Off Limits

Chapter IV.

I reach my room and launch myself onto the plush bed, burrowing my face deep into the monstrous pile of multi-colored pillows.  What the hell just happened?  I'm normally calm and collected when it comes to other people, especially guys, yet right now with Alexander, I was all flustered and couldn't think straight.  Ugh.  This is so annoying, I can't catch feelings for a man that, for all I know, is a decade older than me, not to mention my dad's best friend.  It doesn't matter.  I'll figure it out, but in the meantime, I really need to start getting ready for my dad's farewell dinner or we'll be late... again.  

I quickly decide on a classy black little number that hugs each curve deliciously.  Just as I'm scouring my closet for my favorite strappy heels I hear a knock at my bedroom door.  

"Come in," I invite, slipping on each shoe carefully.  My bedroom door carefully drifts open and my father's clean-shaven face appears from the darkness.  

"Hi, Gracie!  I just want to make sure that you're okay with Xander staying here?" he asks nervously.  

I let out a bitter laugh and stare at the desperate man before me.  

There's always been something about my father that's irritated me.  He leaves me for his job for large periods of time and I always feel guilty for wishing he'd stay.  I know that his job involves saving people's lives, but what about my life?  I already don't have a mother and it sometimes feels like I don't really have a father with how much he's absent.  I know it's not fair to him for me to feel this way so I try to keep a smile on my face and just enjoy the time that we do have together, but it's hard sometimes.  Now being one of those times.  

"Sure, Dad.  I mean I don't really have a choice he's already staying here, but yeah he doesn't seem too bad.  I just don't know who he is or how you guys know each other so well.  You've never mentioned him before, yet you two seem really close."  I  say before arching a perfectly sculpted eyebrow and waiting for his reply.  

He chuckles and his face turns to stone, almost defensive.  His eyes glaze over and bore into the far corner of my room.  

"Come on, Dad.  Is he my secret half-brother or something," I joke.  Okay, maybe not fully joking.  I don't know who this guy is!  For all I know we can be related and, well, that's just weird, not to mention arises a lot of issues for how much respect I'll have left for my father.  

His head snaps back at that comment, eyes wide with shock.  "Gracie, do you really think that I would've cheated on your mother and had a secret love child with another woman?"  

His words hit me like a slap to the face and I could tell by the hurt look on his face that I was so wrong.  Of course, he wouldn't have cheated on my mom.  I don't remember her, but from what I know he loved her and he isn't the kind of man to disregard loyalty and love.  

"No, Dad.  I'm sorry, bu--, no buts.  I'm sorry.  How old is this guy anyway I know literally nothing about him?"  

He wraps me into a hug and tells me, "Xander is twenty-four and he's family through the USMC.  He needed some help adjusting to civilian life so I offered up my services.  He's really a great young man, as well as a total badass, and I hope you don't give him too much of a hard time while he's here.  Please, Gracie."  

Looking at him all hopeful I say the only thing I'm okay with, "Fine, but you need to get out so I can finish getting ready.  I'm almost done all I have left is my face, and that'll only take about fifteen minutes.  We can't be late like we were last time so go make sure Alexander is ready and we can all head out in about twenty minutes."  

"Um, about that..." my father stands and turns to the door sheepishly, "Colonel Hill is here to escort me to the office to finish closing up the details for my assignment."  As the words leave his lips my face falls.  He's kidding, right?  It's his last night here and he's already ditching me?  Typical.  

"Well, then I guess I wasted my night getting ready," I shrug and begin sliding my foundation tube back into the drawer from which it came.  

"We're still doing dinner, but I'll have to meet you guys there," he rushes his statement out as if he knows he's letting me down.   

"You guys?"  

And with that, he tosses me the keys to my Chevrolet Tahoe and walks out.