“I apologize,” I finally manage to say softly, digging my nails into the leather cushion. “But I—“
“What did you think would happen going to that party? Did you thinkat all?“ he shouts, his voice dripping with venom. “Especially dressed likethat!“ he spits, gesturing toward me.
My heart sinks in my chest, but I don’t speak.
“Your little friend is a magnet for scandalous articles. Do you really expect me to believe you actually thought it would be a good idea to waltz into a party in the Hills?”
“I already apologized. I don’t know what else you want me to say. It wasn’t even myfault. I didn’t know it was his house,“ I say with a quivering breath.
He opens his mouth to reply but stops. Instead, he gulps down his drink and immediately refills it, sighing deeply through his nose.
“Do you thinkthiswas what I wanted for you?“ The question is rhetorical, and I know better than to answer. “Far from it. What Iwantis for you to be more responsible. I want you to take somegoddamnaccountability when you make a mistake. Iwantyou tothinkbefore you behave recklessly.”
He’s not yelling anymore, but the anger glazing his words is somehow worse. He left out the most important one—the thing he wants more than anything. To be free of me. To resign from his role as my father. To stop having to pretend to tolerate my existence.
My eyes drop to my lap, blinking hard as the words blur and my throat tightens. There’s no point in arguing with someone who has already made up their mind.
He takes another big swig of his bourbon and I force myself to swallow the sour taste in my mouth.
“You have a reputation, Sadie. My hands were tied.” He shrugs. “You were photographed with your friend the minute you stepped out of the car. The headlines might as well have written themselves.” He sighs again and I can feel his eyes burning into me. “I don’t want people to think I have a legal bias—it’s bad practice.”
“You could’ve asked me.” My voice breaks as I hold back tears. It’s taking every ounce of strength not to cry in front of him, but it won’t make this any better.
They let him read my statement. Heknowswhat happened. He knows he hurt me.
He’s choosing them. He willalwayschoose them.
Polishing off his second glass, he clears his throat, checking his phone again.
“I’ve decided how you can repay me for the strings I had to pull to get this removed from your permanent record. An MIP is a serious offense and should be treated as such.” He pauses for dramatic effect and taps his finger against his glass. “Unfortunately for both of us, I can’t stop people from talking and spreading rumors, but I have a plan to remedy this problematic situation.”
I lift my eyes to him. There’s a flicker at the corner of his mouth—not quite a smile, just a cruel little twist. My teeth grind together, the words I want to scream scraping the back of my throat. But I swallow them down.
“When this conversation is over, you will go upstairs and pack your bags. Your plane leaves in three hours.”
My stomach drops.
He’s kicking me out?
“Where am I going?”
Warren leans forward and his smile is vengeful. “You are spending the summer with an old acquaintance of mine, Heath Morrow, living and working on his guest ranch in the mountains. Pack accordingly.”
“No.No, I’m not going.“ I shake my head firmly, making the extra effort to cross my arms over my chest.
Warren nods and takes another sip before leaning forward onto his elbows.
“Yes, you are,“ he hisses. “Everything is already set up and booked. Heath will pick you up from the airport when you land.”
Denial spreads through me like a dense fog.
“Is this a sick joke? You cannot just send me away when things aren’t working in your favor,” I snap, not caring if I upset him anymore. The damage is done.
He pinches between his eyes. “This is not a joke, Sadie. Go upstairs and pack. We’ve wasted enough time as it is.”
“Please,don’t make me go.“ My voice trembles as the tears brimming in my eyes threaten to spill over.
This is my last summer. My gap year is over and I’m enrolled to start my first semester in the fall. It’s my last summer to spend with my friends before we all spread out to different sides of the country.
