“Hunter Josephine Preston, where do you get off spending six figures on a vacation?”
Oh shit, this is serious. When Black parents use your first, middle, and last name, shit is about to hit the fan.
“Where are you going, to the moon first class?”
“No, I thought I’d take a little celebratory vacation with my friends.” I scan the sheet of paper. The private jet, the yacht, the private resort, and the red ink circled around the grand total. I feel sweat gathering under my armpits. “I got a good deal.”
I say the words as I put the receipt back on his desk. But they’re a lie too. I didn’t ask for the numbers. I said what I wanted and gave Daddy’s credit card number.
“Hunter I bust my ass to give you this life. And you don’t get it.” His finger thrusts in my direction.
“I’ll cancel it, Daddy. I just—”
“You just what Hunt? You have no respect for money. How do I know? Because you spend it like you earn it. Like it grows on trees. Like I don’t get up every morning, get dressed, and carry my ass to the office and work.”
I see that little vein in the middle of his forehead, and I pray the floor opens and takes me whole. But there is no love for me today. It’s like the men in my life had a secret meeting, and I’m getting a two-for-one deal.
All jokes aside, I can’t deny the power behind his words as they vibrate off the walls. This wasn’t my intent yet I hear the pain in his tone, and it’s shooting daggers through my heart better than cupid ever has. I glance down at my hands feeling two inches tall. I can’t stand to see the disappointment in his eyes.
“Do you know that it takes most people years to earn this kind of money?” I glance up, and he’s shaking the receipt around again. I canvas my mind for a logical reason. And I don’t have one, except I did it because I could. Daddy always says yes. Except today.
I can’t watch.
“Junior…”
I look up, maybe it’s not so bad. I’m an only child. I was their last attempt at in vitro. I am their miracle baby.
My mother had such a hard time getting pregnant that she named me after my father because she knew they’d have no more kids. I’m it. And that’s how a woman ends up with a man’s name.
“Daddy, I’m truly sorry. I won’t do it again.”
“I know you won’t.” The finality in his voice makes the hairs on my neck stand at attention. “Go get my card and your cellphone.”
For the next thirty minutes, my father scrubs my phone and payment systems of his credit card information. I wish he’d yell and scream. Instead, his silence is killing me.
“But Daddy…” is all I can say.
“One day you’ll thank me for this.”
I can’t see it. “Are you cutting me off?”
“No, Hunter I’m teaching you how to grow up.”
Hunter and Ben are about to set your Kindle on fire. (Don’t say I didn’t warn you.) You can read PLATINUM LOVE now and start at the beginning with the guys of Platinum Prestige.
