Page 38 of Lilly

His double standard makes me so mad. And the way he's so overprotective? I can't take it anymore. He barely lets me leave the house. I'm so fed up with him right now I'm about ready to stop talking to him.

He said he's only acting this way to protect me. He claims he's been getting threats from some guy trying to get our money, and that the guy could come after me to get to him. But I don't buy it. I think he's lying. My dad gets threatened all the time and has people he hires to take care of it. So why is this time any different?

"I think we should stay here," Reed says, standing up to put his jeans on.

"There's nothing to do here."

"There are all kinds of things to do." He yanks his t-shirt over his head. "We could watch a movie."

"We do that all the time."

"Yeah, but you guys have an actual theater room with a huge screen and surround sound."

When Reed first saw our theater room, his jaw dropped. He'd never seen a home theater. He thought it was the coolest thing ever.

"It's the middle of the day," I say. "I don't feel like watching a movie right now."

"Then let's go swimming. Or we could paint. You have your own studio in the back yard. You know how freaking cool that is?"

"Yeah, it's awesome, but we can paint later." I tug on his hand. "Let's go out."

"I'd rather stay here."

"Why?"

"Because your dad told us not to go anywhere."

I roll my eyes. "You're seriously listening to my dad?"

"Your dad is huge. And a trained killer."

I laugh. "He's huge but not a trained killer."

"You said he does all that martial arts training."

"Yeah, to stay in shape, not to kill people."

"He goes to the shooting range every week. And he showed me his gun." Reed is totally scared of my dad, which makes me laugh.

"He was just kidding around. All dads try to scare off the boy who's dating their daughter."

"I've dated plenty of girls and not one of their fathers has brought out a gun."

I shrug. "Maybe my dad thought you liked guns. Rachel has a gun too. She and my dad both go to the shooting range."

"Okay, that's just weird. Why are they both so into guns?"

"Because crazy people come after us. My parents just want to be able to protect themselves."

"Do you have one?"

"No, but if I wanted one I'm sure my dad would get me one."

"Has your dad ever shot anyone?"

"Not that I know of."

And yet I keep having that dream. The one where my dad comes home late at night, covered in blood.

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