Page 196 of Ewan

“You should’ve called someone. Anyone could’ve given you a ride.”

“Nah. I wanted to come here by myself.”

Something doesn’t feel right.

“You remembered the passcode?”

“Yup. Can I come in?”

I jerk back.

“Yeah. Of course,” I say, realizing we’re talking in front of the door.

And then I hesitate.

“What’s wrong?” he says, noticing the shift in my demeanor.

If my driver talked to him, he surely didn’t give him a detailed report on where I was and who I was with.

“Is there someone inside?” he asks, a smile on his lips.

“Uh… Yes.”

“Who is it?”

Despite the cold, I close the door and walk outside.

“Who is it, Dad?”

“Well, it doesn’t matter. You’ll see her in a moment.”

“Her. Is it the cute school teacher?”

His eyes glimmer.

I shush him.

“Be quiet. She can hear you.”

“You brought the school teacher home?”

“This is not exactly our home, and you know it.”

“Whatever. Is she inside? I want to see her.”

“You need to behave if you want to see her.”

“I will. Just let me in.”

I run my eyes over him again and notice the small backpack he carries over his shoulder.

“So, why exactly are you here?”

“Amanda and I got into an argument tonight, and I hated to spend the night in the city.”

“Was it serious?”

“She wanted to know how I felt about her.”