Page 25 of Quake

Madison

Kira… we all know you want to suck that poor man’s dick, but please don’t tell his daughter that shit!

Why’d you have to go and say it like that?! I’m going back to work!!!

Jade

You guys are gross.

Jade

Sorry Lark, love you.

Madison isn’t wrong. I’m very aware that my best friend since childhood has had a crush on my dad for practically as long as we’ve known each other.

I let out a laugh at the thought of them together and flip to my Dexcom app to check my sugars.

Sure enough, the stress of the night has caused my sugars to fucking skyrocket. I grab the insulin out of the mini fridge beside me and warm it in my hands before injecting and getting back to work.

Chapter fourteen

Lark

Saturday, March 1, 2025

My lids are so heavy I can barely keep them open by the time I get the front door open. “Dad! I’m home,” I shout into the oversized house, the sound echoing around me.

His footsteps boom as he makes his way down the metal winding staircase in the center of the room. Dad’s bright-blue eyes meet mine, and a wide grin stretches across his face when he sees me. “Hey, little bird, how was work?”

I unleash the boys and toe my shoes off before heading toward him. “Exhausting, but it’s over, and I get the next two days off, thankfully.”

“Head up to the guest room, and I’ll bring you something to eat. We can talk after you’ve gotten some rest,” he tells me with a warm smile that shows off his dimples.

“Thanks, Dad, but I’ve been snacking all night. I think I’m just gonna knock out. I honestly don’t have the energy to eat right now,” I say, my shoulders slumped. I’m ready to crawl into bed.

“I gotcha. You head to bed and leave the boys to me. Just please make sure your sugar is fine before knocking out, okay? I’ll take the boys on a walk and get their breakfast ready.” I’m so damn tired and starved for affection that my dad doing the most normal things for me makes my eyes well with tears.

He closes the distance between us, wrapping his arms tightly around me and resting his chin on the top of my head. “Everything is going to be okay, I promise,” he whispers as he squeezes me in a crushing hug. “Now head up for a nap, and I’ll see you in a few hours, and we can talk about dinner plans,” he says, releasing me before he can manage to squeeze all of the air out of my lungs with his vice grip.

“Oh shit.” I clap a hand to my forehead. “I forgot about book club tonight. I guess I’ll have to cancel that.” I shake my head, knowing the girls will be disappointed but won’t give me grief for it, considering the circumstances.

Dad flattens his lips, waving me off. “I’ll watch Rex, and you go out. It’ll be good to see your friends. Besides, there’s nothing for you to do but sit around and wallow in misery,” he says, and his lips curve up in a lopsided smirk. “Though I’m sure you’re not that miserable. Tyler never deserved you, and I think you were finally coming to terms with that anyway.”

I nod, sighing dejectedly. “You’re right. Alright, if you really don’t mind watching him for me?”

He rolls his eyes with a wry grin. “Of course I don’t. Now, get to bed; you look like you’ll drop at any second.”

Smiling at that, I jog up the stairs, entering the only room in this house that doesn’t look cold. The walls are painted a pale pink with white bedding, but art covers nearly every surface in some way. Mostly with paintings my mother drew for me growing up.

After cleaning up in the bathroom and checking my blood sugar, I practically collapse on the bed, falling asleep in a matter of seconds.

***

“And you’resureyou don’t mind watching him for the night?” I ask him, just making absolutely certain he didn’t have plans.

“When have I ever given you the impression that doing something for mydaughterfelt like an obligation?” he asks, a dark brow quirked at me.

“Never, but you don’t need to be a brat about it.” I chuckle.

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