A Changed Life (7 page)

I was silently praying that Simon would pick up on my hint and leave, but he didn’t. Before Simon could answer, my dad extended his hand and had introduced himself to Simon.

“I’m Mason Vanelle, Nicolette’s father.”

“Simon Paulson,” he replied.

My dad looked at him and rubbed his chin. “Have I met you before?”

“Yes, we did, sir.” Simon replied. “We met over the summer at the Beach Club.”

I gave my father a look, willing him not to embarrass me in front of Simon.

My father invited Simon in and asked if he had a few minutes to talk. This can’t be good if my father already wants to have a serious conversation. Did Gracie rat me out or something?

Simon reluctantly took a seat that dad gestured to him, and I sat beside him. I instantly felt sick to my stomach but Simon appeared to be calm.

Giving Simon a stern look, he clears his throat before starting. “Well, here’s the thing son. School ended at 2:15 and now it’s seven o’clock. The way I see it, you have spent more than four hours with my daughter. She should have been home and having dinner with her family.”

“Um, yes sir.”

The next thing out of my father’s mouth was not what I was expecting to hear.

“Are you dating my daughter?”

“DADDY!”

“I care about your daughter. As far as officially dating, we haven’t discussed that yet.” looking at me while answering my father’s question.

I guess I couldn’t be angry with Simon for being honest, but I was secretly hoping we were on the same page. Having spent some time together, I was already feeling a mutual connection between us. If Simon didn’t care about me, then why get upset with Michael or stake a public claim to me in front of my entire class.

“You see, Simon, we are new to California, and this is Nicolette’s last year in high school. I want her to meet many new friends and get used to her new school.”

I’m sitting here and listening to my father go on about me as if I’m not even in the room.

“I understand that, Mr. Vanelle, I have only lived in California for two years now. I’m originally from Colorado.”

“What? Really?” I said in a high pitch tone.

“You didn’t ask. You assumed I was a surfer dude.”

I smirked at him.

“What brought your family to California?” my father asked.

“My mom was offered her dream job and accepted the offer to be dean at California State University.”

My jaw dropped at that revelation, and my father just smiled from ear to ear.

Simon had just earned major brownie points from my dad. Thinking dad was satisfied with that last bit of information, I was ready for Simon to leave, but daddy was far from being finished.

“What does your father do?”

“My dad is a lawyer and practices in the private sector.”

“Well, seeing how you’ve been raised by a lawyer I think I’m done with my cross-examination.”

I could see Simon’s shoulders relax.

“Nicolette is our only daughter, and her mother and I do not like her socializing with just anyone.”

“Yes, sir. I completely agree.”

He’s got to be kidding me, right? Oh my God. Protective is one thing, completely embarrassing, another. I put my elbows up on my knees and drop my head into my hands, wishing I was somewhere else.

“We are hosting a party in a few weeks, mostly business associates, but friends too. Consider this as my invitation to you and your parents. You are more than welcomed to join us.”

My head snaps up, turning from daddy to Simon and back again.
Party? Here? Invited Simon?

“Thank you, sir. I will pass along your invitation to my parents and let you know.”

“Happy we talked, Simon.” They shook hands, and before my over protective father left the room, “Not too much longer, it’s a school night.” And then he was gone, leaving me to sink deeper into the couch.

Keeping my face shielded with my hands, “Simon, are you okay?” too embarrassed to look at him directly.

“I’m ok, Nicolette. Is your dad always like this?”

“Yes, my father is over protective, but his intentions come from a good place.”

“I’m sure my brothers get the inquisition when they meet fathers, too.”

“You mean to tell me this is your first time meeting a tough dad?” I was smiling at him.

Simon shook his head and laughed. “Jennifer’s mom was the strict parent, her dad not so much. Jennifer was my first serious girlfriend, so I’m not that experienced in the dad department, like you think I am.”

“No. I never—”

“It’s cool, relax. “I have to go. I’ll see you tomorrow at school.”

“I’ll walk you out.”

“It’s ok. See you tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Dad.”

I stood watching Simon leave, in complete shock; no kiss goodnight, a smile, nothing. He just got up and walked out. I ran up to my room, slammed the door shut, loud enough to be sure everyone heard it, including my father, who I was currently really pissed off at; and flopped down on my bed to cry.

A knock came at my door. I tried ignoring it, until it became a little too persistent. I shouted, “LEAVE. ME. ALONE. YOU. RUINED. EVERYTHING.” Not caring if his feelings were hurt or not, because after all, he didn’t care just a few minutes ago about mine, or Simon’s for that matter.

Oh shit! Simon. I bet he’ll never want to see me again. I mean, he seemed okay. Well, not really, he did get up quite quickly and make an excuse to having to leave. I’d be pissed. I’m not sure I’d want to ever see someone again who just put me through the third degree
.

The knocking persisted, with less meaning, as if he was about to give up. “Please, honey. Let me talk.”

