Page 32 of Fade (Fighting Fate)

It was just before breakfast time when Daniel dropped me home the following morning. I probably should’ve gone home the night before, but after making love, I really just wanted Daniel to hold me. Judging by the way his arm stayed wrapped around me the whole night, I liked to think he just wanted to hold me too.

As he pulled up to the curb in front of my house, I shifted nervously. I really didn’t think he’d be the kind to do the whole ‘love ’em and leave ’em’ thing, but I was still uncertain.

“Can I see you tonight?” he said, sounding as unsure as I felt.

Relief swept through me. Giving him a smile I was sure told him as much, I gently locked my pinky finger around his. “I’d like that.”

He exhaled, long and slow, before leaning over to brush his lips over mine. “I’ll call you later.”

With my head in the clouds, I somehow managed to open the door and climb out. Knowing he was waiting for me to go inside before he drove away, I quickly punched in the security code to the gate and slipped through.

Closing the front door behind me as quietly as I could, I turned to dash up the stairs, balking when Dad stepped from the office in front of me.

“Where the hell have you been?” he demanded.

I’d never seen him look so disapproving before. It instantly made me search for a way to make it all better. Well, that was before my senses returned. “I told Mom I’d be home this morning . . . ”

He shook his head. “I expected better from you. I don’t know what you’re trying to gain from all this . . . rebellion, but it stops now. You will not be seeing that boy again. Is that understood?”

I blinked at him, momentarily stunned. “Are you serious?” I asked, hoping he was merely trying to bully me.

When I saw he was in fact deadly serious, I felt myself filling with anger.

“So, it’s okay for me to see Ryan, but not his identical twin brother? How does that even work?”

He bristled. “You know why.”

I took a tiny step forward. Oh, I knew why, but I wanted to hear him say it. “No, I honestly don’t. Explain it to me.”

His heated gaze turned into a glare. “No daughter of mine will be dating a military man, Amy. I forbid it.”

Even though I’d been expecting it, my eyebrows still rose with incredulity. “You forbid it?” I took a deep breath, trying to calm the shake that was starting inside me. “Well, I’m sorry, but I’m not going to stop seeing Daniel. I really like him. He’s kind, and loyal, and treats me with respect. He’s twice the man Ryan is.”

Dad’s eyes narrowed even more. “There’s no negotiating on this, Amy. While you’re living under my roof, you’ll do as I say.”

I was so done. Since Ryan had dumped me, I’d gotten zero comfort or support from either of my parents. If this was the way they wanted things to play out, then as far as I was concerned, they could play on their own.

“So, that’s it? I either stop seeing Daniel, or I move out?”

“Exactly.”

I watched him for a long minute, trying to make sure I wasn’t about to make a rash decision. Slowly, I nodded. “Okay. You win.” I watched the smile start creeping across his lips before I said the words that would beat him at his own game. “I’ll move out.”

With that, I turned and started for the stairs.

“You leave and that’s it, Amy. You’ll get nothing from me or your mother. You’ll be on your own. No more allowance. No more fully paid overseas vacations. No college tuition. Nothing.”

I stopped on the bottom step and turned to face him. “Of course. I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Turning back to continue up the stairs, I paused and looked over my shoulder. “I expect the car is mine, considering it was a gift and all. I mean, I wouldn’t want any of your friends thinking you had to take it back from me. They might think you had financial problems or something . . . ”

He blanched, the thought making his face pale somewhat. “Of course it’s yours. I don’t take back gifts.”

Nodding, I for

ced myself to continue up the stairs without looking back.

Taking every suitcase and duffle bag I could find, I packed up my room. Completely. I left nothing. I even packed my bedding. I knew Mom would only give anything I left behind away to charity anyway, so if I was going to have to start out on my own somewhere, I was taking everything I could.

Stuffing the last of my things in my car, I gave my childhood home one last look before driving away for good.

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