Page 122 of I Don't Need Your Romance

“Now!”

Sophie rushes to grab her things and stuffs them into her backpack. I glare at my mom, and when Sophie passes me, I grab her hand. “She’s not going anywhere,” I say.

“Damian, release her at once.”

“No.”

“I won’t ask you again.”

Sophie pleads with her eyes to let her go. She’s so scared and has so much pain in there that it breaks my heart. I drop her hand. She dashes past Mom, who gives her such a disgusted face like she’s scum, and flies out the door.

“Sophie!” I run to the door to chase after her, but Mom pushes me back.

“Don’t you dare run after her, Damian Harrington.”

“She’s my girlfriend.”

“She’snotyour girlfriend.”

“You can’t tell me who to date.”

Her eyes flame. “I’m your mother and I decide who you date. I knew something was suspicious when she showed up with you at my party. And when you danced together. I told myself I was seeing things that weren’t there. Inventing things. It turns out I was right. But this ends now. You are to go to school and come straight home. Is that understood?”

My jaw clenches. “You can’t tell me what to do.”

“Yes, I can. As long as you live under my roof, you follow my rules.”

“I don’t want to live under your roof.”

She points to the door. “You think you can survive out there? The world is a nasty, unsafe place. You have no job, no money, no high school diploma, no family to take you in. How far do you think you’ll get?”

Even though I’m seeing red because I’m so angry, she’s right. I don’t have money or a job or a house or anything. I can’t survive on my own.

She holds out her hand. “Give me your phone.”

“No.”

“Hand me your phone, Damian, or I’ll make sure Sophie doesn’t have a scholarship anymore.”

I gape at her. “You’re punishing her because of me?”

“Hand me your phone. I won’t ask you again.”

My chest heaves as I reach into my pocket and slam my phone into her waiting palm.

“If I learn you’re seeing that girl, things willnotlook good for her.” She marches out of my room and slams the door with such a bang that the walls shake.

Muttering curses under my breath, I tear at my hair. I want to punch something, but I curl my fists at my sides. Now isn’t the time to be violent.

“Sophie,” I whisper. Is she okay? Is Mom going to hurt her?

I need to know how she’s doing. I don’t care if Mom throws me into the street. I can’t just abandon Sophie. I know Mom threatened me not to go to her, but I’ll just pop in to her dorm somehow, make sure she’s okay, then I’ll return to my room.

I go to the door and turn the knob, but it’s locked. She freakin’ locked me in my room?

“Darn it,” I mutter.

My eyes go to the open window. Mom thinks she’s so smart? I’ll go to my girlfriend, or so help me.