Page 58 of Satan's Spawn
“Unfortunately.”
“Shouldn’t you be in gym? Why are you answering the phone?”
I pull out the knife from my pocket, flipping it open to chip at the paint on the bench. “Why are you calling if you know I’m supposed to be in gym?”
“I was going to leave you a voicemail.” The bitter tone in this remark makes it obvious he’s annoyed about something.
“And I’m saving you the trouble.”
A deep sigh ensues before he replies, “I got a call from Beaumont…again.”
Change the fucking channel.
For a guy who caught shit on the news for making homophobic statements in the past, he’s got some impressive hard-on when it comes to me.
“Don’t tell me…” I pause, faking excitement. “Student of the month.”
“You think this is a game? You’ve hit your fifth complaint from a female student since you moved back into the dorms in August. There’s only so many times and so many ways I can defend you until I’m considered an enabler.”
I yawn louder than necessary, flipping the knife closed and shoving it back in my pocket. “Loud and clear, Pops.”
“See? I don’t think it is.” His laugh is riddled with exhaustion. “I’ve been telling myself you’re the product of a very toxic childhood. But that was years ago, Crayton.” If I could see this man right now I’d bet he’s pinching the bridge of his nose, parading back and forth in his office as he contemplates the best course of action for the certified lost cause he considers “his son”.
I’m right, because the assertive tone is up to bat, which means he’s come to some sort of decision. “You’re a man now, and men have consequences to their actions. You need to learn that before it’s too late.”
“This conversation is punishment enough, believe me.”
“If only it was,” my dad shoots back.
“We done here? I gotta call and get an update on Raven.”
I need this car back more than Riggs needs to jerk off every time he’s in the shower.
“I agree. An update is in order.”
“Hanging up then...”
“Which is why…” my father emphasizes, making it obvious he’s not done. “I’m taking the liberty of updating you myself that I had it transferred to another shop.”
Every single cell in my body freezes with that sentence.
“You. Did. What?”
“After the car is fixed it’ll be transferred to a storage facility until further notice,” he continues, ignoring the threat in my voice.
This car was the only thing I’ve been looking forward to for years. My only possession that brought me any form of contentment. Peace. Whether spending the night in it and listening to music when I couldn’t sleep, or just parking along the piers at night to escape my thoughts. Raven is the only object in my life I consider truly mine and not tainted by my past.
Until Rebecca, at least.
“You better be fucking with me.”
“Oh I’m completely serious. I decided it’s time for you to earn the privileges you’ve been so casually taking advantage of. Starting with that ridiculously expensive car I bought you for your sixteenth birthday.”
“Dad…” I warn, because he knows what my Mustang means to me. The lengths I’d go to take back anything that’s mine.
I have very few boundaries when it comes to getting what I want, and hurting another person, even one I’ve learned to care about, is not one of them.
There are a lot of things that have happened to my dad recently, things brutal enough to break a man’s spirit. Reminding him of said things may not be something I enjoy doing to get my way, but I will do it without question if he pushes me too far.
