My black Mercedes is parked in the corner, away from everyone else. As we enter the car, I expect her to say thank you or some sentiment worthy of a conversation starter, but nothing of the sort while I speed out of the city and fly down the I-95. The drive is quiet and unsure of what to say, I want to pry more into this whole boyfriend thing—the subject alone piquing my curiosity.
“So, does your dad know about your boyfriend?”
She clears her throat, avoiding my gaze. “Not exactly. He knows of him and that we dated in high school. Why do you ask?”
“Just surprised you lie to him.”
Her face turns to meet mine. “I don’t lie to him. I merely save that information for myself. It’s not like he asked me about it, so, therefore, no lying.”
“John Hopkins is far. What kind of a relationship is that, anyway?”
“One that’s none of your business.”
Her frustrated tone is obvious like she seems bothered to be in my presence.
“You better be careful,” I warn her, without a smile. “If your dad finds out, all hell will break loose.”
“I’m nineteen next week. I live across the country. He can say all he wants. He can’t expect me to stay celibate forever,” she responds with more bite than before. “And anyway, why do you care about what my dad thinks? If I have to fight my dad to be with someone I care deeply about, then so be it, I will.”
I almost laugh at the notion. No one goes up against Lex.
“Why are you laughing?”
“It’s like you haven’t met Lex Edwards.”
“As long as I’m with someone who respects me, I believe my father will be fine. Not some playboy like you who would break a girl’s heart with so much joy.”
“Ouch, so you think I’m a playboy?”
“Let’s just say I’ve heard Mom and Aunt Nikki talk, plus that dinner conversation sums it up to a tee. You’re no saint, which probably explains the revolving door of assistants. Mr. Bigshot, a CEO, can’t commit. It’s all too familiar, according to them.”
“I see.” I nod with a smirk. “I’m the son your father never had.”
“Yes, so I’ve heard.”
“You hear a lot of things, but hearsay isn’t always the truth.”
I glance over, noting her arms crossed in defiance. “My dorm is just over there. And you know what, I don’t care. Fuck whoever you want. It’s your life.”
“Well, you seem to care since you keep bringing it up? You seem to be bothered that I like to fuck beautiful women.”
“Trust me. I don’t care. I find it entertaining, but since we’re here, thanks for the ride, Will. I have no idea why you had to torture yourself by taking me home, unless, of course, you’re hoping to prowl the campus looking for a damsel in distress needing to be rescued?”
“You know what?” I growl, frustrated at her assumptions. “You’re just as annoying as you were when we were kids.”
“Yeah, and you’re just as arrogant.”
I let out a huff. “Well, are you going to get out? According to you, I have someone’s bed to be in.”
She shakes her head with a knowing grin before exiting the car. “Goodbye, Will, a pleasure as always. Remember to be safe… no glove, no love.”
The door slams, the same time I fall back onto the seat, annoyed with the entire night.
I just have to pretend this never happened. If Lex asks me to check on her, I’ll tell him I’m busy with work. Surely, he should understand that.
Yes, work, a distraction I need at this moment to ignore my bothered thoughts and rid myself of Amelia Edwards.
Once again, the bane of my existence.