmares about my stay in that house.
Movement across the room makes me sit up quickly. It’s Cannon. His brow is furrowed as he approaches me. “Are you okay? I heard you yelp.”
Shit. I wish I could wake up like a normal person instead of jolting out of slumber, my mind filled with unpleasant memories. I’m safe here, but my subconscious mind hasn’t gotten the message.
I hug the doll against my chest, where I’m sitting on the mattress. I’m clutching her like I gripped my towel all those years ago, covering my chest, trying to avoid anyone noticing my boobs. It’s not that they were ever large. They were average in high school. But the rest of me was not average. My face drew people’s attention, then they lowered their gazes to check out the rest of me. My figure, and of course, my chest.
Even before I was blackmailed and trafficked to fucking James Westin I never slept well. I stopped sleeping deeply when I grew boobs. Before that, it was usually adults who did a double-take when they saw me. Having grown-ups tell my foster families I was pretty was annoying, but it was so much worse when it was boys who thought I was pretty.
I shake off the thoughts. “I’m okay. Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
Cannon lowers next to me and puts an arm around my shoulders. “No need to apologize. I bet you have more than your fair share of bad memories that creep up on you.”
I nod and lean into him.
“Want to talk about it?” he asks.
“No. Not this time.”
“Okay, but you can dump them on me anytime you want.”
“Thank you.” I inhale slowly and tip my head to look at him.
“Did you sleep well until the dream?”
“Yes. Thank you. Better than I have in a long time. I think my brain recognizes I’m safe and that it’s okay to zonk out.”
He smiles. “Good. You are safe, and you may sleep as often as you need.”
“Is June going to come over soon?” I ask to change the subject.
“I told Blade I would let him know if you were still up for it when you woke up.”
“I think I’d like to see her,” I admit. “I don’t know how much we’ll have in common, but I’ve never had an actual friend. I hope she’ll like me.”
“She’s going to adore you. She’s very sweet and kind.” He rises and then reaches down to hold out a hand.
