“How much are you paying him, Aaron? Three thousand? Five? Ten? How much is yourDaddy’sapproval worth?” He sneers.
“Shut the fuck up,” Aaron says as he lunges towards Garrett.
“You didn’t deny it,” Garrett says, pushing out of his father’s hands.
I feel a small body wrap around me, and I turn to see Lola, hugging me. Betsy rubs my shoulder.
“Tony, stop them!” Betsy hollers.
“Rob, what’s going on—” Rebecca runs over from the exit.
“Whatever it is, he ain’t paying you enough, Jake,” Garrett says with a sneer. “Because you’re a bottom rate coc—”
“Shut the fuck up!” Aaron punches him. I’m frozen as Betsy tells me not to listen to them. But I can’t help it. The words are true.
“Jacob is not some fucking escort. Are you out of your mind?” Rob bites, trying to grab his son. George runs up just as Aaron lands another punch on Garrett.
“You lying son of a bitch,” Tony huffs as he pulls Aaron back.
“Ask him yourself,” Garrett chides. “If you don’t believe me.”
“Fuck you,” Aaron says. “You don’t know shit!”
Garrett laughs. “Oh, do I know, baby.” He glares at me. “He’s the reason for my last divorce, you know.” He spits on the ground, and the tears fester in my eyes. I think I’m going to throw up.
“And I’ll tell you his ass was not worth the three grand I paid for him. Would not recommend.”
“You’re lying!” Aaron hollers.
“Jacob seems awfully quiet on the matter,” Garrett says as he pushes away from his dad.
He looks at Tony. “You got played, Tony. By your own son. At least I’m an honest man.”
Aaron turns to me with his father.
“Tell them that’s not true,” Aaron says, his eyes full of tearful concern.
I want to say no. I should say no, because it’s what I’msupposedto say. I’m supposed to be playing a part, but I don’t know where Prince Charming starts and Jacob ends anymore.
So I don’t tell himno, because I can’t. Because it’s not the truth.
I don’t meet his gaze. How can I? All I’m going to see is the hurt, the sadness. The lies.
“Jake… he’s lying, right?” Aaron’s voice shakes. “Tell him he’slying.”
When I look up, I see the panic in his eyes. The anxiety.
I knew it would come to this. Somehow, I always knew.
Nothing good lasts forever, and fairytales don’t exist.
The reality is harder to bear than fiction.
“Jake…” Lola’s voice pulls me as I push away from her, Shannon pulling her back in her arms as she looks at me with sadness and guilt.
I look at Betsy with tears in my eyes.
“No.” The choked sob escapes me. “I’m sorry,” I say, turning to look at Tony, Shannon, Travis. The Tempests.
