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I got out of my seat, walked over to his side, and hugged him tightly.
“I love you, Dad.”
“I love you, too, baby. You better be careful with it and don’t overspend. I’m trusting you enough to give you that responsibility.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be careful,” I said as I sat back down.
My mom looked at me and smiled as she put her arm around him and rested her head on his shoulder. He turned and kissed her head. As embarrassing as it was to have my parents being all touchy-feely in public, it was nice to see how in love they were. I started to think about Brody, so I took out my phone and sent him a text message.
“Hi. I’m at dinner with my parents and was thinking about you.”
“Hi. Good thoughts, I hope.”
“Only the best.”
He replied with a smiley face, and I was in Heaven.
CHAPTER 3
Over the next few days, Brody and I continued to see each other after school, and we went a little further every day. He wasn’t pressuring me to have sex, but he said that he couldn’t wait, and the more he thought about it, the more he couldn’t wait. Brody asked me out on an actual date, and I was so excited. He told me he’d pick me up, which meant one thing—he’d have to meet Connor and Ellery. The thought of him meeting my parents made me extremely nervous. I wasn’t sure how my dad would react since I wasn’t allowed to date yet. If he only knew. I walked into the living room, where my parents were snuggled on the couch.
“Hey, Mom and Dad.” I smiled. “I need to discuss something with you.”
My mom sat up and looked at me. “Okay, honey. What is it?”
I took in a deep breath as nervousness flowed throughout my body.
“Do you need to sit down?” my dad asked.
“Julia, whatever it is, just say it,” my mom said.
I sat down in the chair across from them. “There’ssomeone I would like you to meet because we’re going out tomorrow.”
There. I said it. I let out a breath.
“What’s his name?” my mom asked with a small smile.
“It better not be a ‘him,’” my dad immediately said.
He was starting already and not giving me a chance. Instantly, my defenses went up.
“His name is Brody,” I answered as I looked at my mom. “He goes to St. Matthews, and he’s eighteen.”
As I kept my eyes focused on my mom, I could feel my dad’s glare burning into my skin.
“No,” he said.
“Connor,” my mom said as she grabbed his hand.
“No, Ellery. She’s not going out on a date.”
I loved my dad, but sometimes he really sucked, and he needed to stop being so protective.
“Dad, why?” I whined.
“Because, Julia. You don’t need that complication in your life right now. You have your paintings and school to focus on. Not some boy whose only concern is getting in your pants.”
“DAD! Brody isn’t like that! He’s really sweet and caring, and he likes me a lot. Mom, please do something.”