Chapter Nine
I paced around, waiting to see his face. I'm not sure why, but I feel so lost when he's not around. All day, every day all I think about is him. His light laugh and his gorgeous blue eyes.

Why?

Nick and me weren't even 'official' to the world yet. We weren't official to anyone, really. Dad had just met him just today and Ethan had dinner with him once. And neither one of them were totally impressed by him.

Was what Ethan said right? Did I just like Nick because Dad has a rivalry with Chick? Was this just some sort of unplanned revenge?

"Stella." Nick softly called out, his figure barely visible in the night. The only thing that stuck out were those bright blue eyes. For some reason, they always stuck out to me.

"Hey." I smiled, placing a few kisses on his lips.

"Someone missed me." He teased, lightly chucking afterwards.

"I always miss you." I replied, cuddling into him.

"I miss you, too," he sighed, resting against me. A silence grew between us and I could almost hear Nick thinking. "I wish we didn't have to meet in circumstances like this."

"Same," I softly agreed. "I wish we could go out in public. I wish we didn't have to hide this."

"Why can't we?" He asked. I paused, furrowing my eyebrows at him.

"What?"

"Why can't we tell everyone we're together? What's stopping us?" He explained.

"Nick, you know we can't. Not yet." I quickly answered, shaking my head at him. Coming out to the world right now would be the worst mistake. There are still so many flaws in our relationship.

"No, I don't know. Why can't we be together in public like every other couple?" He slightly demanded, confusion and anger growing on his face.

"For one, there's our parents," I replied. "My parents aren't exactly in love with the idea of us being together. If they found out through the media or whatever, they would kill me and you."

"Speaking of the media, I just got out some huge scandal," I quickly added. "I don't exactly want to get into the spotlight this soon, especially about the idea of me dating you. Could you image the kinds of stuff they would say?"

"The stuff they would say?" Nick asked, his voice hard. He furrowed his eyebrows, nearly glaring at me. "Like what?"

"Like for one, our parents' rivalry. I want both our parents to actually like the idea of us dating each other. If they hate the idea, then that makes the situation ten times worse." I rambled. Why couldn't he see what I was explaining? Coming out with our relationship without our parents approval would be a disaster.

"How? How could it make it worse if we did it tonight or in the next ten years?"

"Could you imagine the controversy with a McQueen and a Hicks being together?" I nearly shouted. "Could you image the tabloids? Can't you see what they'd say?"

"I think I can," he grumbled, fuming in anger. "'Why is Stella McQueen with Nick Hicks? Is she trying to ruin her reputation?'"

"Exactly!" I exclaimed. Suddenly, my face dropped when I saw his.

"God, I knew it." He mumbled, hurt present in his voice.

"Nick, that's not-"

"You're just embarrassed to be seen with me," he said. "I thought you were different, Stella. I thought you didn't care what everyone say."

"Nick, I don't care what they'll say, I'm just worried about our parents. I'm worried about what'll happen if they don't back us up." I quickly defended, fear coursing through me. I couldn't lose him.

"That's what you say, Stella. That's what you've been telling me, but is that really it? Because I don't think it is. I think you're worried about being associated with me. You afraid of what'll happen to your family name the moment you tell them you're in love with the son of Chick Hicks!" He declared.

"Nick, I swear. I don't-" I stated as the bushes behind us shook. Before we could think about who or what it was, Mater jumped out.

His eyes darted back and forth between me and Nick. His jaw dropped as everything finally processed in his mind. "Miss Stella, why are you out here talking to Mr. Nicks Hicks?"

"Mater, it's not what it looks like. Nick-"

"I was just leaving." Nick quickly declared, his jaw tight. I turned towards him, feeling my tears pooling in my eyes.

"Nick, let me explain. I want to be seen with you. I want-" I cried as Mater grappled me, lifting me up. "Mater, put me down this instance!" I shouted, my emotions getting the best of me.

"Your daddy said I'm supposed ta take you back. He don't want you talkin' to no boys." Mater explained, slightly dragging me away.

"Nick, please." I begged, my tears trailing down my face as I was towed away. He stood still, watching me struggle and shout at Mater to let me go. I watched his blue eyes drift off and soon I couldn't even see his figure. He was gone.

xxx

"Mater, please. Don't tell Dad." I pleaded as he dragged me back to town. He didn't respond. He just kept driving.

