“I told you?—”
He glares. “You’ve done enough damage for today, son. Don’t push it or else.”
“Else what?”
His lips thin as if he knows exactly what he wants to say but doesn’t want to.
I narrow my eyes. “Say it.”
Something switches in his eyes and his demeanor changes. The air of power and authority that he commands evaporates as he says, “I don’t want you to hurt your mother ever again. You want to be mad, be mad at me. You want to yell, yell at me. Don’t direct your cruel words or actions towards her. Nothing is her fault, it’s all mine.”
I gape at him in shock.
His eyes fill with pain. “What you said to her tonight broke her and I can’t take it.” He clears his throat. “So the next time you want to punish us, aim at me.”
“I don’t want to punish you,” I murmur, surprised that I said it.
Dad cocks a brow at me. “You want to. You blame us for Emery.”
I scoff. “Yeah, well, it is your fault.”You should have been here.
Pain and regret flash across his face and I know I’ve hit the mark.
I grab the tray from him and close the door.
Things between us will never change.
12
HEATH
Next morning,I see Rose coming down the road, having no idea that I’m waiting for her in my car. After the shit show last night, I barely slept. I stayed awake thinking about stuff, and when the morning came I just wanted to see this girl, knowing being with her will help me.
She’s holding a book close to her chest and looking down at the road, not being vigilant at all.
She takes a left, passing me without a single glance.
People are usually aware of their surroundings, but this girl never is.
What am I going to do with you, Rose?
I press on the horn and she jolts in shock. Turning around, she looks at the car and then me. Joy replaces the shock and she quickly hurries to me.
I cock my head to the passenger side, signaling her to get in.
A few seconds later she’s in the passenger seat looking beautiful in a white sweater and jeans. I swear, she makes me forget how to breathe with how stunning she looks. Her hair is down, cascading in waves that makes me want to get my fingerstangle in them. And she has no makeup on her face which only accentuates her natural beauty.
My hands tighten around the steering wheel. All I want to do is reach over and kiss her. But the conversation I had with Sebastian comes to my mind.
I need to make some things clear so we’re on the same page.
There shouldn't be any doubt in her mind when it comes to us.
I want her.She should know it.
“Hi,” she says shyly.
“Hi,” I reply.
