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“I think it’s time for you to leave, young man.” Ralph will barely look at me, his upper lip curled with obvious disgust, and I hate this is how he discovered that Daisy and I are a thing.
That we’re together.
Any other girl, I wouldn’t give a shit about her parents or what sort of impression I might leave on them. Not even Cadence, considering our so-called relationship was a fucking disaster from day one.
This girl and her dad, I want to impress. I want to do this right. I want to prove I’m not as bad as every adult in my life seems to think I am. Because they all think that. I know they do. I’m the reckless Lancaster. The kid who doesn’t give a fuck. The one who doesn’t have to worry about shit because Mommy and Daddy have got everything covered.
“Sir, if I could talk to you for a—”
Ralph holds up his hand, stopping me. “Spare me the details. From what I just saw, I can figure out what you two were up to.”
I swallow hard. So does Daisy, our gazes connecting. Lingering.
“I’ll see you later, Arch,” she murmurs, her soft voice wrapping all around me.
Giving me no choice, I offer a short nod to her.
And leave.
THIRTY-THREE
DAISY
The moment Archis out of the house, I’m following my father into the kitchen, unsure of how to explain myself.
“It’s not what you think—”
He turns, silencing me with a look. “It’s exactly what I think, Daisy. I have eyes. I saw the way you two looked. Guilty as sin. Both of you looked like you put your clothes back on in a rush.”
Oh God. I didn’t even think about how welooked.I was so jittery, adrenaline pumping through my veins, nervous and excited over the idea of finally getting Arch naked.
I surprised myself.
“I’m glad I came home when I did or else you would be crying in your room right now. Just another girl used and abused by Arch Lancaster.” Dad shakes his head, his disgust clear.
“He didn’t use me. I-I like him. And he likes me. I know he does.” Or maybe I’m an idiot who threw myself at the boy I’m in love with after being apart from him for only a few days.
I felt desperate in that moment. Almost unhinged. When we ended up on my bed, I wasn’t surprised. I wanted it, desperate to know what it would feel like, having him slide into me for the first time. Filling me up.
Making me complete.
“Please. He’s definitely using you, sweetheart. Can’t you see? Didn’t I tell you that boy is no good? Reckless? Impulsive? He’s doing dumb things around campus all the time and constantly getting into trouble, though he rarely receives any punishment. Did you know that?”
I don’t bother answering him.
“I’ve never told on him because what’s the point? Nothing’s going to happen. That boy gets away with damn near murder around this campus almost every day and I’m sick of it. I should report him to Matthews. Say I caught him in my house, doing inappropriate things with my daughter,” Dad continues.
“No.You can’t do that. You’ll ruin everything between us. For him.” I go to my father and rest my hands on top of his, trying to clutch them, but he won’t let me, shaking me off. I’m persistent though and when I finally get a hold of his hands, my gaze locks with his. “I’m in love with him, Daddy.”
The disgusted face he makes has my heart seizing in terror. “Don’t say that.”
“I am.”
“You don’t know what love is. You’re too young. The first boy who pays a little attention to you and you’re gone for him?In lovewith him? Grow up, Daisy Mae. Don’t be so gullible. You can’t fall for his bullshit.”
I let go of him, backing away. Shocked he would be so dismissive of my feelings. “What he says to me isn’t bullshit. He likes me. He might even be in love with me too.”
Dad peers at me, his brows drawn low. “He hasn’t told you that yet?”
