Page 104 of Why Not Us?

“I think I was able to do it because of you,” I tell him. “Over the past few weeks, doing all this stuff I never thought I’d be able to do kind of flicked a switch inside me. I realized I’m able to do these things I want to do. I don’t need their approval. I just need my own.”

“Well, if you don’t need me anymore, I’ll just go.” He shifts as though to move out of the bed and I laugh, holding on to him.

“You made a joke!” I say. “And it was a funny one.”

He grins at me. “I’ve learned a few things from you, too, you know.” He kisses the tip of my nose. “And I can’t wait to learn more.”

Chapter 35

Nate

My phone rings early the next morning and Adalie groans, pulling her pillow over her head and snuggling into my side. I grab the offending device from the bedside table to see it’s Taylor calling.

“My girlfriend is mad at you again,” I say instead of hello.

“Thank fucking Christ,” he says, and I’m not sure if he means about me being back with Adalie or me being alive. “Didn’t I tell you to let me know when you’re staying at her place, so I don’t worry?”

I snort. “You did. I’m sorry, Mom.”

He sniffs. “It’s fine. Tell Adalie I’m glad my brother stopped being an enormous idiot. Also, get your ass to work on time.”

He hangs up on me and I set my phone on the table again.

“Taylor says hi,” I say.

She peeks out from under the pillow with a sneaky grin. “I heard what he said. Are you going to get to work on time today, Nate?”

“Not if I have anything to say about it.”

She squeals as I flip her onto her back and pin her beneath me, my hard cock pressing into her leg.

“I want you to come to my house next Monday,” I say.

“When Dani is there?”

I nod, kissing her neck. “I want us to tell her we’re together.”

She strokes a hand along my cheek and over my beard. “She knew from the beginning.”

“I know. But I want to make it official. Will you come over?”

“Yes,” she whispers before kissing me.

“I don’t think you should stay over night for a while, when Dani is with me.”

“That’s fair.” She gives me a slow smile. “What about the rest ofthisweek?”

“This week, I don’t intend to let you go for anything other than work, princess.”

When I pick Dani up on Monday, she rambles on and on about the camping trip she went on with Katie and David this weekend. It’s the last weekend of summer break and she starts school again tomorrow. When she runs out of things to say about their trip, she starts talking about her baby brother’s bedroom and how she helped pick out the paint for it and is going to help pick out the furniture later. She doesn’t stop talking until I park in front of my house and she gets out of the car, stopping mid-sentence when she looks at the other cars parked on the street.

“Dad,” she says. “Is Adalie here?”

I nod and her eyes widen, her mouth splitting into a grin before she races inside.

“What about your things?” I call, but she’s already inside. I grab her backpack from the back seat and start toward the house. Dani and Adalie come out together, arms wrapped around each other and my heart expands. They’re laughing as Dani reaches me and takes her backpack.

“Sorry, Dad,” she says. “I was just really excited to see Adalie again.”

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