The elevator ride down is tense, and my heart aches for Blake. I know the only reason he stood down against my father was for my sake. He has no idea what that ant to . I loved that he was willing to not only stand up to my father but also step back if I asked. I only pray that he doesn’t hate after this.
It would have killed to hear soone talking about him marrying soone else. My small glimr of hope is that he knows I’m not marrying whoever this person is, and it’s not like I’m eting this person tonight. At least I would hope not. This is the first ti I’ve ever heard my parents speak on even dating soone. I wasn’t allowed to date in high school because my father would have flipped out. Not that anyone piqued my interest back then.
I don’t understand why my father is so mad. I would if he actually knew what went on today, but for all he knows, I’ve been working. This is what he wanted. He’s always spoken so highly of Blake, but it’s not until we’re in his car that he finally speaks.
"I raised you better than this, Piccola. You’re not so whore." His words are a smack to my face.
"What?!" I hiss.
Okay, maybe he does know what went on today, but how? Warmth blooms through my whole face. Sex of any kind is not sothing I’ve ever spoken about with my parents. Ever.
"Don’t play dumb with . I saw the way Blake was looking at you. What did you do? Throw yourself at him?"
I gape at my father. "I did no such thing. He was the one that ca down and told I’d be working with him," I say fiercely, and it’s the truth. I’m too shy to throw myself at anyone.
The car grows silent as he pulls out of the parking lot, but he doesn’t head toward campus. Instead he gets on the highway, and I get nervous. I thought he might have been bluffing about the whole family eting thing and plans for my future as a way to get alone, but I guess he wasn’t.
"Did he co on to you?" I fidget with the edge of my skirt. This day has gone from one of the best of my life and actually feeling as though I had so control to this. My father is always good at making sure I stay under his thumb. "Piccola," he snaps, making jump. "Did he co on to you?"
"No," I snip right back, my anger bleeding through.
"Watch your tone." I swallow, trying to get my emotions in check. I will not cry, and I won’t apologize either. I let the silence stretch and keep my mouth sealed. "Don’t let yourself be one of those girls who gets used up by the boss and tossed aside."
I turn my head to stare out the window. "I thought you liked Blake."
"In business he’s a genius, but he’s not for you." I can’t help but wonder if my father knows sothing about Blake that I don’t. I want to ask, but that will only give away. Honestly, I actually thought he might be happy if sothing was to co from Blake and .
I know it’s silly to think that maybe Blake could be the one, but I would have thought with how well my father talks about him he would’ve been over the moon at the idea of us together. Instead he has other plans.
"What did he have you working on today?" he asks when we pull into his neighborhood. Shit.
"He didn’t tell the na of the project or anything. Just had entering numbers into so program." He flicks a glance my way, but I don’t think he’s buying my lies. "Is Mom ho?" I change the subject.
"Yes, she ordered dinner. We have a guest tonight." My stomach sinks. He really does have soone he wants to et. I know my father can go a little far with his control at tis, but this is out there.
When he uttered the words take her off our hands, my heart broke. I’ve always told myself that my father’s overbearing ways were because he loves . He only worries about and wants the best. Those words shattered that idea. It makes question why he does all these things.
"Who is coming over?"
"A nice young man that goes to school with you. He’ll be graduating this year." He pulls into the driveway, hitting the button for the garage. I notice a sleek white BMW parked in the driveway, but it’s not one I recognize. No one drives around campus unless they’re leaving to go elsewhere, so it’s not like I would know what people drive.
I’ve never gotten my license because my dad said I didn’t need one. Everything I needed was on campus, which was true, I suppose. In reality, it’s another way for them to control . I get out of the car and make my way into the house. Once inside I follow the sound of my mother’s laughter into the kitchen but stop dead when I see who is standing there. Liam.
"Piccola." He gives a smile as he walks over toward . To my surprise, he pulls in for a hug, but I stand there stiffly. This is not happening. "Guess they don’t know about the boyfriend," he whispers in my ear.
