The text messages kept rolling in from Kendall. One after the other without giving me a chance to reply.

I let out a heavy sigh.

I hate it when he’s right. I need to talk to my dad. I promised Kendall that I would do it before the weekend and right now seems like the best time. He didn't have to work late today and he is in the living room watching the basketball game with Cedric. From the sound of it, it sounds like his team is winning.

I got another text from Kendall

I placed down my phone on the bed and headed toward the door. I took a deep breath before I stepped out of my room.

“Hey, Pen. You wanna watch the game?” my dad asked.

“Yeah, sure,” I lied and sat down on the chair. I brought my knees to my chest and hugged my legs. Cedric was looking at me with his ice-cold eyes and warm smile.

I can’t believe I am not a virgin anymore.  

My cheeks burned up as I smiled back faintly. I looked over to my dad who was sitting next to Cedric, completely involved in the game. I watched the game but I had no idea what was going on. I never really liked basketball.

“So, is your team winning?” I asked, trying to make small talk before I had to ask the important question.

“Hell, yea!” my dad roared.

“We’re actually dominating,” Cedric followed up.

“So, do you like basketball?” I asked Cedric.

“Yeah, I used to play for fun back in the day. I was okay.”

My dad glared at Cedric and shook his head. “He wasn’t just okay, he was good enough to be on the varsity team.”

“So, why didn’t you go varsity?”

Cedric shrugged his shoulder, “Wasn't my thing. I want to play for fun, not listen to some old guy yelling plays.”

My dad rolled his eyes and shook his head. “I should have been your dad. I got Penny to try out for the gymnastic team when I saw her doing handstands around the house for fun.”

Cedric arched one of his eyebrows and bit his lip. His glare made me want to jump over to him and rip his clothes off.

“Yeah, but I also liked gymnastics and it doesn’t hurt that I am competitive,” I chuckled.

“You seem like you’re in a good mood,” my dad looked at me trying to figure out why I was so happy.

Oh, yeah, it's because I lost my virginity and had the best orgasm(s) of my life. Oh, and by the way, your old roommate from college was the one that fucked my brains out.

“I found out my history class final has no essay portion. It’s all multiple choice,” I told him another reason I was happy, so I didn’t technically lie.

“Well, that's good to hear,” my dad went back to the TV.

We all sat in silence while the game was on. I caught Cedric looking my way a few times, eyeing me up and down as though he was ready for round two.

I watched the TV screen, my heart racing faster and faster. I knew there was a commercial coming soon and I was dreading every second of it. I have to get this over with.

Before I even knew it a commercial for nacho chips came onto the screen.  

This was it. It was now or never, Penelope.

“Hey, dad!” a shout came out of my mouth as though I had no control of my voice or the volume of it. “Umm, I need to ask you something.”

Cedric and Dad were both looking my way with a beer in their hands. We sat in silence for a few seconds, a few awkward seconds. My heart was racing. I should have talked to my dad in private, but I couldn't wait any longer. Maybe Cedric will take my side since he knows Kendall is not a threat.

“Okay . . .” Dad was starting to get nervous.

“Ummmm . . . well you know how I have midterms next week and then Spring Break right afterwards?”

My dad nodded as Cedric’s eyes narrowed in on me. They were both trying to figure out where I was going with this.

“Well, anyway,” I coughed to clear my throat. “Kendall and I have been talking since November about taking a road trip to Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. He only has a few days off from work, so we would leave next Friday, after my midterm, and come back on Wednesday. We would be gone for five nights.”

Both of their mouths dropped open like I had just given them the worst news in the world.

“NOOOOOO! NO! NO! NO! NO!” my dad slammed his beer down on the table as I watched a few drops of liquid shoot up from the opening and land on the table.

“Fuck NO. HELL NO. NO. NO!” Cedric shook his head, a few strands of his hair breaking free from his bun.

They both howled over each other.

Oh. My. God. This was so much worse than I expected it to be. Even Cedric was overreacting.

