Chapter 23

AUSTIN'S POV

I got home at around eleven, and immediately I rode through the gate I was able to see the change. My dad's car was still parked outside which meant he was back. Blowing out a breath, I parked my bike and headed in, hoping he was in his room so we wouldn't have to talk. But as I was passing by the dining room I could hear his and Khloe's voices as they casually conversed. There was no way to pass by there without them seeing me, unless they were so immersed in their conversation that they were no longer paying attention to whatever was going on around them. I was planning on going straight to bed, that entire day had been hectic for me. Actually, the only moment of relaxation I had had was when I had been with Stevens. Just the thought of him managed to lighten my mood. And these days, whenever I felt down all I had to think about was my next encounter with him and I suddenly had something positive to look forward to. 

" Mind telling me where you're coming from at this hour?" My dad's voice interrupted my thoughts. I stopped and turned towards the direction of the living room. I could see them perfectly through the wide double doors they had chosen to leave completely open. That house was way too large, each time anyone talked I could almost hear the echo of their voice. But this time I was grateful for the space because any distance I got between me and my father was appreciated. 

" I was out, " I plainly explained, already tired despite having barely said anything to him. I felt as if my energy had been sucked out, and a few more minutes of talking would surely drain me. Plus I could already see where that conversation was heading to. It was like his favourite pastime to intentionally collide with me. Turning around, I tried walking towards the staircase, but he strictly called out my name. A harsh warning coating his tone. I stopped walking but didn't turned around this time.

" Out doing what?" He demanded. Like hell I was gonna tell him that, he didn't need to know anything about what I did during my spare time. I had agreed to go to school and actually attend the classes, that was as much as he was going to get from me. 

" Nothing, I just rode around. "

I hoped he wouldn't say anything else, and I started walking away again, but he always had something else to add. The fire wasn't as hot a he liked it to be so he was going to intentionally pour gasoline over it. 

" Do you take me for some sort of fool? " He asked. No such thought had even crossed my mind. Honestly, all I wanted was to get to my room and get some normal amount of rest for the first time that week. I had only been taking short naps during the day and they weren't enough, my head hurt like crazy. 

" I've already told you what I was doing, whether you choose to believe me or not is up to you. I'm fine either way. "

" Who do you think you're talking to?"

" Have yourselves a lovely night. "

I tried walking away again,but this time he threatened that if I dared go up those stairs I'd only have myself to blame for what he chose to do. And my father had never been one to make empty threats. I stopped once again, the urge to yell at him almost driving me crazy.

" Look at me when I talk to you!"

I tightened my hold on the bike keys in my hand and slowly turned around. The glare I was wearing was just a natural reaction to being in the same space as him. I watched as he stood, Khloe was quiet the entire time, all she did was stare at us with this almost worried look. But I knew she was faking it, deep down she was secretly thrilled. 

My father walked to the seat that was opposite his and pulled it out, then he turned to me and ordered that I go and sit. 

I gazed at him with challenge in my eyes. He was still dressed officially in his suit, his dark hair nicely combed back. And the watch on his wrist was noticeable even from a far. 

" I'm not hungry, "

" I didn't ask you if you are. I told you to sit..so please, " he gestured to th chair. I found myself naturally glancing at the stairs and that part of me that had risen five or so years ago was urging me to just go ahead and walk away. That there was nothing huge he would be able to do about it. I felt tempted to test his patience and see how far past his limits I could push him, I wanted his eyes to burn with fury and his hands to fist with rage. 

That would serve to satisfy me a bit, it always did. But if I did that then Khloe would succeeded, despite everything, I was still only sixteen...well, that would change in a couple of months but at the moment, he had the right to do whatever he pleased with me. 

He kept holding onto the back of the seat until I strode over and sat. Then I leaned against the new furniture and crossed my arms. my eyes shifting between both him and Khloe, displaying my dislike for that situation. Then Khloe suddenly stood and picked up the plate that had been placed before me, a smile on her face. 

" Here, I made lasagna. Thanks be to YouTube!" 

She served me a plate and set it before me, the she picked up the glass pitcher filled halfway with juice and raised her brows inquisitively, silently asking me whether I wanted any. I didn't reply, so she assumed that I did and poured me a glass. 

" Go ahead and try it, your dad says it's good but I think he's just being nice. "

I looked at the food, in truth, I was a little hungry, but what I really wanted was to get to my room in peace. 

