“I just needed some space. But I’m back now, okay?”
She nods, but her eyes are red. She’s been crying.
My dad watches the whole thing, silent and patient. The two things that he is not. My pulse spikes, adrenaline rushes through me. Will I run if he tries to hit me? Or will I stand there and take it? What if I never came back and live happily ever after with three hockey players? What would my dad do then?
“Zinnia,” he says finally. His voice is soft and reasonable. The kind of tone that sounds calm to outsiders. “Go to your room for a bit. Let me talk to your sister.”
Zinnia hesitates and looks up at me.
I nod, forcing a smile. “It’s okay.”
She walks slowly down the hall and glances back once before disappearing into her room. The door closes with a soft click.
Now it’s just us.
My dad gestures to the couch. “Sit.”
I sit.
He stays standing with his arms crossed, looking down at me.
“I’ve been worried sick,” he starts. His voice is still calm. “Do you have any idea what you put me through? What you put your sister through?”
“I’m sorry.”
“I went to Elle’s house. She lied straight to my face. Told me she didn’t know where you were.” He shakes his head. “I had to drag Zinnia with me. She was terrified.”
Guilt twists in my chest.
“Then I find out you’re withboys, Tigerlily.” His eyes narrow. “The same one you said you didn’t know.”
“I wasn’t.”
He laughs. Not a real laugh. A cold one. Then he stops and leans in. “You have a sister who needs you. A home that needs you. And you ran off with strangers for the night.”
I want to tell them that I was safer with strangers than I was at home. I want to tell him that those hockey players are more of a man than he ever will be. I open my mouth but nothing comes out. His eyes widen like he’s daring me to talk back.
I whisper, “I’m an adult.”
“Really?” He tilts his head, lifting his eyebrows. “If you’re an adult, why do I pay for your college tuition? Why are you still under my roof? Why––”
I hate this. I hate feeling so small, like I don’t matter, like I’m incapable of taking care of myself.
“Who are these boys to you?”
My throat tightens.
He sits down across from me and leans forward. “Tell me about thesehockey players.”
My stomach drops at his mocking tone. The way his eyes just narrowed when he said those two words. He’s trying hard to manipulate me, but I won’t give in––not when I know he’s playing games. I know Zinnia didn’t tell him where we went last night, and if she did, I can’t trust her ever again.
“What hockey players?” I ask.
His shoulders loosen, his expression softens slightly as he says, “I know their names already. Jax Kingsway and Zephyr Wickerham.” He ticks them off on his fingers. “Right wing. Right defense.”
My heart drops into my stomach. How does he know that?
He watches my face with pure pleasure. “I spoke with some people. Asked around. Turns out these boys have quite the reputation.”
