Chapter 66: Scott's Side

-Scott's Pov-

By the time I got to the front door, Molly was already at the back door of their house. She didn't even look back as she swung the door open and disappeared inside.
Slamming my fist on the door frame, I shoved away from it and hurried to my room to grab my shoes.
Like hell was I going to let her run away from those words this time. I had been kind and patient with the last few times she had accidentally said it when she wasn't fully conscious. I was NOT going to let it go again.
I ran toward the house, my mind set on one thing. Sitting my rabbit of a sub down and having a long overdue conversation.
"Scott?!" a voice called from the front walkway.
I skidded to a stop just before the stairwell and realized in my haste that I hadn't noticed that the lights were back on.
"Hey, Dad," I replied, trying to act like they hadn't just caught me storming through the house like a crazy man. "I didn't realize you guys were home."
My dad narrowed his eyes at me. "I guess that explains why you are running around the house in your underwear."
I looked down, worried that I had actually been in my underwear. But just as I had thought, I was wearing my dark blue pajama pants. Of course, I'd forgotten my shirt, which made sense as to why my father would see this outfit as his underwear.
"Yeah... well... I just remembered something... in the office, and I needed to grab it for work tomorrow," I replied, hoping that my answer was excuse enough.
"Oh! Well, don't let us stop you, dear," Willimina said as she waved me off. "We were just heading up to bed."
Damn it! I thought in frustration. There was no way Molly and I would be able to have this sort of conversation with THEM in the next room. Molly was upset, and she wasn't about to be calmed easily. This might involve some rope... and knots.
An eager, wicked smirk crossed my face as I imagined how amazing Molly would look, beautifully wrapped up in my ropes and tied up so perfectly that she couldn't move. Then she would listen to me and answer my questions finally!
"What's so funny?" Paul demanded gruffly.
The smile melted off my face, and I shook my head. "Nothing. I'll just head back to bed," I excused myself quickly as I headed toward the back door.
"Weren't you getting something from the office?" Paul asked.
Immediately pausing, I turned back and gave a weak smile. "Oh yes... forgot. Good night"!
"Scott, wait. I'll come with you. There's something I wanted to talk to you about anyway," my father said, then turned to Willimina to wish her a good night.
I bit back a curse but followed my father toward the office.
"I have a job for you, Scott," Paul stated as soon as they were alone.
"In case you haven't noticed, I already have a job," I said with a chuckle.
"Don't be a smartass, Scott," Paul snapped at me.
I reeled back. "What the hell is wrong with you? I was just joking around!"
"It's late, Scott. I don't have time to play around. So I need you to listen up. I need you to head to California for a little bit to help out at the West Coast division," Paul said.
"Dad, I'm sure we can find someone to head over there. I really don't need to go," I insisted.
"Yes, you do. Things have been kinda shaky out there for a bit, and I think seeing the face of management around there would be a good idea. Plus, I am telling you to go out there. As your boss, you need to go. You will be leaving first thing in the morning. So get to bed," Paul stated firmly.
There was that tone again. It was the same tone my father would use on me as a child that said very clearly that the conversation was over and I had already lost.
But that wasn't going to happen. I was not going to head off to BFE while the conversation between Molly and I was still hanging over our heads.
"Dad... I will head down there. But I need to wait until next week. Okay?" I told him, trying to sound reasonable.
My dad slammed his hand on the desk. "Damn it, Scott! This is in your best interest! I know you may not think so now, but I am telling you the truth. You need to head to California for a few weeks. Do not argue with me. Stop telling me otherwise, and just get your shit together and go! Do I make myself clear?!"
I ground my teeth hard. I was so tired of my father dismissing me and what I was saying. "No! I will not do it! I told you that I'd go next week, and that's that!"
"Scott, if you don't go, your ass is fired! Do you understand me?!" Paul shouted.
Shock rippled through me as I stared at my father. Was he really going to threaten me like that just because I didn't want to leave tomorrow? This job was not the end all, be all. But I needed the experience and contacts if I was going to start my own company. Paul was supposed to help me do it when the time came. If he fired me, that was something that wouldn't happen.
"Fine," I snarled at him. "But when I come back, you and I need to discuss my contributions here. I'm tired of you sending me wherever and whenever you want to.
This will be the last time."
My father's eyes narrowed, but he gave a stiff nod as if he was agreeing with me.
"I'll have your ticket ready when you are in the morning," he stated.
I gave a low growl and turned on my heel, stalking out of the room, still cursing my father in my head as I moved back to my little guest house.
Before I headed to bed, I grabbed my phone and sent Molly a text message with a very simple explanation.
-Gotta head out of town for work. I'll see you when I get back. Be ready to talk.-
Instantly, I got a message back telling me exactly what I could do to myself in very graphic detail. This whole thing was screwed all to hell, and I wasn't sure exactly how to fix it.
But when I got back, things were going to be different. I was not going to let my dad run me around like that anymore.
But that was just the tip of the iceberg. Molly had finally managed to admit that she loved me, and I didn't want to let that go. I wanted to hear it more, often, forever.
Oh, god. I wanted to say it back.
Despite how angry and frustrated I was, a smile crossed my face, and it soon turned into a burst of laughter that seemed to bubble up from the bottom of my soul.
I was in love with Molly Harper.

******Dear Readers:
I am sorry for taking so long to get this out. You all deserve an update about what is going on.
I am going to have to step away from writing for a little bit due to some mental health issues. I was hoping it wouldn't come to this, but sometimes a person just needs to take a step back and care for themselves.
So that is what I'm going to do. I'm going to take a step back for a little while and do what I need to so I can get back to doing what I love.
I hope you all understand and forgive my absence. I will be back as soon as I am able. This story is not ending yet! I WILL be back!
All my love,
Leann******