"Options... I've ran out of Options..." (Book 3)

Chapter 14 - "Up All Night I..."

Chapter 14 - "Up All Night I..."

Clara's PoV

'This isn't a hotel Evie' I scoffed sitting up in the bed and rolled my eyes before she turned away.

'Hold up. How are you even here?' John scoffed. 'You've not got keys' John snapped.

'I ran away from Dad and took his keys' she mumbled walking towards her room. 'He wouldn't bring me back for my iPad. So I've come to get it' she said.

'Evie? You can't just break into the house whenever the hell you feel like it' I yelled getting angry now but not wanting to fall out with her particularly.

The only reason John still gets to see her is because she comes to see me.

'So help me young lady your so grounded when your Dad hears about this' I gritted as John appeared behind me in clothes now.

'Shouldn't we be more concerned about how she got here?'

'I'm not a baby Daddy. I can walk over the road' she yelled loudly at him.

'Your only 9 years old Evie' I shouted. 'You are 9 not 19' I snapped.

I knew this stupid rebellious stage read going to come. Wanting to do things on her own.

'Dad only lives down the road. I can look after myself' she snapped.

'No you can't. Your 9' I growled as she pushed straight past me and tried for the front door.

'I'm going home' she said loudly in a strop as John grabbed hold of her and made her sit on the sofa. 'Get off of me. Your not my Dad. You can't touch me' she shouted loudly in a scream as everything went dead silent.

John stepped back on fear afraid of what she might say next.

- - -

'This is not the answer. Just arguing and having a staring contest' I sighed rolling my eyes.

'Tell him to stop looking'

'Him is your father and your only source of income at the moment. You'll notice he still pays your school fees and pocket money and for clothes'

'I'll get Dad to pay' she said trying to be smart.

'Pft. Good luck with that. With Lilly draining him for every penny he's got and Ollie's school fees he couldn't afford a pencil'

'Why do you have to be mean about Dad? He's supposed to be your friend. He used to be uncle Richard' she scoffed.

'Cut the lip Evie' I growled as the man of the hour himself came strutting into the room.

- - -

'How the Fuck could you have been so stupid?' I yelled throwing things at Richard as I had sent Evie into the kitchen to behave while I spoke to Richard.

'I can't know what she's up to all the time. She's 9'

'Exactly. She's Fucking 9! Not 19. She shouldn't be wandering across the road and she shouldn't even know where your keys are!' I yelled.

'Do you know how hard it is to look after that kid? She's so Fucking annoying. She thinks she's right all the time: she can never be wrong. She doesn't clean up after herself. All she does is sits on her ass when she's not at the stable. I can't help it if I can't keep track of her' Richard scoffed.

'She's your daughter. Would you let Ollie wander across the street on his own?'

'Of course not. He's not even three yet' Richard scoffed.

'This really isn't working is it?' I sighed. 'She's got to come home' I pointed out.

'You can't make her' John said sitting at the chair on the table and put his head in his hands.

'You've changed your tune' I growled.

'If she doesn't want to come home you can't make her. She's 9. She knows what she wants. And what she wants is to be with Richard' John sighed.

'Then things have got to change. You've got to take all the extra stuff away. The only reason she can do horse riding is because of you' I hummed.

'That won't go down well. Let's just leave it for now hey?' John said deflated having pretty much given up. I watched him get up from the table and stroll past the lounge.

'Right you've got your iPad now. You've got what you came for' I said handing Richard the keys. 'You'd better go'

'Your letting me go?' She asked confused as if she wanted the reaction.

'Yep. John and I are sick of your behaviour and quite frankly - we've pretty much given up' i hummed. 'But you can stay if you want too'

'No. daddy clearly doesn't want me too' she said stropping off out the front door with Richard.

- - -

'What the Fuck was that about? All you've done is complain about how much you want her back. We didn't have to let her go'

'She'll come crawling back eventually' he mumbled curled up on the bed - really curled up.

Then I realised why.

'Oh John. This whole Evie thing really isn't helping the anxiety is it?' I said crouching down on the carpet next to the bed and looked him in the eye.

'She can't see me like this. She shouldn't have to feel guilty about not wanting to live here. I won't let that happen' John mumbled taking a deep breath in.

Neither of us really wanted it to develop into a full blown panic attack - so I climbed on the bed and wrapped my arms around his body and just gently stroked his hand for a while.

I heard his breathing pattern change as he had calmed down after a while and recognised the sound of light snoring.

I was glad he had managed to calm down from it. It made life a lot easier and I did feel sorry for him.

But it was clear from Evie's last comment that she wanted John to fight for her. But why should he? Why she want him too?

She had his full attention. So he shouldn't need too.

It was hard to understand the relationship. They used to be so close and suddenly the hormones kick in and they hate each other.