Free Wickford High 2 - Furiously Tempted by Karen Fuller Page A

I get to the bottom of this. I want you both inside and in my study now.”
    “But Dad . . .”
    “Yes, sir,” Luke tone was resigned, but the glint in his eye told her he hadn’t lost any of his resolve.
    “But Dad, it’s not what it looks like . . .”
    “Now, Vicky.”
    Vicky lowered her eyes, her shoulders slumping. “Yes, sir.”
    Luke took her hand and led her through the front door, Mr. Phillips huffed out an exasperated breath and followed them into the study, shutting that door too.
    Her father brushed past them, taking his chair behind his desk. Leaning back, he steepled his fingers under his chin and sat, while the silence stretched. Luke cleared his throat to speak, but Mr. Phillips held up his hand for him to remain silent. He leaned forward in his chair, clasping his hands in front of him on the desk. “Luke, I trusted you with my daughter. I distinctly remember telling you to have her home not one minute after ten. It’s now almost one in the morning. Add to that, you were pawing at my daughter on the front porch. I suppose you know she’s no longer allowed to go out with you.”
    Until her father spoke, Vicky’s guilt had her staring at a spot on the carpet. Upon hearing his verdict, her eyes lifted, and she glared at him. “Dad, that’s not fair. We didn’t do anything wrong. All you saw was Luke kissing me goodnight. He wanted to come inside and tell you what happened tonight, but I didn’t want him to.”
    “Vicky, you are just one step away from being grounded. Don’t push me.” Examining her rumpled, dirt-stained clothes, he glanced from Luke to Vicky and he rolled his eyes.
    “What have you two been up to?” He slammed his hands down on his desktop, standing up abruptly. “What have you been doing with my daughter?”
    Luke’s mouth dropped open. “I haven’t done anything to Vicky, Mr. Phillips.
    Please, just let me explain . . .”
    Vicky could not take it anymore. Her father’s accusations were so far off base it was absurd. Her tired mind cracked a little and a giggle escaped her lips.
    Luke shot her a worried glance. “Vicky, stop, this isn’t funny.” She shook her head, laughing harder.
    Mr. Phillips crossed his arms over his chest, glaring at his daughter. “Vicky, this isn’t anything to laugh at. You’re working on being grounded for a month. Would you like to go for two?”
    Her eyes widened. “Dad, I have had the worst, and best day rolled into one.
    Before you kick out my boyfriend and ground me, I want to speak.” She inwardly cringed. Boyfriend. She and Luke had not had that talk yet, and she’d blurted the word out to her dad in the heat of the moment. Too late for regrets, she charged on. “You’re jumping to way too many conclusions without asking for my side of the story. I have never given you any trouble before, so why would you think I’d start now?”
    “Just look at yourself.”
    She looked down at herself, and then back up at him, shrugging. “I can explain.”
    “Well, you’d better start talking fast and make it good. And it better be the truth, young lady.”
    She crossed her heart, holding up her hand in pledge. “I’m going to tell you the God’s honest truth, Dad.” She locked eyes with her father again. “Can we sit down and talk with you?”

    Her father exhaled heavily, gesturing for them to be seated. “You’re stalling, Vicky.”
    “I’m not stalling, Dad.” Swallowing hard, she glanced at Luke, and he reached over, squeezing her hand for support. She exhaled. “Here goes nothing. I was having a wonderful time on my date with Luke.” Her father's eyebrow raised once again, and she continued, “By the way, his family’s place is a restaurant, not a diner.” He rolled his eyes, opening his mouth to speak, and Vicky held up her hand to stop him. “Anyway, Luke took me to the department store for my uniform, just like he was supposed to do.”
    She did not want to tell her father what happened, because she was afraid