" How's school?" My dad suddenly asked. I shrugged and answered truthfully, " Boring. "

" Well don't do anything stupid in an attempt to lessen your boredom. "

I wasn't making any promises on that. He continued to make baseless conversation and I didn't hide the fact that I wanted nothing to do with it. I could feel Khloe continuously glancing at me, trying to find a way to tell me to eat but lacking the confidence to do so. And because I wasn't a complete jerk, I finally picked up the cutlery and took a bite. It actually wasn't as bad as I had expected it to be. Maybe she actually was good at something other than spending my dad's money. 

" What do you think? Is it good?" She excitedly asked. Her eyes digging into me expectantly. I gave her a curt nod. Then she and my dad started talking about shit I didn't care for. He'd occasionally ask me something, bit it was all in an attempt to get me to talk. I didn't want to talk. After eating what would be considered a polite amount of Khloe's food, I stood up and said I was going to bed. 

" Goodnight..and if you have anything you'd like me to make you for breakfast you can just tell me, " Khloe offered. I told her to make whatever she wished, but I didn't say it in a rude way, it was more of a casual remark which suggested I couldn't care less. I didn't look at my dad but rather walked out of there before he uttered another word.

When I got to my room I finally felt like I could breathe. Being with those two always made me feel like I was suffocating, they somehow made me imagine what it felt like to be claustrophobic. I took off my jacket and threw it into the laundry basket, then I placed my bike keys on my bedside table and headed to the washroom. I needed to take a shower, but first I stopped by the mirror and gazed at my reflection. I moved closer, trying to see whether I could recognize that person, but he seemed like a complete stranger to me. 

Later on, as I was lying on that large bed with the way too many pillows which I had no use for, I realized that for the first time in a while I actually felt lonely and I craved to see one particular person. Or hear his voice at least. Hell! I wanted him to be there with me! It hadn't even been that long since I was with him but it felt like an eternity. And tomorrow felt like yet another eternity. He had replied to my text earlier, and I took that as a good sign. But I just really had to hear his voice. I checked the time, it was a few minutes to midnight. He was most likely asleep already. But I didn't care. I sat up straight and leaned against the headboard, then I called him. It ringed on and on with no reply, and I was convinced that he wouldn't pick up, but eventually he did. I grew nervous, I thought of what I had planned to say but the memory had disappeared. 

" Christ Austin! Do you know what time it is." 

He sounded sleepy and a little pissed. 

" Did I wake you?" 

" What do you think?" 

I smiled, then I put him on speaker and sank back into the covers, placing the phone next to me on the bed. Close enough for me to hear every word he uttered. He sounded too good when he was sleepy, his voice held a certain raspy edge, and when you added that to the tone of annoyance, I almost couldn't bear it. 

" What do you want?" He lazily demanded. I smiled, picturing him in my head and imagining how he must have been looking while talking to me. 

" I just wanted to hear your voice, anything wrong with that?" 

Silence was the only reply I got, then I listened closer and pulled the phone nearer to my ear. 

" I can hear your breathing, " I commented. 

" Get your ears checked. " 

" Why aren't you here Stevens? I really wish you were here. "

There was a long pause where I assumed he was trying to think of something to say. Maybe he had heard the honesty in my voice and found it difficult to reply jokingly. I heard him sigh. 

" Go to sleep, I'll do the same, " was the best he came up with. I shook my head regardless of the fact that he couldn't see me. I sensed that he was about to cut the call so I asked him to I wait a moment. 

" What?" He demanded, I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath. Finding comfort in the sound of his voice. 

" Nothing, I just like knowing that you're still there. "

" Why are you so damn cheesy?" 

" Is that what we call honesty these days?"

" I'm ending the call, goodnight Austin, " His tired voice announced. I took my phone and held it in my hand, like doing so would somehow bring me closer to him. 

" You can't stay angry at me forever, just fucking let it go, " I decided to say before he carried through with his plan and ended the call. I craved that closeness we used to have. Having him in my life had always made me feel like I had something special to rely on when when everything else didn't work out. 

" You have no idea how tired I feel, " He said. I didn't know whether he was referring to himself or to the situation I had brought up. But I didn't want to keep him up for too long, he had also looked pretty tired earlier and I wanted him as well rested as possible because I hated seeing him look anything but refreshed. 

" Goodnight Stevens, " 

I heard some shifting, then his voice as he wished me a goodnight. 

" Were you taking off your shirt? Do I affect you that much?" I joked afterwards and he told me I was insane before he cut the call. It hadn't been much, but those few minutes helped me feel a lot better, I could finally close my eyes and actually sleep.