16 Serenity
Dad is going to raise hell if he sees me coming home with a guy. I stopped bringing home dates when I was nineteen and he interrogated the two of us about my virginity. To say that guy never called me again would be an understatement. I think he hid every time he saw me nearby.
I force my eyes to stay open, the rancid smell from my epic fail of a night helping to keep me alert in Emeric’s car . I don’t know why Dad would wait up for me at this hour, but he’s done stranger things. I wouldn’t be totally surprised if he’s waiting in the front room like I’m a teenager.
I’m not Vienna, and I’m not Jo. I’m my own person and I’ll make my own mistakes. He just can’t look at things that way.
When we pull up to the address I gave Emeric, he shoots me a look in the darkness of his car. “Swanky.”
“You don’t mean stuffy,” I grumble, keeping one hand pressed to my skull. It’s this damn headache. It won’t go away and it’s getting worse, not better, the longer I have it. Emeric’s already asked if Chad struck me. He might be an asshole but Chad isn’t that dumb. At least not while I was out with him.
“Want me to come in and help,” he asks, and I look away from the house towards him again. “With your bag.”
“I don’t need a bag,” I say, stiffening my bottom lip. “I’m staying home.”
“The fuck you are,” he snaps, and my eyes widen. “You’re coming back to my place.”
“I can stay here. It’s probably safer for me.”
“Because your Dad and your sister know you’ve been attacked?”
I rear back, slamming my shoulder into the door. His accusation cuts, and whether or not there’s truth behind it the words still hurt. “I wasn’t attacked.”
“You don’t call what happened tonight an attack,” he asks dryly, and it’s too dim in the car to make out the exact expression on his face. Or maybe my eyes are still unfocused. “Would you prefer assault?”
Ice slices through me, the words knocking my breath away. It’s like he picked a memory out of my head and waved it in front of my face. “No. I… that’s not what happened.”
“Care to tell me what did happen then?”
I shake my head, instantly regretting it when the pain intensifies. “Hardly.”
“Are you going to tell them?”
“You already know the answer,” I growl. Vienna already knows more than she should.
“Perfect. Then you are coming home with me. Because your Dad is a doctor and yet you somehow don’t trust him to check your head. Your sister shouldn’t be responsible for you, and if neither of them knows your hurt…”
His voice trails off and I don’t bother arguing. There’s really no point when his mind is already made up. “Fine.”
I pop the car door open before he can say anything more, ready to bolt into the house like a coward. I don’t necessarily want to hide, but his prying questions scrape at the emotional wounds of tonight.
My wrist protests pushing the door, and my feet don’t want to cooperate when I try to move. I’m feeling sluggish, the call of exhaustion beckoning me to go to sleep. If I’m going to pass out, I at least need to have the decency to do it behind a closed door.
Not out here in front of my house.
My legs give out, and I’m just so damn tired all of a sudden. Maybe the day is weighing on me, or maybe Chad really did slip me something. My knees hit the sidewalk and I feel the skin break. My wrist twinges when it hits the cement to try to stop my fall, and I cry out.
The engine dies behind me, and distantly I realize Emeric is cursing as he rounds the car and crouches down beside me. “Goddamnit, Serenity.”
“Shh,” is all I say back, my head swimming. His hands find my arms, helping to pull me up, and the dull sting in my knees tells me I at least scraped them. “I just want to go to bed.”
He grabs my chin, forcing me to look up. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”
I don’t follow what he means, shaking my head. “I’m tired.”
“And Anita says you should stay awake for a while.”
When did he talk to Anita? So far as I recall we’ve been by each other’s side since I walked into the club. He’s texted, but…
“Serenity?”
My eyes snap back to him, but it isn’t Emeric who spoke. He helps me stand and balance by leaning me against the side of his car before turning to peer at the person behind him.
But I recognize the voice. I cringe when Dad appears, his beard a little haggard tonight and his eyes wide as he looks between us. “Serenity, what”s going on?”
I imagine this looks bad. Emeric glances at me before clearing his throat. “I was just dropping her off at home.”
“And who exactly are you,” Dad snarls.
“Emeric,” I say, standing straight. I sway a little, and both men look at me with concern, but I have to focus and dissolve the situation before Dad starts making accusations. That’s his specialty. “He brought me home from work.”
Dad looks between us, his gaze hard when it settles on Emeric. “I saw that Vienna left the house. She was at the club.”
