Page 25 of Tryst
How embarrassing. I flop back on the bed covering my face.
“I'm not as much of a prude as you think, Jade. I know what you kids do these days. I hope the number you're doing it with is a small amount, though.”
“Mom, please stop talking!”
She sighs. “Jade, darling, some people thought the age difference between me and your father was too much. Mainly your grandfather. It didn't matter to us. What mattered was he loved me. If Ian loves you, and you are worth loving, he'll stand up and tell your father.”
“I'm not as certain about it, Mom. I don't know if he thinks I'm worth it.”
“Even if it ruins a friendship and business association, you're worth it. Anything else will work itself out.”
“Your sure you're not upset or disappointed with me for getting involved with him?”
“Again, is he married? Is he related to you? Has he committed unspeakable acts against humanity?”
“No.” I smile, but think the last maybe—against me.
“Then why should I be disappointed?”
“I thought you wanted Callie and him together.”
“I did, but it's not going to happen. She said as much the other night after she left.”
The kiss the other night said otherwise. It was as intimate as it gets. “I'm not sorry it happened. I'm only sorry for the way it's ending. He broke my heart, but both of us pursued this.”
She wraps her arm around me in a hug. “I am also a woman of the world. I know things happen, especially when you put two single attractive people together. Almost every day, for hours at a time. I know how these things work sometime. I hope it works out for you. You're worth it.”
She kisses me on the head, and I don't have the heart to tell her I'm certain how they work out—with me sweeping up what's left of my heart.
I'm scrolling through flights onmy iPad while sitting on my bed in college shorts and a tank top. There’s a knock on the door. I've been waiting all day for this. My father. My mother said she wouldn't say anything, but this is important. She's not going to flat out lie to him if he asks the right questions. I keep my eyes on the screen. “Come in.”
“Is this the way we're doing things now? You weren't going to say goodbye?”
My nostrils flare at his cool tone. Why the hell is he here? I'm humiliated enough as it is. “You made it this way. Your decision, not mine.” I keep looking at my screen, but I haven't seen a damn thing since hearing his voice.
“I made a decision I thought was best for you.” He closes the door with a click of the lock and stands by my bed.
“Who asked you to do that? Tell me, so I can tell them I make my own damn decisions. Whatever they are, good or bad.”
“You’re right.”
I grip my iPad. “That doesn't make me feel any better.”
“We need to talk.”
He pulls the iPad from my hands and sets it on the bed. I keep my head down in an act of defiance. Not giving him what he wants. Why should he get anything he wants from me? It was his choice to end this thing between us, not mine.
“Dammit, Jade look at me.” His voice booms with the authoritative crack I hate.
My head snaps up before I think to tell him where he can shove it. Oh my god! I climb off the bed. “What happened to your eye?”
“Your dad.”
“My dad hit you?” Why would he do that? “He isn't a fighter.” My eyes open wide. “Oh no. You didn't?”
“I did, and deserved it.”
“You didn't hit him did you?” I say in whispered astonishment.
