Needing Her by Allie Everhart

Author:Allie Everhart [Everhart, Allie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romantic suspense, Romance, contemporary romance, new adult romance, coming of age
Publisher: Waltham Publishing, LLC
Published: 2015-06-03T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

17

PEARCE

By the time I drive home, get myself ready, then drive to work, it’s 7:30, much later than my usual start time. My father is waiting for me in my office.

“You’re late,” he says, not bothering to say hello. He was facing the window but turned around when he heard me walk in.

“I’m not late. Most jobs start at nine, so by traditional standards I’m early.”

I would normally just apologize for being late, but today I feel like fighting back. Talking with Rachel last night reminded me just how much my father controls me, not letting me have any kind of life. It’s gotten to the point I’ve become numb to it. But last night, something sparked inside me and told me to fight.

“This job isn’t nine to five,” he says. “This job is your life and you will be here when I say to be here.”

“As long as I get my work done, it shouldn’t matter when I get here or when I leave.” I go around him and sit at my desk.

He stands beside it, staring down at me. “Getting it done and doing it right are two separate things. Your work is satisfactory at best, which is why you need to be here putting in the hours to meet the level of performance I expect.”

“If you feel I’m not performing up to par, fire me.” I’ve never said that to him, but I’ve wanted to a million times.

He huffs. “Are you drunk?”

I almost laugh, but I keep a serious face. “No, I am not drunk. But I have a lot to do so I would appreciate it if you would let me get to work.”

“You will be here at six tomorrow.”

I don’t answer. He likes having the last word so I let him have it. He turns and walks out the door.

God, that felt good. It wasn’t much, but standing up to him with just those few comments was enough to give me some energy. Some life.

I notice a new stack of contracts on my desk. My father put them there because he knows how much I hate reviewing them. But right now I don’t care. I’m still in a good mood from being with Rachel and I’m going to try to keep it going the rest of the day.

I check my phone and see the message light blinking. I listen to the messages. The first one is work related, but the second one is from Rachel. I call her back.

“Rachel, it’s Pearce.”

“Hi. I’m sorry to bother you at work but I need some advice. I wasn’t sure who else to ask. Shelby’s at work and I don’t want to tell my parents this or they’ll worry.”

“Go ahead.”

“Yesterday, a man came to my apartment. He said he donates money for the literacy program at the homeless shelter I volunteer at. He said he stopped by because he was trying to get to know all the volunteers. He was an older man and seemed okay so I let him in.

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