Prom King (Craven Cove 1)

“Ready for tonight?” he says, and I turn to look up at him.

“Ready as I’ll ever be. You?” He nods, and I see a smile tug at the corner of his lips.

My dad has been different the past few days, and I wonder if it has anything to do with me seeing his car leaving Celeste’s house. The subject of my dad’s dating life is off-limits. Not that I’ve ever asked him about it before. But in all my years, I’ve never seen him bring home a woman or even take one to a formal function. He’s in his black tux tonight, but for some reason, he seems relaxed. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen him so comfortable when throwing a party.

In the distance, I hear the crowd of people saying ooh and ahh. “Must be the fire dancers,” my dad says and takes a seat beside me on the wall. “I want to talk to you about something, Lo.”

When he uses the nickname only he calls me, I know something is serious.

“What?” I turn my body so that we’re facing each other and I’m no longer looking at the cars coming down the driveway.

“I’m proud of all you’ve accomplished.”

Part of me sags in relief. “I know, Dad.”

“So you know how much you’ve got riding on this final year.” I see the edges of his eyes tighten as he stares at me. “I don’t want to see you get distracted at the finish line, Lo.”

My stomach feels nervous as I think about what it is he’s trying to say without saying. When I don’t speak, he lets out a quick sigh.

“We’ve had the birds and the bees talk already,” he begins, and I open my mouth to cut him off. He holds up a hand to stop me and keeps going. “You can have your fun, but whatever this is that you’ve started, you need to remember that it can’t last.”

“Dad.” I press my lips together in a hard line. What the fuck? Is he really doing this right now?

“You’ve worked your entire life to get to this point. I don’t want you to throw it all away because there’s something shiny and new in town.”

“That’s rich coming from you,” I spit, my spine going rigid.

“You’re right. It’s coming from someone who has worked his ass off to make his fortune and a name for himself and you. When Craven Cove hears our last name, they show their respect. I’ve done all of this for you, and who I fuck is none of your business.” He leans in close and puts his hand on the back of my neck. He’s quieter now, and as angry as I am, I can see the fear in his eyes. It’s a father’s worry, and I hate seeing it. “I won’t let your future be decided by a drifter.”

“She’s not a drifter,” I say, but the words taste bitter. She might be, but that doesn’t mean she’s not important to me.

He squeezes my neck. “Have your fun, then end it.”

I can count on one hand the number of times my dad has talked to me like this. The first time was when I was seven and I asked about my mother. The second was after I’d gotten caught fighting in middle school and got suspended. The third and final time was the day I signed my scholarship papers for college. He’s not one to interfere in what I choose to do, and I know my dad is a good person.

He’s not saying this because he doesn’t like Celeste, but because she could derail all that I’ve worked toward. He loves me, and he wants me to have the best, but right now, he doesn’t understand what Celeste means to me.

Over his shoulder, I see a group of people nearby waiting to speak with him. I know right now isn’t the time to have this conversation, and nothing I’m going to say will change his mind. So even though he’s acting like a dick, I let it go and nod.

“Sure, Dad.”

He reaches up and touches my face before he smiles. “I love you, Lo. I want you to have the best opportunities possible.”

I give him a tight smile before he gets up and walks toward the party. He’s immediately surrounded by the event coordinators and work colleagues, who all need just a minute of his time. As I watch his back disappear, I feel a heavy rock sink inside of me. My dad isn’t a bad guy, and I don’t want to choose between him and Celeste.

“Hey, handsome.”

The words are like the sound of summertime and an ice cream truck in the distance. Immediately my heart swells, and the rock inside of it is forgotten. When I turn around I see Celeste standing there looking beautiful and shy. I can’t get to my feet fast enough as I stand up and pull her into my arms.