Rebel Roused (Untamed #5) by Jinsey Reese, Victoria Green Page A

like that. Not again. Not anymore.
    I swallowed the longing, shut out the thirst, and made a mental note to call my sponsor after my parents left.
    One moment at a time, I reminded myself. I would get back to where I’d been.
    I’d done it once, I’d do it again.
    My father cleared his throat. “Before I head up to Albany in January, I was hoping we could settle things with you.”
    Frowning, I said, “Settle things?”
    “Harvard.” I opened my mouth to tell him exactly where he could stick law school, but he held up his hands. “Just listen to me for a moment. I underestimated you, I admit it.”
    “Yes, you did.”
    “And I will not make that mistake a second time.” He leaned forward, rested his elbows on his knees. “I want you on my team, Reagan. I need a brilliant mind like yours working for me…challenging me.” He sighed. “I have surrounded myself with people who tell me what I want to hear. I need someone who will tell me when I’m wrong. Like you.” I began shaking my head, but he held up a hand to stop me again. “The spot is still yours at Harvard. It is being held just for you. What do I need to do to get you to agree to go? That is all I want to know. I will do whatever it is so we can have this situation wrapped up before I take office.”
    “I’m not going to law school, Father. Not now, not ever.”
    “Reagan, be reasonable—”
    “No, you’re not listening to me. You’ve never listened.” I stood up and started pacing the room, my eyes glued to my father’s deep blue ones. “Look, as twisted as it is, I appreciate the offer. But I’m NOT interested. I don’t want to be a lawyer. I’ve been telling you that for years. And for years you’ve refused to hear me. Maybe you didn’t believe me, or maybe you just didn’t care.” I pointed at him. “I’d put money on the latter. Because everything you do, every plan you make, is only for your benefit. You have never once treated my life like it belongs to me.” I stopped walking and stared at him. “But it is mine . JUST mine.”
    “But you’re wasting your—”
    “I’m not wasting a fucking thing!”
    “Reagan, I will not sit here and listen to you talk to your father like that.”
    I waved toward the door. “You’re welcome to go stand outside and wait until I’m done, Mother.”
    She clutched her pearls, glanced at the door, but didn’t make a move to leave.
    “I’m finally doing something I love,” I said to my father. “And I’d think you, of all people, should understand that. Yeah, it’s not something you love—I get that. I also know that you’re never going to understand why I love it. That’s fine. You don’t have to. But it would be nice if you simply acknowledged my passion and supported me for once in your life. I love art. I live and breathe art. I have an incredible eye for talent, and I’ve been gathering contacts in the art world to be able to sell people’s art. I’m working toward owning my own gallery someday.”
    My parents sat perfectly still, sporting matching shocked expressions. My hands were shaking, my heart pounding. I’d never been so open with them about my passion. I nervously twirled the ring Dare had given me, suddenly realizing that they didn’t know about that either.
    I held up my left hand. “And I’m going to marry Dare.”
    I shouldn’t have been surprised by their horrified gasps, but I was startled. And hurt. Why couldn’t they see him the way I saw him?
    My mother sprung to her feet, bright red lips thinned into a hard line, polished fingers flexing for a martini glass.
    “Sorry, Mother. I don’t have any Xanax or gin to offer you to help soften the blow.”
    “That’s enough, Reagan.” My father stood and grasped her hand in his. “I am sure you can imagine how this hurts us.”
    “How what hurts you?”
    “The fact that our daughter is marrying so far beneath her.” There were tears in my mother’s eyes. Actual. Fucking. Tears.
    “I don’t know