By the time lunch was over and I finished helping the girls tidy up, it was pretty late into the afternoon and I still had no idea what to wear on this... date with Damon. It feels crazy to even say that. I never thought after meeting Damon, we'd be in this position. I've only known everyone for almost 3 weeks but it feels like I've known them my whole life
I say my goodbyes to the girls and so does Riley before we leave. The guys left after lunch to do whatever guys do when they hangout but I'd be seeing them later on anyways I'm sure
"I'm happy you made up with everyone" Riley says from beside me with a smile
"Me too" I say simply but I can't help the smile that creeps onto my face
"So you and Damon huh?" Riley teases and I can hear the smirk in her voice
"Um, yeah" I say, feeling the heat creep to my cheeks for the second time today "He asked me to go on a date with him" I decide to tell her
"WHAT!" Riley squeals "like he used the word 'date' and not 'hang out'?" she asks while using her fingers to air quotation the words date and hang out. She's so dramatic sometimes
"Yes Riley, he used the word date" I say with a laugh
"Wow, I can't wait to tell Gabby this" she says with excitement laced in her tone
"You and Gabby really hit it off huh?" I ask
"Yeah, I know we've only known each other for a couple of days but it feels like she's my best friend" Riley tells me and the words make me happy to hear
I don't know why Gabby didn't have friends, she's the sweetest girl. But I'm glad she likes Riley enough to want to hang out with her. Damon seemed pretty thrilled about it all too so I guess that's good. I still did want to know why although I didn't want to press Damon on the situation because it's really none of my business. If Gabby or Damon wanted Riley or I to know, they'd tell us on their own terms
"Are you going to tell dad about your date tonight?" Riley says in a lower voice since we're approaching the house
"Part of me feels like I kind of have to" I say, rolling my eyes before opening the back gate and walking down the trail to the patio doors
Riley and I both make our way to the kitchen and as we approach, we can hear dad in a pretty intense conversation. I put my finger to my mouth, signalling Riley to be as quiet as possible while we stand against the wall, eavesdropping
"I know this is the price I had to pay but you stay away from them" dad says with a sharp and threatening tone. I decide to pull my phone out quickly and record the conversation so I could try to analyze it later on. A couple seconds goes by before he speaks again
"You sick bastard" he spits "What more could you possibly take from me?!" he booms
Riley grabs onto my hand and I give it a little squeeze. Regardless of how freaked out I am right now, I have to pretend like I'm not for Riley's sake
"No, you listen, you won't get away with this. I won't let you be around my daughters or my wife any longer, over my dead body" dad says in a voice that sends chills right through me "FUCK" he yells out before there's a loud bang followed by multiple other curse words
I turn to Riley. Her eyes are wide and fear is written all over her face. I put my hands on her shoulders and she tenses up instantly
"Riley, you have to pretend like you didn't hear any of this in front of dad, do you understand?" I whisper but her expression doesn't change and she doesn't say anything "Riley!" I whisper sharper and shake her by her shoulders a little bit, grabbing her attention "I said do you understand" I continue and she nods hysterically "Good, we need to go to the back door and slam it loud so dad thinks we're just getting home, can you do that?" I tell her and she nods again just once
YOU ARE READING
Strangers With Secrets
Storie d'amorese·cret /ˈsēkrit/ adjective 1. not known or seen or not meant to be known or seen by others. The best way to keep a secret? Pretend that there isn't one. But the truth always comes out eventually, doesn't it?