I shouldn't expect him to accept my plead. I did shout some nasty words at him. I was just angry.

Angry that I let Nick think I was embarrassed of him.

Angry that Mater pulled me away during a fight.

Angry that no one would accept us.

xxx

Mater pulled up to the house, dropping me off outside. He knocked on the door, acting like I was some package in the mail. The door opened, showcasing Dad, someone who was going to get all of my hate.

I tightened my jaw and narrowed my eyes at him. "Found Miss Stella outside of town talkin' to Mr. Nicks Hicks. Dragged her right back ta ya." Mater briefly explained. Dad glanced down at me, then gave Mater a soft smile.

"Thank you, Mater. I appreciate your concern for Stella." He said.

"Just go easy on 'er. She's a little, uh, moody." Mater nodded before he rushed off. Once he was gone, Dad glared down at me.

I entered the house, not wanting the whole town to hear our inevitable fight. I slammed the door shut, feeling my oil beginning to boil. "Why the hell did you send Mater after me?" I shouted.

"Because I knew you were planning on meeting up with Nick and I didn't feel comfortable with the situation." He replied, his voice hard. He was subtly telling me to tread lightly, but I was so angry at him. I wasn't backing down tonight.

"I'm 21 years old. I think I can go and do what I please, whenever I please!" I argued, getting closer to his face.

"As long as you live in this house, you do what I say and I say you're not allowed to see Nick ever again!" He fired back, his face turning a darker shade of red. Most people would retreat. They didn't like seeing Dad upset.

But I was his daughter.

I can handle anything.

"You can't do that! I'm a legal adult! I can see whoever I want!" I exclaimed, defending myself. He was already controlling the rest of my life. He wasn't going to gain control of my love life, too.

"Why couldn't you just pick Ethan? What is wrong with him?" Dad stated, quickly changing the subject.

"Gee, I don't know? Because he's my best friend. Because I don't see a life like that with him," I defended. "What? Are you going to make me start dating him?"

"No."

"Why does it matter who I see? Have I ruined some arranged marriage between me and one of your racing buddies' kids or Ethan?"

"No!"

"Then why do you care so much?" I exasperated. He stood still, his blue eyes studying me. His jaw was tight, slightly twitching as he thought of what to do.

"Just go to your room. I don't want to talk about this right now." He scoffed, turning around and going to his room.

I huffed and went to my room.

I slammed the door and went to my bed. As I was laying there, the impact of everything fell on me. I just had a fight with two cars that I love. First with Nick, who might completely end our relationship now. Then with Dad, who I know is only looking out for me, but he's so controlling.

Mater should probably be in my list of fights tonight, too. But, I wouldn't call it fighting. More like me shouting swear words at him and him completely ignoring me. I don't know how he kept his cool. I wish I knew his secret. Maybe this night wouldn't've ended like it has.

For the first time in years, I let everything out.

xxx

The next day, I wasn't allowed to the leave the house.

Not like I wanted to anyways.

I didn't even leave my room. Mom came a few times, trying to get some feedback out of me, but I could only give her one worded responses. I was still so mad at her and Dad. I didn't want to burn a bridge between her, too. I couldn't lose another loved one to a fight.

I wasn't sure what to do about Nick. I tried texting him and calling him, but all I got were voicemails and ignored texts. He probably blocked me and never wanted to see me again.

He was probably on the news network telling everyone what a horrible car I am and how I should just be shunned from the world. I've probably ruined everything my father had built by this one fight.

Okay, that was a little extreme. Nick was probably pissed at me, but he would never do that. He's one of the nicest guys I've ever known. And he isn't petty. He's probably gushing over me, claiming how sweet I am and how generous I am. Just like we never fought.

Dad and I haven't spoken a word to each other since last night. But, that's probably for the best right now. Both of our emotions are high and unstable. We just need more time to think and look at it from the other person's point of view.

But when I look at his, why does it matter who I love?

Why does this problem make him upset and so protective?

I think by now I've given him plenty of reasons to trust me and my decisions. I've never done anything wrong to prove otherwise. Maybe I'll never understand his reasoning for disapproval.

Maybe he'll never accept me and Nick.

~~~~~~~~~~~
A special thanks to Rally9933 for helping to motivate me to complete this next chapter! If it wasn't for her encouraging words, I'm not sure when I would have updated this. Thank you!!