Fuckkk.
Color stained my cheeks but I kept my chin up, letting my father know how important this was to me. I guess also, how important Brock was to me.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
I was so falling in love with him.
Without an ounce of contrition, Brock replied, “I can’t do that.”
A hush fell over the house, my dad’s jaw set. I could see he was about to say something, but his attention and Brock’s were distracted as they both glanced in the same direction. Red and blue lights flashed through the drawn curtain hung over a large picture window that faced the front of the house, saving me from further awkwardness. Dad’s narrowed eyes went from the window to Brock and back to the window with accusations in his eyes.
Despite what my dad might be thinking, I knew there was no way in hell Brock would have called the police. “Did you call the cops?” I hurled at my father. Hurt and betrayal laced my voice.
“No, of course not,” he retorted, still staring at the window and the lights rotating through it.
I didn’t bother to ask Brock. Brock strutted to the window and peeked through a small crack in the curtain. “There is a squad car parked out front. Two officers are on their way up to the door.”
“I’ll handle this,” Dad said, striding toward the entryway.
The doorbell rang a moment later. Brock gave me a look, conveying a message.Don’t say anything. I’ll take care of this.
I rolled my one good eye, peeking over the back of the couch to the door.
Dad greeted the two policemen, the cuffs hooked to their belts clanging together. “Mr. James?” one of the officers prompted.
My fingers clutched onto the blanket as Dad answered, “Yes. Is there a problem?”
“That’s what we’re here to find out. Is that your Lexus in the driveway, sir?” the officer asked.
Dad angled his head slightly out the door, taking in the sight of the red Lexus parked in his driveway for the first time. “No.”
“Uh, Dad. It’s mine,” I said softly from the couch. “Brock dropped it off.” I deliberately left off confessing that the car had been parked at Brock’s house. He had driven me to school today, as he did most days.
“It was reported stolen by the owner an hour ago,” the shorter police officer informed.
My mouth dropped as the reason for their visit registered. An hour, huh? Not long after Dad had gotten off the phone with Angie.
That fucking bitch.
I couldn’t believe she’d stoop so low, especially after what happened to me.
Wait. Yes, I could.
And that was sad. So very sad.
Dread pitted in my stomach, disbelief twanging in my chest.
“You’re telling me my ex-wife reported our daughter’s car stolen?” Dad reiterated as if he too was shocked.
“We can’t release that information,” the other office stated.
Brock snorted, earning a scowl from everyone in the room, including the two cops.
One of them handed my dad the paperwork. “We’ll be taking the car into possession,” he informed as his walkie-talkie started sputtering information.
There went my chance at escape. Not that I wanted the car. Angie and Steven could have it.
Fuck them both.