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Avalyne
“This was so much fun!” Lilac shouts. I rest against the lamppost, waiting for my dad to drive up, when I catch Damien leaning against a parking meter a couple of feet away. The night is warm and muggy. The dancing piled on top of the humidity has caused us all to look like sweaty messes, except for Damien. Beads of sweat rest on the sides of his forehead. His black hair is shiny and wavy. I watch him light his cigarette while he looks up at me through his thick lashes.You have no chill, girl.
“So, can I get your number, Firefly?”He wants my phone number?I roll my eyes, trying to play off how deliriously excited I am. I search through my bag for the red lipstick I always have with me. I feel Damien’s gaze on me, watching my every move. “Why the nicknameFirefly?” I ask as I’m rummaging through my overstuffed purse.
“Your eyes match the color that comes from the glow of a Firefly,” he says, grinning.
Found it.“May I?” I say softly, grabbing his hand, and he nods. I write my number down on his forearm and wink, giving him my most seductive smile.
“Avalyne!” My dad’s deep rumbling voice bellows from across the street. I watch him walk up onto the sidewalk. It takes him only a few seconds to reach us with his long strides.
“Hi, Dad.” I smile at him, welcoming him to meet my new friends.
Lilac exchanges greetings with my dad. She is like a sister I’ve never had, and quite frankly, he never second-guesses her and me hanging out. We are cut from the same cloth.
“Who do we have here?” My dad asks, narrowing his eyes on Damien.
“I guess that’s my cue to leave.” Lilac rests her hand on my shoulder and squeezes it. We lock eyes, and she mouths, ‘good luck.’
“Let us drive you, Lilac.” My dad is always the protector and never lets us walk late at night.
“The café is still open, sir. I’ll just help my parents close up.” My dad gives her a nod and switches his attention to my new suitors.
“Oliver Beaumont. A pleasure to meet you, Mr. DeLuca,” he smiles politely at my father, who doesn’t break eye contact with Damien.That’s… weird.
“Damien Alarie, sir,” Damien reaches his hand to my father.
They share a glance, and my dad extends his hand before replying sternly, “Nice to meet you. Now you better get home. I’ll take my daughter from here.”
Damien slides his hands into his pockets and winks at me.I think I just came.My dad and I watch as the guys walk away. I can feel the tension building off of him. It’s like a bear trapped in a cage. I’ve never really seen him so angry outside of the courtroom.
“Avalyne. You are to stay far away from that boy. Do I make myself clear? There is a court case against him, and I’m involved,” Dad’s voice roars. “He is not the kind of person we associate with. Do I make myself clear?”
I love my dad. I really do. But rebelling never tastes so good than when he gets into his overprotective, helicopter parenting mode.
“He isn’t a boy, dad. He is a man. And why are you acting so harsh?”
“I am not being harsh, Ava! I don’t want you anywhere near thisman!” His tone has never been so bitter before. He throws me a resentful look and gets in the car, leaving me enraged and frustrated like a ticking bomb that never had the chance to explode.
So here I am, driving back home in the passenger’s seat next to my father, who, by the way, looks like he’s just killed someone. His piercing blue eyes are like lasers staring at the road in front of him. The silence is deafening. Don’t get the wrong idea. My dad isn’t some kind of a tyrant. Actually, he is quite the opposite. He’s a wonderful and caring father, but as I already mentioned, he has rules. Everyone who knows him is aware of that. He’s no joke. Maybe that’s why he keeps scaring away all the boys I meet? Perhaps that’s why I feel like a bird in a gilded cage? I know it’s partially because of his job and the responsibility it holds. I also know he simply wants to protect his little daughter. The thing is…I am not his little girl anymore.
“So?” I’m the first to break this dreadful silence. “Mind explaining what it is that you have against Damien?”
“He’s no good for you,” he replies dryly, keeping his eyes fixed on the road.
“You say that about every guy I bring home!” I roll my eyes and sigh. Yes, I may be acting like a teenager and not a college student, but I’ve never had a taste of the kind of desire I had tonight.
“Can’t you just trust your father, Ava? For once?” He sounds defeated. “I know what I’m saying. This guy is dangerous.”
Great! He piques my interest like that, and he expects me not to dig deeper?I turn to look at him and tilt my head to the side, contemplating my options. I can go with innocent blackmailing, or I can let this go. Blackmailing, of course. There’s no way I’m letting this topic go without a try.
“Okay, Dad, you either tell me what’s going on here, or I text Damien this very second and ask him to take me out on a date. And trust me, he seemed pretty keen on the idea.” I snap, satisfied, trying to hold back the smile desperately wanting to appear on my ‘go me’ face, and dad chuckles.
“You’re blackmailing me now?” He says softly, one eyebrow raised. His mouth curls up on one side, trying to fight a smile. Great, it means we’re back on good terms.
“Thanks to my D.A. father, I know law quite well,” I joke. “Why, Mr. DeLuca? Are you going to bring a case against your own daughter?”
Dad shakes his head softly, dispelling all of his anger.
