Daddy's College Roommate: Bad Boy and Virgin Forbidden Romance

by Vanessa Kinney

I gripped the door tightly to slam it closed behind me with all my might. I heard the whole house shake with the force of the door hitting the frame. I looked back into Penny’s window, but she wasn't there.

  26

  Penelope

  Back to Normal

  “Penelope,” I heard Kendall’s voice behind me as I sprinted out of class to avoid him. “Penelope!” I felt a large hand grab my shoulder.

  “I don’t want to talk,” I mumbled under my breath.

  “Shit, okay. Sheesh. But let me drive you at least,” Kendall rolled his eyes as we walked toward the parking lot in silence.

  “Why didn’t you answer your texts? From me? Or Cedric?” Kendall confronted me the second we got in the car.

  I went to go open the door but Kendall instantly locked it.

  “I said I don’t want to talk,” I crossed my arms over my puffy winter jacket and I watched the snow fall outside.

  “Fine. I’ll talk . . .” he glared at me with his smartass eyes. “I think you're acting like a little bitch and I think your dad is acting like a bigger bitch.”

  “Kendall!”

  “WHAT! It’s the truth! I mean you could have stood up to your dad and told him he was being fucking crazy controlling —” he paused, “Like your mother.” He pressed his lips and gripped the steering wheel.

  I knew he was right. I looked over at the snow and felt a burning hot tear slide down my cheek. I wiped it with my mittens and sniffed.

  Kendall was right.

  “But I don’t want to lose my dad.”

  Kendall let out a loud laugh, “Penny, come on. You aren’t going to lose him even if you tried.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Because he loves you and even if he was pissed off at you he still wants you to be happy. It seems like he was more pissed about finding out your mother is a no-good-lying-gold-digging-whore.”

  I sniffed and looked over at Kendall, “How do you even know about all this?”

  “Where do you think Cedric came after the fight?”

  “Is he at your apartment right now?” My heart joyed with joy as I thought about seeing Cedric again. It’s only been six days, but I miss him like crazy, more than I thought I would. More than I had ever missed anyone in my life.

  “No, he stayed with me on Wednesday after the fight, but then went to his apartment.”

  “He has an apartment already?”

  “Yeah . . . he got one before we even went to Florida. Didn’t he tell you?”

  “No,” I smiled to myself as I realized that he probably wanted to be my roommate for as long as he could.

  “You should at least text him. He’s worried about you.”

  I looked down at my phone and played with the volume keys. “Maybe after I talk to my dad about everything. I don’t want to get my hopes up and act like everything's normal when it’s obviously not.”

  “Maybe it’s also time to tell your dad about your mom. It might help him understand a lot of things, especially the controlling part,” Kendall placed his hand on my shoulder.

  I touched his hand and let out a sigh.

  “He quit his job last week. The day before we came back. I don’t think it’s a good idea to bring that up.”

  “Damn. Okay. Whoa,” Kendall let out a heavy sigh. “He really did have a shitty week, eh?”

  “Yep.”

  We both stared at the falling snow in silence for a few minutes while Kendall processed everything.

  “But you shouldn't use that as an excuse to not talk to him. You should still bring it up.”

  “Yeah . . . I know,” I screamed internally, conflicted with all the shit I had to worry about. “But he isn’t even talking to me,” I whined.

  “Well, you didn’t want to talk to me either, but look at us now,” Kendall smirked.

  I let out a little giggle and rolled my eyes.

  “Dad?” I stepped into my own house feeling like an intruder.

  I hate this feeling. I hate that I was right about everything being ruined.

  Why do I always jinx myself?

  I let out a heavy sigh and threw my book bag on my bed. I heard angry footsteps stomp their way downstairs.

  I have to do this, don't I?

  I stepped out of the room and headed toward the kitchen where my dad was making a sandwich for himself and me. Even though he was pissed off at me, he still wanted to take care of me.

  “Hey, Dad . . . can we talk?”

