LINDSAY'S POV
"I'm just glad you're back safe," Dad said as the gold elevator doors of the hotel opened.
"And I'm just glad that they gave me a new door card," I replied, annoyed with the fact that my original card was ruined.
"Well, maybe you should remember to take it out of your pocket before going in the water."
"Yeah, well...meh." I swiped the card and opened my door.
"Lindsay?" Dad said before I could escape. I didn't want to be around him. I didn't want to be around anyone at the moment.
"Yeah, Dad?"
"How about you and me spend some father-daughter time?"
"Dad, for the past three years, it's been nothing but father-daughter time."
"I know, but I mean, I'm gonna be with the guys a lot, and I'm sure you'll be with Jhonathan a lot. So why don't we go out tonight? Just you and me."
I knew I couldn't escape this. As much as I didn't want to go out, I knew I would've felt bad if I didn't accept.
"Yeah, sure. We can go out tonight," I said with a reassuring smile, then slipped into my room before Dad could get another word out.
"Make sure to be ready by five!" Dad called.
I slipped my shoes off, put my card and phone on the nightstand, stripped myself of all my clothing, and slipped into bed, without even bothering to put any pajamas on. As soon as I closed my eyes, I reminded myself of what was upsetting me so much.
"Lindsay? Can I ask you a question?" Vic rolled over and looked at me, his hair a mess and his body still completely shirtless.
"Of course, dear. What is it?" I, too, rolled over and looked into his soft, calm brown eyes. He hesitated a moment, suddenly scared and unable to get his question out. "Vic, you can ask me anything, you know. It's okay."
"I'm just scared of what your answer will be. That's all."
"Well you won't know until you ask," I said with a giggle. I caressed his face, then his neck, still staring into his eyes. "It's okay. Just ask."
Vic took a deep breath, "Alright. Lindsay...will you stay here, with me? I don't want you to go back home. I need you here."
I paused, letting the question sink in for a moment. How could I go back home, after hurting him before? After hurting myself? I then realized that I, too, needed him just as much as he needed me. But I couldn't just say 'yes' right away. I needed to think about it. I needed to REALLY think about it, for a long while.
"Vic...I'm really gonna have to think about this. You know I want to stay. But...I can't say 'yes' right away. What am I supposed to say to my dad?"
"He's gonna find out about us eventually," Vic said, anger showing in his voice.
"I know, but...I can't just say, 'Hey Dad, I'm not going home with you. I'm gonna stay here and live with my thirty-year-old boyfriend.'"
"Oh so that's what it is. It's my age. I knew you had a problem with it."
"It's not ME who has a problem with it! It's my dad that's going to."
"Just forget I even fucking asked, Lindsay."
"Vic, please don't be like this. You have to understand-"
"What I understand is if you can't stay, then we can't be together." Vic got out of bed, slipped on a shirt and some sweatpants, and left the room, leaving me by myself with my anger and guilt hovering over me.
