She nibbles on her bottom lip. “I’ve had some time to think, some time to wonder what’s going to happen to you, and I just feel, even though I don’t want this to happen, I feel like it might be better if we just . . . go our separate ways.”
“That’s not fucking happening,” I say. “No fucking way. That solves nothing other than making us miserable and prolonging the inevitable.”
“What’s the inevitable?” she asks.
“You and I being together. I told you, I found you, and now you’re stuck with me.” I bring her wrist to my lips and kiss the permanent bracelets. “I meant everything I said when I gave these to you. It’s you and me, babe. You’re not going anywhere.” To prove it, I scoot off the bed, keeping her in my arms. Surprised, she wraps her arms around my neck, as I carry her down the hallway, through the kitchen, and down another hallway to our bedroom where I lay her softly on the bed.
With one thing on my mind, I start undressing her, but she pauses me. “Levi, you don’t have to prove anything.”
“I’m not proving anything,” I say and then pull my shirt over my head. Her eyes move to my chest before going back up to my eyes. “I’m showing you how proud I am of you, Wylie.” I push down my pants and my briefs along with my socks. Then I move back to her and undress her. I have her naked in seconds, and I’m climbing onto the bed.
“But . . . what about my dad?”
“Let me worry about that,” I say as I crawl between her legs.
“Wait . . . Levi,” she says, worry in her gaze. “Please, I don’t want you to have to do this alone.”
“I’m not,” I say. “I have a plan. Now let me celebrate the fact that you’re fucking amazing, and you got the opportunity of a lifetime.”
“But—”
“No buts, babe. What happened at the arena is done. It’s just you and me now, and that’s what I want you to focus on.”
I spread her legs and press my mouth against her pussy. She’s stiff for a moment, but when I start lapping at her, she relaxes in my arms.
That’s all I need right now . . . for her to relax. The rest will come.
WYLIE
Dad: Are you with him? Is that why you didn’t come home?
I stare at his text as I sit on the couch in the dark, not wanting to wake Levi. Last night, I let the events of everything fall to the back of my mind, but after he fell asleep, spooning me, I found it incredibly hard to stop thinking about the day’s events. They came roaring back, keeping me up, so finally, I gave up on trying to sleep and came out here, only to see the text from my dad.
Does he really think that I’m going to return to his house? I told him I wasn’t. I told him to send me the bill for my tuition. With what I’ll be making working for Patty Ford, I know that I can pay off those bills. It will take time, but I know I can.
Deciding to call instead of text, I dial his phone number and sink deeper into the couch as I wait for him to answer.
It’s past six, so he should be awake.
After three rings, he picks up. “Where are you?” he asks sternly into the phone.
Sighing, I say, “I’m at Levi’s place, Dad.”
“Wylie, I swear to God—”
“What are you going to do?” I ask, remaining calm. “It’s not like you can ground me. Or cut me off. You already did that.”
“I’ll hurt him,” Dad says in a threatening voice. That would have shaken me to my core last night, but after talking with Levi, I know there really isn’t anything he can do.
“Dad, can I ask you something?”
“Is it if you can move back into my house? That shouldn’t be a question, that’s a demand on my part.”
Trying not to grow frustrated, I ask, “Why did Mom leave you?”
There’s silence.
Prolonged silence that would normally crack me, but I stay firm in wanting to dig deeper with my father.
Finally, he says, “We’re not talking about your mother. We’re talking about you.”
“But why?” I ask. “Why did she leave you? You’ve told me nothing about her.”
“Wylie, I don’t have time for this.”
“You don’t have time for your daughter?” I ask, my voice shaking. “I love you, Dad. I have loved you unconditionally ever since I can remember. I’ve looked up to you, I’ve followed you, I’ve listened, and I’ve honored you. But when it comes to our relationship, it can’t be one-sided. I can’t be the one always trying, always trying to connect. It goes both ways.”
“What are you talking about?” he says, growing angry. “Why do you think I’m so angry? It’s because I care.”
“But why does it matter if I date Levi?” I ask. “He’s a good guy. A sweet and caring guy. He’s supportive and—”
“He’s not good enough for you.”
“To what standards?” I ask.
“To my standards,” he replies.
“And what standards are those? Do you not want me to find someone who makes me happy? Who will spend hours every night talking to me about my dreams? Who will support me rather than tear me down? Who will hold me and comfort me when my dad is being a dick, and who will celebrate me when I find a job? Would you rather him treat me like Gareth? The boy who cheated on me in high school that you ask about every once in a while. Would you rather me be with Brett, who I dated in college and who thought that partying was more important than me? Or would you rather I be with a man who is more like you, someone cold and unaffectionate? Someone I have to work to earn their love, because it isn’t handed over automatically.”
“That is not how I treat you.”
“Isn’t it, though?” I ask. “When was the last time you said you loved me? When was the last time you asked me out to dinner to just chat and see what I’m up to? When was the last time you gave me a gift that you put thought into, rather than a check at Christmas with a note that says to spend it wisely? You think that your overbearing parenting style is loving me, but it’s suffocating me. You’re not letting me be who I am, and . . . and you’re going to lose me, Dad.” Tears fill my eyes as my voice breaks. “You are going to lose me just like you lost Mom.”
And that right there makes him silent.
So I continue. “I don’t want that to happen. I want to build a relationship with you. I want to make you proud. I want you to look at me and not think how you can mold me to be the daughter you want, but rather celebrate me for my individuality. You’re making it hard to love you, Dad. You’re making it hard for me to want to keep trying. I think . . . I think the pain you cause me is worse than actually losing you.”
I hear him clear his throat before saying, “Well, if that’s how you feel—”
“I don’t want to lose you, Dad,” I plead. “But you make it hard to stay.”
“Then maybe you should just . . . leave. Go your separate way.”
“Because I don’t want to,” I say. “I love—”
But the phone goes dead. The hell? Did he hang up on me? My thoughts are confirmed when I look at the screen.
He hung up on me. Even when given the choice, he’s letting me go. No, he’s pushing me away.
“Then maybe, you should just . . . leave. Go your separate way.”
I drop my phone to the side and bury my head in my hands, letting my tears fall.
I don’t want to lose him.
I really don’t.
But I don’t think he’s giving me any other choice.
“Hey,” Levi says as he sits next to me, surprising me. He places his strong arm around my shoulders and holds me tightly. “Wylie, what’s going on?”
I turn toward him and press my head to his shoulder. “Just talked to my dad.” My voice shudders. “He . . . he thinks it’s best if he and I just part ways.” I wipe at my eyes as I take a few deep breaths. “I don’t get it, Levi. I’m trying. I don’t understand why he won’t try with me.”
“I don’t know either,” he says, “but I’m going to make it right.”
“This isn’t your fight,” I say to him.
“The fuck it’s not,” he replies. “You’re mine. Therefore your baggage and your battles are mine to shoulder.”
“It’s a lost cause.”
“It’s not,” he says with such confidence that I’m definitely shocked. “I’m going to make this right. The boys and I have a plan. Just let us work our magic.”
I pull away to look up at him. “Getting the boys involved, I don’t know if that is a good idea.”
“Trust me . . . it is.” He winks, scoops me up, and carries me back to the bedroom.