Grounded
1072 Words
•.•Skylar•.•
The next morning was hell unleashed. I was so wrong to think avoiding Dad’s call would make anything better, but I should have known he wasn’t one to tolerate crap.
And that was how all four of us — including Jaxon, of course, since he was an eyewitness — ended up standing before the Dean.
“We’ll look into it, sir,” the man said. Dad c****d his head slightly, resting both arms on the braces of the chair.
“I have a feeling that would take a long time. There are evidences enough to get him fired,” he pointed out, and the Dean shot us a displeased look before returning his attention to my father.
Harper stood quietly beside me. She’d gotten much better this morning, and though her memory was still fuzzy, she remembered going to the damn party and taking the damn drink.
“We still need to carry out our investigations, sir,” the Dean countered.
I frowned. What more did they need to investigate? Jaxon had clearly provided evidence of the two men he’d knocked out. Not a pretty sight, if you ask me.
Dad went silent — and that silence was never innocent. I’d seen him negotiate. I’d seen him threaten. His silence was always a warning.
He’s my favorite parent, sure…but there were definitely times I’d rather deal with Mum than him. He had a knack for overreacting in certain situations. Mum could testify.
“Okay,” he finally muttered, standing. The Dean rose too, eyes following him.
“Be rest assured, this matter will be handled with extreme care,” he said, extending his hand for a handshake.
Dad simply gave a curt nod and turned to us, leaving the Dean hanging with his hand suspended in the air.
“Let’s go,” he murmured, and we all filed out without a backward glance.
Harper inched closer and nudged me lightly, glancing at my dad.
“He looks pissed,” she whispered.
I stole a quick look over my shoulder. His jaw was clenched, eyes distant.
I nodded. “He is.”
“Thanks for looking out for the girls,” I heard Dad tell Jaxon, who was also walking behind us.
“We have no idea what would have happened if you didn’t swoop in on time.”
I pressed my lips together. He wasn’t wrong.
“It was all Skylar. Glad she acted on time,” Jaxon said, and my brows nearly shot into my hairline. He was giving me credit? Bursting my bubble.
“Yeah, about her,” Dad started — and his voice dropped lower than Harper or I could hear.
I frowned.
No. He wasn’t doing that.
I stopped and turned toward them. If they were going to talk about me, I had the right to hear it.
Jaxon’s green eyes met mine before he looked away, giving a tight nod, a muscle ticking in his jaw. My gaze shifted to my father.
“Dad?” I probed.
He walked over and pressed a kiss to my forehead.
“Stay safe and keep off parties,” he said, warm but stern. He glanced at Harper. “The both of you.”
Harper nodded and stared at her foot like it had suddenly become fascinating.
“Dad, what did you say to him?” I asked quietly.
He just stared at me, shrugged. “To make sure you’re safe?”
I narrowed my eyes. He was lying.
He patted my hair. “I’m leaving. Your mum’s probably worried.” He gave a smile that didn’t look genuine, then walked toward his car — but paused and glanced back at us.
Harper and me.
“I mean it. Stay off parties and away from boys and…trouble. It won’t be this nice if I return a second time for an issue like this.”
He meant it. The seriousness in his voice made that clear.
He gave a final nod and left.
As soon as his car pulled away, I turned to Jaxon.
“What did he say to you?” I asked.
He just stared at me like I was some sort of annoying pest. So soon?
He turned and started walking off. Harper and I exchanged a look before I went after him.
“Hey. I just want to know, okay?” I called out.
He didn’t stop.
I huffed. I was genuinely trying to be nice to him — because he saved Harper — but he made it impossible.
Would it kill him to smile? Or be nice? It wouldn’t hurt his damn perfect face.
“Jaxon,” I bit out, increasing my pace. His legs were twice as long as mine, so of course he was gaining distance.
He suddenly stopped and spun around so fast I nearly collided with him.
“I just need an answer…” I took a step back so he wouldn’t be towering over me.
“There will be a party tonight…” he began.
I opened my mouth, then shut it.
“…at my house,” he finished.
My brows drew together. What?
He read my expression and nodded. “Yeah. You’ll have to lock yourself in the damn room and not come out. Not for anything,” he said, voice hard, like he was addressing a stubborn toddler.
I frowned, crossing my arms.
“It will be loud. I have to sleep,” I protested.
He licked his bottom lip before straightening. My eyes dropped to his mouth.
“The door is noise resistant. You’ll have little to no disturbance,” he said.
I scoffed. “It is not noise resistant.”
Our gazes met — and I knew he knew what I was talking about.
I stepped back. “Fine. It’s fine. I’ll stay at Harper’s,” I muttered.
He shook his head. “You cannot stay at Harper’s dorm for the night.”
“Wait, what?”
“Yeah. Technically, you’ve been grounded.”
I huffed, staring at him. He couldn’t be serious.
“You cannot be serious. Was that what my dad told you?” I asked, genuinely curious despite how ridiculous it sounded.
“I’ll be home before the party starts. You should get going,” he muttered, turning away and walking off, leaving me standing there.
I ran a hand through my hair.
This was so not happening.
- Writer
