Page 20 of Holding On

Rick the Prick

What’s the rule when I text you?

Me

Respond. Got it.

Rick the Prick

You better make Roman happy. Do not piss me off. I don’t care what it takes, make yourself useful.

Me

Ok.

“Will you run through the schedule one more time please, Allie?” I look up in the bathroom mirror to glance at my cousin in the reflection as the hair and makeup artists works their magic. Heaven forbid, a hair is out of place for the Roman Cash.

Puke.

He’s performing tonight at Music Fest, and I agreed to arrive at the event with him and come on stage as a pop-up performance, but I drew the line with doing a collaboration with Roman. I don’t want to be professionally tied up with him anymore than Rick already has me. I’m still pissed at Rick for bullying me into signing the contract and nondisclosure agreement for our fake arrangement. It felt like an unnecessary flex of the power he has over me that he could make me sign a document about my own dating life, not that I’m allowed to have one of those anyway. Usually, Rick signs anything business and financially related, and that’s how it’s always been in my career. When I was minor, he claimed it was because he was my guardian and representative, and I foolishly thought when I turned eighteen, I’d be free.

But Rick had other plans.

I wake up ecstatic on the morning of my eighteenth birthday. I’m not sure what it’s going to look like, but I am finally going to be free from Rick’s control. I could take my bank account and never work a single day in my life—Rick ensured my career had kept me busy for the last decade. I am tired of the grind and want to live my life on my terms.

I remember when my cousin Allie told me about how on her birthdays, her mama makes her special chocolate chip pancakes, with a massive dollop of homemade whipped cream, sprinkles, and a birthday candle to start the day. They even have a special birthday plate that they only use when it’s someone’s birthday. Her mother is my aunt technically, but since my father’s death, my mother has kept us from his family, and not from their lack of effort. It felt kismet when Allie and I ended up at the same private high school. We quickly became best friends, but our definition of what family looks like is incredibly different.

I text Allie to ask if she wants to meet for lunch. Usually, I have to clear my social plans with Rick, but I’m an adult! It shouldn’t be such a big deal to make lunch plans, but I can’t stop grinning at my new-found freedom. I get ready, deciding to let my hair air dry and rock my curls on my birthday. Skipping down the stairs, I notice the house is quiet.

I didn’t expect anything, but I think there was a small part of me that hoped for once, I could walk in on some kind of birthday celebration that wasn’t just for the photo op. But there are no special birthday cakes or doting parents in the kitchen. It’s pristine, clean, and empty.

“It’s about time you get up,” Rick barks behind me, causing me to jump. I’m usually hyper aware of his presence, but I didn’t hear him come in from the dining room. “Hurry up and get something to eat if you want it; I’m not stopping for any fast food on the way.”

I scrunch my eyebrows in confusion. “I didn’t know we had anything going on today. I thought I could meet Allie for lunch.”

“You know the rules, and you didn’t clear that with me, so that’s an automatic no. Besides, by the time we’re done with the appointment, we have to get back here for your personal trainer appointment.”

“I don’t want to have a personal training appointment today. I wanted to do something for my birthday.” I try to make my voice sound strong and sure, but the reality is that Rick has literally beat fear into me over the years. There have been times I’ve been hit for him thinking I was questioning him, even if that wasn’t my intention. My intent, much like my opinion, never matters to Rick.

He rears back and sneers at me, “Well, tough shit, princess. You have commitments to keep, and you would be wise to remember your place. Or do you need a reminder?” Those reminders are painful, so I quickly shake my head no. “I didn’t think so. If you intend to make yourself presentable for the attorneys, you better hurry up. We’re leaving in fifteen minutes.” He waves at my curly hair—he hates when I wear it curly. I self-consciously tuck a few strands behind my ear.

Wait.

Attorneys?

“What attorneys?” I have no idea what he’s talking about right now.

Rick rolls his eyes. “It’s your eighteenth birthday.”

Oh, maybe there are documents I need to sign to take control of my accounts! But of course, the joy of that thought is quickly snuffed out by Rick before it even takes hold.

“We’ll sign your Durable Power of Attorney and then make it back before your trainer gets here.” Rick taps away on his cell phone.

“What’s the Power of Attorney for?”

Rick looks up and starts laughing like I just told a joke. “Oh, you dumb little girl, did you think I was going to let you go a single day as a legal adult without making sure you can’t fuck up what I’ve built?” He shakes his head as he continues to laugh. “You’ve got jokes this morning, huh?”

“I … I want to be in control of my own stuff. I’m an adult now, Rick. I thought once I turned eighteen, I would get to be in control.” I try—and fail—to make my voice sound brave and sure of myself. I should have known better.