Chapter 68 Rose
I grind my teeth in frustration and hit a button on my steering wheel. "Call Rose," I announce, focusing on the long ribbon of road ahead of me, wishing I was bringing Josie home with me instead of going back home to an 'empty' house. I still have a couple housekeepers and a chef. I also have a gardener. Not a large staff. Just enough to keep my house running.
"Calling Rose," responds my monotone Bluetooth.
Mom picks up on the first ring.
"MOM! WHY THE HELL IS DEAN FOLLOWING ME AND WHY THE HELL IS HE KEEPING ME AWAY FROM JOSIE?" I demand, not even greeting her first. I'm pissed off and if anyone has answers it would be her, and she better start talking! "I'M 25 DAMN YEARS OLD, NOT 5! I AM CAPABLE OF MAKING MY OWN DAMN CHOICES!"
There is silence on the other end. "Ricky? What's going on?" she asks calmly. Too calmly. Does she know what's going on? "And would you mind terribly not yelling at me?" she huffs with frustration.
"Don't give me that bullshit! Why is Dean bound and determined to keep me away from Josie Turner?" I restate. "I know you know Mom. So tell me! What the hell is going on with him. I swear if you don't tell me now, I'm cutting you guys off!"
I hear her swallow hard. "Ricky, she's... not good for you," she says vaguely. "She's just a little flower shop worker. She'll never be anything because she won't serve to lift your image."
"And just how the hell would you know that? And who the hell gave you guys the right to decide from me?" I demand. "Maybe I like the fact that she works in a little flower shop! What if she decides to quit and just go back to school so she could get a better job? Or what if she just wants to be my wife?" I rant, so pissed off that they are judging her because of her circumstances! She can't change that... not without ditching her younger sisters, and I know Josie. She would bleed before that ever happened.
"Baby... there are things you don't know about her. I can't explain. Just know, she will only get you into trouble! Your father is only trying to keep you safe..." Rose rambled like I would believe the dribble she just spewed. Spoiler alert. I don't.
"Mom, I'm marrying her!" I state plan as day. Let's see how she takes that, because I know she knows nothing will stop me from getting what I want. Dad taught me that.
"WHAT? NO! RICHARD DANIEL KINGSTON! I FORBID YOU TO DO SOMETHING STUPID LIKE THAT!" she snarls. Now she's sounding just like my father. Well, too bad for her.
I smirk. Yep. She knows something. She's even in on it. I have no idea what they are keeping from me, but eventually every dirty little secret comes to light. I'll just have to do a little more digging.
"Weren't you and Everly friends?" I demand, remembering Mom and Josie's hanging out together like they were besties. I wonder what Everly would think about all of this. I wish she was around to tell me herself. I feel so damn guilty she's not, and it's not even my fault!
"Well, sure... But I don't see how that-" I don't even bother letting her continue on with her pathetic lies. I've got better things to do.
"It matters because I'm in love with Josie. And I don't give a damn what scam you and Dad have going on. I'm marrying her before Christmas, and if you can't accept it, I'm cutting you off. No the other way around!"
"Ricky?" she asks breathlessly. "You would't do that to us! We are your parents. You owe us that money! You wouldn't be where you are without us! We've only done what is best for you!" she whined.
Of course all she wants is my money. They don't care about me! Mom and Dad would be broke if I didn't give them a monthly allowance. Dad had gone to jail one too many times and had to pay too many restitutions. Their once great fortune was reduced down to nothing! And it's all his fault.
"No. You haven't. You've only manipulated me into being miserable! Now you can either calm Dad down and get him to see reason, or don't. Either way, I'm not letting him around my girl ever again. If I see him or you sneaking around, I'm getting a restraining order and having you put away for stalking," I growl.
"Is she really worth all this?" Mom demands. "She's just a little girl, Ricky! No one could be worth the effort you are putting into disobeying your father and I!"
"More. I've been in love with her for years and Dad kept her from me. Now I'm getting what should've been mine in the first place!" I made my last statement to the woman who gave birth to me, but her brain has been too tainted to see the truth.
And then I hang up. I don't want to deal with her bitching to me.