My Soul to Keep - By Sean Hayden Page 0,64

okay. Get in here. Your sister told us what happened at the dance.”

She threw her arms around me and yanked me inside. I looked at the couch and Dad was holding a very red nosed, crying Caelyn. I almost did a double take. When did she get emotions. Other than hate. And snottyness.

“I’m fine. Why were you guys worried?”

“Because you ran after that thing, you moron!”

I nearly fainted. Caelyn was worried? About me?

“Uh, I just ran to see what it was…I wasn’t going to fight it. I swear. I’m not stupid.”

“If you ran out of the safe gymnasium, I’m going to have to agree with your sister, Connor. That was monumentally stupid.”

I looked at my father in shock. He rarely called his kids stupid. He must have been pissed. “Sorry, Dad. It won’t happen again.”

“You’re right. You’re grounded.”

I almost started stamping my feet. I don’t need this right now. “Dad–“

“Don’t ‘Dad’ me. I mean it, Connor. You could have been killed. Your sister and mother have been worried sick. I’ve been worried sick. You’re done,” he said and stood up. He crossed his arms which told me the discussion was over.

Or was it?

My rents really liked Jess. I knew I could play the blind card. Especially if I explained it would only be for our date at the park tomorrow. “Dad, Jess and I–

“Have all the time in the world to spend together. This isn’t open for discussion. I’m sure Jessie would agree with me. This is for your own good. How else are you supposed to learn from your mistakes if you don’t have time to reflect upon them?”

Oh, no, he didn’t. He went there.

“I promise I’ll think about it at the park tomorrow–"

“End. Of. Discussion. You’re in your room for the night. Don’t even think about turning the PlayStation on. Tomorrow you’re helping me clean the garage and the cars.”

I growled in frustration. My parents looked at me funny. I opened my eyes really wide. I really did growl. Oops. The growl made me realize one thing. I was one of the Fallen. I had a few tricks up my sleeve. I didn’t look my father in the eye. I stared at his forehead. “Dad, I’ve learned my lesson. I promise I won’t do anything stupid again as long as I live.”

“If you’re sure, I’m good with that.”

“What?” My sister sounded outraged.

“What?” My mother sounded confused.

Dad just smiled like a kid who got a puppy at Christmas.

“Thanks, Dad. Boy, I sure learned my lesson.”

“Good. Hey, you wanna go shoot some hoops?”

“Not tonight, Dad. I’ll catch you tomorrow night though, okay?”

“Sure, son!” He sat down on the couch next to my sister. She looked like she wanted to slap the stupid out of him.

I gave her a poop eatin’ grin.

Mom looked like she was going to give birth to kittens. “Oh, no you don’t, mister! You march your butt upstairs right this minute! And you,” she spun on my dad, “what happened to ‘I’m going to kick his butt?’”

This was going to get ugly, real quick. “Mom, I–“

“Connor, room!” She gave me “the look” over her shoulder. I couldn’t let her kill Dad. I needed him. For allowance.

I looked straight at her. “Mom, I really did learn my lesson. I promise nothing like that will ever happen again.” I saw the emotions fighting on her face. “I promise,” I said again and watched her relax. She sat down on the other couch and smiled.

“Well, I’m convinced. I made some cookies. They’re in the kitchen if you want one.”

“Thanks, Mom!” I turned to do just that, when my sister started yelling.

“O-M-G, W-T-F? This is sooo not happening. He screwed up! You were both set to ground him until he turned thirty!”

“Caelyn Alyse. I don’t think I care for your tone, and quit talking in text,” Dad said and crossed his arms.

I laughed all the way to the kitchen.

Chapter 26

“Push me higher!”

I laughed at Jessie. “If I push you any higher, you’re going to fly off!”

“I don’t care! Right now I feel like I could fly,” she called back over her shoulder.

“But if I’m behind you, I can’t catch you,” I said quickly as she flew back for another push.

I watched her kick her legs up as she reached the top of her swing and as she came down she dragged them along the ground. I grabbed the chains, figuring she wanted off.

“Thanks,” she said.

She stood and waited for me to come around the swing. I took her hand and she