Page 75 of Never Say Never

The accusation is like a punch to the gut. Does he really think I’m that much of an asshole? Sure, he’s right, Ihavedated my fair share, but I’ve been up front and honest with the women I’ve been with. I may not have wanted to commit to them, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want something serious with Daisy. Everything changed the moment I started seeing her. I’ve kept my mouth shut for far too long and I am done. I. Am. So. Fucking. Done.

“Let’s make one thing clear. I’m not asking you for your permission. If you have a problem with Daisy and I being together, that’s on you. I won’t stop seeing her this time. I’m not some frightened teenager who will listen to your ultimatums.” I pause and then in a clipped tone I add, “There is nothing you can say or do that will get me to change my mind.”

Anger flashes across my dad’s face and his voice gets louder. “You have no idea what you’re doing. End things now before you break her heart and destroy our families in the process. Daisy doesn’t deserve this bullshit. The last thing I need is for you to fuck the poor girl up.”

“Would it kill you to just have a little faith in me, Dad?” I shake my head, infuriated. “This conversation is over. I’m sorry you had to find out that way, but I will never be sorry for choosing Daisy. I would never hurt her and honestly, I am baffled that you can’t understand that. But that’s your problem, not mine.”

There is so much more I want to say. I want to tell him that she’s always been it for me. That I choose her, and that I regret not choosing her all those years ago. But I want Daisy to be the one to hear those words first.

“I’ve lost her once, Dad, and I won’t lose her again.”

A look of surprise passes briefly over his face, but he doesn’t say a word. Instead, he takes a long drink of his scotch and then turns away from me.

There’s nothing more to say. Thank fuck, that’s over. We might not see eye to eye on much, including my relationship with Daisy, but if he wants to be a part of my life, he is going to have to figure out how to get over it.

I leave him on the patio outside, returning to the kitchen to find my uncle leaning against the island, as if waiting for me. I can’t exactly read his expression, but he doesn’t seem angry. He looks pensive, but also open to having a discussion. He proves that when he pulls out a stool for me and motions to it.

“Let’s talk, Tucker,” he says, taking a seat himself. I can hear the faint voices of Daisy and our moms in the living room and although I want to check on her, I know I need to have this conversation first. We’re silent for a moment as I try to decide what I want to say to him. But when I look at him, I can tell he has something to say as well, so I wait and let him go first.

His eyes find mine and I brace myself for what he is about to say. “First off, are you okay?”

Emotion tugs at my chest as I remember all the times I would sit with him and my aunt in their kitchen after I’d had an argument with my dad. “I will be, thanks.”

“Good. Your dad will calm down. I’ll have a talk with him.”

“You don’t need to do that.”

“I know I don’t have to, but I want to.” He takes a long, steadying breath.

“I’m really sorry we kept it from you, Uncle Randy. This is not how I wanted you to find out.”

“I’m not mad at you, Tuck. You did what you thought was right at the time,” he says before clearing his throat. “Your relationship with Daisy is none of my business, but I do want to know if it’s serious.”

I nod, then I brace myself for what I’m about to say next.

“I’m in love with her.” I swallow. “And I realize that may seem strange to you, but I promise you that what I feel for your daughter is real. She means everything to me, and if being with her means losing my relationship with my father, then so be it. I want you to know that I’m not going to stop seeing her. I don’t care what he says or what he threatens… it’s Daisy and me. I will choose her every time.”

“I had to ask,” he says, smiling. “Daisy is a smart girl, and I trust her to make her own decisions. But I’m her dad and I can’t help but feel protective.”

“Of course.”

“You really do love her,” he says.

“I do. She’s it for me.”

He nods, looking into his whiskey glass before looking back at me. “Tucker, if you love her like you say you do, I support the two of you.”

I exhale, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. I feel like I’m so close to having everything I’ve ever wanted. “Thank you, Uncle Randy. I appreciate that.”

He claps me on the shoulder, nodding. “You know I’m always here to talk.”

“I know,” I say.

I still feel like a kid sometimes when Uncle Randy and I have one of our talks. He’s still the man I go to when I need advice, and no matter what it’s about, I always leave feeling like I am enough.

“I’m glad that you’re happy, Tuck.”

“Even if it’s because of your daughter?”

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