Read Online Eternal Heat (Firework Girls #3) by J. L. White - Free Book Online

dad had walked in ten minutes ago. My mind fumbles around trying to get a grasp on things. I vaguely wonder if it’s past dinner time or something, but it’s still light out and I know it’s maybe only five o’clock. I’ve been seeing Erik for almost two months now and his dad has never been home this early.
    “This is my friend, Ashley,” Erik says in the same calm voice.
    I smile and offer a weak, “Hello.”
    Erik’s dad is still frowning at us.
    “She’s a piano student too,” Erik says. “We’re just practicing.”
    His dad offers a stiff, formal “Hello” that has ‘prosecuting attorney’ written all over it. He’s not frowning any more but he doesn’t exactly look friendly either. He comes into the living room and sits down on the big, fluffy armchair, still scrutinizing me. He pulls one ankle onto his opposite knee and settles into a position of authority. His dress shoe is a hard leather and shiny. And expensive looking. I’m in old jeans and a tee shirt. “Do you go to the Academy, Ashley?”
    “No,” I say too soft.
    “What’s that?” he says. Man alive, this guy has an intimidating voice.
    “She goes to the high school, Dad,” Erik says.
    Mr. Williams looks at Erik. “How’d you meet?”
    “She lives in the area,” Erik says vaguely, but this only brings Mr. Williams’ gaze back to me.
    “In Stonehaven?” he asks.
    I find my voice then. I refuse to be ashamed of where I live. “No, in Brookside,” I say strongly.
    “We met on the Greenbelt,” Erik says, “and found out we both play. We’ve been practicing together some.”
    Mr. Williams looks at Erik. He seems composed, but I see a sharpness in his eyes.
    “Just a few times,” Erik adds.
    “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Ashley,” he says, though it hasn’t felt nice at all, “but it’s probably time to get on home.”
    “Okay,” I say, getting off the bench and avoiding his eyes. I go to the couch to get my bag and feel like I’m intruding on his space even more. I slip on my Keds as unobtrusively as possible.
    “I’ll walk you out,” Erik says and I give him a grateful look.
    “She can see herself out,” his dad says authoritatively. “You need to go up and change for the banquet. Your mother will be home any minute and she’ll expect you to be ready to go.”
    There’s a dawning look on Erik’s face and I realize he remembers now why his dad is home. He gives me an apologetic look and heads for the stairs.
    “Nice to meet you,” I say to Erik’s dad as I leave, but he doesn’t reply. It’s possible I said it too softly for him to hear. It’s also possible he heard me just fine.
    I step onto Erik’s back patio and cross his yard, feeling like I’m sneaking away from the scene of a crime. By the time I get to the Greenbelt, my hands are shaking. I hustle along, my legs feeling weak.
    Well that was fun. God.
    My phone dings and I pull it out to see a text from Erik: I’m so sorry.
    I stop on the Greenbelt and take a deep breath. I text him back: I don’t think he likes me.
    Erik: That’s just how he is. Don’t take it personally.
    I take another deep breath. A jogger is coming down the path so I step to the side to make room. I’m not shaking any more, but I’m really not sure what to think about what just happened.
    Erik again: Really. I told you before, he comes across hard at first.
    Even after everything Erik’s told me about his dad, I’m still a little stunned. I mean, I know his parents aren’t exactly the warm and fuzzy type, but still. My parents would never be so rude to someone in their home.
    Then again...
    I think about how my dad might react if he came home to find me with a strange boy, never mind if he found us doing something indiscreet. I don’t know that politeness would necessarily be my dad’s first priority.
    Maybe I shouldn’t judge Erik’s dad too harshly.
    Me: Okay.
    Erik: That’s my dad. It’s not me.
    Me: So says Michael Corleone .
    Erik: Who?
    Me: