Page 199 of We Shouldn't Be Together
“You two aren’t well-suited,” he says plainly to his daughter.
“With all due respect,” I say, like I have any for this man who is clearly a manifestation of ‘the man’ I want to overthrow, “it isn’t your call to make.”
Dr. Jones glares at me. “Are you telling me not to have a say in my daughter’s welfare? Nelson, I’d choose your next words carefully.”
“I’m not endangering her welfare,” I argue.
Dr. Jones points at Tabby’s ankle. “Why did I find you carrying her home that day?”
I smirk and plant my hands on my hips. “Because I’m a gentleman.”
Tabby sniggers and I catch the blush, turning her complexion rosy.
“Tabitha,” Dr. Jones says with a sigh. “Go inside.”
“No, Dad.” Her arms fold around her waist. “I want to…”
“Tabitha,” he presses, but is distracted by their front door opening.
A woman—who I assume is her mom—rushes out. She waves hurriedly at me. “Hi! Hello, there. Is this Kai?”
“Yes, Mom.” Tabby groans. “Don’t pounce on him.”
Mrs. Jones reaches out her hand and vigorously shakes mine. “Hi honey. So nice to meet you.”
So much for never meeting this woman. “Umm, yeah, hi.” Man, I wish she’d let go of me.
“Juliette,” Dr. Jones says, frustrated. “Don’t welcome the boy. It’s time he left.”
“Don’t be silly,” Mrs. Jones says, ushering me closer. “You should join us for dinner.”
I wave off the suggestion. “No, I really can’t.”
“Well, what about tomorrow night?” Mrs. Jones ask, ignoring her fuming husband. “Andrew, maybe you can make time for dinner again.”
Thank goodness I have an excuse. “Can’t. My grandparents arrive tomorrow night.”
“What about Thursday?” Mrs. Jones says, latching onto my forearm.
I look down at her hand on me and alarm bells ring inside me. Why the heck does she want me over for dinner so badly? Especially when it’s so obvious her husband hates my guts.
“Kai has soccer practice on Thursdays,” Tabby cuts in, saving me from the panic surely in my eyes. “You guys said we needed to rush to dinner, so why don’t we?”
Mrs. Jones releases me. “Okay, okay. It only leaves Friday, and that’s game day.”
“Yes.” Dr. Jones nods, eyeing me. “Game days are sacred. We don’t need anyone bringing bad energy that day.”
Bad energy? Like I’m a bad luck charm? Oh boy. I’ll bet Dr. Jones has no clue he’s prompted the first reason for me to attend a football game.
Tabby steps in close to me and whispers, “You’d better get out of here.”
“You’ll be okay?” I whisper back, clutching her wrist.
She smiles. “I’ll be thinking of you.”
“Tabitha,” Dr. Jones says dryly. “Say goodbye to Kai.”
Tabby lifts on the balls of her feet to kiss me goodbye, but her dad clears his throat, stopping her.
