The literal last thing I want to do is talk to my father right now, especially with Quinn in my bed. But I’ve been dodging his calls for days and he knows this is my day off.
If I don’t answer, there’ll be hell to pay.
I slide out from under Quinn, gently lowering her head to the pillow as I sit up. Then I grab my phone and swipe accept, turning my back to her as I bring the phone to my ear.
“Cooper.”
Well, good morning to you too.
“Hey, dad.”
“It took you long enough.” His words are clipped, his tone irritated. “I thought you were going to send me to voicemail again.”
It’s too early for this shit, but I scrub a hand over my face and swallow my annoyance.
“No, sir. Sorry I missed your calls.” The apology is insincere as hell and we both know it. “It’s been a busy week.”
That at least is true.
He makes a dismissive sound and there’s a rustling of papers on his end. “I’m calling to confirm you’ll be at the hotel on election day. Elliot sent you the details. I trust you’ve received them.”
Unfortunately. The election is next week and despite the quid pro quo offer he made my mom regarding Senior Day, I haven’t spoken to my profs about missing classes yet.
Nothing like putting it off until the last minute.
Whatever. It’s no secret I don’t want to go, just like it’s no secret he only needs mom and me there for the sake of appearances. After all, how would it look for him to be photographed without his loving family on such a big night?
“I need to clear it with my professors. Things have been busy with football and I haven’t talked to them yet.”
“Which is why Elliot took the liberty of speaking with them on your behalf. They’ve all agreed to excuse your absence so you can spend the day at the command center.” There’s more shuffling of papers. “One of them even offered to give you extra credit if you write a five-page essay on the implications of the election. Professor White-something.” There’s a long pause, but I don’t bother providing the correct name. Not when his asshole assistant just added a five-page paper to my To Do list. Like I have time to write another fucking paper. “Anyway, I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”
I always do.
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. Your mother and I look forward to seeing you bright and early next Tuesday.” Rage burns deep in my gut at the emphasis he puts on the word mother. “And Cooper? Wear a suit.”
We disconnect and I throw the phone across the room. It bounces off the drywall and drops to the floor, bouncing unceremoniously on the carpet.
“Is everything okay?”
Dammit. How could I forget Quinn was here?
Her hand settles on my back, the tentative touch like a brand on my heated skin.
“Sorry about that.” I exhale, forcing the tension from my body before I turn to face her. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”
A shy smile curves her lips as she pulls the sheet up to cover her breasts. “It’s your place. You can be as loud as you want.” She gestures to the phone. “Want to talk about it?”
Do I? Yes.
Can I? No.
I shove my fingers into my hair, pushing it back from my face. “It’s nothing. Just family stuff.”
She nods and for a second, I think she’s going to say something, but she presses her lips flat, like she’s holding whatever she wants to say in.
Because you’re acting like an asshole.
