Page 197 of Only With You

I found out through Natalie that they’d only be here for a few more hours. Now here I am at their hotel, hoping we’ll be able to compromise. It still feels doubtful, but here’s to hoping.

Stepping inside, I find Dad sitting on a chair, drinking coffee, and on his iPad. His gaze continues to skim the screen, and when he gets to a good stopping point, he regards me.

“Good morning. I assume you’re here to apologize?” He cocks a brow, setting his cup and iPad down on the table.

Mom stands behind him, hands on his shoulders, both staring at me expectantly.

I almost retreat back and decide against telling them how I feel, but I know this cycle will never end if I continue abiding by what they want. It’s obvious in the way they’re staring at me, waiting for an apology.

“No.” For a moment, I feel proud about how confident I sound, but when they go from stunned to angry in a matter of seconds, I falter. “I-I’m not here to apologize.”

Dad frowns, folding his arms over his chest. “Come again?”

I wipe my sweaty palms on my sweats, hoping I can keep my voice steady. “I’m not here to apologize. I came because I want to talk to you guys about?—”

“I’m going to stop you right there.” He holds his palm up and stands. “I’m disappointed and very angry right now. Whatever you’re about to say, you better think wisely.”

I’m slowly losing my confidence and it doesn’t help that it feels like any second they’re going to yell. Or worse that Momwill slap me because I see her hand flexing her at her side. But I gather whatever courage I have left and say what I need to say.

“I’d like to compromise?—”

“You’re kidding, right? Compromise?” Mom grits, shaking her head with displeasure. “Do you not understand what we’ve done for you? And you want to compromise over a boy?”

“This isn’t about Landon. I’m here for me. I’m here, because?—”

“I’ve heard enough,” Dad snaps. “We have a flight to catch in a few hours and I have to work tomorrow. I’m drained from having to deal with your childish antics, Julianna. So you better leave now, think about what you did, and we’ll see you in a few weeks for winter break.”

“And you have semi to get ready for,” Mom adds, staring at me like I’m a nuisance by standing here.

“I can’t do this anymore!” I blurt out. My chest rises and falls rapidly, adrenaline rippling through my body and fury so intense, it burns my veins. It quickly consumes me until I can’t think anymore. “I just can’t. I’m sick and tired of trying to be everything you both want me to be and it still not being enough!”

“Lower your voice,” Dad threatens.

“Why? Because I’ll embarrass you? Because everyone will know what a fuckup your daughter is?” I point at my chest aggressively. “I’m sick and tired of downplaying how I feel to appease both of you. I came here to compromise, because I love you and I want to make you guys proud. I want?—”

“There’s a lot ofI want,” Mom mocks. “You say you want to make us proud, but here you are, throwing a tantrum.”

“All of this over that little shit?” Dad frustratedly pinches the bridge of his nose. “Don’t you realize how ridiculous you sound right now? Over a boy who will forget you the moment he gets what he wants?”

“He’s what you’ve been up to, huh? Obsessing over some boy who?—”

“Hisnameis Landon! And this isn’t about my boyfriend. This is about you guys!”

“So now this is our fault?” Dad’s voice rises, anger flashing across his gaze. “We give you everything. Everything you’ve ever wanted and needed, and now we’re the bad guys? Don’t stand there and blame this on us, over a pathetic fucking boy who you’ll mean nothing by tomorrow. Remember your place. Remember as easily as we’ve given it all to you, we can easily take it all away.”

I meditate on his words, weigh the consequences of what I’m going to do, but I know there’s nothing I can say or do to make them think differently. This argument is going nowhere.

They stare at me, as long and hard as I do to them, and finally, the last thread that was keeping us together snaps.

“You’re right. I don’t want this anymore.”

Mom’s face sours and she steps forward, but I don’t retreat. I stand my ground. “What are you trying to say?”

Digging in my purse, I take out a lip gloss I bought, my phone, and a debit card, and set my purse on the bed. “My keys are in there along with anything you’ve bought me, and the Rover is outside.”

“Julianna.” Mom laughs condescendingly. “You’re making a mistake. You have no money. How are you going to get a car and pay for it all? You’re making a rash decision over a stupid boy you don’t even love.” Her brows perk up when I cast my gaze downward.

Dad laughs. “You’re twenty-one years old. Do you even know what love is?”

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