Chapter Twenty-Six
~Bryan’s POV~
Seth’s truck hummedaround us, the morning dew still clinging to his windshield as he drove me back to my house.My street was full of brick houses, black iron fences, manicured hedges, everything too clean.I wanted to go through with toilet paper and spray paint and add life to this street.
Seth pulled up and cut the engine.“You sure you’re ready for this?”
“Not really,” I said, unbuckling my seatbelt.“But I’m done running from them.We’re about to graduate.I need to face them about my future because at the end of the day it’s my future and I can’t let them fuck it all up to fit their needs.”
“Good.”His tone was even, but his eyes were steady on mine.“I’ll wait here.”
I gave him an appreciative smile, and it helped knowing he was going to stick around.Knowing my parents, there was no way this was going to end well.
The air was bitterly cold as I stepped out.The house loomed, sunlight glancing off the massive front windows.Through the glass, I saw movement, no doubt my parents.Of course they were waiting.
I walked up the front steps, jaw tight.The door opened before I even touched it.
My mother stood there, tall and slender, her light brown hair brushed perfectly into place.Her dark eyes were already filled with her cold rage.She wore a pale blouse that matched the marble foyer behind her.
“Bryan,” she said, voice clipped.“You have some explaining to do.”
My father appeared behind her, black hair slicked back, glasses perched on his nose.He looked like he’d just come from a board meeting instead of standing in his living room at seven-thirty in the morning.
“Son,” he greeted, voice low, calm, controlled.“Inside.Now.”
I stepped in, the smell of coffee greeting me.Mom shut the door sharply, the lock clicking into place.
Dad folded his arms, his eyes behind his glasses sharp and assessing.“You left without permission.We called the police.”
“Yeah, I noticed,” I said.“Pretty bold move for people who care this much about appearances.I’m sure the neighbors loved seeing patrol cars parked out front at sunrise.Must’ve really helped the family reputation.”
Mom’s jaw tightened, but her voice stayed icy.“We did what any responsible parents would do when their child disappears in the middle of the night.”
“Come on,” I said, stepping further in.“You don’t care that I disappeared.You care that other people knew I did.I’ve spent plenty of nights outside this house and you’ve never called the police on me before.”
Dad’s brows drew together.“Watch your tone, Bryan.”