  He slapped the mayo on the sandwich angrily, “No.”

  “Okay . . . I’ll talk,” I stole Kendall’s words as my dad looked at me with his dark eyes. I cleared my throat trying to make sure I can actually talk to him. “Hmm, well —,” I stalled. I didn't really know how to start this conversation.

  “Here’s your sandwich, Pen. I’ll be upstairs.”

  I grabbed my dad’s hand as he passed me so that he wouldn't leave.

  “I get that you had a shit week last week. But I think you are being unfair to me . . . and Cedric,” he slowly moved his hand out of my grip and placed the plate down on the dining room table.

  “I don’t know what to say. I have nothing to say,” his shook his head. “You should have told me — NO — you should have not done —,” he let out a frustrated sigh.

  I knew he wanted to talk to me but he had no idea what he wanted to say either. My dad walked over to the end of the dining room table and pulled out a seat. I sat across from him, staring at the sandwich in the middle of the table. Observing the mayo, tomato, lettuce and ham layers like it was the most interesting thing to look at.

  “You’re being like mom,” I blurted out.

  I looked up at him with my big eyes. He was so confused and depressed that I compared him to her.

  “What?”

  I took a deep breath. “Mom — Tiffany used to threaten me if I didn’t do what she wanted me to do, and I feel like you’re doing the same when you made me choose between you . . . or Cedric,” my voice cracked as I brought Cedric's name again.

  God, I miss him so much.

  I looked down at the sandwich and tried to hide my tear-filled eyes. I tucked my hair behind my ears and tried to control my breathing.

  “Penelope, what do you mean threaten?”

  I sighed and told him exactly what I meant. I told him everything about her. Everything. From the time that woman had read my first journal when I was 12 and found out that I had a crush on Kendall’s dad to the time she lied about being extremely allergic to cats so I couldn't get my birthday present. I told him all the names she’s ever called me: tramp, trash, bitch, worthless, worlds-biggest-mistake, and so on.

  Even though it wasn't pretty, Kendall was right. It was time he finally knew.

  We sat in silence for a few minutes as I held back my tears. My dad got up from his chair quietly and grabbed me up to give me a full hug.

  “I-I didn’t know,” he cried. His voice was weak and full of pain, “I’m so sorry Pen.” He let out a little sniff as his hug got tighter.

  “It’s okay, Daddy,” I rubbed his back.

  His grip got tighter when he finally heard the name he always wished I had called him. He let out a little burst of laughter, “I’m so sorry, Pen. I didn’t know. I wish you had told me — I’m so sorry.”

  I petted the back of his hair as he let go of me. He coughed to clear his throat. I grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze. My dad took a seat next to me, still grabbing my hand, almost afraid to let go of me.

  He chuckled, trying to fight his pain, “Fuck. So your mom was a bigger you-know-what than I ever imagined.”

  I nodded and gripped his hand tighter, “Yep.”

  He held hands for about a few minutes until I finally moved away. I looked at him straight in the eyes, “Can we talk about Cedric now?” I swallowed nervously, my eyes shaking.

  He placed his hand under his chin, resting on it, “You’re too young for him.”

  “You and Tiffany were eleven years apart,” I ca
lled him out.

  “He isn’t —,” Dad let out a heavy grunt. “How do I know he isn't just using you? I’ve known him since college and he was such a . . .”

  “Are you the same guy you were in college?”

  He looked up at me and pressed his lips together, “No, but —”

  “So why can’t he change?”

  Dad chuckled under his breath while muttering, “smartass.” I laughed with him. It felt like we were back to normal again.

  “I still don't like this,” he brought back his serious voice. “I don't know if I can believe him and what he told you.”

  “Maybe you should talk to him. I know it’s hard for you to believe me, so maybe it would be best if you talked to him yourself.”

  He looked at me and nodded with a smile, “You think I overreacted, don't you?”

  “I don’t think you know how to handle it when your little girl isn’t a perfect little goody two shoes,” I giggled.

