Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 88742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 355(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 355(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
“I’m here to tell you two that I am in love with your daughter.” He takes my hand while making his statement. “In fact, we love each other.”
We do? I stare at him, digesting his words. All this time, I’ve been wondering, questioning my true feelings for Brick. Tonight was the night I was finally going to confront it all.
“No, I won't accept that. I want you out of my house and away from my daughter. You're never going to see her again.” My dad motions for me to join him and my mom on the other side of the room, but I already left Brick's side once tonight.
I'm not doing that again.
In a show of solidarity, I step closer to Brick and squeeze his hand to let him know that we are in this together.
“With all due respect, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, I don't think that's your decision to make.”
My parents glare at Brick before turning to me.
“Tammy.” My dad uses my name to beckon me, but it is clearly not a request. I don't move a muscle, not one step forward. My dad gets red in the face and starts huffing and puffing. My mother puts a gentle hand on his arms. That calms him down a little, but he is clearly still upset.
“Tammy?” My mom sounds heartbroken. I feel bad that they are so distressed, but their reason for being so sad and angry doesn't make much sense, so my compassion can only go so far. “Is this really what you want?”
“It is,” I say, holding my head up high.
“I'll quit,” my dad threatens. “You'll never see me again.” I cringe because I know that's an empty threat. My dad means what he said, but it's not going to negatively affect Brick or the company if my dad leaves.
“George, not to kick you while you're down, but I was planning on firing you anyway. Your work has been slipping lately. I know our relationship feels wrong to you because I'm your boss, but Tammy and I are both adults. We love each other, and at the end of the day, we haven't done anything wrong – except for lying. And I do apologize for that. But I won't apologize for falling in love with such a wonderful woman, and I most certainly will not give her up because you demand I do so.”
I look up at Brick, feelings of love surging through me . This time, Brick squeezes my hand, reassuring me of his presence.
“I can't take this. It's too much!” My dad is having a meltdown right in front of me, and there's nothing I can do about it. If me being with Brick is going to make him this way, that's his problem to deal with.
My dad turns away from us. I think he may actually be crying, but he turned too quickly for me to know for sure.
“Tammy, I think it's better if you leave for now,” my mom says to me. “You too, Brick, obviously.” I'm shocked into speechlessness for a couple of seconds.
“Mom,” I plead. I know they're upset, but upset enough to kick me out?
“Not now, Tammy. Please, just go.”
My parents are making it clear to me that they won't accept any type of relationship between me and Brick, and I won't leave him, so I guess the best course of action is for me to leave.
“Yeah, okay. I'll be out in a minute.” I try to let go of Brick's hand so that I can go upstairs and grab a few things. He doesn't let me leave, though. “I need to get a few things from upstairs,” I whisper to him.
“I'm going with you then.”
I would argue if I had any spirit left in me, but I also don't want to be away from him for too long.
“Okay, let's go then.” I lead Brick to my room, closing the door behind us. I place my duffle bag on my bed and start grabbing whatever I think I'll need.
“If this were a happier occasion,” Brick states, looking around my room, “I'd be a lot more excited to be in your childhood room.” I stop what I'm doing to give him a look.
“Really? Even now?”
“Always. You make my heart race, baby.”
I sigh and sit down on my bed. I'm feeling physically tired after everything that just happened.
“I'm sorry about everything my parents said. I didn't expect them to get this angry.”
“I don't think either one of us expected that.”
I nod. I want to keep feeling bad for myself, but there isn't much time. My parents want me out, so I need to get out.
“Why are you packing so much? I can have one of my staff pick you up whatever you need.”
“No, I don't want to inconvenience you, and it would be ridiculous to have someone go all the way to Mamie's just to deliver me a toothbrush.”