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“Funny, you don’t look it.” I growl.
“I could care less what you think.” She growls back. Oh, I’m going to have fun breaking this little doll.
Rather than throw another slur her way, I just stare at her, waiting to see who will look away first.
Several minutes pass by as she begins to eat her food, never taking her eyes off mine. I do the same.
When I have my mind set on something, I never back down, and right now, my mind is set on making her life a living hell.
Just then, my father clears his throat, “Wyck, Athens will need help moving all of her things here… Permanently. I expect you to help her with whatever she may need.” He orders.
Just as I’m about to protest, she beats me to it.
“I don’t need his help.” She all but shouts, while those beautiful eyes are locked on mine again.
“I know you don’t need it, darling, but-”
“Fine, I don’twanthis help.” She pouts, acting like a spoiled brat.
“Good, because I don’t want to fucking offer it.” I lean forward as I grumble the words in her direction. She looks like she’s ready to pounce on me but not in the way I want her to. That has me smiling.
“You think being disrespectful is funny?” Oh, I’ve struck a nerve. Good, now she sees how it feels.
“Respect is earned, just like trust, and I don’t trust you as far as I can throw you.”
“Enough, the both of you. Wyck, I gave you an order, and you will follow it. The same goes for you, Athens.” He growls between us.
“Whatever.” They eat while I sit in silence.
“Darling, I know that things have been somewhat stressful for you. I believe a little getaway is in order. What if we go on a trip to relax and when we get back you can move in just in time for your semester to start? How does that sound?” He says with that beautiful smile of his.
“It sounds like I’m gonna be sick if you keep up this act of yours, Father.”
“You know what, Bash, that sounds like just what the doctor ordered. I can’t wait.” There she goes with that pointed stare of hers.
For a minute, I think about giving her something to look at, but I think better of it. I’ll let them have their moment for now, because it’s no more mister nice guy after this fiasco.
I look down and my watch and see that an hour has passed and determine I’ve had enough.
“Time to go. Athens, I can’t say it was a pleasure to meet you, well, because it wasn’t. Father, let’s never do this again. I’m out of here.”
“I can’t say that it was nice meeting you either, Wyck, because you’ve been the absolute worst. I hope in this big house, we never cross paths.” She grunts, scooting her chair back, getting up, and walking past me as the smell of gingerbread wraps itself around me. I close my eyes just for a second and appreciate her scent.
“Now look at what you’ve done. You did this on purpose, but if you think this will drive a wedge between us, you are sadly mistaken. She is here to stay, whether you like it or not.” My father says, storming out of the room no doubt to go and catch her.
“That’s the difference between you and I, old man, I don’t give two fucks what I did here tonight.”
I walk out of the dining room and head to the garage. Tonight went well if you ask me. I made a great impression on mommy dearest. Father feels how much I dislike him. Now, I can freely spend more time at my house with the guys. My father thinks I live on campus, and I intend to keep it that way.
My cell rings with an incoming FaceTime call from Dash and the guys.
“Wyck, I wouldn’t be surprised if she were packing her bags and leaving tonight.” Dash jokes. Of course they know what went down tonight. Call it being cautious, but I had cameras set up throughout the house awhile back. We all have access to the feeds so nothing is missed.
“You put on quite a show.” Onyx laughs.
“Dash, now that you have her first name, I want to know what you can find out about her. Starting with her birthday. There is no way she’s thirty, because she could pass for twenty-two easily. I want you to find out everything you can about her.”
“Yeah she could, she is fucking gorgeous.” Karter says, fanning himself.