“Do you want me to?”
“I don’t know if I should get you to beg me to let you go, or to ask for more.”
“What is it you want to do to me?” she asked.
Before he got a chance to respond, they heard the front door of the beach house open up.
Drake tensed and quickly climbed off her.
“Who is that?” she asked.
She lifted the bedsheet just as the doors to the bedroom opened.
“I’ve found them.”
Pru recognized the man as Drake’s father. She couldn’t recall his name but the look he gave her would stay with her forever.
Seconds later, they were joined by Drake’s mother.
“How … disappointing,” his mother said.
“What the hell are you two doing here?” Drake asked.
“We got a tip and believe me, I’m pleased we came. You have to learn to choose your weekend’s entertainment more wisely. We don’t need you making a mistake like this.”
“You need to leave. I’m not doing anything wrong.”
“Your daughter is in here.”
Much to Pru’s embarrassment, her parents walked into the room. They looked pale, annoyed, and again, disappointed.
“I’m so sorry,” her father said, looking at Drake’s mother. “It won’t happen again.”
“Be sure that it does. My son doesn’t need to mingle with the likes of your slutty daughter. If I see her near my boy again, there will be consequences.”
Pru felt sick to her stomach. She’d never been in the same room as Drake’s mom and now, she was even happier she hadn’t before. This was so embarrassing and humiliating.
“Get your clothes on, boy. We’re taking you home.”
“Everyone get the fuck out,” Drake said. He took a step back and Pru kept the blanket wrapped around herself in the hope of trying to protect herself. She was shaking so badly. No woman should ever have to go through this. Not with her parents to see, or anyone to see. She couldn’t believe this was happening to her.
She’d lost her virginity, and this had to be the worst experience of all.
“Drake, watch your language and how you speak to me. We’re only doing what is best for you. One day, you will see that,” his father said.
“What will I see? I didn’t invite you here.” Drake stepped up to her side, taking her hand. He wasn’t shaking or nervous.
She wished she could say the same. Her nerves were getting the better of her. She wanted the floor to open up and swallow her whole. It would certainly make life a little easier.
“It’s a good thing as well. Do you really think we want you mingling with these … these people?” his mother asked. “It’s bad enough we have to put up with your damn parties and those boys you call friends.”
“Without them, you couldn’t keep an eye on me. They’re not my friends.”
“Yes, look what good it has done us. We should’ve known something like this was going on. You may leave,” his father said, looking at her.
Drake held her hand a little tighter. It would seem she wasn’t going anywhere, not unless Drake said so. “She’s not leaving. You all need to leave, now.”
“Son, need I remind you, this place is mine. It has our name on it, not yours.”
“I’m still your son and last time I checked, your public image meant more to you than a place near the ocean. A place you rarely visit since it’s too secluded to have your image in the paper with all the bullshit you like to pretend you do.”
Her heart was pounding. She couldn’t believe this was happening to them.
“Take your daughter and leave before I call the cops for trespassing,” his mother said to her parents.
“Shut the fuck up, Mom. No one gives a shit about what you’ve got to say.”
“Well, young man, they better because if you think I’m going to let this little tryst slide, you’ve got another thing coming.”
“You’re not going to stop us from being together.” Drake squeezed her hand, and rather than show any weakness, Pru stood beside him even as she glanced at her parents. She saw the fear in their eyes. They were afraid of Drake’s parents, and she knew it wasn’t without cause.
She didn’t know what to say or do to make this any easier for them. She loved Drake and had been willing to just let this all slide and not have a life with him once graduation came around. But now? What was she going to do? It seemed impossible.
His mother laughed. “Oh, you stupid, darling boy. You have no idea how ridiculous you sound.”
“I don’t know why the whore and those … people are still here. Take your daughter and leave,” his father said.
“She’s not going anywhere,” Drake said.
“Look, son, you think you’ve got the upper hand here, but you don’t. You’re nothing in the scheme of things.” His father turned to look at her. “If you think for even a second you had a chance of getting our money and our name, we would never stoop so low as to give in to scum like you.”