Page 6 of Their Deviant Love
“It’s not, but I also didn’t marry him. Well, not legally… yet,” I say. “I promised Mom I wouldn’t run off and get married without you guys. I don’t break my promises, Papa.”
“You want to marry him?” My dad’s face screws up in disgust.
“I don’t want to spend a lifetime without him,” I say. “I love him, Papa.”
“You need to call your mother.” My father hands me a phone. “Make it a video call. She’s going to want to see that.” He points at my finger. “I don’t approve, because he’s not good enough for you. But, as long as you’re happy, I will find a way to live with the fact that you’re grown up.”
“Thanks, Papa,” I tell him and press the video button on the phone to call my mother.
“Aurora, oh my god, how are you? I’ve been so worried,” she says as soon as she sees me.
“I’m good, Mom. Papa is here too.” I turn the camera towards my dad.
“Matteo, get her on a plane and bring her home,” Mom says.
“I can’t come home yet, Mom. Soon, I promise,” I tell her. “But look what Connor gave me.” I hold up my hand to the screen and show her my ring.
“Holy shit, it’s beautiful. Wait, no. You’re eighteen, Aurora. That cannot be an engagement ring.” Mom shakes her head.
“I love him, Mama, and he loves me,” I tell her.
“You haven’t even finished high school.”
“We’re not married yet. We’re going to wait, until we can get married with you and Papa there,” I explain.
“Good. But we can also wait another ten years,” she says. “Matteo, tell her she’s not getting married at eighteen.”
“We’ll talk about it later, Savvy.” Papa sighs.
“I love you, Mom. I miss you,” I say. “I have to go, though. I’ll talk to you soon.”
I cut the call before she can see how upset I am. I don’t want her to know I’m struggling. I don’t want anyone to know how much I’m struggling, and hiding my feelings from my family isn’t easy.
I hand the phone back to my dad and wrap my arms around his neck. “Thank you.”
“What are you thanking me for?”
“For being the best papa a girl could ask for,” I say.
My dad holds me tighter. “You have no idea how much I want to throw you on a plane and take you home right now.”
“I think I do.” I laugh. I know this is hard for him.
“Get some rest,” he says, kissing the top of my head.
“You too.” I smile at him, even though I’m being torn apart on the inside. I don’t want him to leave. When he goes to turn out the lights, my heart speeds up. “Leave them on,” I blurt.
My dad looks at my face. Then he nods. “I’ll be in the living room if you need anything.”
“Thank you.” I relax a bit when his hand moves away from the switch.
Where are you, Connor?
There’s a sound coming from outside. My heart races as I get out of bed and walk over to the window. Fear courses through me but I’m not going to let it win. I will not cower. Whoever is trying to get in here is going to meet the real me. The fighter, the girl who isn’t scared of anything.
I pull the window up and then I see a hand. A hand I know all too well. “Connor?” I ask.
“Shhh,” he says, pulling himself up and over the sill.
