ChapterNine
Parker
The elevator ride down is tense, and my heart aches for Samuel. I know the only reason he stood down against my father was for my sake. He has no idea what that meant to me. I loved that he was willing to not only stand up to my father but also step back if I asked. I only pray that he doesn’t hate me after this.
It would have killed me to hear someone talking about him marrying someone else. My small glimmer of hope is that he knows I’m not marrying whoever this person is, and it’s not like I'm meeting this person tonight. At least I would hope not. This is the first time I’ve ever heard my parents speak on me even dating someone. I wasn't allowed to date in high school because my father would have flipped out. Not that anyone piqued my interest back then.
I don’t understand why my father is so mad. I would if he actually knew what went on today, but for all he knows, I’ve been working. This is what he wanted. He’s always spoken so highly of Samuel, but it’s not until we’re in his car that he finally speaks.
“I raised you better than this, Parker. You’re not some whore.” His words are a smack to my face.
“What?!” I hiss.
Okay, maybe he does know what went on today, but how? Warmth blooms through my whole face. Sex of any kind is not something I’ve ever spoken about with my parents. Ever.
“Don’t play dumb with me. I saw the way Samuel was looking at you. What did you do? Throw yourself at him?”
I gape at my father. “I did no such thing. He was the one that came down and told me I’d be working with him,” I say fiercely, and it’s the truth. I’m too shy to throw myself at anyone.
The car grows silent as he pulls out of the parking lot, but he doesn’t head toward campus. Instead he gets on the highway, and I get nervous. I thought he might have been bluffing about the whole family meeting thing and plans for my future as a way to get me alone, but I guess he wasn’t.
“Did he come on to you?” I fidget with the edge of my skirt. This day has gone from one of the best of my life and actually feeling as though I had some control to this. My father is always good at making sure I stay under his thumb. “Parker,” he snaps, making me jump. “Did he come on to you?”
“No,” I snip right back, my anger bleeding through.
“Watch your tone.” I swallow, trying to get my emotions in check. I will not cry, and I won’t apologize either. I let the silence stretch and keep my mouth sealed. “Don’t let yourself be one of those girls who gets used up by the boss and tossed aside.”
I turn my head to stare out the window. “I thought you liked Samuel.”
“In business he’s a genius, but he’s not for you.” I can’t help but wonder if my father knows something about Samuel that I don’t. I want to ask, but that will only give me away. Honestly, I actually thought he might be happy if something was to come from Samuel and me.
I know it’s silly to think that maybe Samuel could be the one, but I would have thought with how well my father talks about him he would’ve been over the moon at the idea of us together. Instead he has other plans.
“What did he have you working on today?” he asks when we pull into his neighborhood. Shit.
“He didn’t tell me the name of the project or anything. Just had me entering numbers into some program.” He flicks a glance my way, but I don’t think he’s buying my lies. “Is Mom home?” I change the subject.
“Yes, she ordered dinner. We have a guest tonight.” My stomach sinks. He really does have someone he wants me to meet. I know my father can go a little far with his control at times, but this is out there.
When he uttered the words take her off our hands, my heart broke. I’ve always told myself that my father’s overbearing ways were because he loves me. He only worries about me and wants the best. Those words shattered that idea. It makes me question why he does all these things.
“Who is coming over?”
“A nice young man that goes to school with you. He’ll be graduating this year.” He pulls into the driveway, hitting the button for the garage. I notice a sleek white BMW parked in the driveway, but it’s not one I recognize. No one drives around campus unless they’re leaving to go elsewhere, so it’s not like I would know what people drive.
I’ve never gotten my license because my dad said I didn’t need one. Everything I needed was on campus, which was true, I suppose. In reality, it’s another way for them to control me. I get out of the car and make my way into the house. Once inside I follow the sound of my mother’s laughter into the kitchen but stop dead when I see who is standing there. Liam.
“Parker.” He gives me a smile as he walks over toward me. To my surprise, he pulls me in for a hug, but I stand there stiffly. This is not happening. “Guess they don’t know about the boyfriend,” he whispers in my ear.
“Please don’t say anything,” I whisper back.
“I think we can work out a deal.” He kisses my cheek, and a cold chill runs down my spine. I force a nod, and he taps me on the nose with his finger. “Good.”
“Already getting acquainted, I see,” Dad says as he enters the kitchen behind me. “Did you know Liam's parents go to our country club?”
“Not a clue.” I force a smile and pray this will be over quickly.
“How about we eat? I’ve got everything laid out,” Mom suggests.
“It smells wonderful,” Liam says as he begins to lay on the charm.