Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Alex

My father's expectations made me livid. He believed he had the right to decide whom I could or could not date, even whom I could love. That was so incredibly wrong. It was my life, and my choice of partners. That I played college football in Georgia did not make me only a jock. I had goals and desires beyond just playing sports, but above all else, what I wanted most in life was a happy future with my family and my significant other. I pushed Shauna away from me and roughly set her on the couch beside us.

My blood boiled with anger towards both her and my father; who were they to dictate our romantic lives? They had no right! I loved Ana.

“Dad, what the hell is your problem? Why are you trying to push me into marrying Shauna? What reason do you have?”

As usual, he did not respond. Instead, he gave me a blank expression and proceeded talking about how Shauna and I would get married and build our future together as a couple.

“My son, scouts are on the lookout for football players with a well-managed personal life. It's in response to all the negative press that the indiscretions of many talented footballers have generated over the last few years.”

His words sunk in. He was telling me the truth, but there must be more to it; I knew my father too well. A confrontation would only make matters worse, so instead, I took a different approach.

“Shauna, I'm sorry. This will never happen again.” She was a perfect example of creating beauty – blond hair, fake tanned skin, and posture victorious. The last couple of days had been difficult, but thinking back to Ana’s sad eyes and the pain in them made me determined to find her and explain everything.

Shauna doesn’t answer at first; it's such a contrast to the boisterous and ever-present voice of her companion. Her condescending words were like knives, piercing right into my soul.

"Do you care so little for me you'd pick her over me?" She sneered; her expression twisted up in disapproval.

"You should tell him, Mr. Sullivan," she said with a mocking lilt in her voice. A smirk curled at the corner of her lips as something inside me filled with dread.

"What news?" I asked hesitantly. "Son, there are things you need to know about 'sweet Ana.' To put it bluntly, she's scum that belongs with other scum."

“Come on, dad. She isn't some kind of street trash; she comes from money and is an excellent student with big plans for life and a good heart.”

"Regardless of what you think now, she'll hurt you tremendously if you stay with her. She'll betray you, deceive you, and turn against me," he said sternly.

"They're no better than us, no matter how they act."

The nausea came back, and I needed to get out of the room before I ended up hurling. There's no way I'd marry Shauna—not when I wasn't even interested in her in the first place. As I made my way to the door, my father blocked me and pushed me back onto the sofa. I almost fell over Shauna by accident, but steadied myself at the last second.

“Just leave me alone. There’s no way I'm going to marry Shauna.”

I don't even care if I offend her. I just need to make sure it's clear that we're not happening. Suddenly, she steps closer and stares at me. Her eyes are as cold as a winter's day and her face is expressionless until she laughs.

“You don’t have a choice, Alex. I’m pretty sure I’m pregnant.” She pauses before bursting into a wide smile.

“What?? What does that have to do with me?! We haven't been together for years! And, for the record, I really regret it.”

Her face falls slightly before she composes herself. “Well, we slept together a few days ago and I’m pretty sure I’m expecting.”

"You're delusional Shauna. There's no way I would have slept with you in my right mind."

“I know,” she whispers sadly before laughing again, “ that's why I drugged you last time. We're having a baby and we're getting married. If not, I'll make sure that Ana’s life is a living hell. Don’t think I won't do it; my family has all the resources to put other people out of business.

“Are you threatening me, delusional bitch?”

“Well, there are different ways to put it, but just to be clear: I know exactly where Ana lives.”

I can't breathe. What is this crazy girl talking about? Is she trying to trap me with help from my father? Why is he supporting this? Why is she so hateful towards Ana? Can I protect her? If I can find her, can I explain what these crazy people are up to? Will she believe me?

“Before you get any ideas, son. Just to be clear: I killed Ana's mum, and by now she will know it. Good luck explaining that to her, sunshine. She hates you and by now she probably thinks this was all one big game for you.”

The words coming out of his mouth drop me into the depths of despair. All the lies he's telling are so cruel that I want to lash out at my father. But this is what he wants. He wants me to act out so they can punish her, too. No, I won't put her in any more danger. I'll do anything to protect Ana.

"Okay, I agree, but on one condition," I answer. The looks of surprise on their faces tell me they didn't expect this. It's game over at least for now.

"You won’t hurt Ana."