Now I know the boys aren’t just drunk, but stupid. Soren is in all black, looking like a poorly-disguised special forces operator. His outfit should be warning enough not to mess with him, but apparently, it’s not.
“I said. Put. Her. Down.”
“Or what, old man?”
“Soren! It’s okay,” I plead although it’s clearly not okay. I already know this is going to escalate quickly and it’s not going to be pretty…for the boys, or possibly my ability to form a friend circle at college.
Soren takes two steps toward the boy, who quickly pivots his hips and bends his knees before pushing upwards and tossing me to his friend.
My body flies through the air but my flight path is immediately stopped as Soren steps in-between, grabs me, and gently lowers me to the ground.
“Take the keys and go to the car. Lock yourself inside and wait for me.”
“Soren!”
“Damnit, Sadie. Do as I say. This is not the time to question me.”
“Awww. Look at daddy dishing out punishment,” one of the boys says, infuriating me.
“You have no idea who is about to get punished, jerk,” I spit at him, stomping my foot in his direction.
He jerks his body back and brings his hands up comically. “Oooooh. I’m so scared.”
Soren jams his hand in his pocket, takes out the keys and hands them to me.
“Go,” he orders, and I follow his instructions, although not happily. And not in a hurry, I take my time as I walk away, looking over my shoulder as Soren takes a step toward the boy, punching him in the gut, dropping him, and then administering a leg sweep as the other boy comes at him, knocking him clean off his feet.
The crowds oh’s and aw’s and then bust out laughing at the boys who’ve clearly been easily handled by Soren.
A few other boys give it a go and they’re disposed of just as quickly and thoroughly.
Just as I’m almost gone I see Ally walk back into the room, her eyes wide as she takes in the sight of Soren, licks her lips, and moves toward him.
Soren’s by himself in the middle of the room at this point so everyone sees Ally and her intentions, including Soren who just raises a palm to her and says firmly, “No.”
I can’t help but smile, picking up my pace as Soren turns toward me and follows me toward the exit.
8
Soren
Why I permitted Sadie to go to this party in the first place was beyond me. I knew it was a bad idea but I capitulated to her mother and father, so they wouldn’t suspect my desire for her.
What she needs is a father who puts his child first, not his political career. It pains me to think that, but it’s true. My best friend is getting soft, but I’m not. Not in the slightest.
As we return home I cut the gas and roll into the garage in neutral, trying not to make noise.
Mission accomplished, because as we enter the front door that’s not a single sound. If I were a parent I’d be up all night worrying, waiting for my child to come home…if I even let them leave in the first place, or if I wasn’t camped out in the bushes where they are, doing my job as a man, as a head of household and making sure they were safe at all times.
Taking Sadie by the wrist I lead her to my room.
She doesn’t protest, and when I shut the door behind us I can hear her breathing hard, the only sound in the room. And it’s not because she was moving quickly.
It’s for the same reason I can’t catch my breath.
“We need to talk but we need to keep our voices down,” I begin.
“Agreed, but why did you bring me into your room? Don’t you think…”