Page 3

After we grab his food, we’re back at our house just before one in the afternoon. I’m shocked to see my oldest daughter, Margot’s, light blue jeep in the driveway because she should definitely still be in school.
“Oooh, someone is in trouble,” SJ sings through a mouthful of chips that he’s shoving into his mouth by the handful.
I narrow my eyes at her car before pulling up my phone and checking her location which is coincidentallyoff.
“What is with my children today?”
I open the door as quietly as possible to attempt to see what my sixteen-year-old daughter is up to. We have cameras so I am surprised that I didn’t see her come home; I’m guessing she disarmed one before she left this morning so it wouldn’t alert me when she came back in.
I am hoping,actually praying,that when I walk through the front door, I spot Margot lying on the couch watching television with a box of tissues surrounding her because she has a cold. Something that will tell me my sixteen-year-old has a real reason for being home in the middle of the day even if it is without my permission. What I donotexpect, however, is my daughter and her boyfriend, Gabe—no,I am not crazy about this term—in the horizontal position on my couch.
The only—and I do mean the only thing—that is stopping me from having a heart attack and making my children orphans, is that they do at least have their clothes on.
“ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!” I shout and I watch as that little fucker jumps three feet from where he is lying on top of her, and my daughter’s terrified eyes meet mine as her head snaps up.
“Sick!” SJ says, and when I glare at him, he gives me a cheeky grin. “This means I’m off the hook, right?” he adds pointing at them.
“What…what…” I close my eyes to stop myself from exploding…and to collect my thoughts. “In what world, do you think this is okay? You ditched school…”
“We got out early!” Margot’s brown eyes are wide and I can see the terror and a bit of embarrassment washing over her features.
“Since when?”
“Since always?” She tilts her head as she stands up. “We had an early release today. You’d know if you checked your emails.” She winces when I shoot her a warning glare. She can’t possibly think this is somehowmy faultfor not knowing she got out of school early.
“So, that gives you permission to come here and do…this!?” I growl.
“Mr. Kincaid…” Her boyfriend starts, and turning my attention to him, I glare at his disheveled shirt. I’m only slightly relieved that it doesn’t appear that his jeans are unzipped.
“Are you still here?!” I shout.
He visibly shakes, and I admit, I’m happy he’s intimidated by me.
“Dad!” Margot scrunches her nose at me in the same way her mother used to and I cross my arms over my chest because she is not getting off that easily.
“Say goodbye to yourfriend,” I tell her. She goes to take a step toward him like she’s going to kiss him goodbye and I shake my head. “Do you want to live until graduation?” I continue to glare at her boyfriend who takes a step back before giving her a look.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Kincaid,” he says, without meeting my gaze as he moves toward the door before closing it behind him.
“I don’t even allow you in your room with him but you think I’d allow this?”
“I…” she starts and she looks around the room like she’ll find the answer before she blurts out, “We weren’t doing anything!”
SJ snorts. “Lie better thanthat.”
“And what are you doing here?” she says to her brother. “You couldn’t have texted that you were coming home early?” Margot and Sawyer are close and I know for a fact that he’s covered for her when she’s done things she’s not supposed to. I even have the sneaking suspicion he’ll help her sneak out when the time comes.This thought terrifies me.I’m glad they have each other’s backs, but a part of me wishes they’d just rat the other out sometimes.
“Dad took my phone, and what are you mad at me for? It’s not like I knew you’d be here sucking face with your loser boyfriend.”
“Both of you, ENOUGH! SJ, you have leaves to rake.” I point towards the back door. “Finish your food and then I don’t want to hear a peep out of you until it’s done.”
Peep,he mouths at me before moving towards the kitchen.
I let out a frustrated sigh and turn toward Margot. “You’re grounded.”
She bites her bottom lip and I see the tears forming in her eyes before she nods once. “For how long?”
“Until I say,” I grunt and one of the tears falls down her face. “Don’t even try it.” Her lip trembles and another tear falls. “I am not falling for the tears. Go to your room.”