Page 34 of Silver Tears

He bobs his head. “Fair enough. I guess I’ll just have to show you I’m trustworthy.”

I snicker in disbelief as I exit his car. The day I turn to Seb Collings and admit I’m a failure will surely be a cold day in hell.

MILLY

I’m chatting to Dana in the kitchen at breakfast when Damon hobbles into the room on his crutches. I don’t miss the frown he sends my way when he sits down at the table.

“Where’s Dad?” he asks me, as Dana rushes over to him to molly-coddle him.

“He left early; business meeting.”

“Sit. We need to talk,” Damon orders, gesturing at the empty chair opposite him.

Groaning internally, I grab my coffee and take a seat. Judging by the look on his face, he wants to talk about how, unsurprisingly, unhappy he is with me dating Seb. That’s the only reasonable explanation for his sour expression this morning.

“Thanks, Dana.” He grins up at her with that smile that has women eating out the palm of his hands. Dana tells him he’s welcome and that she’ll be in the utility room if either of us needs her.

Part of me wants to beg her to stay and not leave me alone with Day. I’m not ready for the grilling I’m about to get.

“An Ace. What are you thinking?” Day leans across the table, shaking his head at me.

“Don’t start, Day. I’m tired.” I toy with the egg on my plate, finding I no longer have an appetite.

“Don’t start?! He’s too old for you.”

I scoff. “He’s not even two years older than me. You’ve dated girls two years your junior before.”

Day’s forehead wrinkles. “That’s different.”

“Why? Because I’m your sister?” I arch a brow at him and the hypocrisy of his double standards. “He saved your life.”

Day sighs and puts down his knife and fork. “And I’ll be forever grateful, but that doesn’t mean I’m okay with him corrupting my little sister and then throwing her away like a discarded toy. Because that’s all you are to him, you know? Something to play with until he gets bored and moves on to his next conquest.”

“You don’t know that,” I argue, digging my fork aggressively into my food. “You can’t keep treating me like a child, Day. I’m sixteen. I’m going to date and do things with boys, including sex.”

Day shivers and holds up his hand. “I do not want to think about my baby sister having sex.”

I snort at how ridiculous he’s being. “You all treat me like this perfect little doll. I’m not a child anymore. So, if I choose to date Seb, then that’s my choice. If I choose to give him my virginity, that’s my choice too.”

“Doll,” Day groans, running and a hand over his face, looking ashen. “Promise me you’ll not give up your virginity to someone like Seb!”

I snicker in exasperation and throw my hands in the air. “Okay, tell me, who is good enough to pop my cherry?”

He doesn’t answer me.

“See! No one is good enough in yours and Luca’s eyes. You’d both have me stay a virgin forever. If I decide to have sex with Seb, it will be because I’ve given it careful consideration. You think I don’t know his reputation? I do. Trust me. But we are dating and whether or not you like it, it’s happening.” I throw down my knife and fork. “God, you two are so hypocritical! I’m going to school.”

“Don hasn’t brought the car round yet,” Day informs me.

“I’m not driving in with you. My BOYFRIEND is picking me up in his car. Who knows, we might pull into a lay-by on the way to school and make out.”

Day groans covering his ears and humming to drown out my words. I grab my bag and head to the front door. I’ll wait for Seb outside, rather than put up with anymore of Day’s sanctimonious bullshit.

As I close the door behind me, Seb pulls up. He leans out of the window and flashes me that easy smile, that instantly has me relaxing. Seb is so carefree that it’s hard for it not to rub off on you when you’re around him.

“Morning, precious. You’re looking delicious today.”

I roll my eyes, pretending that his words don’t have me fighting a smile. Climbing inside, I buckle up. I sigh when he offers me an iced caramel latte. “Thanks. I need this!”

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