Page 49 of Nothing To Lose
He reels back like he’s been hit. My audacity must be shocking to him.
"I mean exactly what you heard. You've supposedly been ill, and yet your doorman informs me you haven't been home in over a week. So where have you been?"
"It's really none of the doorman's business. Or yours. I'm twenty-three years old."
"You also live in an apartment that I pay for, drive a car that I bought you, and are spending your time flouncing around a university getting a useless degree that I am also funding. As long as you're living on my dime, you'll follow my rules and expectations."
The static between my ears gets loud enough to overpower the steady drum of my pulse banging around in my head. I’m so fucking tired of hearing it. I’m done with it.
"You're right. I'm incredibly privileged and have probably taken those things for granted. But I am still an adult with my own life and rights to my autonomy and privacy. I appreciate what you do for me, but if your parental support comes with strings attached, I'd rather do it on my own."
He laughs. It’s a deep, affected laugh that shows just how little he thinks of me. "Maybe you're right. Clearly I've entertained your foolish whims long enough, if you no longer understand what is expected from you and how to respect your betters."
Betters. Not parent, not elder, not family.Betters.
"Let me guess, you count Guy Montague as one of mybetters, as well?" As soon as the words are out, I regret them. There's no point in dwelling on my father's obsession with that asshole.
"At least he understands what is expected of him and how to behave like a responsible adult."
"Ah. Yes. And has the responsible adult who meets your expectations given you any more information about what happened on our date?"
"Only that you behaved inappropriately, including making a pass at a man who looked like a hired criminal, and then made a dramatic show of leaving when he called you on it. And when he decided to be the bigger man and try to make peace, you behaved like a child and blocked his number."
"And you believe him?"
"I have no reason not to."
"I told you–" I sigh. "Moving past that you don't know your own son well enough to know better, I told you that's not what happened. I told youhewas the one being inappropriate. When I tried to leave, he got physical. Now he's been showing up at my apartment and blowing up my phone."
My father makes a face that is equal parts irritation and exasperation, and I know there's no point. This is exactly why I didn't go to him in the first place. I have a feeling if I'd called him, he would have made excuses and found a way to blame me, anyway.
"The more important matter is that Guy is wiling to forgive you. He feels, as I do, that our families could both gain a lot by–"
I cut him off by climbing inside my car and shutting the door. I don't even look his way as I pull past him and drive away.
The bank is my first stop. I make sure my father has no access to any of my accounts, drain and close the accounts he does have access to, and take out as much cash as I am able. Then I drive to my apartment and pack everything that's important to me. I load it all into an Uber, leaving my keys and phone behind. A stack of noise complaints rustles on the door as I shut the door and leave the old version of me behind.
When I pull up to Isaac's place and pile all the boxes and luggage on the sidewalk, I'm expecting him to freak out.
"I know this is a lot, and I promise it's temporary?—"
He immediately pulls me into a hug. "Tyler. I've already told you that you’re welcome to stay for as long as you need."
"I'm pretty sure you didn't intend for me to move in."
He shrugs, but I can see the worry in his eyes. "What happened?"
"My father showed up, and I decided I don't want his money or his support if it means fitting myself into the miserable shell of a future he has picked out for me. I don't want to know him if he refuses to know me."
A smile crosses Isaac's beautiful face, the late afternoon sun glinting off his dark irises. This is the first time I’ve seen a hint of color in them.
"Your eyes are brown," I say, staring up at him. The chocolate depths pull me in, wrapping me in indulgent comfort.
"Yours are… beautiful."
"Thank you." His lips quirk at the edges and I roll my eyes. "Not for the compliment, although that is part of it. I noticed today that I am a different person since I've been spending time with you. A better version of me that I’m not embarrassed of."
"Well, for the record, I like every version of you that I've met so far." Isaac bends down and kisses me lightly. "Let's get all this inside so we can properly celebrate."