  “I’ll take that as a yes,” he looked at me with his big brown eyes. “My baby girl is all grown up,” he pouted.

  “I heard that’s what happens with age.”

  My dad rolled his eyes as if he was trying to make the whole world spin.

  “I’ll talk to Cedric, but can you keep your distance in case I find out —”

  “Find out he's lying?”

  “Yeah,” he mumbled.

  We sat at the table, enjoying each other's silence until my dad got up. He grabbed his plate of food and sat down on the couch.

  “Are you coming?” he smiled over his shoulders. “It’s rude to eat without everyone.”

  I brought over my sandwich and joined my dad as we watched a random chick flick on the TV.

  “Although, I have a feeling he isn’t lying,” he said with a mouthful.

  “You once told me he was the most honest and loyal person you ever met. You said that the only reason you became friends with him was because he went through with the punishment after he lost the dare.”

  My dad nodded and let out an honest laugh, “Yeah.”

  “Are you ever going to tell me what that dare was about?”

  “Hell no, Pen. Just eat your sandwich.”

  I smiled and took a bite of my sandwich. Yep, it seems like me and my dad are back to normal. I grabbed my phone from my pocket and read the last text from Cedric.

  | I love you, Penny. My Lucky Penny.

  27

  Cedric

  son-in-law

  I re-red Brad’s text over and over again to make sure this wasn't a joke. It couldn’t be a joke, I mean he asked for my address.

  | Text me your address and I’ll be over.

  Does this mean he’s over the whole thing?

  I looked over the texts again to try to figure out his mood, but I couldn't tell. He was giving short to-the-point texts that didn't really reveal anything. It’s been over a week since the fight so he’s cooled down, but is he really over the whole thing?

  He is a hit and miss when it came to grudges, he either gets over it instantly fast or holds it to his deathbed. I guess for Kendall he is going to hold on to it until he is on his deathbed. But what I did was ten times worse.

  Fuck, I miss Penny so much.

  She isn't even talking to me. She sometimes wants to talk to me because I see her writing a text but then she just deletes it. I thought about Penny walking over to her dad when she chose him. I felt heartbroken but I know how much her dad means to her, especially since she found out about her mother being a pile of shit. It was a whole fucking day of shit drama piled on top of each other as everyone fucking overreacted.

  “FUCK!” I yelled out, trying to get rid of any access frustration and confusion before Brad came over.

  I looked down at the time stamp next to Brad’s text. He should be coming over any minute now. I looked over at my new home that was a complete mess. I had only one room and it was under construction. I had to replace the flooring and molding so I’ve been sleeping on the couch. To be honest, I fucking love it. It makes me realize how far I’ve gotten in my life.

  A knock trembled through my front door. It was Brad. I got up from the couch and hesitated to turn the doorknob.

  “Come on in,” I held out my hand and pointed toward the small living room.

  “Thanks,” he sat down on the couch while looking around the apartment.

  “Do you want something to drink? Water? Coke? Beer —”

  Brad interrupted me with a firm voice, “Beer. Definitely beer.”

  I walked over to the old 80s-style kitchen and grabbed a cold beer from the fridge. I opened his beer, the cold snap of the lid filling the silence in the room. I took a seat on the chair, getting a better look at Brad.

  “So when did you get this place?”

  “About a week before we left for Florida?”

  Brad pressed his lips together and nodded his head slowly as if he was saying, ‘oh, I see.’

  “Are you renting?” He looked into the bedroom that had no floor.

  “No, I already bought it. I’m planning to rent it out after I finish making it . . . less shitty,” I took a sip of my beer.

  “That’s smart. It’s in a good location,” he took a long drink.

  “Yep,” we both avoided each other and focused on our beer as if it was our only escape from this awkward small talk. I cleared my throat, “I was thinking to get some help from Penny to decorate since she has a good eye for designing.” I spoke firmly still avoiding his eyes.

