Page 62 of Seeds of Malice

Dad's head jerks backward. "You ran away from him last night. He obviously did something that offended you."

I shake my head. "No, one of his friends lied about something. So we got into an argument. That happens between friends. But he apologized even though it wasn't his fault."

My father grunts. "Don't be naive, Ivy."

My rage grows. "Dax apologized last night, but I was too stubborn to understand what happened."

"Which was what?" Dad snarls.

My pulse skyrockets. I square my shoulders and lift my chin. "It was nothing. Like I said, a stupid misunderstanding due to someone else lying."

"Why would they do that?"

"Some of the kids around here...well.." My voice trails off.

My father waits.

When I don't speak, he says, "Go on. Some of the kids around here what?"

My voice cracks, so I clear my throat and answer, "They're not very nice."

Dad sarcastically laughs.

"What's so funny?" I question.

"No shit, they aren't nice. I told you they wouldn't be."

I tilt my head and soften my tone asking, "Since when do you curse around me?"

My father's expression doesn't change, but his face grows slightly redder.

I hate it. I'm the cause of his disappointment and anger.

Dad repeats, "I told you not to hang out with him."

"Dax is my friend. We went out on his boat. What's the big deal?"

"I told you to stay away from him!"

"What do you want me to do? Sit in this house all day and do nothing?"

Rage contorts his features and he nods. "I don't care what you do, Ivy, as long as you stay away from him. That boy's bad news."

"How is he bad news? What exactly has he done for you to speak so horribly of him?" I question, defending Dax.

My father takes a step back and studies me.

It makes me feel powerless and small. I've never felt like that with my father before. Not once. We've always been close. In fact, I don't ever remember him being disappointed in me.

His voice lowers. "Ah, I see."

"You see what?"

"I see you've chosen your side."

"What are you talking about?"

My father scoffs and points at me. "You've let that boy trick you even though I've warned you about these people."

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