I shot him a helpless shrug back.I know, right? Help me get rid of him.
My father shook his head then returned his focus to the hockey player.
"Nice to meet you, Tolliver. But I've gotta ask, why are you here so early?"
"Freya said she starts reading at dawn." Tolliver shot me a grin. "Didn't want to be late again."
"I told you not to come back at all," I said through gritted teeth. "Twice."
"Yeah, but I knew you didn't mean it."
My jaw dropped as Dad's laughter rang out.
"Well, this has been fun," he said. "I'll leave you two to it. Freya"—he turned to me—"you know the rules. No boys allowed in your bedroom unless the door is open."
"I didn't even know we had rules," I replied.
Dad blinked. "Well, we do."
"Since when?"
"Since always. I just haven't had to state them until now. You haven't brought a lot of boys home."
I almost said I didn't bring this one either. Tolliver came on his own. Technically, what my dad said was true. But...
"What about Wayne?" I asked, fighting back a wince because thoughts of my ex never failed to make me a little twitchy.
Dad shook his head. "You didn't even like Wayne."
Wrong.
I had liked him—a little. At first.
Not so much once I got to know him.
And definitely nowhere near as much as I liked Toll?—
I cut the thought off immediately. It was entirely unhelpful.
"Well, neither did you," I said.
"True. Just...keep the door open, okay, kid?"
My cheeks were burning, but I nodded. "Okay."
"And Tolliver?"
"Yes, sir?"
"Keep your hands, lips, and any other body parts to yourself."
Oh my gosh. He did not just say that!
"If I find out you disrespected my daughter in any way, I'll hunt you down. She has uncles who love her. They'd help me hide the body. Do you understand?"
Tolliver's eyes were bright. "Yeah, no worries, Mr. Kent. I'll keep it respectful."
My father gave a curt nod.
