Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 48187 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 241(@200wpm)___ 193(@250wpm)___ 161(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48187 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 241(@200wpm)___ 193(@250wpm)___ 161(@300wpm)
“You do realize Lauren is eighteen,” Dad bites out, blunt as hell. “And you’re what? Forty?”
“Forty-five.”
Landon crosses his arms over his chest and scowls at us, looking just like freaking Dad. I stick my tongue out at him. He smirks and relaxes.
“Don’t you think you’re too old for her?” Dad demands.
Daniel squeezes my hand. “I understand what it looks like to an outsider, I’ll give you that. But Lauren and I have an intense connection. I’m not stringing her along or forcing her to do anything. I want nothing but her happiness and to take care of her.”
“I can take care of her,” Dad growls. “I can make my daughter happy.”
“Dad—”
“No, Lauren, I’m not going to have some old ass man swoop in and confuse my daughter—”
“Where were you this entire year?” Daniel demands, his voice icy cold.
“I beg your pardon,” Dad says.
“Working. While you were off working and her brother was with his girlfriend, Lauren was all alone. She was dealing with something no one needs to deal with on their own.” He darts his eyes my way, questions dancing in them.
“They know,” I assure him.
Even in the heat of the moment, he respects my secrets.
“I’m not insulting you, Teddy,” Daniel says, “I’m just speaking the truth. We met through the hospital and kept meeting. I took care of her because she was all alone. Then, it just evolved. I’m not sure when it happened, but it did. I’d do anything to keep her healthy and happy.”
“Lauren,” Dad says, pain in his voice. “I didn’t know. Had I known, I would’ve already come back to work in town. I can tell the office I can no longer travel. Things will change. I will be here for you, baby girl. I’m so sorry.”
“Thank you, Daddy,” I utter, leaning against his shoulder. “I want you home more. But I also want you to understand I’ll date whoever I want. I care a lot for Daniel and I have enough stress in my life without having to fret over if you approve of him or not.”
Everyone grows quiet and it’s Daniel who breaks the silence.
“I won’t ever hurt her. Never,” Daniel assures them. “Lauren deserves all the love in the world, and I’m just one part of her world. We don’t have to be divided here. Each of us wants the same thing: Lauren’s happiness.”
Dad’s shoulders relax and he shoots Landon a look. Those two often talk silently, sharing the same brain. Landon walks over and ruffles my hair.
“I’m cool if Laur has a sugar daddy.” He shrugs. “I’m off to see my girl. See you guys later.”
I mouth a thank you to my brother.
“I’m not her sugar daddy,” Daniel clarifies, making me snort with laughter.
“Thank fuck, because I was about to beat your ass,” Dad grumbles.
I can’t help but giggle, which makes both my guys smile. If Mom were here, she’d wink at me. We’d share our own silent conversation, one that says we know just how to bring the men in our world to their knees. God, I miss her.
Normally, thinking of Mom brings down my mood. But when your mood is as low as it can go, I can only go up from here. Mom was a fighter.
I’m a fighter too.
Fire burns in my stomach as newfound determination thrums through my veins.
So my kidneys are crapping out on me. That sucks. Really fucking sucks. But it’s not the end of the world. Not yet. I won’t let it be. I’m going to learn what I can, get the help I need, and fight for the life I deserve.
Happiness.
It’s mine. I just have to fight for it.
“Did you come here straight from work?” I ask, chewing on a piece of chicken.
He nods as he makes a sandwich. “You weren’t answering and it was worrying me.”
Guilt trickles through me. These people worry about my health and it’s unfair to leave them hanging. I vow to do better and not purposefully scare them if I can help it.
“I’m sorry,” I tell him, sipping on some ice water. “I was in a dark place.”
He cuts his sandwich in half and then comes to sit beside me at the kitchen table. After a stern talking to from Dad about “no hanky-panky in his house,” Dad retired to his room, giving Daniel and me some privacy.
“Want to talk about it?” he asks as he practically inhales his food. I know today was a long shift and it makes me wonder how long he’s gone without eating. His dedication to his job is admirable. It’s doctors like him who help people like me. They care and want solutions. They want to heal and cure. They give hope.
“Missing my mom and worrying over things,” I admit. “I should have replied. Honestly, I was too exhausted. All cried out.”