Page 16 of Unwrapped

I zip up my pants and straighten my sweater. I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror on my way downstairs. My cheeks are flushed and my hair’s a mess. This is fucking embarrassing.

But I’m nineteen years old. I haven’t committed a crime, and I’m not going to feel like a naughty teenager waiting to be grounded. I’m in college. I’m a grown-up.

I straighten my shoulders and head downstairs.

Vince is sitting at the kitchen island, his jacket off, his shirtsleeves rolled up. He’s looking at something on his phone, but he sets it aside when I come in.

“Sit down, Sophie.”

Oh, we’re doing this.

“I’d rather stand, thanks.”

He looks at me for a moment, then nods toward the empty stool. “Sit.”

I sit. Mostly because I want to get this over with.

“You want to explain why I came home to find Tyler in your bedroom?”

“Because I invited him over.”

“I gathered that.”

“Then I’m not sure what you want me to explain.”

His eyes narrow slightly. “Careful.”

It’s one word, spoken so quietly it’s scary. I almost wish he’d shouted.

“Careful about what? Having a boyfriend? Because last I checked, that didn’t require your permission.”

“You’re missing the point.”

“Then enlighten me.”

He sits back, studying me. “You invited someone into my house without telling me, you were drinking, and I walked into your bedroom to find you two⁠—”

He stops. For the first time since I came downstairs, he looks away. Oh, God. He can’t even say it.

I wish I could sink through the floor.

“Look,” I say, “I know that was embarrassing. Believe me. But you could’ve knocked.”

His gaze comes straight back to mine. “You think the problem here is that I didn’t knock?”

“I think it’s certainly one of them.”

He gestures toward the counter, where there are four empty beer bottles lined up beside the sink. “Neither of you is old enough to drink.”

“I had two beers!”

“Watch how you speak to me, Sophie.”

I fold my arms. “Then stop talking to me like I’m twelve.”

“You live in my house. I don’t think expecting a little consideration is unreasonable.”

“Consideration? Vince, you walked straight into my bedroom and threw out someone I’ve known for years. You didn’t even knock!” My voice comes out louder than I intended.