Lust After Me (Reverse Harem)

Hailey POV

"You know you can call us anytime you want or

if you need anything?" My dad asks me while he drives.

I roll my eyes as I look out the window, but I nod along. He's so busy, both my parents are, so I seriously doubt his words.

I've had to raise myself for as long as I can remember. My parents are both very successful and all though they aren't horrible people we don't have any sort of close relationship. They have always provided for me as best they could but they work so much that I've had to raise myself. My own mother couldn't be here for my first day of college because she had a meeting with an important client.

So going to college shouldn't be any different than what I've been doing.

I'm officially an adult and I can't wait to get my life started. I already have everything mapped out, from all the classes I'll need to take for the next couple of years to the jobs I can do in the summers if the need arises.

I'm not naive, I know there will be bumps in the road but as long as I keep my eyes on the road everything should be fine.

We remain in silence for the rest of the ride. While I don't feel the need to say anything, I wish my dad would. I'm not sure what there is to be said to fill the void between us or if anything would make a difference in the end but I wish he would try, I wish they both would. It's a childish wish and a wish I've wished for all my life, you'd think I'd get over it.

Before long we pull up to Darkmore University. Butterfly wings take flight in my stomach as I look apon the gothic castle with it's dark allure.

Once we're parked close to the Eastside, where the girls dorms are located, I get ready to open the car door but stop as my father let's out a loud sigh, designed to get me attention. I look back at him to find him looking out the window to the college before us.

"It's been forever and yet feels like yesterday that I was here chasing your mother and killing myself trying to study." My father says with a look of longing on his face as he looks at the college he once called his.

He looks over at me and sighs again and says, "I know how excited you are to start doing your own thing, but I want you to stop once in awhile to enjoy it. Go to parties and have some fun and make some mistakes because that's also apart of growing up. Making mistakes and learning from it."

I press my lips together and nod along in agreement but I have no intention in doing anything of the sort. I don't have time for fun and I don't want to make friends or meet guys because all it will lead to is drama, so no thank you, I'll pass.

I just chalk it off to more bad parenting advice that he knows nothing about.

"I'm serious Hailey," He give me a stern look as he continues, "One second your a kid playing with friends, the next thing you know you're working you butt off in high school to get into the best college. Then you blink again and your in college working your butt off to get your dream job."

He looks over at the college again and all the students milling about before looking back at me.

"Once you get your dream job your working your butt off to prove yourself. You blink and your bringing home this bundle of joy that you just want to give the whole world too, so you find yourself working even harder just so you can provide for this new family your trying to build. Then the next thing you know your kid is going off to college doing the same exact things you did. No matter how much you try to blink

to go back to see where all the time went you can't, there is no going back no matter how much you want to.

I have so many regrets about working so hard for everything and not enjoying any of it. My biggest regret though is that we weren't there to watch you grow up even though we wanted you more than we wanted anything else in this life. We've only ever wanted what was best for you and that still hasn't changed. We are so proud of you and I still can't wait to see the woman you become."

He stops and looks back to University. His explanation and regrets still ringing through my head. It doesn't make up for the neglect and hurt I feel but it does help lessen the weight on my chest.

He looks back at me and continues, "So if you want to fly from the nest then fly but enjoy the wind in your wings, not just how far they can take you."

Before we both no what's happening I leap through the space between us and give him a hug. It's a bit awkward because we don't hug all that much if at all and to make matters worse we are still in the truck and we have the middle console between us.

It takes him a shocked second before he wraps his arms around me to hug me back. It's all I've ever really wanted from him, so I take a second to soak up the moment.

We break apart and my dad let's out another sigh rubbing his hands down his face and It's the first time I've actually seen him struggling with his own emotions.

I don't know how to handle this much emotions from him or myself. I clear my throat and my dad looks up at me and I point my thumb behind me.

"I should probably go get my bags." I say lamely.

"Of course, I'll come help you." My dad replies after clearing his own throat.

My mother and father are well known and have always tried to keep me out of the lime light for my own protection as much as my own assistance that I didn't want any part of it.

My dad is dressed in casual wear, at my assistance that I wanted to keep a low profile, which it feels alarming because I'm convinced he sleeps in his suits. He heads out the doors with all his confidence while I'm a bit more cautious as we head out of the car. I look around but luckily no one seems to recognize us and I let out a breath of relief.

We both get out of the truck and walk to the back and my dad starts unloading my four suitcases and one duffle bag. It's not much but it's a everything that's important to me.

I go to grab two of the suitcase handles but hesitate when my dad shakes his head no at me. I'm confused because surely he doesn't think he can carry all of these.

At my confused looks my father elaborates, "Boys will do anything for a pretty face, remember that fact." My father declares but I'm more confused than before.

What is he talking about?

Before I have a chance to ask he's hollering at a couple of guys to help us out.