Page 26 of Changing Lanes

I settle in for the night, hoping to give Torrie time to think about her father’s wants. I don’t want to be the reason they argue, I want her to be the reason she stands up for herself. My dad would have never embarrassed me like this, let alone throw around ultimatums.

Sure, he wants what’s best for his daughter. No, I may not be it, but it needs to be her decision, not his. I want to hold her, I want to reassure her she can do anything she sets her mind to. No, I don’t know all the details of her relationship with her father, but I do know Torrie deserves more.

A light knock on my door startles me, and a surge of excitement courses through me at the possibility that it’s Torrie. I should’ve already went to her, but I’m being stubborn. Pulling the legs down on my basketball shorts, I answer the door. It’s not Torrie, it’s their houseman.

“Pardon me, Mr. O’Hurley. Mr. Harrington requests a moment of your time.” He steps away from the entrance, sweeping his hand toward the hallway.

“Sure thing.” I’m not dressed appropriately, but I’ve been requested.

He shows me to Mr. Harrington’s office, knocking before we enter. As Mr. Harrington’s voice booms through the space, the houseman opens the door and steps aside to allow me entry before closing it behind me. Great, I’m in the lair. Now what am I supposed to do? As the chair at the desk turns slowly, he sits there with a file.

“You wanted to see me?” Standing casually. I look dead in his eyes.

“Sit.” He motions for the chair in front of his massive, mahogany desk.

“No, thank you. I feel as though I should stand.” Spit it out, dude.

“Have it your way, but mark my words, that will be all you have your way with.” Laying the file down, he opens it. “I see your family’s broke. You haven’t a penny to your name. Your college is depending on your grades for scholarships.”

Tell me something I don’t know. “We’re not broke, we’re just not rich. I’ve worked hard for all that I have—grades, my scholarship, helping my mom with the farm.”

“Why are you with my daughter?” He stares daggers at me.

“Because I care for her.” I shift my stance.

“No, you do not care for her. And I will make it so she doesn’t feel the same way if you persist seeing her.” Leaning back in his chair, he sizes me up.

“How, may I ask, will you do that?” Crossing my arms over my chest, I’m ready for a fight.

He sits there studying me. His hand on his chin, tapping it as though he’s a villain in a cartoon. He is seriously considering his daughter’s downfall. Torrie’s right, her father is the kind of man I have never seen the likes of before.

“Not that I need to prove anything to you, but I will disown her. She will lose everything. Car, apartment, money. Most importantly, she will never run my company. So, how much do you care about her now?” Still, he thinks he’s intimidating me.

“Torrie is an intelligent woman. She’s strong and more than capable of making sound decisions. Why don’t we allow her to decide what she wants?” I’m trying to remain calm and polite, but I’m losing my cool. Not a good thing around this man.

“So, you fucked her. Isn’t that enough? Oh, do you want to be paid for your job?” Outrage fills me as my resolve breaks, I’m about to knock this old fucker out. Who talks about their daughter that way? Sick fuck.

“You can say and do as you please to me, but you will not speak of her that way in front of me. Do you understand me?” Fisting my hands at my sides, I tamper down the urge to act on impulse.

“White trash. I recorded this conversation. By the time she hears it, it will be of you threatening me and she’ll never speak to you again. Now, get the hell out of my house.” His face flames red, and my soul burns. He can’t be serious.

“I’ll not make her pick. But one day, she’ll choose.” Outraged, I turn to walk away, but he stops me short.

“Choose what? COO or pauper? Trust me, she doesn’t know how to be poor.” He levels his glare at me.

“No, sir. She’ll choose between the love she has and the one she wants.” Walking out the door, I know I need to leave, but there’s no way I can take her from her family. Against my better judgment, I pack my bags and go home. No way can I ask Torrie to turn her back on her family. Family is all I have, I won’t ask her to choose.

I know, I feel like a dog. Leaving in the middle of the night like a thief, but I couldn’t stay. When her father told me to leave or he’d take everything from her, I had to. There’s no way I could be responsible for her losing everything. I want her to stand up for herself, but I’m not sure she can with him.

My wait isn’t long at the airport, although they reroute me through connecting flights with layovers making my travel time much longer than anticipated. I’ll arrive in Shallotte later than originally planned. I hate to have Mom out so late, though it can’t be avoided. I couldn’t stay there another minute.

Torrie is going to be livid, and I can’t blame her. Bailing on her like this ain’t good, and I’ll have to beg my way back into her good graces. I board the plane and find my seat. Checking my phone one last time before switching it to airplane mode, I still haven’t heard from Torrie. Damn, I hate myself for leaving.

As soon as I land, I drag my phone out. I turn it on as I enter the baggage claim, and it immediately lights up with text messages. Two from my mom, six from Ava, and none from Torrie. Fuck. I load my mom messages.

What did I think would happen? I knew she would pick them, she should. I’m hoping she’ll text, but if she doesn’t, I’ll understand. Eventually. I could never imagine being in her position. Having to choose between loving someone and my family.

I grab my bag and shove my phone in my pocket. Wheeling around the corner, I almost run into my mother’s waiting arms, dropping my bag at our feet. Even for a big guy like me, hugging my mom is all I need once in a while.