Page 16 of Love Collided

“Wow, so generous with my time.”

“Knock off the dramatics, Chase. We’ve given you time to grow up and you refuse, so it’s time for us to step in. You’re twenty-four years old, and you can barely get out of bed by noon. At your age, I was getting up to work before going to law school, and then worked again after. You want my money, this lifestyle, and connections? Get your ass dressed, nicely, so we can go.”

I only nodded, not having it in me to fight him more as I headed into my room to change.

At first, there was no question I wanted his money and connections. But now? The care I had for any part of this lifestyle was getting smaller every day.

I changed into a dark casual suit, not taking a tie, and walked back out to see him digging through my desk drawers.

“I don’t know what you think you are going to find in there, but they don’t print out report cards in law school.”

“No? Then why don’t you show me your grades?”

“Couldn’t you call your friendthe Deanand make him tell you?”

He huffed, fixing his suit and looking me over.

“He won’t tell me. He said you’re doing fine and I shouldn't worry, but I think he’s being kind. Where is your tie?”

“I seemed to have lost all of them.”

“Are you kidding? So your idea of dressing up nice is an open collar?”

“I thought it gave me a nice edge.” I said, turning to hide my grin as I grabbed my keys.

“What are you doing?”

“Leaving?”

“I mean, why did you grab your keys? I told you your mother is downstairs waiting. Your sister came, too. We drove.”

“And I’ll drive myself.”

“So you can run out the second Claire turns around?”

“Am I that predictable?”

“Yes. Now put those back. We are driving you and I swear if you upset your mother and don’t talk to Claire all night like a gentleman, you’re losing the Porsche and any other ridiculous car you may have bought recently.”

“Are you serious?” I asked, coming to a hard stop and letting the door slam shut behind me.

“You’re damn right I’m serious. Either you take this life seriously, or I’m no longer serious about supporting you.”

“Fucking hell,” I mumbled, following him to the car. “Hello, Mother,” I said, sliding into the back seat, surprised my sister was back there, too.

“You got roped into this too? Are we off to find you a husband, old maid?”

Sophie gave a grim smile as she glanced up from her phone. She was only a year and a half older than me, but by my parents’ standards that had to count as a spinster at this point. Our oldest sister, Emma, had married last year and quickly moved across the country. She rarely came home, and neither Sophie nor I blamed her. I wasn’t sure what was stopping me from movingacross the country, but it would be good to start considering the options.

“Are we both being sold off today?”

“Apparently,” I muttered, zoning out when my mother started to scold us both. My sister wasn’t like me, in the best way. She was determined, smart, and ready to graduate as a lawyer next year. Even more unlike me, shewantedto go to law school, and unlike our dad, she wanted to do good things with that degree, not help scummy rich men. She should be the pride and joy of the family, yet my father seemed to believe that should fall on my shoulders no matter what.

I stayed silent on the ride, clicking my phone one too many times to see if any of the crew had texted. Even Scout, although the idea she would text me should probably be laughable. She had agreed to fix my car, and even though I knew she wanted to protest more, she had agreed to me being there to help. I would rather learn a fraction of what they knew so maybe I could do more than change a tire.

I was hoping that me suddenly wanting to be a mechanic had nothing to do with Scout’s smug look when she told me I couldn’t do anything more.

We pulled up to the valet, and I reached back, helping my sister out of the SUV.

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