Page 99 of From Drummer to Gamer

Hope for the first time in my life that I could get through this and accomplish my dreams.

A beat of comfortable silence passed before Matty cleared his throat. “I know I invited you to visit Sierra and Raphy. But there’s one other thing.”

Every bone in my body stiffened, and panic sliced through my chest.

Dad frowned. “And what would that be, son?”

“In these past few weeks, I’d grown a liking to Sierra…” Matty started in a steady tone, leaning forward as he regarded my parents, not losing his composure.

The easy expression on Dad’s face dropped, and his gaze narrowed. “What do you mean, Mr. Evans?” he asked, his tone strained.

Mom’s eyes clipped to me, laced with accusation. Like I’d just committed the biggest crime of liking a man I wasn’t supposed to.

I want a beam to open through the roof and teleport me somewhere else.

Anywhere other than here.

The silence in the room thundered so loudly that it could crack through the walls.

“What I mean is, I like Sierra.” He looked them square in the eye. “In a romantic way, and I wish to date her. And before you say anything, I just want you to know that it isn’t some momentary infatuation, and I don’t take decisions like this lightly. I really do like Sierra.” His voice softened as his eyes flickered to me gently before bouncing back to them. “I’m taken by her kind heart, her beautiful eyes, and her spirited soul. I won’t date her without your permission. I know she’s still young, but I promise to treat her with nothing but respect, and I will take good care of her.”

No one said a word as he finished.

I blinked as the tension in the room swallowed me over like a dark cloud.

“Sierra.” Mom’s piercing voice cut through the tension as she pinned me with a hard glare. “I sent you here to study. Not…not try to entice Mr. Evans with your ridiculous charms. What were you thinking? How could you embarrass me like that?” she chided, waving a furious hand.

Hurt cut my heart open, and a biting sting burned the back of my eyes.

Was that what Mom thought of me?

That I would do something like that?

“Victoria.” Matty’s voice boomed through the room like the sharp stabs of a knife. “I’d appreciate it if you don’t think ofyour daughterthat way.”

A flush crept through my mother’s cheek as she averted her gaze. “But Mr. Evans…”

Dad held a hand that halted her mid-sentence. He shot her a sharp glance. “Vicky, you know better than to speak about our girl like that. Matt is right.” He huffed out a heavy breath before turning his attention to Matty. “Look, Mr. Evans, this is the last thing I expected when you invited us over. I honestly don’t know what to make of it. Sierra… kiddo, is this something you want?”

I swallowed the clog down my throat and tried to steel my spine. “Yes, Dad. I really like him, and I want this. He knows how much I value you guys and wouldn’t even start dating me without your permission. I know I would never find another man who treats me with such care and respect, and I never will. And Mom, it saddens me to know that’s all you would think of me.” My voice cracked as I locked my eyes with her. “I’m not like that.”

In an instant, her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she rushed to my side, holding me close. “Of course not, my baby.” She softly patted my head as I buried my face in her chest. “I just don’t want my daughter to get her heart broken and hurt. I always want you to be happy, Sierra.”

I nodded, my nose curving along her soft dress as I breathed in her jasmine scent.

I hated her at that moment, but then I still loved her more than life.

“Sorry about that, Matt,” Mom said softly as she pulled away from me, not before planting a quick kiss on the top of my head. “I didn’t mean to be rude and ruin the moment.”

He gave her a nod before sliding his eyes to me. “You okay?” he asked, his voice laced with concern.

“Yeah,” I replied with a small smile.

I was okay. It was almost a daily occurrence in the Chan family for Mom and me to have a disagreement and then patch things up. But then I wondered how much of it I could take before I broke?

“I appreciate you asking me permission before you date my daughter, son, and respecting our family values. In this day and age, that is rare,” Dad said, the hardness in his face replaced with a tender look as he peered at me. “I trust Sierra to make the right decision when it comes to her love life. No man in the world is good enough for my daughter, but if I had to choose anyone, it would be you, Matty. I give you my permission to date my daughter.”

“Thank you, sir. I will take good care of her,” Matty said in such an earnest tone that the hairs on my arm stood straight.