Page 39 of Pucking Never
It’s as if a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I’m lighter as I move around the room and start to pack up my stuff. Before I finish, I take a quick shower. When I’m done, I walk out of the bathroom with my towel around my waist and grab my clothes to change into. Before I start to dress, though, my phone begins to buzz.
Picking it up from the nightstand, I look to see who it is that’s calling. I release a long sigh. It’s my dad.
I haven’t talked to him since I walked out of that dinner with him and Camille. I don’t really want to talk to him now, but I don’t want to just ignore him either.
Reluctantly, I answer the call.
“Hello?” I say coldly.
“Jensen,” he says, his voice as formal and distant as ever. “We need to talk.”
I roll my eyes. “Dad, I can’t now. I need to get ready to get on the bus to the airport. We’re flying back to Denver today?—”
“You owe Camille and I an apology,” my father snaps. “And a dinner.”
“Wha… what?” I stammer, baffled. “I already told you, I’m not interested in her or your crazy plot to get us together. I’m not going to have dinner with her.”
“You’re acting like a child,” he scolds me. “Camille is just the type of woman you should be pursuing. You need to stop being stubborn and listen to me. I know what’s best for you.”
"Dad, I think I know what's best for me better than you do," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "Especially when it comes to my love life."
Silence follows on the other end of the line, then he sighs. "Son, you know this isn't just about you. There are bigger issues at stake here.”
“Bigger issues,” I echo softly, my mind reeling. “Is that what Camille is now? A ‘bigger issue?’”
“You’re being difficult,” he says tersely.
“No, Dad,” I retort. “I’m being myself.”
"You never understand," he growls. "Why can't you realize that your actions have consequences?"
"If there are any consequences to face, they will be mine and mine alone," I say firmly. "And if Camille has any self-respect, she won't want someone who's being forced to be with her."
There's a strained silence on the other side of the line. I take this as my cue to end the conversation.
"I've got to go, Dad. We'll talk about this later.” With that, I hang up, not bothering to wait for a response.
Now I’m fuming. Has my dad completely lost his mind? I can’t believe he’s doing this to me.
Before I realize what I’m doing, I’m dialing Tyler’s number.
“Hey,” my brother answers after the second ring. “What’s up? Aren’t you in Indiana or something for a game?”
“Yeah,” I say dismissively. “Dad just called.”
“Ooooh,” Tyler replies, releasing a low whistle. “I see. What did he say?”
“He’s trying to set me up with one of his business buddy’s daughters,” I growl. “I told him no, but he’s trying to strongarm me into going to dinner with her again.”
"Whoa," Tyler says, a note of surprise evident in his voice. "That's insane. Why would he do that?"
"Because he’s trying to control my future," I grit out, my frustration mounting. "He seems to think that she's the 'type of woman I should be pursuing.’ He doesn't care about what I want or who I want."
There's silence for a moment before Tyler speaks again. "Listen, man. You gotta stand your ground on this one."
"I'm trying," I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "All I’m ever doing is standing my ground with him. I’m exhausted and I don’t know how I can continue having any kind of relationship with him."
Even though there’s a part of me still wanting dad’s approval, I’m realizing that I might have to come to terms with the idea of cutting him out of my life completely if he can’t figure out how to support me.