Chapter Twenty-One
Bella
I need water. For the last four hours, I’ve stared at my ceiling, having never gone to sleep. The edges of my ceiling fan are coated in layers of dust. Six cobwebs hang from the soft, swirling peeks of white plaster. And I’m no closer to understanding what got into me last night.
After I snort, I flop over onto my stomach. I know good and well what got into me. Dominic did, and it was beyond phenomenal. The man is sexy, stacked, and ruined every vibrator I’ve ever used.
My eyelids flutter shut. And that was possible only due to his countless random hookups. Which I’m now so lucky to have been one of.
I squeeze my eyes tight. Don’t. Don’t get all up in your feelings. You knew what it was when you offered to reward him for saving you. What man is going to pass up free milk when it’s shoved in his face? None. “I’m such an idiot.”
After I flop back onto my back, I sigh. What’s the point of moping? Nothing. I made a pact to take control of my life, and that’s what I’m going to do. It’s time to tell my parents I’m going to drop some of my college classes so I can go to beauty school part-time in the spring.
My stomach cramps at the thought of their reaction. But first, I need to respond to their email and ask them to put me into a part-time slot in the spring. I’ll drop two classes, go part-time to Cosmo, and find a steadier side job until after I graduate.
What if they kick me out? I glance around my childhood bedroom. It’s nicer than a dorm with its aesthetic vibe. My desk covers one wall with computer equipment and a space for writing. On the opposite wall is my closet and a makeup vanity.
I inhale, taking in the scent of bacon. My mom is cooking, and I can’t decide if it smells divine or whether it’s about to make me lose my lunch.
After scooting to the edge of my chair, I groan. I shouldn’t have had so much to drink. I wasn’t drunk, but my brain still feels the effects. It’s fuzzy and throbbing. A couple of pain relievers are in my future.
I launch off the chair and pace the floor. Where am I supposed to stay if they kick me out? With Sam and Ben? That’s a joke. They’d flip their lids, and Dominic would demand I go somewhere else. There’s no way he wants me cramping his ability to bring other girls home. I clutch my stomach as a groan slips past my lips.
Under no circumstances will I move there. I can’t stomach seeing Dominic with anyone else.
I stomp to the door and snatch it open. Sleeping with Dominic was the most idiotic thing I’ve ever done–not that we slept. A shiver rockets up my spine as memories of his hands caressing me sends blood rushing to my core.
You can’t fall apart now. I pad down the hallway, surveying the photos of us growing up. Every third photo is one of us–my brothers, myself, random friends. Dominic is in half of them. I stop and stare into his molten brown eyes. Why did I have to fall for him?
“Bella?” My dad’s voice bellows from the living room. “Is that you?”
“Yes!” I squeal and jump, falling into the wall, causing the closest photograph to rattle against the wall. What a klutz. I snatch the frame, straighten it, and inhale.
“Did you get drunk last night?”
“No.” I speed walk to the stairs, ignoring the pounding in my brain, and slap on a smile. My dad stands at the base of the stairs in a black T-shirt, camouflage cargo shorts, and loafers. He’s in his late 40s but looks younger than his age, probably due to years of playing sports and keeping fit.
His eyes narrow as I descend the steps. “You look rough.”
“Thanks.” Seriously? I rake a hand through my hair. It’s never been easy being the only girl besides my mom. I learned early that their digs were their way of saying they loved me. “I spent a fortune at the hair salon.”
“Funny.” He spins on his heel. “Want something to eat? Your mom is making breakfast and has already put the ribs on for the game. She’s made enough for us and for the boys.”
“It smells good.” The pleasure of small-town living. Friday is high school football night, and everyone gathers at the stadium. It doesn’t matter if you have a kid playing on the team or not. You’re there.
My feet sink into the white carpet my parents installed after I graduated, and the boys moved out on their own. It’s thick and luxurious, making the brown, compressed carpet we used to have seem even more pathetic.
“Good morning, dear.” My mom glances at me over her shoulder. “Rough night?”
“No,” I growl between gritted teeth. “It was fine. Thank you.”
She waggles her brows and smiles. “I bet it was.”
“What do you mean?” I stop in mid-step and clutch my chest as heat pools under my armpits. What does she mean? Did they hear something? Shit. My head spins as my stomach lurches up into my throat.
No, they didn’t hear anything. They didn’t hear anything. If I keep repeating it, I’ll make it true.
“Because Dominic’s pickup was outside in the driveway after midnight, and….” My dad’s face turns pink. “Never mind.”
Oh, my God, I’m going to throw up.
