Page 114 of Relapse

Big whoops on my part.

“You pull that car over right now.”

I was stunned. How the hell did Damian even know I was currently driving?

“Pull over,” he snarled into the phone.

The entire cabin of occupants were dead silent as I pulled into a nearby water plant directly off the access road. I put the car in park.

“Okay. I’m parked.”

“Why the hell are you speeding in my car?”

My cheeks reddened. “I-I wasn’t, I—”

“I should make you drive that car home right this instant. What in the hell makes you think you can go over 120mph in any motor vehicle, let alone mine?”

Alex cringed beside me.

“How did you—”

“You think I’m an idiot? Here, let’s see…Life360 says your top speed was 126mph two minutes ago. You want to tell me why the fuck you did that? Why are you being so damn reckless right now?”

I grit my teeth. Of course, I should’ve known Damian would be tracking me somehow. Another one of his stupid little “parent in training” apps.

“Did you seriously put that shit on my phone?”

“My phone, you mean? You don’t pay for the service, I do. And you bet your ass I did.”

I stewed. This was fucking embarrassing. But I knew he was right to be pissed. I would be too, if it were my car.

“I just wanted to show Alex the car,” I said softly, trying to fix the problem I caused.

“Is he in there with you?”

My eyes cut to the side. Alex was sweating. “Yes, sir,” he answered quietly.

There was an audible sigh from the other end of the line. “Listen, Noah, I was your age once…”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Here we go again.

“...I know what it’s like to want to have a little fun with your boys. But you’ve got to be more careful. Driving that fast just isn’t acceptable.”

Alex was nodding his head as though Damian were lecturing right in front of us.

“I know,” I answered to pacify him. “I’m sorry.”

There was silence on the line for a moment or two.

“Okay, Noah. Please take Alex back home. You can drive my car to the party for Delane and back—that is all, do you understand?”

I took in a breath because now Damian was out there preaching my business as well. Alex grinned beside me, shaking me by the shoulder and giving me a silent thumbs up after hearing it. My bigger concern was Serenity. I glanced up through the rear view mirror at her in the back seat, wondering if she had caught Damian’s comment. She was looking down, cell phone in hand, scrolling. I hoped she hadn’t been paying attention. If she had known about me and Silas…did she also know about Delane too?

“Yes, I understand. I won’t do that again.”

“I’ll make sure of it, sir!” Alex added with emphasis. Fucking kiss ass. This time, I did roll my eyes.

“Okay, talk to you later Noah. Don’t take that car above 50 or I’ll be meeting up with you in person.”