And it feels fucking liberating. So much so that I find myself disappointed when the car begins to slow and Dominic turns onto the isolated road that leads to my father’s estate.
Coming down from an unimaginable high that’s far exceeded many of the adolescent thrills preceding it, we sit waiting until my headlights light up the otherwise abandoned road. When Tyler pulls up behind us, I punch the gate code in to allow both cars to pass. The arch-shaped iron gates open, and Dominic surveys the house in the distance as he slowly creeps down the driveway before circling the entrance. Stopped just short of the staircase leading to the porch, he turns to me, expectant.
“I don’t know whether to slap you or thank you.”
“You loved it.” His tone is limp, but his eyes contradict it. He’s looking at me with a mix of curiosity and dare I think, interest?
I decide not to thank him or encourage his rude behavior and exit the car, shutting the heavy door and meet Tyler, who now stands at the driver’s side of my Camry with my keys hooked on his finger. I grab them and give him a soft, “Thank you.” I’m suddenly drained from the white-knuckled car ride home and the long day behind me.
He gives me a wink. “No problem, see you around.”
“Hope so.” I glance back to Dominic who’s scanning my house, his jaw set, his expression unreadable. I’ve never seen a man wear such an impenetrable mask. Christy’s words ring in my ears.
Those were boys, find a man.
These guys aren’t anything like the guys I knew back home. Sure, they seem just as arrogant, some of their routines the same, but there’s something oddly different about them. I’m wondering now as I peer at Dominic if that’s such a good thing. Sean’s smile comes to mind, the brilliance of it, the light in his eyes and the way he takes care of me when I’m around him, whether I need it or not, and it puts me at ease. Dominic senses my intense stare and barely spares me a glance before jerking his head to Tyler to join him.
“Night, Cecelia,” Tyler walks the short distance to Dominic’s Camaro, taking my seat in the car. It’s when he pulls the shiny black door closed that I’m snapped from the spell. The car is already speeding off into the distance by the time I make it up the porch and through the front door, thankful my father isn’t there to greet me.
That night, I slip into bed and leave my balcony doors open. I feel the crisp night breeze flow through the room and it blankets my skin while bringing me back to the inside of Dominic’s Camaro.
I fall asleep and dream vividly of hazel eyes, upturned lips, of blurring trees, and endless roads.
THE NEXT MORNING, WEARING A giddy smile from the recollection of my dreams in the shower, I tread down the staircase with a rehearsed excuse on my lips, nerves firing off as I cross the foyer and walk into the dining room. I’m relieved when I find it empty. But that relief is short-lived when I hear the ping of my phone and see an email from my father, and the subject line, visitors. Roman Horner doesn’t text—that’s much too personal. He corresponds with his child through email.
You’re a grown woman, and I realize the conditions of your stay with me might be a bit stifling on your extracurricular activities due to your late schedule. That said, this is the second night I’ve lost sleep due to your late-night appearance and the noise of your arrival outside of my front door. From here on out, do your best to see yourself home at night and be respectful of my house, Cecelia. Visitors are to be kept at a bare minimum. Also, I will be staying in Charlotte for the next few days due to my schedule. The housekeeper will be in today. Please let her know if there is anything you may need.
Roman Horner
CEO Horner Technologies
I fight the urge to send back an eye roll emoji. Instead, I fire back a ‘Yes, Sir.’
I’m just about to FaceTime Christy when my phone rings.
“Hey, Mom,” I say, making my way toward the kitchen to grab my yogurt.
“It’s been two days and not a peep.”
“I’ve been busy. I haven’t called Christy much either.”
“And that’s supposed to make me feel better?”
“Yes. She’s my first and last call of the day.”
Silence. I’m guilting her and being a shit about it. She knows she hasn’t been there for me since her life hiatus.
“How is it there?”
“It’s fine.”
“You know I hate that word.”
“So far Roman is predictably absent. I really have no idea what you saw in him.”