by J. L. Beck
“Don’t tell anyone, but I think I see a tear. A small one, a smidge of one, in your eye…” I snickered, looking up into his deep brown eyes, ones that mirrored my own.
“God, no. I must be growing a heart.” His gruff laugh warmed me and I squeezed him tighter. If there was one person in my life I didn’t want to disappoint, it was my daddy.
“When are we leaving? I haven’t even packed anything yet.” I joked, wanting to rile him up a bit. His face deadpanned, and he gave me that look that told me I should’ve been following his instructions instead of screwing around.
“Bridget,” He spoke my name in a stern voice, and the grin that pulled at my lips widened.
“You seriously believed that? Do you even know me?” I pulled away, placing a hand over my heart as if I was wounded. He didn’t say anything, just shook his head and rolled his eyes, but I couldn’t miss it, the tiny smirk that pulled at his thin lips, he was so serious, so up tight.
“Get your bags and get out to the truck, we’ve got a three hour drive ahead of us, and I want to get there before nightfall.” He waved me off before walking in the direction of his home office.
I scurried quickly to the spiral staircase that lead up to my bedroom. My hand grasped the crystal knob, and I turned it opening the door. Stepping in, I paused in the doorway to admire the work that had recently been done during the renovation. My room looked like it came out of a magazine, white rustic floors and walls with silver and light pink bedding and decor. It reminded me of what a princess’s bedroom would look like. My phone began to vibrate, so I fished it out of my pocket, seeing a text from my best friend Katie scroll across the screen.
KATIE: Hey! Want to go to the mall later?
My fingers hovered over the keys as I stared at her text before typing out my response.
I can’t. Going to spend the whole summer with Reid.
I had no clue I’d be away for the whole summer, and Katie and I had plans to spend the summer at the beach and con people into buying us pina collada's. Any other time I would have been thoroughly upset to have to be away from my best friend, but when Daddy said I was staying with Reid, we couldn't get to him fast enough.
KATIE: WHAT?! The whole summer? Reid? Like your dad’s bff, the one you’re obsessed with? :P
There was no denying my feelings for Reid; even my best friend knew I was obsessed with him. I had been for as long as I could remember and I couldn’t wait to be alone with him and something told me he felt the same way.
The last time I’d seen him I was seventeen, and even then, his piercing blue eyes refused to meet mine, only snagging glances when he didn’t think I would notice. I was eighteen now, though, and there would be no stopping me from testing every single boundary he put in front of me. I plucked my suitcase off of the floor and gave myself a once over in the mirror.
My dark brown hair was in a high ponytail, and I was wearing a pair of tight black yoga pants that accentuated my curvy ass, and to top it off I wore a t-shirt that said Not Today across the chest.
I smiled at my reflection, my cheeks glowing. I was ripe for the taking, and I just hoped that Reid would be attracted to me.
“Bridget, it’s time to go.” My dad’s deep voice carried up the winding stairs and I dashed to the door with my heavy suitcase in my hands. I descended the stairs, the wheels of the suitcase scraped across each step, making a loud clanking sound.
“Coming!” I hollered while barrelling down the rest of the stairs. I reached the front door and Daddy met me, extending his hand to carry my suitcase out to the Tahoe. “Thanks, Daddy!” I exclaimed and followed behind him.
“We should probably stop to grab a quick bite to eat. I know it’s kind of late for lunch and a little too early for dinner, wait, have you eaten today?” Daddy’s voice was caring, but of course he didn’t let that show too much.
“Yes, I’ve eaten today. Twice, actually, you don’t need to worry about me. I’m more than capable of taking care of myself.” I announced even if he didn’t care to hear it. No one like’d to know their baby was growing up, not even my Daddy.
“Alright then, we'll stop half way and get something since I’m not really sure what kind of food Reid has…” Dad scratched at the back of his head. He looked as if he wasn’t sure he had made a good choice sending me to stay with Reid.
“It’ll be fine. I’ll do my own grocery shopping. I don’t need a man to do that for me.” I shoved up onto my tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his cheek, the scruff of his stubble scratching my lips.
“Thank, God, I raised a smart, strong-willed girl.” He mumbled while pulling away, probably hoping I didn’t hear him, even though I did.
Instead of responding, I let him keep his dignity. Walking over to the passenger side door, I gripped the handle in my hand and smiled at my internal thoughts.
I was spending the entire summer with another man, without my daddy enforcing his rules on me and I was going to enjoy every fucking second of it.
Including the fucking part.
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