Part 31

Justen's POV

I was woken up to the sound of Josh talking on a phone.

"Yeah," I heard Josh say.

He stayed silent as he listened to the other person on the phone.

"Okay," I heard Josh say before I opened my eyes.

"Hey," I said.

"Good morning," Josh smiled.

"Who were you talking to?" I asked.

"Your dad called you and since you were still sleeping, I answered the phone for you," Josh said.

"What did he want?" I asked.

"He wants you home," Josh said.

"Did you ask if your dad left?" I asked.

"No, but I figured that since your dad could call you, my dad left," Josh said.

"Why does he want me home?" I asked, not wanting to leave.

"I don't know," Josh said. "But we should probably get you home."

I groaned and sat up.

"Shall we?" Josh asked.

"Yeah, I guess," I said, beginning to fold the blanket.

Once Josh and I were done taking care of everything, we got into his truck. Neither of us said a word as Josh started his truck and started driving down the road.

When we arrived at my house, I saw my dad outside for once.

"Well, here we are," Josh said.

"Yup," I said.

"I'll see you tomorrow then?" Josh asked, referring to school.

I gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow at school," I said, about to get out of the truck.

That's when Josh pulled me back and kissed my lips. "You're such a tease," he said once we parted.

"But you like it," I said, winking at Josh before I got out of his truck.

Josh looked at me through his windshield and shook his head before he pulled out of the driveway and drove away.

"Justen," I heard my dad say. "We need to talk."

"About what?" I asked, turning around to face him.

That's when I realized that he looked different. My dad's hair didn't look greasy, his face was cleanly shaven, and for once he didn't smell of weed or marijuana.

"We need to talk about you and that boy," my dad said ever so calmly.

"What about him?" I asked.

"Well, as you know, Josh's father stopped by yesterday. He said that he didn't like how the two of you were spending so much time together," my dad said.

"What else did he say?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"He said I had to break you two up," my dad said.

"No," I said.

"Justen, please," my dad said.

"Dad, I just can't, okay?" I said. "I'd be lost without Josh."

"And, even though you don't think so, I'd be lost without you, Justen. Listen, Josh's father threatened to kill you if he saw you and Josh together," my dad said.

"He said he'd kill me?" I asked. "No way, that's a lie."

"Justen, please break up with Josh," my dad said. "I'm begging you."

"What is wrong with you?!" I asked, confused.

My dad only stared at me.

"You've cleaned yourself up, you're sober for once, and you actually care," I said. "I haven't seen you like this in years."

"We are not talking about me right now," my dad said.

"Fine," I said. "I'll break up with him, but that's not going to stop me from seeing him."

"Justen, please," my dad said.

"Do you seriously think someone threatening to kill me is going to pull me away from Josh?" I asked.

"Justen, if you don't break up with him I'll-" my dad started.

"You'll what?" I asked, cutting him off. "Go back to the way you were?"

"That is enough," my dad yelled, his anger getting the best of him.

He dragged me into the house which allowed me to see how clean it was. My dad then disappeared for a moment before returning with a belt.

"Break up with him or I'm going to break you," my dad said.

"It's not like you haven't beaten me before," I said.

The belt then slapped against my skin making me scream out in pain.

"What the hell is on that thing?!" I asked, holding my arm.

"Glass and thumbtacks," my dad said. "You like it?"

"No," I said.

"It's going to be your best friend until you break up with Josh," my dad said, striking me again.

"Well, it's no different than anything else you'd do," I said.

My dad smirked and continued hitting me with the belt. This is going to be a long and painful night.