Hatred With Benefits novel Chapter 72

EVA.

They are both staring at me with mistrust shining through their eyes and the temperature of the room has turned a lot hotter.

I try to control my breath and fold my trembling hands into fists as I say, "My roommate. My roommate wasn't a girl like I was told when I got to my apartment; it was Emerson and we've been living together for—"

"Enough. I don't want to hear any more. You'll move out of that house and you'll stay away from him. " Dad orders and I shake my head, "I can't. I'm sorry, dad but I can't listen to you. Not this time. "

He rises from his seat, eyes challenging me as they meet mine. "I'm instructing you and you're refusing?"

"Dad, please. " I stand up to move in front of him. "I understand how you feel, but you can't blame me for this. "

"Yes, I can and I fucking do! Why the hell didn't you tell me about this the second you found out he's your roommate? Why did you stay there? And why the hell did you lie to us about it?" Because I already had sex with him before I ever found out, and I was stubborn.

I don't say that. That'd make things a lot worse, so I say, "I'm sorry for lying to you. I knew how you feel about his father, and that's why I didn't reveal the truth. It was never my intention to keep it away from you, but just because you hate his father doesn't mean you should hate Emerson, father. He's done nothing wrong for you to feel that way towards him, and that's why I'm asking you to give him a chance. To give us a chance. Please. " I plead and he looks away from me. I drop my gaze to mom, and she sighs as she draws closer to her husband, stroking his arm as she speaks, "Matt. You should listen to your daughter. You shouldn't let your rivalry with Mason stop her from living her life. Love happens naturally and it isn't her fault for falling for him. You can't put an end to your daughter's love story, just because you hate the boy's father. "

"The both of you; what is wrong with you?" Dad hisses, jerking mom's hold off him as he takes a step away. "Do you realize this is Mason Ford you're talking about? That man is the most selfish human I've ever met. Do you honestly think he would let this happen?"

"We know that, and that's why we're coming to you first. " I tell him and he says, "You're what?"

"Emerson. He'll be here soon. He doesn't care about what you have with his father, dad. He's willing to take that huge step to be with me, so please, try to understand me. Just let me have this one thing, dad. I'm in love with him. I can't begin to explain the depth of my love for him, dad so please don't take that away from me. I'm pleading with you. I'm—" I start to move on my knees before him, but mom stops me, dragging me up with her.

"What do you think you're doing?" She snaps and I shake my head, wiping my thumb under my eye to stop the tear that threatens to fall. "I don't care if I have to get on my knees before him; I just need him to agree with this. You can punish me in any way you want for keeping this away from the both of you for long, but please– just don't make me lose Emerson. "

"Oh, baby. I understand. I truly do. " She sighs, rubbing my arm before she turns around to meet her husband. I bite down on my tongue as I watch them converse silently with dad shaking his head along with mom's words.

My hands are trembling by my sides as I wait and dad finally turns his gaze to me. The frown that covers his face remains as he speaks, "You truly love this boy?"

"I do. So much. " I respond and he nods. "If you do, then I can't stop you. I'll meet him, but this will only continue if Mason gives his approval to this relationship. If not, then I cannot support you, Eva. This is the best I can do for you. "

"He will. " I beam, his words being more than enough. "Mason will! Your approval is the one I need the most. "

"Alright. Let's meet this boy that's managed to capture your heart then. " He says and I don't hold back as I close the gap between us and jump into his arms. "Thank you, dad. Thank you so much. " I wrap my arms around him and he returns the embrace, his hand caressing my hair.

I pull back from his chest when there's a touch on my arm and I twist my head to see my mom smiling at me.

"Your old woman don't deserve any of your affection?" She jokes and I let out a laugh as I pull her into the hug, wrapping my arms around the both of them. "You both are the best. I could never ask for better parents. "

"We love you, baby. "

~

"Where's this boy of yours?" Dad asks from his seat and my eyes go to the phone I have in hand for the hundredth time in a few minutes. Opening the screen; the messages and calls I left Emerson are yet to be responded to, and that familiar disappointment hits me.

Where the fuck is he?

"Eva. Are you sure you both agreed to do this?" Mom's soft voice brings my gaze to her and I hum. "We did. I don't understand why he isn't here yet. I'll call him again. "

Mom gives me a nod, while dad merely watches me as I raise to my feet, pacing to the other side of the room as I try Emerson's contact again; ending with the same result for the past minutes.

"What the fuck went wrong with you?" I mumble under my breath as I stare at the screen and watch the call ends, taking me back to the log.

Taking my bottom lip between my teeth, I tap on his name and try again. And once again, it rings and ends.

"God, please. This can't be happening. This can't be fucking happening. " I slap a hand over my forehead as I pace back and forth, my phone glued to my ear with the echoes of my heart thumping in my chest taking over the vibrations.

"What were you thinking, Eva?" Dad's voice makes me stop on my last step, and I drop the phone from my ear before I look back at him. He moves from his seat and strides towards me with mom trailing right after him.

"He isn't showing up, is he?" His face is stoic and his voice is cold as he utters the words, and I'm no longer able to hold his harsh gaze so I drop it as I nod slowly.

"Of course, he wouldn't. This is Mason's son we're talking about. He's a fucking Ford. "

"He's my boyfriend, and we—"

"God, are you listening to yourself, Eva? How the hell did you end up here? What did he deceive you with? What words did he say to you that made you turn this stupid?"

"Matt. " Mom's voice follows after his and I keep my gaze glued to the floor. "Go easy on her. This isn't her fault. "

"It is! I should have known better than to trust you when you said he agreed to come here with you. He's Mason Ford's son and he knows his father better than anyone. Mason would never let his son be in a relationship with my daughter, and I should have never listened to you. He isn't here, Eva. And he wouldn't because he played you. I don't know how long you've been with him, but you need to end that relationship of yours because nothing good will come out of it. This much should teach you everything you need to know. "