Page 45 of Make Your Shot
“I don’t control him.”
“No, you’re right,” he says, nodding in agreement. “But perhaps you influence him in some way.” He lets out a deep breath, running his hand through his hair. “You’re an adult, so I’m not going to have a talk with you like you’re a teenager, but Caleb is not someone you should be getting involved with.”
NowIraise an eyebrow athim. “Are you saying this as my father or as his coach?”
He grabs his chin, his brow furrowing. “Both.”
“I’m not getting involved with him, Dad,” I say, shaking my head before disappearing into the bathroom attached to my room. I grab my toiletries and slip back into my bedroom, tucking them in the front pocket of my bag. “I think he and I wouldn’t see eye to eye on what we want from another person.”
“I just don’t want you to get hurt, Meep.” He pushes on his knees to rise to his feet and closes the distance between us. “I also don’t need to have a scandal on my hands if something unsavory were to happen between the two of you.”
“You don’t have to worry about any of that,” I tell him, not sure if I’m lying or telling the truth. Sure we kissed last night, but really that doesn’t mean it will ever happen again.
I saw the conflicted look in Caleb’s eyes last night.
But I also felt the way he kissed and touched me.
My father pulls me in for a hug, wrapping his arms around the tops of my shoulders. “Regardless of all that, at the end of the day, I just want you to be happy. You will always be my little girl and I will always be protective of you.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I murmur against his chest, hugging him back before we both release one another. “I promise, if there ends up being something you need to be worried about, I will tell you.”
He raises an eyebrow at me. “I know how things go, Mia. I was young once too.”
“Dad.” I pause, staring at him as I purse my lips.
“Mia.”
“I love you. Have a safe flight.”
He chuckles lightly, shaking his head at me. “Deflecting, are we?”
“Nope,” I retort, smiling at him. “Just making sure we both get to where we need to be on time.”
He rolls his wrist, checking the expensive timepiece wrapped around it. “Shit.” He glances back at me. “Okay. Be safe and if Caleb Fordevergives you any problems, you let me know immediately.”
Instinctively, I roll my eyes like a petulant teenager. “He won’t.”
“He’d better not,” he says, shaking his head. “Okay, I’m off.”
We say our goodbyes before he heads down the stairs as I get the rest of my things together. I grab my phone from the bed and it vibrates in my hand as soon as I pick it up, reminding me of my unfinished conversation with Willow.
And she’s left half a dozen messages in my absence.
Do you know why he got into a fight?
Mia, you left me on read.
Did something happen?
Please tell me the fight was because of you, omg.
Mia.
Mia, so help me God, you’d better answer me or I’m heading to your house now.
Sorry, I was talking to my dad while getting ready to head to Caleb’s.
Excuses.