“Don’t you think you’ve done enough talking for one night? Go away!” I took my pillow and covered my tear stained face, trying to drown out the knocking and his voice. I didn’t want to hear his voice, not tonight, not right now.

A kind and warm voice interrupted his knocking, “Honey, may I come in? I promise not to let your father in.”

I leaped off my bed and pulled her in, not before giving my daddy the look of death and slamming the door once again, on him.

I just hugged my mother and cried. My dad was always the one I leaned on, but not tonight. I couldn’t look at him right now.

“Shh. It’s okay baby.” She was stroking my hair trying to calm me down. “Nicolette, please come sit with me on the bed.”

I hugged my pillow and sobbed again, before I could speak to my mom.

“Daddy humiliated me in front of Simon! His behavior was over the top and for what? Because, I came home late, it was only seven o’clock!”

“Nicolette, did you ever think that maybe dad was just being dad? You never had a problem with your father being protective before. He is just behaving like he always has and for some reason, today he has humiliated you? Please…explain to me what he has done that was so wrong?”

“Mom, you don’t get it. You and daddy want me to meet new friends and love California, and love my new life, so when something good happens to me like meeting Simon, he completely acts like my warden. He embarrassed me tonight, plain and simple. You’re right. He usually is my protector, but today was different. I truly like Simon, but after the way dad treated him, he may not want to see me again.”

“If Simon is all that you say he is, then give him the benefit of the doubt before you decide he won’t see you again. As for your father…talk to him. He loves you with all his heart. Give him a bit of a learning curve when it comes to his only daughter; dating, growing up, and quite possibly falling in love.”

I looked at my mom, “Is that what this is? Am I’m falling in love with Simon Paulson?”

My mom smiled warmly, “Sweetheart, you tell me.”

I hugged my mom with a fierce grip.

“We shall see. Thanks, Mom, you’re right. I’ll go talk to Daddy.”

“Did I actually hear my daughter admit that I was right?”

“Yes, and please don’t let it go to your head.”

Mom looked like she just won the lottery. “Your father is in his office when you are ready to talk to him.”

I ran downstairs to talk to my father and he opened the door, extending his arms out to me. Knowing my father, he was probably pacing his office and waiting for me to talk with him.

“I’m sorry, Daddy, but you kind of surprised me. I didn’t know what to think of it.”

“Nicolette, the last thing I want to do is upset you, but I love you and I just don’t want you to be moving too fast. We are far from what we are used to and as much as I want you to meet people, and make connections, I’m trying to remain protective of you.”

“I get that, Dad, I have always known that, but I’m not a little kid. I’m almost eighteen and you raised me right. I’m trying to adjust to this new life and Simon may be a part of it. Please trust me, Daddy.” I hugged my dad, and said good night.

I learned a lot from Simon today, with some pretty heavy information he disclosed to me. I just took it all in but then a meet and greet with my father and he’s off running for the hills. Ok, maybe I’m exaggerating a bit, but I still would have been happier if he would have kissed me good night. Gracie was right. I do have a terrible habit when it comes to over thinking things.

I was giving myself a headache and decided to squash my negative thoughts. Simon likes me that much
is
clear. I know it and feel it every time he kisses me. His obvious physical reaction when he touches me excites us both. Nope, not getting myself upset over this. Big deal? My dad asked some questions, this won’t even matter by tomorrow, I hope.

Arriving at school with a few minutes to spare, I jump out of my car and run for my first class. I make it to Calculus less than two minutes before the bell rings. Not looking forward to listening to my teacher drone on for the next ninety minutes but, had I gotten enough sleep the night before, I wouldn’t be so cranky this morning. Without falling asleep, I made it through my very boring class. With the sound of the bell, I was so ready to get some coffee and take a moment to myself.

I had a fifteen minute break before my next class, so I sat down under an enormous palm tree on the quad and drank my coffee. I had my head down looking over my notes for my next class when Michael walks out from behind the tree, startling me. What the hell?

“Hey! What are you doing sneaking up from behind me? And better yet, why are you here?” Putting his hands up to me as if he’s surrendering.

“Relax princess; I just wanted to say hi.”

“Uh…Michael, you do realize where you are?” Michael sits down across from me and it looks like he is enjoying himself at my expense.

“Paranoid much? Nicolette, I was here on another matter, and I simply saw you and just thought it would be nice to say hello, but clearly I was wrong. Now that I have done that, I’ll let you get back to whatever you were doing, before I interrupted you.” He begins to get up to walk away, and now I’m feeling like a total bitch on the way I talked to him. “Hey Michael”, he turns to me. “Sorry, didn’t mean to jump down your throat, rough morning.”

“Apology accepted. Do you have a few minutes to talk?”

I look at my phone, “Yeah, but only a few, and then I have to get to my next class.”

“Did you receive the flowers I sent you?”