Lib Novel Page 16
“Hi, son,” he says.
“Hi, Dad.”
“The school called me.”
I drag a hand down my face. “That was quick, and I didn’t do a thing.”
“Yes, you did. They informed me you were late and made a big entrance, even though I told you not to draw attention.”
“That’s bullshit.”
“You’re there to learn to obey rules.”
Rules. If I could only listen.
“I have to go.”
“Dane.” A low warning and he adds, “One year, Son.”
“Do you think one year will polish up my reputation?”
I must be a damn coward if it takes thousands of miles and a phone call to ask the question that has eaten at me. My mistakes just keep piling up.
“You have youth on your side. Clean up your image. People love a good redemption story.”
Chuckling, I hang up.
I might not have to share my small apartment, but I know that’s where my privileges end. Not having a roommate is my father’s way of making sure I don’t get into trouble.
I tend to party too hard when things get rough and do things like that stupid race because I can’t control my impulses.
But it’s more than that. Even though I knew at that moment when I finished the street race and roared, “I’m a legend,” that I would have to pay the consequences with all those cameras on me. That didn’t stop me from continuing to do more stupid things. The self-destruction button had been thoroughly smashed. So, I drove to the first gas station, bought booze with my fake ID and drove back home drunk and straight into the pool. And that was the first time I lost control. Now, I am paying the price.
I used to love the engine revving up under my ass, hundreds of horsepower at my fingertips, making me feel alive. And it’s the same thing that terrifies me now. Maybe my self-preservation is not as dead as I thought, giving me a small hope that I can win this unrelenting battle with my brain.
I am broken—my mind, my soul, yet I am still alive.
The meds taunt me to take them and make it better. You don’t want to end up like him. I know what my father had. Behind a smile so big, was a darkness that owned him. A father’s legacy is the biggest weight on his son’s shoulders.
I take the white pills, and they settle me.
There, I’m trying.
I don’t know if I can beat these dark episodes, but I have to push through until I become a racing legend even bigger than my father.
Tiredness pulls at my eyelids, and images of Abigail penetrate the haze. That damn red lipstick on her pouty mouth I want to see wrapped around my cock.
Something tells me she’ll be my greatest challenge.
Tell me I can’t have something and I desire it twice as much. I want to ruffle her up, see what’s behind that perfectly proper and polished exterior. Under the icy facade is a dormant volcano, and I want her to erupt.
If I can’t make my own chaos, at least I can unleash hers.
***
I arrange my hair into a messy style and change into the black school uniform, but yank at my white collar to loosen it up a bit. Another leash I have no choice but to accept.
Pacing around, I halt in front of the bedroom window. Looking outside, I see my car parked and my hands shake automatically. The images of me losing control attack me full force.