Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 74956 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 375(@200wpm)___ 300(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74956 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 375(@200wpm)___ 300(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
“Remy,” Dad says, my name a warning I can’t obey.
There’s no stopping this now, all these unspoken things have been festering inside me for too long.
They’re poisoning me, and I can’t live like this anymore.
“Even at six,” I repeat, my face so hot it’s making me a little dizzy. “Even as a tiny little kid, I could see that she just wanted to suck up as much life as she could in the time she had left. She just wanted you to hold her and tell her how important she was and that…” I suck in a breath, the tears flowing down my cheeks as I choke out, “And that you were going to miss her so much when she was gone. Did you ever tell her, Dad? When you were alone? Did you ever tell her that she was the best thing that ever happened to you?”
The color drains from his face. He goes so pale it’s honestly shocking, and for the first time in my life, I witness a moment of raw, vulnerable humanity from my father.
And it’s awful and scary, and I instantly fear that I’ve broken something between us, broken him in a way that can never be repaired.
“Mr. Stone, please, get back in bed! Please!”
Dad and I both turn at the sound of the nurse’s voice, just in time to see Stone hobble into the doorway, one hand gripping the frame for support. His hospital gown hangs loosely from his broad shoulders, and his expression is tight with pain.
The nurse appears behind him a second later, looking exasperated. And worried. “Mr. Stone, you’ve had a lot of pain medication. It isn’t safe for you—”
“I’m fine, Nancy, I promise,” he says, his gaze never leaving mine. “I thought I heard you. What are you doing here?”
“I’m here to be with you,” I say with more heat than I intended. But dammit, why can’t anyone see that this is where I need to be? “Because I love you, Tyler Stone, and you don’t leave the people you love alone when they need you.”
His eyes widen before jerking quickly to my dad, then right back to me. “I love you, too. And I do need you. You’re right. Thank you.”
“I know. Now, get back in bed. I’ll be right there.” I turn back to my father, bracing for whatever shit storm is about to come next, but…he’s gone.
Startled, I glance back and forth, catching sight of him at the end of the corridor, just seconds before he disappears around the corner.
I curse softly, torn between feeling that everything I said had to be said and the fear that I’ve broken my unbreakable father. I just… I had no idea anything I could ever say was capable of reaching him like that. He’s never given me any reason to think that he isn’t that chill, unflappable man he shows the world all the way to his core.
But there’s nothing I can do about this now.
Dad clearly doesn’t want to talk, and Stone is the reason I’m here.
“Come on, you need to get back to bed,” I say, moving toward him as Nancy agrees, “Yes, he does. Careful. The last thing you need right now is a fall.”
“I am a little woozy, but only a little,” Stone admits, letting me insert myself under his armpit and wrap an arm around his waist. Back at his bedside, he winces as he sinks onto the thin mattress. “Okay, maybe a little more than a little. Probably shouldn’t have jumped up like that.”
“You think?” I shake my head before assuring Nancy. “Don’t worry. I won’t let him up again. I promise.”
She gives a firm nod. “Good. Someone needs to protect him from himself. The doctor will be by soon.” Wagging a final warning finger his way, she adds, “Stay put until then.”
“Will do,” Stone says with a sheepish wave as she departs. His hint of a smile fades instantly, however, as he shifts his focus back to me. “That was bad, huh? With your dad? I only heard parts of it, but it sounded bad.”
I swallow past the lump in my throat. “It wasn’t good.”
“He thinks I’m not the one for you,” he says, the lack of question in the word making me think he heard more than he’s letting on.
“He doesn’t know you,” I say, the sinking feeling in my stomach getting even worse. “I’m not even sure he knows me.” I sigh as I roll my eyes toward the ceiling. “Hell, and maybe I don’t know him.” I chew my lip for a beat before confessing in a softer voice, “I think I really hurt him, Stone. Like…a lot.”
“Sometimes the truth hurts,” he says. “Doesn’t mean it’s not the truth.”
I wince. “I know, but I was…harsh.”
He takes my hand. “You were real. Like I said, I heard parts.” I arch a challenging brow, and he confesses, “Okay, maybe I heard a lot of parts. And maybe those parts sounded very true and important.” He gives my fingers a squeeze. “But it’s also true and important that you both love each other. Maybe you need some help showing that in a way that works for both of you, but you’re still family. He’s your dad. You’re his baby girl.”