The Choices Being Made (Book #2, Choices series)

12

Polly was shocked. Sloan never really apologized to her. "It's okay. Thank you for saying sorry."

"Good girl. People appreciate polite young ladies," Theo said and patted her knee. Sloan nodded her head at him in a daze. Then he jumped up and excused himself to finish up dinner.

Polly was so confused. "So how is Jake doing?"

"Um, he's fine," Sloan shrugged. "I mean he is a little different than I thought."

"Oh?" Mason said. "You guys still good? Or are you moving out?"

"Moving out? Um, well, I don't have anywhere to go," Sloan shrugged. "I mean it's fine."

"Sloan! You can come home..."

"Dinner is ready!" Theo said from the edge of the room.

Everyone went to the dining room and filled their plates. They sat around the table and continued talking about typical topics.

After dinner, Theo started to clear the table, "Sloan, please help Theo with the dishes," Polly requested since she was trying to stay off her feet.

"Moooom," Sloan groaned. "Why do I have to? They don't."

"Sloan!"

"Young lady, you will do as you are told," Theo admonished Sloan. "This behavior will not be tolerated."

Sloan jumped up and began to gather plates. Polly looked at Mason and Michael and mouthed, "What the hell?"

Mason, Michael, and Polly went to the living room. "I'm thinking Sloan should move in with dad," Mason said. "He would get the brat out of her in no time," he laughed.

"She does like older men..." Michael started.

"I didn't mean like that, man!"

"I'm just saying she clearly is sub-"

"Huuuush," Polly hissed.

"It's just obv-"

"Michael!" Polly warned.

Theo and Sloan walked in a second later. "Thank you for the help, young lady."

Sloan's face flushed pink. "Um, you're welcome, sir."

"So polite," Theo said with a proud smile as he took his earlier seat.

Sloan was beaming. Oh, God. She likes Mason's dad.

"So dad, you still have that spare room?" Mason asked with a quick glance at Polly to see her jaw drop.

"Sure do. Seems like a lot of space for just one," Theo laughed. "Why? Need to store some stuff?"

"Well, Sloan was just saying that she needed to move out from her boyfriend's place, but she didn't have anywhere to go..."

"Mason..." Polly started.

"So I thought you could use a roommate until she can get a place. Perhaps she can clean a bit to..."

"Mason..." Polly tried again.

"Earn her keep. And she could use a good influence," Mason finished.

"I don't..." Polly made another attempted.

"Absolutely! That wouldn't be a problem at all. I could use the help," Theo said. "But I don't know about the attitude I heard earlier...."

"I-I'm n-not...I-I'm sure you wouldn't w-want...and my at-attitude isn't that b-bad," Sloan sputtered out.

"I have house rules. No drinking, smoking, cursing..."

"No drug, girls in your room..." Mason continued the list.