Page 25 of Inevitable

ME:You did nothing wrong, M&M. I promise. I'm home safe, don't worry. I'll text you later. Love you too.

I checked the time on my phone, seeing that it was just after 6am. I scrubbed my hand over my face and crawled from my bed, knowing I'd be unable to fall back asleep. After taking care of my morning business in the bathroom and had brushed the grit from my teeth, I slunk back out to my room and saw another message waiting for me. Only this time, it wasn't from Micah.

DAD:You're going to want to answer my call.

I had barely read over the text before another one of his calls came in. I decided it was better to answer him and get it over with. I steadied myself and hit the answer button.

“Good morning, father,” I said flatly.

“So you do know how to take a call. At least you're smart enough to follow one piece of instruction,” he said, his voice annoyed and haughty at the same time.

“What's so urgent you had to call me so many times at the crack of dawn?” I asked him.

“Watch your tone, Bastian,” he threatened, “Don't forget who you're talking to.”As if I ever fucking could.

He continued on without waiting for my answer. “I had an interesting call from Ainsley late last night. I was worried at first because I could not understand what would prompt her to bother me so late. Imagine my surprise when she told me that you had tried to break things off with her and left her in tears.”

My teeth gnashed together and I curled my fist, a violent rage pumping through me that was uncharacteristic for me outside of the context of being jealous over Micah.

“Dad…” I started to say, but of course he broke in and didn't let me finish.

“You know, I was your age once too, Bastian. I understand that you are trying to find your way in the world, and you need to sow your wild oats while you are able. However, you need to keep in mind the world you come from and the way you are expected to live your life,” my father told me carefully, his words measured and precise. “Experimenting is fine and can be tolerated, but only certain people will be appropriate marriage material.Ainsleyis appropriate marriage material.”

My blood ran cold as his insinuation hit me square in the chest. It was terrifyingly clear that Ainsley had told him about her suspicions regarding me and Micah. My dad had picked his words carefully…he knew about my feelings for Micah, or at least he heavily suspected.Fuck me blind…

“Dad, this isn't about experimenting, sowing oats, or whatever else you think. Ainsley and I do not fit together. I have no feelings for her, romantic or otherwise. We wouldn't even make it as friends. I can't continue to be with her and lead her on,” I tried explaining to him, begging to God that he would listen to me for once in his life. My plea fell on deaf ears.

“Do not be so naive, Bastian. Love is all well and good when you're young, but a marriage is only as strong as the partners involved. You and Ainsley can grow to love each other one day, but your union would be about strengthening your place in our world and ensuring you the best future,” Dad said, almost bored in his delivery.

“Dad, please…” I begged, but he cut me off yet again.

“I think you need to understand what is at stake here, son. If you do not toe the line and do your best to live up to the expectations I have set for you, then you will leave me no choice but to show you the consequences of your actions…and your mother will pay that price,” he said, his tone sinister.

My eyes blew wide, fear coursing through me as his words struggled to make sense in my head. “What the hell does that mean? What the fuck does mom have to do with any of this?”

“As you know, your mother has been mentally ill for quite some time, Bastian. She has struggled for years with her depression, and has often had fits that have left me concerned for her safety. If you do not fall in line, then I will have her committed to a psychiatric hospital, and I will do everything within my considerable power to make sure she stays there indefinitely. I would not allow you to see her and derail her progress, unless of course you were amenable to my…suggestions about your future.”

Holy motherfucking shit…that unimaginable bastard.How the fuck was I supposed to fight him on that?

Dread, despair, and hopelessness crashed down on me, bringing me to my knees on the soft carpet, tears escaping out of the corners of my eyes. I couldn't speak and I felt my heart cracking in my chest as I realized the extent of the damage he was going to cause if I fought him any further.

Dad spoke low in my ear again, “Bastian? Tell me you understand.”

My eyes fell closed, more tears escaping and I swallowed hard, the sensation like razors sliding down my throat. I croaked out, “Yes, sir. I understand.”

“Good. Then I expect you to start taking Ainsley on one respectable date each month for the foreseeable future until I am convinced you are on board with your role in this family. That shouldn't be too difficult with your school schedule. I expect to hear from you after each and every one.”

He didn't wait for my reply, simply hanging up the phone and leaving me broken, my heart bleeding out on the floor and that well-known nausea working its way up. In a mad dash, I scrambled to the bathroom seconds before I vomited, everything coming up with painful force.

I flushed the toilet, sitting back against the cool tile of the tub and let the tears flow free. I was trapped. My father knew where my weak spots were and he exploited them to maximum effect. It only left mewith one alternative, and it gutted me alive to think about.

There was no being rid of Ainsley, and I would have to let Micah move on and be happy. I could be his best friend, but nothing more. I had always known that there was no hope of a future where Micah and I were together like that, but to have even the tiniest sliver of a chance ripped from me so cruelly left me gasping for breath and praying for it to stop. It had me finally admitting the words in my head that I had tried to avoid for months now.

I was in love with Micah. There was no more falling, it was done. I loved him. He possessed me heart and soul, and if forever existed, then I'd want to live it by his side.

But that wasn't possible. Not with my father's threat looming over my head, ominous and cruel. My dad wouldn't back down and I couldn't risk my mom. I was left with no other option but to let Micah go.

CHAPTER 12

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