The ‘NO’s’ started to slow down, but there were still some here and there. I felt like this is how it would be to have two Dads. There seems to be no reasoning happening here. The ‘NO’s’ finally ended, but now I was faced with two pairs of eyes. One dark brown, the other ice blue, glaring me down.

I coughed to clear my throat for the question, “Why, not?”

“Because you want to go with Kendall. I DON’T trust him,” my dad replied in a powerful voice.

“You trusted him when he used to babysit me?”

He started to puff and huff like he couldn’t believe I brought up that statement.

“That was BEFORE I caught you two kissing in your room, with your door closed!” he pointed at me.

“You’re overreacting. It was just one kiss. A peck to be more specific.”

“THE DOOR WAS CLOSED!” he shook his finger at me.

I took a deep breath and controlled my anger. I felt like I was talking to a broken record.

“I agree, I think it is a horrible idea. I don't trust Kendall either,” Cedric backed up my father.

“SEE!!!” my dad looked at Cedric with a smile then back at me with a stern face. “If Cedric doesn't trust him, then I am not crazy to think the same thing. So, fuck it. End of conversation.”

I looked at them both with an emotionless face. I can’t believe Cedric didn't back me up. He knows that Kendall is not a threat. If there was anybody my dad shouldn't trust, it should be Cedric.

I took another deep breath, “I am eighteen years old and I would like to go on vacation with an old friend on Spring Break. Is that so much to ask?”

“End. Of. Conversation.” My dad’s voice boomed as it broke all my hopes for this vacation.

I hugged my legs tightly and mindlessly watched a commercial for bathroom cleaning products. I felt so hopeless and weak. It’s not like I can go on this vacation without his permission. The guilt would eat me up from the inside and kill me. I looked over at Cedric, who was watching me with his sad eyes.

Cedric swallowed his chip and cleared his throat, “I have an idea.” He took a sip of his beer making a few seconds turn into what felt like hours.

Cedric looked at me and then went over to my dad. “You know how I told you I have to stay an extra two weeks?” my dad nodded.

Wait, Cedric was going to stay an additional two weeks?

I felt my heart burst with happiness.

Fuck! No! Remember you said you wouldn't get attached, Penelope!

“And you know how I told you I had to go back to Florida for a few days to figure out something for work?” my dad nodded again. “Why don’t I take Penelope and Kendall with me?”

“What?” I faintly whispered.

My dad scratched his cheek and grunted at this idea. He didn't seem to hate it.

“My apartment is right on Miami Beach and I have two bedrooms. I can sleep in my bed, Penny can sleep in the guest bedroom and I’ll just toss Kendall on the couch.”

My dad looked over to me and then back to Cedric, contemplating this new plan.

“They won’t ever be alone and I can keep you updated,” Cedric pointed out things my dad would like.

Dad looked at us both again. This idea was growing on him.

“I’m not playing for the flights,” my dad stated.

“That’s fine,” Cedric chuckled.

I brought my legs down excited about this new better plan. “I can use the money I was going to use for gas and the hotel to pay for the plane ticket,” I said trying to hide my excitement.

Cedric scoffed,“That won't be necessary. I have enough miles to pay for all three tickets.”

My dad slouched on the couch and scratched the silver hair on the side of his head. He looked happier about the idea, probably because he trusted Cedric WAY more then he would ever trust Kendall.

“Two bedrooms? And a couch for Kendall?”

“Yeah,” Cedric nodded.

“How long would you stay?”

“Five nights, like the original trip.”

There was another long pause as my dad scratched his head. I could tell Cedric was just as antsy as I was while we waited for the final answer.

“Okay,” my dad shrugged. “I mean — yeah. Okay.”

“Really?” I asked.

Cedric took a sip of his beer with a smile.

“Yeah. I mean, I trust Cedric, and I know no funny business will happen if he’s around,”

Cedric choked on his beer. “Sorry,” he coughed with a smile. “Wrong pipe,” he lied.

“Okay,” I got up from my chair and backed into my room. “Okay,” I nodded with happiness.

I pushed my door shut

Was this REALLY happening? OMG. Do I really get to go to Florida AND spend time with Cedric? OH MY GOD.