Page 101 of From the Start
“I’m not going to get cancer and leave you.” I guess at why she’s afraid.
She scowls. “You can’t promise you won’t get cancer.”
“Okay.” I nod since she’s right. “I won’t ever abandon you on purpose. I won’t find another woman and start a family with her and forget all about you.”
“Your dad is an asshole.”
“Agreed. But there’s one good thing about dear old dad.”
“What?”
“I know how not to act. I will never leave you, and I will never give you a reason to leave me.”
She lifts an eyebrow. “Except pushing me and taking over my life.”
“Taking care of you is not the same as taking over your life and you know it. You’re just being contrary because I told you I love you and it freaked you out.”
She narrows her eyes at me. “I did not freak out because you told me you love me.”
I bark out a laugh. “You didn’t race off like you’re the lead driver in the Indy 500 the second I confessed my love?”
“I put my clothes back on first,” she jokes and relief fills me. The danger is over.
We’ll have plenty more fights. Harper is a stubborn woman who can be as grumpy as her father. Fighting with her is unavoidable. But I will never leave her. No matter how much she fights me and my love.
She’s stuck with me.
Chapter 29
“Nothing says romance like hospital chocolate and questionable life choices.” ~ Harper
Harper
Dad crosses his arms over his chest and glares at me. “I don’t want to go.”
“Dad.”
“Don’t Dad me. I’m perfectly happy staying here and watching my programs.”
Kai does a dramatic sigh. “Such a shame. I was hoping I’d have someone to share a rack of ribs with. I guess I’ll have to eat the whole thing myself.”
I bite my tongue. I don’t want Dad eating unhealthy food but as it’s one of the few things to bring him joy, I can’t deny him. Not when Kai’s around, at least.
Dad scowls. “There aren’t any ribs atMermaid Mini Golf.”
“But there are plenty of ribs atSmuggler’s Covewhere we’re going to eat after I kick my brothers’ asses at mini golf.”
“Why don’t we skip the mini golf?” Dad asks.
“No can do. It’s family day. Family day must include a shared activity.”
“Eating is a shared activity.”
“Are you willing to tell my mom, eating is a shared activity?” Kai asks.
Dad grunts, which is basically his way of saying ‘you’re right but I’ll never admit it out loud’.
I guide Dad’s wheelchair to him. “Are you finished being a grump now?”
