I thought he was a crazy workaholic, and a pang of guilt hits me that I’m hoping I’m wrong, and he’s not work obsessed. He’s so supportive of me, and I want to be the same for him. I can’t help but think of what it would mean for our future if he’s consumed with work like my father always has been. He was never home, and although I don’t want Sammy to be gone, I suppose it wouldn’t be terrible if I could go to work with him. But how long can that last, and what about if or when we have a baby? Would I do that alone most nights because he’s at the office?
“I’m going to do the same thing here as I would back at your place.”
“Our place,” he corrects. “We need to see about getting the rest of your things from your dorm,” he adds, hopping out of the car before I can respond. I start to open my door, but he beats me to it, offering me his hand and I take it.
“You want me to move in?” He tangles our fingers together as we walk into the building.
“You want to spend the night away from each other?” he says, perplexed.
“No,” I respond instantly. “But you don’t think this is too fast?”
“After last night?” He glances down at me.
He’s got a point. Between the lack of protection and him saying he loves me, it’s clear where this is headed.
“Okay.” I give in because why fight it? I don’t want to go sleep in my twin bed back at the dorm when I can be in bed with him. I don’t think Lexi will be too upset about it, either. The room will be all hers for the rest of the year.
“I still need to check in on Liam. He’s a predator.” His hand tightens in mine. I’d told Sammy everything from start to finish about Liam when he’d asked what his deal was.
“Oh gosh,” I breathe. Maybe my brain is a bit more rattled than I realized because I stumble to a stop right before the elevator and notice everyone glancing our way. Their curiosity is clear as I watch as some lean over and whisper to each other. This is going to spread like wildfire. Why hadn’t I thought about this?
“What?” Sammy pulls me into him, and his hand goes to my chin to tilt my head back as his eyes search my face. “Are you not feeling well? I knew we should have stayed home.” I shake my head as everything dawns on me. The fear of losing this hits me hard, and panic starts to overtake me.
“My father. He’s going to know.” Tears fill my eyes because he manages to somehow take everything I care about. Anytime I think I get something for myself, he yanks it back. He thinks I shouldn’t have something unless he deems it worthy, and I know he’s going to take Sammy from me.
“He can go fuck himself.” I keep shaking my head because he doesn’t know my father. Not the real one he hides from the rest of the world. The control he has over me is suffocating.
“You don’t understand.” I whisper. I watch as anger starts to take over Sammy’s expression. “Please don’t be mad at me,” I plead with him. I can’t bear it, not after last night and because I love him so much. I should have told him that sooner, and now it might be too late.
“Oh, I’m not mad. I’m fucking livid.” He hits the button to the elevator, and when it opens, he pulls me on with him.
“I’m sorry,” I say when the doors close.
“You’re not the one that’s going to be sorry, Parker. I can promise you that.”