  “Ahh, okay,” he nodded as he looked down at his bottle. “Well since you brought Penny up . . . what are your intentions with my daughter,” he narrowed his eyes toward me as if he was quizzing a teenager before prom.

  I placed my beer on the table and walked back over to the empty cabinet above the sink. I felt Brad staring at me as I walked over to my chair. I sat down and tossed him a black box that he instantly caught with one hand. He turned around the box and observed it carefully as if he had no idea what was inside of it.

  “That is my intention with your daughter,” I chugged my beer half way knowing I would need more alcohol to get through this.

  Brad popped the box open revealing a 14k rose gold ring with a large pear shaped diamond in the middle surrounded by small diamonds. Brad looked at me then at the box at least three times. He didn’t know how he should feel, but he knew he needed the beer. He chugged the whole bottle and sat back on the couch just staring at the ring.

  “Okay. Hmmm — is this an — it’s a ring?” he clarified as he pointed inside the box.

  “An engagement ring,” I finished the rest of my beer.

  “For my daughter?”

  I nodded.

  “So this is an engagement ring . . . for my daughter, Penelope,” he hummed nervously. “What does this mean . . .”

  “Last time I checked, an engagement ring means that you plan to marry the person you give it too,” I smirked.

  Brad chuckled nervously and picked up the ring, examining it carefully to see if it was even worthy of his little girl. He smacked his lips and placed it back in the box.

  “You asked me about my intentions, and I think that box says it all. Listen, Brad, I’m sorry you had to find out about us from Tiffany, but I do really love Penny.”

  “Why her?” Brad’s voice seemed conflicted with happiness and confusion.

  I shook my head and smiled, “It just happened. She’s the one.”

  “So, you weren’t just fucking her for your visit?”

  “No.”

  Brad let out a relieved sigh, “Are you sure? I mean because I swear to God if you’re lying to me . . .” he shook his head, putting on an intimidating face.

  “That ring his non-refundable and it cost me $50,000. I don’t think I am lying to you.”

  Brad eyes widen on the box and blinked slowly at me as if he thought he heard the number wrong. He bit the inside of his cheek and handed me the box with care as if it shouldn't even be in his presence.r />
  “Fuck. This is real?” he let out a blissful laugh. “You actually love my daughter. You are in love with my little Penelope,” he started to realize that this wasn't just a joke. “But don’t you think it’s kind of early to ask her to marry you. I mean for fucks sake it’s only been a month.”

  “True, that’s why I was going to hold off until I have to leave at the end of May. The ring was mostly for you right now, so I can convince you that I am not joking. You’ve always been a ‘show me don't tell me’ kind of guy.”

  Brad started to chuckle, “You’re going to be my mother fucking son-in-law.”

  We both started cracking up at the idea of us being related.

  “So, do I have your permission? To marry your daughter?”

  Brad continued to laugh throughout his sentence, “I never thought I would ever hear those words from you.”

  “And I never thought I would hear what are your intentions with my daughter,” I chuckled with him.

  The laughter quieted down as Brad let out a heavy sigh, “I think now would be the best time to tell you that I quit my job.”

  “Whoa . . . was this because of the promotion?”

  He nodded, “I kind of want to leave everything behind and move somewhere where I start over again and find a job.”

  “You’re moving. When? Where?”

  “I don’t know. I mean I still have to talk to Penny about it.”

  I chuckled, “So I guess this is the best time to bring up at I asked Penny to move in with me.”

  Brad’s eyes arched and looked at me with a curious glare.

  “Since she was curious about the interior designer jobs at my firm, I thought it would be a good idea to bring her in. I told her if she wants to become a designer I will pay for her tuition, but only if she moves in with me. In Miami.”

  Brad blinked slowly at me, “Did she agree?”

  I shook my head.

  Brad let out a puff of air. “Is it bad that I am not going to fight you in this because all I’m thinking about is how much money I would save,” he burst out laughing, and I couldn’t help but join in.