My eyes widen. “How did you-”
“Tracker on her phone,” he replies, waving his hand. I doubt Vienna’s going to let him get away with that, and it’s just going to cause an issue. “Where’s your car? Why are you coming home so late?”
“Dad, this is when I usually get off.” Ish. I’m not entirely sure what the time is. “Emeric is being nice and driving me home since I don’t feel well. My car is fine. It’s in the lot at the club. I can get it in the morning.”
Dad finally turns his attention on Emeric, who is wisely remaining quiet. “My daughter doesn’t require any more assistance from you. You can go.”
My eyes widen. That’s not going to go over well, not with Emeric.
“I’m making sure your daughter is okay,” he snaps, squaring off against Dad. I think of his busted knuckles and wonder if he’d really get into two fights in a day. “Whether or not she requires it.”
Dad scowls, the streetlight above us the only thing giving me any indication what he’s thinking. “Really, Serenity? This is who you want to associate with now instead of Evan? This vermin?”
“Wow,” Emeric replies, and there’s no hurt in his voice. “Vermin. Did you search that so you’d have a nice insult the next time she tried to bring someone home?”
“My daughter doesn’t date,” he continues, and I scowl. That’s his idea, not mine. If I did date there’s no way I’d bring someone here. “She’s waiting for a nice boy.”
Emeric starts chuckling. “Oh, that’s rich. Is this one of those purity things?”
I elbow him, but it’s not hard enough to make him grunt. I wish I didn’t feel so sluggish so I could make it hurt. “Emeric!”
“Serenity’s purity is none of your concern, boy,” Dad replies, and Emeric snorts again. Maybe he can’t tell how old my coworker is in the dim lights. “You’re a friend of Jo’s, aren’t you?”
“And Vinny.”
He scoffs. “That explains it. You’re getting way too involved with that mess, Serenity. Now get inside and clean up. It’s late. You want some rest before work tomorrow.”
My back stiffens at the idea. Will I run into Chad at the hospital again? He was bold enough to ask about me once, who’s to say he won’t try to talk again. “I-”
“You really shouldn’t dictate to your kids,” Emeric interrupts, crossing his arms. “No wonder she didn’t want me to drive her home.”
I spin on him. “I didn’t want you to drive me home because I wanted to avoid any issues.” Plus, if he didn’t drive me here, he wouldn’t see how crazy Dad gets sometimes. He’s not a bad person, he’s just old school to the point it’s painful.
“Stop explaining things to him,” Dad snaps, and I turn back once more. It’s too much turning, and the nauseous feeling returns. He reaches out, grabbing my arm, and jerks me away from Emeric. “Get inside, now!”
“Hey,” I say, shaking off his hand. Or trying to. I’m not even sure my arm moves. “Leggo.”
Dad pauses, and I can’t focus on what he’s doing until he speaks again. “Are you drunk?”
“What? No-”
He stops trying to mouth off to Emeric, turning to grab both of my arms and spin us so my face is in the light. I blink up at the tall streetlight, regretting the action before he starts shaking me. “What did you do? Did you go out and party? Get drunk and high? God damnit, Serenity, I told you to not end up like a skank!”
“What?” I shake my head, trying to dislodge his hands from my arms, but I can’t tell if I’m getting anywhere with it. Everything is oddly numb
Dad’s hands tighten for a moment before they let go, and Emeric is standing next to me, pushing him back. “The fuck is wrong with you?”
“Me,” Dad growls. “It’s her! You! Both of you. She’s gone and gotten herself into trouble like I knew she would working at that club.”
“Did you bother asking her what happened?”
“Why bother?” he snaps, and I think he sounds… regretful. “I knew she’d give in and become tainted just like Joelle if she worked for that club! Those places turn girls into sluts.”
Emeric pulls me closer, and I don’t fight him this time. I’ve listened to Dad say the same shit for weeks, months, years, but it’s different when there’s someone else there to witness. “Your daughter isn’t tainted. But she is an adult. Leave her alone to decide for herself.”
“Jo did that,” Dad growls, looking between us. In the light of the street he looks a little mad, nothing like the esteemed doctor that people travel to see. “She took matters into her own hands when she was an adult. And look at the psycho she ended up with.”
I go to reply, but the two of them are locked into this argument now. “You really know nothing about what happened in Florida, do you?”
