wasn’t possible.” I can see Jace is nervous now that he is meeting my father. “It’s lovely to finally meet you. I’ve learned a lot about your family from Joely in the time I’ve known her.”
“He’s got manners, I’ll give you that, Lee-Lee.” My father throws an old nickname and a wink at me and I feel my body relax from all the stiff tension. “Call me Carl, not Sir. It makes me feel old.”
“Carl,” Jace says and approaches my father with an extended hand.
I watch them shake and my shoulders square again – this is make or break for Jace.
My father nods impressed at the shake Jace offers him. “Strong shake, confident. I’m impressed.”
“Thank you,” Jace answers hesitantly, making my father laugh.
I am relieved that my father and husband are already on an even playing ground with one another. That is until Jace comes back to me and my father places his gaze upon me, his dark blue eyes burning into me.
“You just going to just sit there?” he asks me rhetorically. “Come and give your old man a hug.” I listen and stand, but I’m wary. I know I shouldn’t be, but this has now been a reunion years in the making. “ C’mere,” he demands, waving his hand at me. I listen, obey, and head toward him. When I’m the right distance, he puts his hand out, grabs a hold of me and pulls me in for a body crushing embrace. I struggle to get my arms around him but manage slightly and just enjoy a moment basking in his cologne and arms. I feel myself slump against him, my mind relaxing more. I have found my spot with two of the most important people in my life. My brother and sister are the only ones left.
“I’m sorry for just disappearing,” I apologize when his arms slacken their grip. I pull away and look up at him. “I just needed to get away and then I found it hard to come back.”
“Why did you disappear?” he asks and I can see the gauntlet of questions about to fly at me. “Where did you go? Where have you been? Who have you been with?”
“Dylan. New York. Only New York. A whole horde of people and Jace.” I state his questions with enough answers to goad him into a seat. We all sit, my mother and father opposite Jace and me. “What I’m going to say isn’t the best, but I can’t look back with regrets.”
“What is it?”
“Mom already knows some,” I state and look at my mother who nods offering her support for me to join. “I worked at a club known as The Viper Rooms. Well, I do. I have a contract I signed. I worked myself up in the club and became a head girl. I did things I’m not proud of, but Jace was one of my clients. He was the first man to think about me. He loved me from the first time we met, and he kept me as safe as he could.”
“This club,” my father begins, “Is it a sex club?”
“Sort of,” I reply honestly. “I signed my life away to the boss who offered me everything when I had nothing.” I can see my father’s eyes ignite, emblazoned with anger. “I wasn’t a prostitute as such,” I clarify, praying my voice doesn’t quiver. “I got lucky and had clients who just required my company.” I can see my father’s jaw click as he bites down. “Please, don’t think any less of me!” This time my voice gives out, my tears becoming evident. “I was lost when she found me. She offered me everything when I was vulnerable. I tried to leave, but it was too late.”
“Joely, you could have come home,” my father’s statement is fiercely spoken. He’s enigmatic with his ferocity.
“I couldn’t,” I grind out, choosing not believe those words. “It wasn’t an option so soon after Dylan. I ran and when I finally stopped my boss found me and the only reason I am here right now is because of Jace.” I reach for Jace in that moment. “Believe me, he is the reason I have survived.” I reach for my husband’s hand and cling to it. “He gave me purpose back, and he’s the one who helped me see a way out. Even when I
“He’s got manners, I’ll give you that, Lee-Lee.” My father throws an old nickname and a wink at me and I feel my body relax from all the stiff tension. “Call me Carl, not Sir. It makes me feel old.”
“Carl,” Jace says and approaches my father with an extended hand.
I watch them shake and my shoulders square again – this is make or break for Jace.
My father nods impressed at the shake Jace offers him. “Strong shake, confident. I’m impressed.”
“Thank you,” Jace answers hesitantly, making my father laugh.
I am relieved that my father and husband are already on an even playing ground with one another. That is until Jace comes back to me and my father places his gaze upon me, his dark blue eyes burning into me.
“You just going to just sit there?” he asks me rhetorically. “Come and give your old man a hug.” I listen and stand, but I’m wary. I know I shouldn’t be, but this has now been a reunion years in the making. “ C’mere,” he demands, waving his hand at me. I listen, obey, and head toward him. When I’m the right distance, he puts his hand out, grabs a hold of me and pulls me in for a body crushing embrace. I struggle to get my arms around him but manage slightly and just enjoy a moment basking in his cologne and arms. I feel myself slump against him, my mind relaxing more. I have found my spot with two of the most important people in my life. My brother and sister are the only ones left.
“I’m sorry for just disappearing,” I apologize when his arms slacken their grip. I pull away and look up at him. “I just needed to get away and then I found it hard to come back.”
“Why did you disappear?” he asks and I can see the gauntlet of questions about to fly at me. “Where did you go? Where have you been? Who have you been with?”
“Dylan. New York. Only New York. A whole horde of people and Jace.” I state his questions with enough answers to goad him into a seat. We all sit, my mother and father opposite Jace and me. “What I’m going to say isn’t the best, but I can’t look back with regrets.”
“What is it?”
“Mom already knows some,” I state and look at my mother who nods offering her support for me to join. “I worked at a club known as The Viper Rooms. Well, I do. I have a contract I signed. I worked myself up in the club and became a head girl. I did things I’m not proud of, but Jace was one of my clients. He was the first man to think about me. He loved me from the first time we met, and he kept me as safe as he could.”
“This club,” my father begins, “Is it a sex club?”
“Sort of,” I reply honestly. “I signed my life away to the boss who offered me everything when I had nothing.” I can see my father’s eyes ignite, emblazoned with anger. “I wasn’t a prostitute as such,” I clarify, praying my voice doesn’t quiver. “I got lucky and had clients who just required my company.” I can see my father’s jaw click as he bites down. “Please, don’t think any less of me!” This time my voice gives out, my tears becoming evident. “I was lost when she found me. She offered me everything when I was vulnerable. I tried to leave, but it was too late.”
“Joely, you could have come home,” my father’s statement is fiercely spoken. He’s enigmatic with his ferocity.
“I couldn’t,” I grind out, choosing not believe those words. “It wasn’t an option so soon after Dylan. I ran and when I finally stopped my boss found me and the only reason I am here right now is because of Jace.” I reach for Jace in that moment. “Believe me, he is the reason I have survived.” I reach for my husband’s hand and cling to it. “He gave me purpose back, and he’s the one who helped me see a way out. Even when I
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