Aspen

Chapter 14 - Aspen

I wake with a groan, stretching my back. I sit in a relaxed state for a couple minutes. That is until I realize I have practice today. I rush out of bed, muttering a quick 'fuck'.

I rush through my morning routine before putting on my normal ballet attire, grabbing everything I need and rushing to Slater's door.

"Slater! Come on!" I yell, pounding on his door.

When a few minutes pass, I push his door open and walk into his room. FInding it empty, I groan and walk out of the room.

"Slater!" I yell, rushing downstairs.

I find him in the kitchen, putting his dishes in the sink.

"Couldn't have said anything?" I ask with annoyance.

"Couldn't you have not screamed at 7 in the morning?" He responds.

"Well I'm sorry that I don't somehow know if you're awake." I say.

"Maybe if you asked nicely I would have responded." He says, walking past me.

I turn around and follow him, pushing his back as he walks in front of me. He doesn't even bulge.

I follow him out of the front doors and we get into his car. His engine roars to life as he turns it on. He puts one hand on the wheel and the other on my headrest as he reverses out of the driveway.

I pull my phone out and unlock it, sliding through unimportant notifications. When I see my mom called, I pass over that too. Until I see my dad called. I suck in a breath as I press his contact, calling him back.

"Hello?" He answers on the first ring.

"What, Dad?' I responded.

Slater's eyes drift in my direction.

"Well good morning to you too, daughter." he says.

When I don't respond, he keeps going.

"Your mother wants dinner with your husband." He says.

"When?" I question.

"Anytime. It's not like she has anything to do." He says.

"I'll have to talk to my husband about it." I say.

When I say this, Slater takes my phone out of my hand and pushes it to his ear.

It looks so small in his hands.

"Hello?" Slater says and I hear the line go quiet.

"Don, I-, I was just asking if you found it alright if Aspen's mother and I came over for dinner." My Dad stutters.

"For what?" Slater questions.

"We just want to see how our daughter is adjusting to married life-" My dad starts, but Slater cuts him off.

"Bullshit. What do you want, Silas?" Slater says.

"There are things you and I have to... discuss." My father says.

"Hm." Slater responds.

"Talk the details out with my wife. We will do it at your house, not ours." Slater says.

Without a response, he hands the phone back to me.

"You heard him. Text me." I say and I hand up.

I look up to see us at the Academy.

"Let me know when you're done. I'll be here." Slater says.

He reminds me every time.

"Alright." I say, getting out.