Page 63 of Seeds of Malice

"That's not fair!" I exclaim.

"They aren't our kind, Ivy."

My tone turns incredulous. "Why? Because they have money, and we don't?"

"Partly."

I scoff. "Who cares if we don't have money? Dax doesn't seem to care. Why do you?"

My father's eyes turn to fire-filled slits.

I decide I'm over this conversation and Dax is right. I'm eighteen. I don't have to listen to Dad. And I'm not going to back down about hanging out with Dax.

So I motion toward the table, pointing out, "I made us dinner. Sit down. You have to be starving."

My father stays planted in the doorway.

I blurt out, "Why are you so late anyway?"

A new look of disgust fills his expression. He answers, "There was an issue with the greenhouses, but you already know that, don't you?"

I jerk my head back, and I'm proud of myself for playing my role. I lie some more, and it rolls out easier than at the start of this conversation. I reply, "How would I know what's going on?"

Dad barks, "You were with him when I threw the rock through the window."

Shock fills my body even though I already know the truth. I can't believe my father's acting like his actions are okay.

"You threw a rock through his window? What the heck, Dad!"

He keeps his scowl pinned on me. It makes me feel like the smallest person on Earth.

He adamantly states, "I know you were with him."

"I told you I went boating! He dropped me off, and I went for a walk. I didn't feel like sitting here twiddling my thumbs."

His raised brow tells me he doesn't believe me.

My mouth turns dry. Panic sets in, and I add, "I'm allowed to hang out with new friends, Dad."

He crosses his arms, declaring, "I expect you to listen and obey me because I know what's best for you. I'm the one who loves you and has your best interests at heart."

"You're paranoid. No one has bad intentions toward me," I lie again. Avery, Cindy, Marcey, and even Bobby have it out for me. Yet, I'm not admitting that to my dad.

Besides, Dax is going to protect me. He promised he would. He has already shown me he will. And somehow, his protection makes me feel invincible toward them.

"You're naive, Ivy. That boy is no good. His own father warned me about him," Dad declares.

I glare at him, spouting, "Then what's wrong with his father? That's a horrible statement to go around saying about your son."

"He's making sure you stay safe," Dad states.

"That's disgusting! Dax doesn't deserve that!"

Dad grunts.

Once again, I'm over this discussion. I go to the table and pull out a chair. I sit down and put spaghetti on my plate. I look up, informing him, "You can eat or not. I made a nice meal for us. But all you want to do is accuse me of things. And I don't know what this whole rock business is about, but it sounds like you went crazy. Do I even want to know the entire story?"

There's a moment where my dad's face falls, as if he's embarrassed, but he quickly recovers. His stubbornness won't go away. He looks at the table, saying, "I appreciate you makingdinner, but I'm not hungry. Actually, if I'm being honest, I can't sit across from you tonight, Ivy."

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