Free Classic (Adrenaline Book 1) by Xavier Neal Page B

message.
     
    Merrick: I'm thinking about you...
     
    Before I have a chance to turn off the phone another message comes in.
     
    Merrick: Not just naked either.
     
    I giggle, roll my eyes, and put my phone face down.
     
    The noise causes my father to shoot his head. “Who are you texting?”
     
    Picking up my fork I snap, “Who are you texting?”
     
    “Is it that boy? The one you kissed. You know his name?” His change in conversational direction irks me.
     
    “I know the two of you need to eat before the chicken Parmesan I worked so hard on gets cold,” Nadie fusses. “Eat up.”
     
    “I want his name,” he demands.
     
    “You stalk my phone records. I'm sure you'll know soon enough,” I smartly reply cutting into my chicken.
     
    “I am your father Jovi. I have a right to know who you're involved with.”
     
    “And I'm 21 dad. I think I've earned the right to some privacy.”
     
    “Privacy is a privilege.”
     
    “One I've earned.” Putting my fork down I lean back in my seat. “I have one friend. No social life. And the one time I do something spontaneous you call me something degrading. Don't wonder why I can't wait to leave at the end of the summer.”
     
    On a huff he argues, “You're not going to that school.”
     
    “What?!” I shriek.
     
    “I don't...I don't think it's a good idea.”
     
    “Too bad.” I fold my arms across my chest. “That was the deal dad. If I stayed and did my basics here, I could go to school anywhere I wanted and―”
     
    “And I changed my mind.”
     
    “Well that's unfortunate because we already filled out the papers, and I already wrote the check,” Nadie joins the argument as she lifts her glass of wine.
     
    “You did what?” He growls at her. “You had no right―”
     
    “I have every right Nicholas. I am legally one of her guardians. You also put her care and well-being in my court. She's going to that school starting Fall semester, so I suggest instead of alienating your only daughter before she leaves you, you try to make the most of the moments that are left.”
     
    Nadie's speech causes a long exhale out of him. His hands rub the back of his obviously tense neck, but he doesn't say another word.
     
    I pick my fork back up, the nerves in my stomach wanting to be fed with something.
     
    As the first bite enters my mouth he grumbles, “Well, she's not living on campus in a dorm. Statistically speaking her chances of date rape are much higher there.” The words cause my eyes to pull themselves back up to him. With a firm finger point he snaps, “But don't you dare pull another stunt like you did last night while you're away. No...no spontaneous kissing of random guys. You're better than that. Understood?”
     
    “Understood,” I cave.
     
    Now's not the time to mention that Merrick's not so random any more. We're just gonna let that slide.
     
    “Nadie―”
     
    “Already looked into apartments close to campus. There's a list of potential roommates for you to background check waiting in your personal email account,” she informs him between bites.
     
    Dad's lips press together.
     
    That's right. She knows him as well as I do.
     
    “And about a car?” I meekly ask.
     
    While the subject of anything related to me behind the wheel of a vehicle typically causes his face to go pale in color, I'm thankfully once again saved by Nadie who says, “It's been narrowed down to three. Sent to your personal email account as well, Nick.”
     
    Dad's phone begins ringing, so he simply nods at her his thanks.
     
    Takes her for granted I swear. He treated mom like this too. I wonder if it would've ever gotten this bad. I don't know if I could end up with a man so dedicated to his work he ignored his family. Damn sure couldn't marry a man who works so hard because part of him is hell bent on vengeance. Call me old fashion. Kinda like the idea of love being a major factor.
     
    “No! No Thompson! That's not gonna―” he cuts himself