"Please don’t say anything," I whisper back.
"I think we can work out a deal." He kisses my cheek, and a cold chill runs down my spine. I force a nod, and he taps on the nose with his finger. "Good."
"Already getting acquainted, I see," Dad says as he enters the kitchen behind . "Did you know Liam’s parents go to our country club?"
"Not a clue." I force a smile and pray this will be over quickly.
"How about we eat? I’ve got everything laid out," Mom suggests.
"It slls wonderful," Liam says as he begins to lay on the charm.
It’s actually how the whole dinner goes. I barely say a few words while Liam and my father monopolize the conversation. I’m thankful for it as my mind drifts to Blake all throughout the al. This night was supposed to be so different. Today I thought my life was changing. I might be naïve in that, but Blake was so different with . Sweet and caring. He made feel that this was so much more than so hookup. Still, my father has put doubts into my mind. Why is he so against the idea of Blake and ?
I’d been so worried about showing up to his office this morning, but he’d put completely at ease. Sure, he was bossy and enjoyed giving orders, but he actually made happy. It was the most control I’ve felt I’ve had over my life. He pushed to do things that I wanted but didn’t believe that I could ever do.
"Piccola always said she wanted three children when she grew up. But don’t most only children say that?" At the ntion my na, I’m jerked back to reality.
"I think I’d want three children too." Liam winks at from across the table.
"I suppose if you two did get married this sumr, maybe the whole sorority thing isn’t worth it. I just know how much I enjoyed being in one," my mom adds.
"I don’t think a sorority is a good fit for Piccola. She’s a bit shy," Liam responds for .
"I thought it might break her out of her shell, but maybe you’re right. I just don’t care for that roommate of hers. Lindsey."
"Lexi," I correct. "She’s a great roommate. I got lucky with her," I say defensively.
"A bit rough around the edges is all." Mom scrunches her nose as I go back to pushing my food around my plate. I want out of here, but it’s not like I can try and make an escape. I’m stuck. They all fall back into conversation, and I zone out again until dinner is finally over.
"Liam, do you think you could give Piccola a ride back to campus?" my dad suddenly suggests. "You two can get to know each other better."
"I’d be more than happy to do that." Liam pushes back from his chair, giving no choice but to do the sa.
Mom stands and gives a hug. "He’s handso," she tells , but I don’t bother responding. Liam and my father exchange hushed words before I’m following him out the front door. I reach into my purse and grab my cell phone, dreading this ride ho.
"Who was the man from last night?" he asks as soon as he pulls out of the driveaway. The sun is already setting, and suddenly I feel exhausted.
"Soone I’ve been talking to." I try to give as little detail as possible.
"Is that really it?"
I shrug.
"I don’t think your father would be too happy if he knew about him."
"Are you going to tell him?"
"Are you still a virgin?" He takes his eyes off the road to run his eyes over , and I shrink back into myself.
"Yes," I answer, hoping he’ll stop looking at .
"Break it off with him and I won’t have to tell dear old daddy anything." I don’t respond. "I don’t know why you’re making this so hard, Piccola. We’ll fit together rather nicely. I think you’ll make a lovely wife." He reaches over and runs his fingers down my jaw.
"Watch out!" I scream when he starts to drift into the other lane.
"Shit!" He jerks the car back, but he does it too hard and I scream as we veer off the road. There’s a concrete wall just ahead, but it all happens so fast. Glass explodes around us and the sound of crunching tal fills my ears.
Blake’s face flashes through my mind as the car screeches to a halt. I reach up and touch my eyebrow then wince when I see the blood on my hand. Liam curses beside and starts to yell at for shouting at him. He’s banging on his steering wheel saying how it’s all my fault, but I ignore him as I search for my phone.
When I finally find it on the floorboard, I go to call Blake but then realize that I don’t have his number. I drop my head back and close my eyes as the sounds of sirens grow closer. My head is pounding, and my body aches, but I don’t want an ambulance.
I want Blake.
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