THE PERFECT GUY

Chp 10: Meeting the family ❖

"Dad?!"

I practically fly out of Sam's car, sprinting into my father’s arms, my heart pounding with excitement. As I cling to him, inhaling the familiar scent I’ve missed so much, something feels off. He doesn’t hold me with the same warmth. Instead, his eyes are locked onto Sam, cold and unforgiving.

Sam quickly exits his car, rubbing the back of his neck in that nervous way he always does. "Hello, sir. I'm Samuel Rogers. It's a pleasure to meet you," he says, offering a handshake. I smile proudly, but Dad doesn’t move. His stare stays fixed on Sam, the tension crackling in the air.

"Dad?" I call softly, nudging him, hoping to break whatever icy barrier has sprung up between us. His nostrils flare as he finally looks at me, then back at Sam.

"The pleasure is all mine," he responds, his voice tight, almost a growl.

Over his shoulder, I spot Harry and Madison, my older siblings, standing by. "Oh my God! Harry!!" I shout, dashing toward my big brother. There’s nothing like a big brother’s hug. Or at least, that’s what I think. But when I reach out to embrace him, he sidesteps, his eyes zeroed in on Sam.

Can you even hug the air? My arms feel suddenly empty, my heart sinking.

Harry is already in Sam's face, his fists clenched, every muscle in his body coiled like a spring.

Oh no. Oh no, oh no, oh no. I rush to them, panic shooting through me.

"Harry, please don’t," I beg, tugging on his arm. But Harry isn’t having it. His eyes are dark, his voice a low growl.

"Who the hell are you, and what were you doing with my sister?" The words are like bullets, each one hitting its mark. I feel my cheeks burn with humiliation.

"Harry!" I yell, desperately trying to pull him back. But he snaps at me, "Shut up!" The words cut through me like ice.

Madison appears beside me, gently wrapping her arms around me and helping to button my shirt. "Rachey," she whispers, "I’ve missed you."

"So have I," I whisper back, clinging to her. But Harry isn’t done.

"I’m not going to ask you again!" he barks, grabbing Sam by the collar and hauling him off the ground like he weighs nothing.

"Dude, chill. I’m Sam—" Sam tries to say, but Harry is beyond reason.

"I don’t give two shits about your name! Who are you to my sister, and why the hell were you kissing her?!"

My heart is pounding so hard I think I might pass out. Sam hesitates, torn between telling the truth and surviving the encounter. Friends don’t make out or have sex dreams about their friends.

"Harry, no!!" I scream, the vision of Sam's broken face flashing through my mind.

But just as Harry draws back his fist, Dad steps in, his hand closing around Harry’s wrist with the force of a vice. "Don’t do this, Harry. Drop him, now!" Dad’s voice is calm, but it holds a command that can’t be ignored.

Harry’s eyes burn with anger as he glares at Sam one last time before shoving him to the ground and storming off. Dad turns to me, and the disappointment in his eyes shatters what’s left of my heart. Without a word, he walks into the house.

I hurry to Sam, kneeling beside him. "Are you okay?" I ask, my voice trembling.

"I’m fine," he grimaces, though I can see the pain etched on his face.

Madison shoots me a look full of judgment as she turns and walks away, leaving Sam and me alone. I help him up, pulling him into a tight embrace. "I’m so sorry. I didn’t expect them to be here. They were supposed to be out of state. I don’t know why they’re—"