Page 74 of Never Say Never

“It is,” I admit. “And I’m not apologizing for it, so please don’t try to make me.”

My mom holds up a hand to stop me. “I’m not here to make things worse for you, Tucker, but I also want to know what’s going on. I hate that you kept this a secret from us.”

“I’m sorry, Mom, I really am,” I tell her, wishing that Daisy and I had just come clean to our parents weeks ago. “Are you upset?”

“That you kept it from me… yes. But you’re not a child, Tuck. And it’s not my place to tell you who you’re allowed to date. I just hope you both have thought this through.”

“We have.” Daisy nods. “It’s sort of a long story.”

“I don’t need the details. Daisy, you have always been like a daughter to us. You are our family, blood or not. So, if it takes us a minute to wrap our heads around the news, I hope you’ll understand.” My mom pauses before looking at me. “I’m your mom, Tucker, and I only want to see you happy, and if Daisy is the one to do that, then how can I stand in your way?”

“Thank you, Mom.” I feel the emotions start to bubble up inside of me. My mother usually sides with my father, she rarely goes against him. And even though she doesn’t appear to be over the moon happy, her understanding is good enough for me. I know she’ll come around.

“I love you both,” Aunt Victoria says, resting a hand on my shoulder. “And I just want to see you both happy too.”

Her response doesn’t surprise me, but I am grateful to her all the same. I have so many happy memories with my aunt. She hasalways been there for me, but I have never appreciated her more than I do right now.

Swallowing down my nerves, I ask, “Where’s dad?”

“He’s outside talking to Uncle Randy. He’s pretty upset. Randy is trying to calm him down.”

“Did you two get into it out there?” my mom asks.

“No,” I reply. “He didn’t stick around after he saw us kissing.”

My eyes drop to where my fingers are laced with Daisy’s as I try to decide how much I should say. “There’s more to the story,” I admit. “I’ve been upset with him for a very long time over it. I’m tired of him thinking that he knows what’s best for me.”

“Maybe you two can finally work this out,” Daisy’s mom says. “Do you think it’s something you can forgive your dad for?”

“I’m not sure.”

I look to Daisy, her warm, blue eyes looking up at me, and it takes everything in me not to gather her up in my arms and hold her close to me. But first, I need to deal with my dad. I pull her into me and press a soft kiss to the top of her head, not caring that our moms are watching the display of affection. “I’m going to go talk to my dad,” I whisper into her hair.

“Okay.”

I leave Daisy in the kitchen and head out to the patio, where I’m greeted by my dad’s icy gaze. He’s holding a tumbler of scotch, half-full, a look of intense anger on his face. My Uncle Randy stands stiffly beside him.

“What the hell was that, Tucker?” Dad snaps. His brows are pinched together, and his eyes are glued to me.

I cross my arms over my chest, straightening my spine. It’s very clear that he’s upset, but I’m not backing down. I unclench my jaw and try to keep my voice calm. “I think it’s obvious.”

My dad shakes his head. “Enlighten me. Why the hell were you kissing Daisy? Are you together?”

“We are,” I answer firmly.

I glance at Daisy’s dad, trying to figure out where he stands in all of this, but his expression is one I can’t read. He seems to be more concerned with calming my dad down, which I appreciate. My dad can scream and yell as loud as he wants, it won’t change a thing about my feelings for Daisy. In this moment, she is the only person I care about.

“I’m going to go inside and talk to Daisy.” Uncle Randy looks at my dad and then to me before walking inside. He closes the door behind him, and the second he does, my dad turns to me with anger in his eyes.

“I thought I made it clear a long time ago that you are not to mess with Daisy,” he fumes.

“Messwith her?” If he’s trying to piss me off, he’s a doing a good fucking job. “When have I ever messed with Daisy? I’ve spent my entire life looking out for her. I would do anything for that girl, and I think I’ve proven that.”

“Oh, come on, Tucker.” He rolls his eyes. “You did all that because she’s family. Because I asked you to. Even you must see that this is a terrible idea. You’re just going to fuck it up. You’ll get tired of her, get bored and break up with her. Stop thinking with your dick and consider the damage it will do to all of us when you break her heart.” My dad gestures toward the house where the others are inside.

“Why the hell would I break her heart?”

“Because you don’t do relationships, Tucker. I lost track of the number of women you’ve dated a very long time ago. You’ll get bored with Daisy within weeks, and then it will be over. You can’t commit to a house plant, you’ve proven that. Hell, in 27 years you’ve never even brought a girlfriend home. If that isn’t a sign that you have no clue what commitment means, then I don’t know what is. So, this is what you are going to do: you are going to leave Daisy alone. And you’re going to do it immediately. Lether find someone who actually wants a future with her, not just a good time.”

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