Page 25 of Changing Lanes

Taking a step toward him, he stops me cold with his gaze. “I don’t know what to say. He’s an asshole.”

Brannon pushes off the wall, his hands shoved in his pockets. “I know, you told me.” He stands there studying the wall on the other side of the stairwell.

“I’m sorry. I should’ve said more. Taken up for you.” He glowers at me, though, I’m not sure what more I could’ve done.

He shakes his head, hanging it. “What about you?”

I’m confused. “What about me? I know I should’ve said more, I’m sorry.”

“No, Torrie. You should’ve taken up for yourself. You are the most important thing here,” he answers me with a look a disgust.

“How? He’s my father, I can’t speak to him like that.” I scowl at him.

“Yes, you can. Damn it. You would never let anyone else talk to you that way. Why him?” he demands with his fists clenched tightly at his sides.

“No, I can’t. He would never allow me. Furthermore, I have a lot to lose. You wouldn’t understand.” I plead with him to understand.

“You’re right.” I search his eyes because my gut tells me there’s more. “He is, too. I don’t belong here.” He wheels around and stomps to his room, slamming the door behind him. I rush to his door, throwing it open. Brannon’s eyes are wide as I pin him with my glare.

“I know you can’t fathom why I don’t stand up to him. I can’t explain it myself, all I can say is I want his love. I always have. If I do something that he refuses to reason with, it will divide us forever. I’m not ready to give up on him yet.” I tremble as I try to explain it to him.

“I know it’s important to you that your father loves and respects you. I can’t help to wonder, what price comes with it? How far will you go to get it? And at the risk of sounding selfish, where do I fit in?” He twists his mouth to the side as he shakes his head in despair.

“I’m not sure about any of it. What I can say, without a doubt, is that I will fight for us. It may not be the way you would, but I will stand for us,” I declare as I wipe the tear trailing down my face.

Brannon closes the distances between us and wraps me in his arms. “I believe in you.” His words are a reminder of what he gives me that no one else ever has—strength.

“Good. I need someone to. Now, I better leave before the warden finds out we’re in the same room.” I kiss him, allowing our lips to linger just a second longer than I should. “Goodnight.”

“Night.” He releases me with a frown. I don’t want to leave either. But I do, closing his door behind me.

I knew this would be hard, but come on. I can’t wage a war against my father, that would get us nowhere. Brannon just needs to understand my father must have absolute power. He knows I will never walk away from Brannon.

That’s why he leveled so many threats. No way would he leave his only child destitute. I should have told him how much Brannon means to me. Ask him to give us a chance, to see if we are going to work out. I should’ve said something. Anything is better than nothing. Fuck.

Prying my eyes open, I register it’s morning. I must’ve cried myself to sleep. I scramble from my bed, sprinting to my door to look for Brannon. Reaching for the handle, I see a slip of paper lying by the seal. Picking it up, my heart sinks, I know it’s from him before I even open it.

Torrie,

I will not take you from your family. I’m going home.

Brannon

What has my father done now? That’s all it says. I rush from my room, hoping to catch him. I’ll leave with him. I can’t stay here without him. I can’t believe this, he would never leave without me unless he thought I would have to choose.

“Father. Father!” I yell as I hit the bottom step. I spin around the room, looking for any sight of Brannon or my father. I see his office door ajar. I run over, slamming the door against the adjoining wall when I enter. “What have you done?” I scream.

His eyes go wide, then he glowers at me. “What do you think? I told him he wasn’t welcome.”

“You have no right.” I’m seething.

“I have every right. And I will do it again if need be.” He stands, slamming his hands against his desk.

“You’re right, you do have every right. For your home. But my apartment was purchased with my dividends. I’m going home.” Whirling around, I bolt from his office.

Charging the stairs, I sprint to my room and pack. If Brannon can’t stay here, I’m not staying. I hurry out the front door as my mother’s number flashes across my phone screen. I’m not going back, not without Brannon. I don’t care if I have nothing, he means more to me.