I call Nicola again.This time, I leave a message.“Please, Nic.Take down the post.Retract your accusations.Leah has done nothing, and you know this.”
After ending the voicemail, I text her.Call me and ask for what you want instead of spreading lies.
Again, no response.I know she sees the message.She has probably listened to my half-dozen voicemails.
But she’s toying with me.
I make one more call, to a number I haven’t needed in fifteen years.
* * *
Leah
Two days after Nicola Johnson’s post, the internet is still buzzing with my name and likeness.I’m not going out this week—I’m too afraid of reporters.This means I do my tutoring over video call.All of my students are thrilled because it means less effort and time to get together.Thankfully, they don’t bring up my recent infamy.It seems like my scandal hasn’t reached them; AoG is probably too far before their time.
Dmitri came home from work last night with my laptop and a suitcase full of my clothes.“Gage thought you might want these.He’d like you to call him.”
I winced.“I’m not ready.”
“You’re not ready to call him.But you’re ready to scroll through all the hate on VideYou?”
“VideYou?”I scoff.“For your information, I’m looking at PhotoGram.”
“Fuck, Leah.Stop it—it’s bad for you.”
Maybe it is bad for me, but the next day finds me doing the same thing.I bounce between sites, soaking in the negativity.
Dmitri sits on the other end of the couch.A reality show featuring mechanics and classic cars plays on TV.
He nudges my leg with his foot.“Let’s get out of here.”
I don’t look up from my phone.Comment after comment after comment.She’s a whore.He could do soooo much better.I bet her pussy is all stretched out.They don’t stop.
Each one hurts, but I continue to read, gobbling up the vitriol and hatred.
Dmitri yanks the phone from my hand.
“Hey!”I scramble toward him and try to get it back.
He holds it out of reach.“I said, let’s get out of here.This isn’t healthy.”
It’s healthy enough.I get up on my knees and reach for the phone.
“Do you remember what happened last time I held something out of your reach?”A smile quirks his lips.
“My panties.”The memory heats my blood.That night, the sex we had—it makes me tingle, just thinking about it.Still, I have a goal.I make a swipe for my device, but miss.“You stuffed them in my mouth.Are you going to stuff my phone in my mouth?”
“Don’t tempt me, little girl.”His muscles strain his shirt sleeves as he holds the phone away.His teasing smile holds a challenge, but I can also tell he’s serious about winning this game of keep-away.
I know he wouldn’t put the phone in my mouth, though.I lurch up once more in a futile effort to get it.
“That’s it.”Dmitri grabs my wrist and spins me around.
Suddenly, I’m lying face-down on his lap, unsure of how I got here.“Dmitri!What the hell?”
His cock is half-hard and getting harder against my stomach.I wiggle against him.Maybe I can seduce him into letting me have my way.
“If you’re gonna act like a brat, I’m gonna treat you like a brat.”He pats my ass.“Remember your safe word, because you might need it.”
