Pleasure

Chapter Twenty-One

"I think you should go back, Aria. Just check on her so you don't have to be so worried." Jacob urges me.

"But what if my dad was just making a big scene like he always does?"

"You wouldn't have to ask 'what if' if you just went back and checked in. I mean, what's the worst that can happen?" He rubs my arms and looks down into my eyes. "I'll go with, okay? Just go and tell them you're okay."

I bite my lip hesitantly before agreeing. I don't want to go, but maybe Jacob's right. Maybe I should go, just to check in, then leave out again. I've spent the night away from the house, maybe that's all I need. I'm sure they'll understand.

I pack my things and get ready to go back to my house. Jacob grabs his keys and we head back home.

When we pull up, I see a cop car in the driveway. My heart immediately drops as I fear the worst. I don't wait for the car to stop. I instantly jump out and pace towards the house. I barge in and see my parents standing in front of a tall police officer. They all stop and stare dead at me when I walk in.

"There she is," my dad paces towards me with a hard look.

"You can call it off, Rick, she's back." The officer says into his walkie-talkie. They all stand and stare at me, like they expected me to come back.

I shoot a look to my dad. "You called the cops on me?"

"I told you to come home." My dad states sternly.

"And I told you that I will, you didn't need to call the cops like I was missing!"

They're all about to speak, but they're eyes shift. I shake my head in confusion and follow the direction of where they're looking. I turn around and see Jacob standing in the doorway, watching the scene unfold silently.

"Let's go." I walk towards him and start pushing him out the door. "They see I'm fine, I'm leaving again."

"No, you're not." My dad starts towards me. Without hesitation, Jacob stands in front of me like a human shield.

My dad looks at him as if he's lost his mind. I don't blame him. He knows my dad is in the military, I'm not sure what Jacob is trying to do.

"Guys." My mom's mouselike voice swoops in. We all look at her quietly. "Let's all just settle down and talk. Aria's back and safe, that's all that matters."

My dad looks at Jacob, sizing him up. They're about the same size, body and muscle wise. He sighs and steps back.

The police officer shows himself out and shuts the door behind him. Jacob hasn't moved from in front of me and his body has been tense since my dad's stepped towards me. My dad walks towards my mother and puts his hands around her shoulders, giving them a squeeze.

"Fine, my wife is right." My dad starts with a hard tone.

We all take a seat at the table, Jacob and I on one side and my parents on the other.

My dad looks at Jacob, then at me and asks, "Aria, are you alright?"

"Why'd you call the police?" I completely ignore his question.

"I was worried, I didn't know what else to do." He explains.

"Yeah, you all didn't look so worried when I walked in." I roll my eyes and cross my arms. "And you," I turn to my mother. "Why were you whispering on the phone like something was wrong?"

"I didn't want to worry your father," my mom explains. This is all bullshit. I feel betrayed or undermined or something. Like I'm a child to them. They could've had a search party out looking for me. Jacob could've gotten in trouble. I could've gotten in trouble.

My dad turns to Jacob. "I take it you're her boyfriend?"

"I am." Jacob answers with a hard demeanor. I can already tell he doesn't like my father, and that won't go well in the future. I've never seen my father so ... angry. This is unlike his personality. I've always seen him happy or smiling, but never this overprotective.

"What's your name?"

"Jacob Diaz."

"Diaz. Are you Hispanic?" My mother asks in a soft tone. I look at her with the same hard expression Jacob has. I can't say I'm happy with her either. I should've trusted my instinct and stayed away from here.

"My father was, my mother wasn't." Jacob explains.

They're about to ask him more questions, but I intercede, showing irritation.

"Can we go now?" They all look at me, surprised about how assertive I'm being. "I'm here, I'm safe. I was hoping I could just grab some things and leave again."

"Grab what? Where are you going?" My dad questions, poking his chest out. I still think he's a big teddy bear, I don't care what anyone says. He doesn't scare me.

"Back to Jacob's house." I fold my arms and lean back in my chair.

"To sleep over?" My dad seems confused. I can't say he doesn't need to be worried, seeing as Jacob and I already had sex. "No."

"What?" I heard him, but I don't think I understood. Or maybe I understood, but I don't want to understand.

"No, you're not sleeping over his house."

"Why not?"

"That's self explanatory, Aria." He snaps. We've never argued like this. I don't know how to react. I sit before my parents and it's like I don't even know them anymore.

"I'll take care of her. She's welcomed to stay as long as she wants." Jacob's deep voice comes between our argument. I look up at him and his face is unchanged. He looks concentrated and calm at the same time. He doesn't seem worried or upset or bothered by all of the commotion. I feel like after this, I might scare him away and I don't want that. I didn't want to drag him into any of this. I was never the type to have family problems. All we did was move and keep our mouths shut. Things were never like this.

"I appreciate that but she doesn't need to be staying with boys like you."

"Dad!" I immediately give my dad a degrading look. How rude can he get today? He barely knows him.

"Boys like me?" Jacob questions, shifting in his chair and squinting at my father.

"I'm sorry, son. She's not staying by your house. I appreciate the offer, but we'll have to decline." My dad doesn't sound sorry at all.

Jacob rises from his chair and clenches his jaw. I can tell he's holding back everything he wants to say to my dad. I stand with him and reach for his cold fist, but it stays clenched. I look down at my parents, who then rise to their feet.

"Who are you anymore?" I ask my dad, trying not to let my voice crack so much. He gives me a hurt look, but says nothing. I pull Jacob towards the door until we're out of the house and into his car.

He stays silent. He starts the car and we drive away from my house, not bothering to look back.