Page 46 of Afflicted

"There are trees down all over the place! You could have been crushed or worse," she scolded. "What were you thinking storming off in this weather? You could catch your death at the very least!"

"I'm fine," I repeated, hoping the message would sink in this time.

"Your dad will be there any minute to pick you up. I want you back home so that I can make sure you're okay for myself."

"Fine. I'm not at Lacey's though," I said.

"Where are you then?"

"I'm at-" I glanced towards the front room where I could hear Ryan talking to his mom. "A friend's over on Maple."

"Who's that then? I don't remember any of your friends living over there-"

"I'll text dad the address. I should hurry before he wastes any more time heading to Lacey's. See you soon." I did not want to have the boyfriend conversation with her, especially while Ryan was in the next room.

"Okay, be safe," Mom said before hanging up. I just hoped she hadn't noticed me swerving her question.

I quickly texted Dad Ryan's address, finishing the message by telling him to call me when he was outside.

"Everything alright?" Ryan asked as he reentered the room.

"Yeah, you know what moms are like." I rolled my eyes and he smiled.

"Speaking of which, mine just invited you to stay for dinner so that she can meet you."

"Oh." I tried not to look too terrified by the prospect and was suddenly very pleased to have been summoned home. "I can't, sorry. I've been ordered home, Dad's already on his way here."

"Maybe I should introduce myself then?" he offered. "They must be getting curious about me."

"It's probably not the best time. They're still pretty pissed at me because of this whole argument we're in over the city isolation trial. I just don't want them to be in a bad mood when they meet you," I replied, not mentioning the fact that they weren't curious because I hadn't told them about him. It had never really occurred to me to say anything about him. Especially as we weren't even officially dating until a few days ago.

"Right." Ryan narrowed his eyes slightly and I got the feeling he'd seen through me.

"Soon," I promised. "Just not today." I closed the distance between us and kissed him to take the sting out of my refusal.

"Okay. I think I just heard a car pull up."

I jogged across the room to the window and peeked out to see my dad's car parking on the street. Reese was in the front passenger seat looking either annoyed or smug and I couldn't decide which.

"I'll see you soon," I promised as I headed for the door.

Ryan caught my hand just as I started to pull it open and leant in to kiss me but I turned the wrong way and his lips hit my cheek awkwardly instead. I laughed as I twisted out of his grip and opened the door.

I jumped as I came face to face with my dad who looked angrier than he had when I'd stormed out that morning. He was a big man and I had to tilt my head up to meet his gaze. His brow was furrowed and his dark eyes bored into mine, telling me I was definitely still in the doghouse.

"Dad!" I exclaimed as my heart skipped a beat guiltily. "I saw you pull up, I was just coming-"

"You never mentioned a boyfriend," he interrupted me and I froze, feeling the shock register on my features and trying to force it back off.

"Oh err, yeah I did. Mom knows-"

"I've just got off the phone with your mother and she knows nothing about this Ryan either."

Ryan obviously decided that was the time to show himself and pulled the door out of my grip to reveal himself. He held his hand out to my dad and gave his best game-winning smile.

"Mr Lewis, it's so nice to finally meet you. I was just trying to convince Kaitlyn to introduce us," he said smoothly.

My dad cast an intimidating shadow at the best of times and the look in his eyes at that moment was bordering on pure terrifying. I was surprised that Ryan hadn't run screaming for the hills and a little impressed that he still held his hand out even though my dad hadn't taken it.