Page 135 of Withered

“Jake, you’ll be fine,” I assure him, and I know he will. Somewhere, I’m also reassuring myself.

I let him. Mom is sitting on the couch with Aria in her lap, and Dad is standing as if he is expecting us. He looks at me before shifting his gaze to Jake.

“Jake.” Dad nods.

Jake, who was nervous and anxious just seconds ago, looks calm and composed now. “Nice to see you again, Mr. Evans.”

“Joseph.” Dad corrects him. Jake nods and greets my mom. “Hello, Mrs. Evans.”

Mom smiles but doesn’t get to greet him as Dad cuts in. “It’s time we talk.”

Jake nods curtly, and I grab his hand in mine. My actions trigger a response from Dad, whose gaze is now locked on our hands. “Just us, kiddo.”

I almost shriek in response but settle for a groan. I squeeze his hand before letting it go.

Dad gets out of the main door, and Jake follows him.

“He’ll be okay, right?” I ask Mom as I sit on the couch.

Mom smiles at me as she adjusts Aria on her lap. “Of course. I think your dad just went through a little trauma because his not-so-little kid is now dating.”

“But is this talk necessary? Whenever they met, Dad was always nice to him; I thought he liked him.”

Mom laughs. “He’s just showing his protective side, honey. No father wants to see their daughter hurt, do they?”

I nod, and Mom asks, “So, are you happy?”

I smile brightly, a flush spreading across my cheeks. “Yeah. Jake is everything, Mom. He’s smart, gorgeous, and funny. Sure, he may be a jerk a few times, but Mom, he makes me want to live. I was going through my life, planning my direction and everything, and then he had to come along, and here we are.”

Mom smiles. “As long as you’re happy, we’re happy.” I love how supportive my mom is.

I play with Aria, but my mind is still focused on the fact that Dad and Jake have not returned yet.What are they even talking about?

I hear the front door open, and my feet carry me there before I can process anything. Dad steps in, with Jake close behind. Dad looks angry, and Jake’s expression is steely cold; his face softens when he sees me, but it fades quickly. I’ve never seen Dad angry.

“Dad, is everything okay? You are fine with the idea of us, right?” I speak in a rushed tone.

“No. I don’t like the idea ofyougoing out withhim,” Dad says it angrily.

My anxiety is being replaced by rising anger. I face Dad. “Why? Please give me one good reason,” I insist.

From the corner of my eye, I see Mom placing Aria on the seat next to her while she comes and stands beside me. “Joseph, I’m sure we could talk this through.”

Dad shakes his head while Jake remains silent throughout, his eyes never leaving mine. “There’s nothing to talk about. Just look at him; he is a player from what I see. I can’t-”

“You don’t even know him,” I cut in. “If anything, he is smarter than me.” I continue, “Seriously, Dad, I always thought you’d support me in my every decision.”

Silence follows, and Dad starts laughing, saying, “That’s what I’m doing.”

Jake chuckles and shakes his head slightly. I take a peek at the two men in front of me. I cast a peek at my mother, who is just as confused as I am. “What the hell is happening?”

Dad stands up and slaps Jake on the shoulder. “I’m fine with this one.”Why do I feel there is a but following that?Dad continues, “I always thought you’d bring a guy with glasses and hands carrying books. This one’s different.”

I stare, bewildered. “You guys planned this?”

Dad nods and points a finger at Jake. “He planned it to get a reaction out of you.”

I narrow my eyes at Jake, who winks in response.

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