My Wolf’s Bane(21)

The way they stared, you’d think I’d asked them to hire a male stripper for my birthday. I waited patiently for their response, leaning back in my chair, and folding my arms across my chest to appear tougher.

“No.” My dad narrowed his eyes. “We’re not comfortable with that. Choose something else.”

My confidence faltered. As protective as they were, why had I thought for even an instant they’d cooperate?

“Sweetie, where are you getting these ideas?” She moved the chair out and stood with a hand on her hip.

“Sometimes, I come up with my own ideas, Mom.” I rolled my eyes and rose to meet her gaze. I leaned against the dining room table to support my wobbly knees. “You guys avoid leaving the house except at night when you go running. If one of you goes on errands, the other stays. I’m almost never alone and when you’re not around, you’re constantly texting me. I’m being smothered. Don’t you see how unhealthy that is?”

Dad’s brows furrowed and his mouth dropped open, as if my words were too foreign and terrifying to absorb.

“Whatever you’re thinking, stop now. It’s not going to happen.” My mom moved around the table to stand in front of me, her hands rubbing my arms soothingly. “We have no desire to be away from you, sweetie.”

Oh, boy. I loved my parents, more than anyone or anything, but there was something so wrong with how they treated me. “Fine, then don’t leave.”

“If the idea of moving upsets you that much, your mother can stay with you here.”

Her head whipped around to scowl at him, then back to me. “No, that won’t work. She’s coming with us.”

“Mom, in six days, I’ll be legal to do whatever I want,” I reminded her.

Dad tensed and Mom gasped. “Don’t be silly,” she said. “How would you survive without money?”

“I’ll stay with Maya and get a weekend job.”

He narrowed his eyes. “You’re bluffing.”

“I don’t know what’s gotten into you.” Mom grasped my shoulders, eyes intense. An instant later, her eyes softened and she released me. “When you have your real birthday list, let me know.”

“It’s not going to change, Mom.” I’d gone too far to back down now. “Everything you do, from making me budget my allowance to saving up for a car, why bother? How can I learn to fend for myself in the big bad world if you never let me?” I glanced from my mom to my dad. “Do you know what it’s like with you two worrying incessantly over me? Do you know how stressful it is to worry whether or not you’re worrying?” I shook my head. “I’m done with that. And I’m done moving.”

My mom paled. I felt bad for upsetting her, but reminded myself this would be good for all of us. “You can always come back and check on me between cities,” I said, lightening my tone.

They exchanged looks for what seemed like minutes. I wiped my palms on my jeans and waited, determined to hold out until the bitter end.

Dad bolted from his chair and towered over me. “This is ridiculous, Autumn.”

I stood my ground, keeping my tone firm. “No. Playing musical houses is ridiculous. And I’m not waiting for your permission. You have two choices. Let me stay here in this house and help me finish school. Or lose me to Maya. Pick one. I’ll be up in my room.”

I dashed up the stairs and collapsed on my bed. I couldn’t decide if today had been the worst day ever or the best day of my life. I was free of Gina and the pressures of being popular, done with fighting off Daniel’s disgusting advances and I just might have a chance at a life in a town with friends I loved.

Regardless what my future held, with everything I’d been through, today still sucked. Exhaustion strained at my peace of mind and unshed tears burned behind my eyes. Burying my face in my pillow, I succumbed to sobs.

† † †

There was a knock on my door as I finished dressing after a shower. “Come in.”

My parents stepped into the room, each with their usual lit cigarette between their fingers. I cringed inwardly as the smoke wafted up to the ceiling. Not wanting to throw them off course by complaining, I kept quiet.

“We’ve decided to turn down the jobs,” my dad announced with a proud smile.

It was what I’d been hoping for, but now it wasn’t enough. They’d go right back to their extreme hovering and paranoia. “But that doesn’t solve the other problem. You guys need to be without me for a while. And I need to be on my own, at least for a couple weeks so you can see that I can do it. I need that freedom.”