Being Julia (A Forever Novella) by Sandi Lynn Read Free Book Online Page B

that?” he said.
    My mom leaned closer to him and whispered, “Did you know that this is my gym? My husband bought it for me as an anniversary gift. So you better listen very carefully, Mr. Sullivan. You are never to step foot in my gym again. Because if you do, I’ll charge your dumb ass with statutory rape. Have I made myself clear?”
    Brody gulped as he looked at me. “Yes, Mrs. Black, I understand you,” he said and then looked at my dad.
    My dad shook his head slowly. “Sorry; her gym, her rules. I think you better apologize to my daughter.”
    “I’m sorry, Julia. I’m really sorry if I hurt your feelings,” he said as my mom removed her arm from him.
    “Save it for someone who cares,” I said as I stuck up my pinky finger and called Bobby, our security guard, over. “Please escort Mr. Sullivan out and make sure he doesn’t come back, ever.”
    “Sure thing, Miss Black.” He smiled.
    My dad walked over to me and put his arm around me. I started to break down.
    “Julia, hold it together. Don’t give him the satisfaction,” he said as he walked me back to our locker room.
    I held it in until we reached the room. As soon as the door shut behind me, I sobbed into my father’s chest. He held my head against him as he told me it would be okay.
    “I know it hurts, baby. Let it out.”
    “You…you…were right all along,” I sobbed.
    My mom walked over and rubbed my back. “We all make mistakes, Julia. If we didn’t, we wouldn’t be human. I know you’re hurting, but we’re here for you.”
    And that was what happened when I was sixteen. I lost my virginity, disappointed my parents, and I managed to get over Brody Sullivan. My mom was right; time does heal all wounds and the best way to heal those wounds: find another hot guy!

Chapter 8
    Seventeen
    I’ve dated a multitude of boys over the past year. My dad kept a careful eye on me for the fear that he’d catch me having sex in the penthouse again. My mom took me to the doctor and had me put on the pill. She told me not to mention it to my dad because he wouldn’t understand. I hadn’t had sex since my little romp with Brody, because of all the guys I’ve dated, none of them were worthy. London and I went to the mall practically every day after school. We’d sit in the food court and watch the hot guys walk by. We were on a mission, or should I say, I was on a mission to find the perfect boyfriend because London was still dating Rob, who I couldn’t stand. He was only using her for her money and for sex. As much as I tried to tell her, she would just tell me that I was jealous. I was really concerned because he used drugs and, sometimes, when I’d see London with him, she looked high as hell.
    I had an art competition coming up in a few days, and I needed to finish the painting that I was entering in the contest. The prize was a $15,000 scholarship to Columbia University and the winning portrait would be displayed on the wall in one of their most prestigious halls. I really wanted to go away to college, but when I mentioned it, I saw the hurt and sadness in my dad’s eyes. He told me that he would support whatever decision I made. I like to tease him, so one day, I told him that I had applied to a university in Italy. He went on a rant and threw his hands up in the air; it was funny to see him get all worked up. Later that night, I overheard him talking to my mom, and he told her that if I was serious about going to Italy, then he was going to start looking for a house, and they’d live there for the next four years. I quickly told my dad that I was joking and that I wanted to go to Columbia, here in New York, so I didn’t have to leave him or my home. He wrapped his arms around me and held me so tightly, I could barely breathe.
    “You have no idea how happy I am that you decided to go to Columbia,” he said as he kissed me on the head.
    “Yeah, Dad, I think I do,” I said as I tried to take a breath.
    He broke our embrace and I told