Once Was, Never Again

Chapter 17: "Don't Let Go"

I felt frozen, I couldn't move, I couldn't breathe. I knew one day we would get caught but I didn't think that today would be the day. I didn't want to turn around. I didn't want to accept the fact that we've been caught.

I stare at Ryan's face, he knows I'm terrified. He keeps shifting his eyes to me and then my father. I gulp and wrap my arms around my upper half slowly, trying to stop the internal and external shaking.

"Get. Dressed. NOW." Dad booms, "You have two minutes!" He fumes before slamming the office door, making me jump.

I whimper as I could feel the tears forming in my eyes, and I didn't want to cry. This was bound to happen. I tore my stare away from Ryan and went to move off of his lap before I felt his hand on my cheek, but I don't look up.

"Baby, I'm so sorry. He wasn't supposed to come home until tomorrow, please don't cry." Ryan whispers. It wasn't his fault we got caught, he's right, Dad wasn't supposed to come home until tomorrow night. "It's my fault, I shouldn't've-"

"No, we didn't know. Don't put the blame on yourself." I mumble, going to pull away again.

"It is-"

I was going to slide off his lap, but ended up stopping so I could look at him. "Ryan, we didn't know. It's okay." I finally slide off his lap and started collecting our clothes. I hear Ryan sigh and start to zip up his pants and I hand him his shirt and belt. I slip my shirt on and fixed it, along with fixing and straightening my bottoms.

I was about to go for the door when I felt a hand gently grip mine. I look up and Ryan's staring down at me. "I'm sorry..." he whispers before leaning down and pressing his lips to mine, stroking the back of my hand with his thumb and his other hand was gently pressed against my cheek. "I love you."

"I love you too. Now we have to go before Dad gets more furious."

Ryan nods and intwines his fingers with mine and we head for the door. I guess there's no point in hiding it now, cause Dad now pretty much knows.

As soon as we open the door, Dad turns around to face us before pushing past us and into the office. "Shut the door." Well, looks like we're talking in here. I close the door, feeling my insides shake and my stomach churn.

Ryan squeezes my hand and glances at me, and before Ryan could say anything- I spoke up. "Dad, I'm sorry- It's not what it- well it is what it looks like but-"

"Yeah, and I though I could trust you. I ask you to do me one favor and you go behind my back and do this!?" Dad throws his hands up, gesturing to Ryan and I. I cower back slightly, but Ryan only held my hand tighter.

"Geoff, she's old enough to do and date who she wants. I think you should just calm down, you're mad-" Ryan starts but Dad interrupts.

"Mad!? I'm fucking furious! I don't care if she's of age or not! I thought you would respect me enough not only as a YOUR fucking boss, but your friend!"

I whimper and hung my head, staring at my converse covered feet. I never wanted my Dad to be mad at me, I never wanted to hurt him either. I wanted to have a bond with my father, have a great relationship with him, but I ruined that. I ruined it by my own stupidity and decided to go behind his back.

Tears begin to threaten, wanting to flow from my eyes. I look back up and Dad is throwing his hands around as he yells and cusses at Ryan. I've lost it. Tears begin to stream down my face and I slowly back up. I need to get out of here, I can't breathe, I need some air.

-Ryan's PoV-

I take a step closer to Geoff, not even noticing that Hannah's hand slipped from mine. "I fucking love your daughter!" I yell at Geoff. "I fucking love her to death. Do you not see how happy she has been? Do you seriously think that I would hurt your precious daughter?!" I ask, pointing behind me.