I know he’s here. And if I’m going to heal, I need to tell Hunter the truth.
“A director on Broadway tried to rape me.”
The words sound stark and cold in the warm cocoon of his bed.
Hunter’s hand briefly curls into a fist, but then he slowly lets his fingers relax.
“Winter.” His voice is pained. “I’m sorry.”
His words are to the point, and I take his hand in mine and hold it close to me.
“It was six months ago, but I’m not over it yet. Maybe I never will be.” I close my eyes, remembering how powerless I felt and how alone. “He was a powerful man in the industry, and he was at an audition session I attended. A lot of actors and actresses tried out, but I felt really good about my audition. It was just one of those moments where I felt totally at one with the character. He noticed. I saw him glance up from his notes, and afterward, he singled me out. He asked to talk to me for a moment.”
Hunter’s hand tightens around mine.
“I remember being so excited, thinking this was my chance to finally land a lead on my own. Seasonal Bliss was my career break, but I got my opportunity because the lead broke her ankle. I was determined to get a big role all on my own this time.”
I stare down at Hunter’s large hand covering my smaller one. It gives me the strength to continue.
“The director led me down the hallway and into a private office. I didn’t think anything of it. I had met with my Seasonal Bliss director many times in his office without incident. Anyway, he had me take a seat across from his desk, and at first, he just asked me questions about my Broadway experience and so on. But then, he stood up and came up behind me. He put his hands on my shoulders and started playing with my hair.” I bite my lip, hating the memory of his hands on me. “I stood up immediately and told him I needed to leave.”
“Win…” Hunter sounds tortured.
“But he just reached behind him and flipped the lock on the door. And my heart came into my throat when I realized what I had gotten myself into.”
“You didn’t get yourself into anything.” Hunter’s voice is steel. “He broke every professional boundary.”
“I know. It’s just one of those moments I replay over and over—if I had just refused to enter his office…” I grit my teeth and force the next words out. “He unzipped his pants and asked me to touch him. I said no and tried to get to the door. He cornered me against the wall. And he said he’d only ask me nicely once more.”
“Christ.” Hunter’s entire body has gone rigid.
“He pressed me up against the wall so I couldn’t move. He was behind me, and he held my wrists together hard and rubbed up against me…” I stifle a pained sound. “He lifted up my skirt and forced himself between my legs, first his hand and then his…” I swallow the rest of the terrible sentence. “By the grace of God, before he could fully carry out his plan, a knock on his door made him pause. It was his assistant saying he had an important call that couldn’t wait. The interruption must have made him worried that he’d be caught. He let me go, made me fix my skirt, and told me if I said anything, he’d make sure I never got another role on Broadway ever again. He swore he’d blacklist me. Then, he opened the door. I ran like hell and right into Pat, my manager, who was looking for me.”
“Did you tell him?”
I twist around so I can look Hunter in the eye. His expression is taut, his jaw clenched, but his hand on my hip is gentle.
“I didn’t have to say a word for him to know something was wrong. He’s been around the block in the world of theater. He walked me outside and asked me what happened.” I take a deep breath. “I told him the truth. He supported me in going to the police. I was sure about my decision to turn the asshole in. I told the cops my side of the story, but they said it would be my word against his, and without any witnesses, the case would most likely be a lost cause. Despite how rough he’d been with me, I had no bruising or any signs of physical abuse. They told me he’d claim it was consensual. Not only that, they said he had a lot of power in the city and taking him on and winning would be nearly impossible. I filed the report anyway, and then I went back to my apartment and tried to figure out if there was anything else I could do.”
“Bastard deserves to have his dick cut off.”
“I never saw him again. I hid out in my apartment and didn’t go on any auditions. A week or so after I reported him, a second woman came forward. She had been attacked a year before. Then, three more women came forward. He was let go from his position as director. And that was a big deal—he’s a legend in that world. He’s got a lot of connections and a lot of money, so I don’t know if he’ll ever go to prison. His attorneys managed to delay a trial. There may be a settlement. But hopefully, with the light shining on him like this, he won’t hurt anyone again.”
I stop talking, and the room goes deathly quiet as Hunter softly plays with the bunched fabric of his t-shirt at my waist.
“Thank you for trusting me, Win.” The anger I know he feels on my behalf is still in his voice, but he’s speaking softly. “I legitimately want to take my truck up to New York City and hunt that fucker down.”
I open my mouth, but before I can protest, he keeps talking. “I won’t. I know that wouldn’t help you. You handled an incredibly challenging situation far better than I would have.”
I shift closer to him until my chest is pressed against his. “I wish that were true, Hunt. Every audition I’ve gone on since that one has been a disaster. It’s like I’m afraid if I do well, I’ll have the same experience. I know it’s irrational, and that asshole isn’t even working there anymore, but I can’t shake it. At the last audition, I strained my vocal cords to the point the doctor told me I had to rest my voice for a few weeks. That’s when Pat sent me home.”
Hunter’s arms circle around my back, and he hugs me close. “This is the reason you’re back here? No wonder you didn’t want to talk about it.”
“I think Pat thought home would heal me.”
“Maybe it will.” Hunter sounds a hell of a lot surer than I am.
But as I drift off to sleep in his arms, I wonder if he can help me.