My mom twists off the stove knob and spins on her heel. Her eyes dance with humor, causing me to groan. Here it comes. My mom is not as easily embarrassed as my dad. She’s liable to say anything. This is not good.
“So….” She winks. “Was it as good as it sounded?”
“Oh, my God.” I cover my face with my hands and calculate what I have in the bank to add to the money my grandparents gave me for birthdays. It’s not much, but it’ll have to do. I’m moving, taking on a fake name, and never returning.
“I take it that it was better than it sounded.”
“Stop.” My voice is muffled behind my fingers as my father’s voice joins mine.
“I told you I couldn’t handle this.” My dad stands motionless as if the room is spinning around him.
“Honey, you’re going to be fine.” My mom grabs my father’s upper arms. “Breathe. We discussed this last night. All night. You’re going to be fine. Bella is an adult. Dominic is an adult. We want grandkids someday. That means our kids must have sex.”
“Just stop,” my father groans as he shudders from head to toe.
“Dear.” My mom drops her hands from my father’s shoulders and spins on her heel to face me. “I realize this is as awkward for you as it is for us–”
“Speak for yourself.” It feels like my face is on fire. What am I going to do? Shit. Sam and Ben are going to beat the shit out of Dominic.
“Bella,” he growls as I stomp to the refrigerator, dragging out a bottle of water.
Remember moments ago when you thought water would solve all your problems? Yeah, I don’t either.
“I’ll leave it alone.” My mother returns her attention to the stove. “Just know that we love Dominic and can’t wait until you have babies. I’ve been telling your dad for years that the two of you would grace us with our first grandchildren.”
Oh, my God. This is horrible. I choke on the water, coughing until tears fill my eyes, and my dad pounds on my back. I can’t stop. I can’t breathe.
How are we going to live this down? He’s going to hate my guts, and all because I stupidly thought horny and tipsy could co-exist with Dominic and I getting naughty and this family. That’s a big fat no.
“Are you okay?” My dad’s eyes travel over me.
“Yes, I’m fine.” I inhale and straighten my shoulders. “Dominic and I aren’t together, so don’t get your hopes up.”
“That asshole.” My dad stomps toward the door. “I’m going to give him a piece of my mind, and he’s out on his ass.”
Oh, fuck. “Don’t.” I snatch his arm and hold on for dear life. “It’s not his fault.”
“It’s not?” His eyes flash with anger as his hands ball into fists. Okay, my dad is back. Now, he’s going to lose his mind.
“No. It’s not. It was my idea, and….” This is so humiliating. “And it didn’t mean anything. I promise. Please, just let it go.”
“I can’t let it go.” His jaw flexes as he pops his neck. “You’re my angel, and he…,” he growls.
“Dear.” My mom rushes over and rubs his back. “Don’t get upset. Remember your blood pressure. You need to take a deep breath and count to ten.”
“Enough!” he barks back to her. “I don’t want to count to ten. Like counting to ten is going to cut it.” He rakes a hand through his hair, leaving the graying strands sticking out in all different directions. “This is my daughter we’re talking about. And a guy that took advantage of her. A kid we took into our house and treated like a family member.”
“Counting will make it better.”
“No, it won’t.” His shoulders sag as my head continues to pound. I shouldn’t have drunk anything last night.
“Dad, just let it go. It’s not a big deal.” The words choke in my throat, but the alternative would make the entire situation worse. “Fine.” He shakes his head. “I’m going to work. I’m not meant to be a girl dad.”
“Yes, you are.” Tears sting my eyes. “This is all my fault. I’m sorry.” There’s no way I’m adding leaving school to this already shitshow of a morning. “I’m fine. It’s not a big deal.”
My mom points her wooden spoon at me with eggs dripping off the end as the door snaps shut behind my father. Great. He’s so upset, he’s leaving without eating breakfast. “If you hurt that boy’s feelings….”
“If I hurt his feelings?” My head is going to blow. “That’s ridiculous. It’s ridiculous that you care more about his feelings than mine. And it’s ridiculous that you think he has feelings that can be hurt.” The tension from everything that’s happened in the last twelve hours causes me to snap. “It didn’t mean anything to him, so let it go. We don’t need to slaughter the fattened calf to place at his feet.”
“Yes, we do.” Her back is stiff as she returns to the stove. “I’m making ribs, and you’re taking them over to Sam and Ben’s house before the game.”
“Mom….”
“No buts, young lady. You’ll do as you’re told.”
Fucking hell. I spin on my heel and march back up the stairs. To hell with school, I’m going back to bed. Today is fucking ridiculous.