Page 26 of Viper
Considering my dad’s a mechanic, he has quite the green thumb, something I definitely didn't inherit from him. I’m beginning to think I didn’t inherit anything from him.
And there goes my thoughts yet again.
I twitch my nose before taking a deep breath, knowing I need to put my chirpiness back on for show. I don’t want to worry him, especially when I know he’s already uncomfortable at the garage.
He wants to stay there, but his morals are with me despite my telling him otherwise, and he’s adamant to go back to Gary’s Motors as soon as Anna is back on her feet. I think she is already, but Blade’s begging her to stay on bedrest so he doesn’t lose my dad.
Sighing, I walk down the path towards the house, my mind going a million miles an hour, and as always, Viper is at the front of it.
Am I being pathetic, being this hurt?
Was it really as deep as it felt, finding out he was a brother, that he slept with my egg donor before he even met me?
Am I being overly emotional about a failed relationship?
Maybe I am…
Shaking my head, I reach for the door handle when my phone beeps, and I frown, pulling it out. I know it’s not the girls, they messaged after not hearing from me that they’ll give me a week space before they start calling me again. Dad’s only behind the door and there is no way it’ll be Viper, he’s made himself clear, we’re over. I’m a patch chaser like Cherri, I used him. He has a girl now.
I tense when I see it's from my lawyer, the one appointed by the hospital.
Cornelius Hunters:
She’s agreed to drop the lawsuit if you pay her $150,000. She knows she doesn’t have a case and is grasping at straws. I suggest we continue on the path we spoke about and out her in court.
My eyes tear up and I sniffle before blinking several times, not wanting to worry Dad.
She wants money…
She lost her daughter, and her sole focus, instead of grieving and laying her to rest, is to sue the person who tried to save her, and it is a shitty thing to do, especially because now I am questioning my career path.
I quickly type back.
Me:
Whatever you think is best.
Pressing send, I put my phone in my pocket before walking into my dad's house, and I call, “Daddy?”
He instantly replies, “In the kitchen, pumpkin…”
I swallow hard before shaking my body out and pasting on a happy smile as I walk through the light gray living area and into the kitchen. Dad comes into view, dishing up what looks like a stew, and a genuine smile comes out.
Growing up, a stew would always bring out a smile, and I’m glad that hasn’t changed.
“Hey, Daddy,” I whisper as I walk over and kiss his cheek.
“Hey pumpkin, why don’t you set the counter for me?” he replies, and I nod, grabbing some utensils, napkins, and glasses to set on the breakfast counter. I then retrieve the water from the fridge and fill the glasses.
Taking a seat after putting the jug to the side, Dad puts a bowl in front of me, then takes a seat, and I pick up my spoon, taking a small bite as my stomach grumbles.
Crap, when did I last eat?
I know I had my latte, wait, no, that went cold after we saved an elderly man.
Double crap.
“This is good, Daddy,” I whisper before taking another bite, and suddenly, the sensation of feeling full takes me, and I try not to wince, knowing I have to eat at least half of this without causing suspicion.
