Page 28 of Stolen Mafia Vows
I stare at the blank screen. My pulse is racing; that was my chance to tell him how I feel about Eoghan, and about my plans, and I let it slip through my fingers because he was busy. Or perhaps I never had any intention of telling him the truth because, despite what Sienna said, I knew exactly how it was going to go.
I never questioned it before, how over-protective they are, but now that I have a reason to break free and spread my wings, I can’t shake it off.
Locating Caleb’s number on my contacts app, I hit the green button and raise my phone to my ear. He takes a little longer to answer, and when he does, he’s mid-conversation with someone else.
“…ramp up security until it’s resolved. Hey, Em. I can’t speak right now, I’m sorry. In the middle of something. We’ll catch up when I’m free, yeah, and you can tell me all about your little road trip.”
“Sure.”
There’s a click signifying that Caleb has gone back to his meeting.
I call my dad next. I’m on the fence about this conversation. Part of me believes that he wants me to be happy, and he’ll listen to me without judgement, then process the information after the call ends. It won’t be what he wants to hear, but I’m his baby girl. He has always ingrained it into me that I can be and do whatever I want.
Within reason.
These two words are the sticking point.
It’s all downhill from there. Dropping out of college and abandoning my dream of becoming a veterinary surgeon will not be labeled ‘reasonable’ in my dad’s world. Moreover, when he hears that I want to stay in Ireland, he’ll paint Eoghan as a devil in human form and hurl all kinds of vile threats at him until I do what I always do.
Back down and go along with their plans for me.
“Hello, sweetheart.” My dad’s voice has always felt like home. It’s apple pie and cute baby animals and cozy blankets all rolled into one huggable form, and although my chest still surges with love for him from muscle memory, I’m holding something back.
Which makes me sad.
“Are you ready to come home?”
Home… It’s no longer where I thought it was.
“No, Dad. I told you I’m staying here for the summer.”
“I know, baby, but I miss you.”
He must be walking; I can hear his breaths, and traffic, and voices everywhere. I stare at the sea and the empty beach and the seagulls circling overhead, and I can’t even picture myself in a city setting anymore.
“I’ve been in college for the last three years, Dad.”
“That’s different. It’s not the same knowing that you’re in a different country. You can’t blame me for worrying about you. You’re my baby.”
I squeeze my eyes shut. I’m not a baby anymore.
“I’m staying, Dad, I’m sorry.”
“You’ll let me know if you get bored though, sweetheart. Or if any Irish guys get too close for comfort. I’ll be on that jet before you can blink.”
That’s what worries me.
“I’m a big girl now, and you’ve always said it’s good for me to meet new people.”
“I said that?” His laughter rumbles at me from the handset. “I musta been drunk at the time. No one gets close to my baby until they’ve been through me first.”
I shake my head, open my eyes, and tilt my face towards the sky. I guess that’s my answer.
“Bye, Dad. Love you.”
“Love you, baby girl.” He makes a kissing sound down the phone.Mwah.
I don’t call my mom. My dad is a pushover compared to her; she wants me to have a better start in life than she had, which is Mom-speak for she wants me to have a career, my own home, a big car, and money in the bank.