Dad sighs. “I know my sister got herself killed by a psychopath. And her daughter is damaged thinking there’s anything left to save. Joelle is just dragging people along for the ride. Serenity, you don’t need to end up down the same path.”
“Jo’s family,” I say, my voice softer than it should be. I almost think they don’t hear me, but Emeric glances my way. Those green eyes ground me to this moment, reminding me for once I’m not arguing with Dad all by myself. “You support your family.”
“No. You support those who deserve it,” Dad snaps. “Porsha went down the wrong path and got herself killed. Joelle is following her footsteps, and you’re following your cousin’s.”
“Sleeping with someone isn’t going to damn me,” I say quietly, suddenly embarrassed. I didn’t intend for Emeric to get such an earful of this.
“No, giving up parts of yourself will,” Dad argues. His gaze snaps to Emeric, the blame glowing in his eyes. “And you’re a friend of Jo’s? You’re no better than they are.”
Emeric steps forward, and I reach up to press a hand to his chest. I don’t turn from Dad when I speak, but I know Emeric can hear me. “No more fighting tonight.”
He blows out a breath, the hot air tickling my cold ears. “Only because you requested it, Doe Eyes.”
“Stop talking to my daughter!” Dad steps forward again but Emeric shifts so he’s now in between me and my father. Maybe if I wasn’t so dizzy I’d step in between, but instead my hands move up to either side of my arms, sliding over the spots Dad gripped to shake me.
“Then stop talking down to her.”
“I don’t need your advice, boy.”
“Boy,” Emeric says with a laugh. “I’m older than you want to believe.”
“Dad,” I say, cutting in before they keep this up. I can see the anger in Dad’s spiraling head, painting images of things that don’t exist. I’m sure Emeric is in a similar state, but I don’t want to risk turning and making myself dizzy again. “Enough. I’m not doing anything wrong. He offered to drive me home-”
“So he could sleep with you,” Dad snaps.
I sighed heavily. He’s not going to let this go. “That’s not why and you know it.”
“No, dear, you don’tknow it. Get inside and I’ll handle this.”
“No.”
He scowls, reaching towards me, but Emeric is still in the way, and he slaps his hand. I think Dad’s going to blow a gasket “No more touching.”
“Excuse me? That’s my daughter-”
“The one you just shook when she’s ill,” he clarifies.
Dad shakes his head, turning to look at me. “Serenity, in the house. Now.”
“No,” I say, my voice quieter than either of theirs. Stepping back, I bump into the car. I know Dad’s got some strict views but this feels out of hand. “No. He’s right. I’m an adult. You can’t-”
“You will listen to me!” he screams, his voice echoing around us. “Make the right decision, Serenity, before you screw up your life.”
The headache reaches a new level, but there’s no way I’m going to try to go inside now. “I’m not Jo, Dad. You don’t know what path my decisions will lead me down.”
Reaching blindly behind me, I find the handle of Emeric’s two door car and pop the door open. He doesn’t turn, but Dad’s eyes follow me as I stumble into the seat.
“No daughter of mine acts this way. I don’t even recognize you.”
“You should go take a breather, old man,” Emeric mocks, and I hear Dad growling once more.
“You’re making a mistake, Serenity,” Dad yells, and I press my hands to my ears. It doesn’t do much to dilute the sound of his voice, but it puts pressure on the spots screaming inside my head and partially blocks out the man yelling at me. The door closes beside me, and I realize Emeric must have shut it.
There’s some muttering that’s hard to distinguish through the closed doors, and when I squeeze my eyes closed, I feel tears leaking down my cheeks.
Goddamn. One bad interaction with my father and I’m coming undone.
After a moment, Emeric’s door is thrown open and he steps into the car, slamming the door. I briefly hear Dad yelling again, but he hits the engine button and his car roars to life.
He doesn’t wait for me to buckle in. He just hits the gas and we shoot away from the curb. I gasp, scrambling for the seatbelt.
He doesn’t speak until we’re out of the neighborhood and picking up speed. Finally he puts on his seatbelt, silencing the buzzing from the car about the alert, and tightens his grip on the steering wheel.
I think I’m breathing hard. Or maybe it just feels that way because I’m tense. When we hit a light I settle back into the seats, and his gaze snaps to mine.
“What the hell was that, Doe Eyes?”