"Then you don't know my son as well as I do. He hates to have rules." At this moment, I hate him worse than I hate rules. I happen to love rules—my rules, that is. "While Ms. Capperton is there, he will respect any and all her needs. Everything he wants to do will have to go through her for approval. She'll have power over him, which will limit his social life. If he steps out of line, she can call me, and I'll start taking things away as punishment for refusing to abide by her rules. Let's face it, Roy, you can't hold him for anything. You can't charge him with any wrongdoing. I'll hire the best lawyer to keep him from having jail-time on his record. It's up to you."
If I've ever been angrier, I can't remember it. I've officially been scolded like a child, talked about like a child, and now I'm going to have to seek constant permission like a child? Fuck that. This is not happening. She'd better say no.
What am I talking about? She hates me. Of course she'll say no.
"Ms. Capperton? How do you feel about this?" the judge asks through gritted teeth.
I don't know why he's grinding his teeth. It's my life that's getting screwed with, not his.
"I don't want to live with Kade Colton," she says without hesitation, making me relax immensely. Thank God. For once I'm delighted she's so frosty.
"Ms. Capperton, do you have a home or money to rent anywhere? I've looked over your financials. It wouldn't have been long until you were kicked out. I'm sure you could sue for the damages done, but that takes time and money as well. Do you have time and money?" my arrogant, condescending, dickhead father asks, narrowing her options.
I'll buy her a house. Problem solved. Then she won't have any reason to be at my house. Whew.
"No," she says in a hoarse rasp that can barely be heard.
"Didn't think so. You'd have a home—a nice home—and at the end of the school year, I'll buy you a new house you won't have to stress over. You have to l
ive with Kade first, though. And if he gives you any trouble at all, you call me right away."
I'm in a nightmare. This isn't real. That's all there is to it. If she says yes, then I'm going to buy her the first house up for sale. End of story. If she says no, I'll buy her the house she wants.
"Ms. Capperton?" the judge says, a hard edge to his tone, impatiently demanding her to make a decision.
"Fine."
Ah hell no.
I can feel my father's victory grin, and I start worrying I've beveled off all the edges of my teeth.
"Fine? What does fine mean, Ms. Capperton?" the judge asks.
I glare across the courtroom, praying I can intimidate her enough to say no. I'd at least like some victory over the ass who’s supposed to be my father.
"It means yes. I'll do it," she says, shattering my hopes.
For the first time since we started this ludicrous hearing, I face the man who is reveling in his triumph, just as he takes one final stab at me. "Son, meet your new leash."
Pacing around in my room isn't helping me shed any fury. There's no arguing with him. I can't wait to get out from under him and finally be free. If I didn't need this home, my cars—well, at least one of them—and my tuition paid for, I'd leave now and never look back.
I could tap into my trust to break ties from Dad, but it would piss off Granddad. If I buy her a house, though, he'll think I'm doing something generous and noble. No drama for me. Then this problem will be over.
Not to mention, it would upset Granddad to find out my Dad and I are arguing. He doesn't need that to worry about. This works out for everyone, as long as she says yes. But, how could she possibly say no?
I just need to get my damn father out of her room and out of my house so I can talk to her without him finding a way to screw me over. Again.
My phone buzzes, and I groan when I see how tight this leash already is. Is he really summoning me via text? To her room? This ends soon. I just have to play along for now.
As I climb the stairs, I hear their voices being muffled by the walls. The closer I get, the more I start silently rehearsing my offer.
"You rang?" I growl as I lean against the doorframe, ignoring Raya completely.
"Yes, I was texting to tell you to make sure you get this mattress replaced today. There's no telling what your friends have done on it, and I want Raya to have fresh sheets as well."
He really expects me to play his puppet. That's fine, considering I already anticipated this. I admit that it's a little funny when Raya casually removes her bag from the bed and drops it to the floor, her face scrunched in disgust. But I keep my expression hard and serious, doing what I can to make her feel as unwelcome as possible. She can't get comfortable.
"Already called the furniture shop. They'll be bringing it by tomorrow," I lie, no longer displaying my anger.