All I Need: Rod & Daisy (All Of Me Duet Book 2) A.D. Justice (short novels to read TXT) 📖

She’s hiding the pain of his rejection and the humiliation of his desertion behind a wall of anger. By pretending not to care, she thinks she’s protecting her heart and pride. I recognize the signs because I did the same thing. But I have a sneaking suspicion she’d run into his arms if he showed up and was repentant for his actions.

“Gabe had his own demons to deal with, Jules. He wasn’t strong enough to face them head on. Everyone has their breaking point. Gabe had to hit rock bottom on his own. I’m just thankful he didn’t take you and Isa to the pits of hell with him. Five years ago, you would’ve followed him if you’d had the chance.” She was young, inexperienced, and madly in love with that boy. He was her first love and she never really got over him, even to this day. She’s just more protective of Isa than she is of her own well-being.

“You’re right, I probably would have. I would’ve tried to save him from himself, or died trying, if he’d stuck around. But I’m stronger and wiser now, and I won’t be swayed by that handsome face, dashing smile, and excellent ass.” She threw that last part in just to rile me up. I’m not falling for her attempt to bait me. “Besides, I have enough on my plate to deal with for the foreseeable future. I don’t have time to add him to my list of things that need my attention.”

“Well, since I started his, let me know if I need to have another conversation with him to put a stop to this nonsense.”

“If he doesn’t take the hint from my message back to him, I’ll let you know.”

We talk for a while longer, focusing on her health, treatment, and prognosis for the future instead of dwelling on the past any longer. She’s confident she’ll find a donor relatively soon, and I can’t douse the flames of her hope by pointing out she’s growing weaker by the day. Soon for me would be tomorrow, while she’s referring to it in terms of weeks and months.

The problem is, I don’t think we have that long.

Daisy is lifting Isa out of the tub when I finally find her after finishing my call with Jules. “Thank you for bathing her. You didn’t have to, though. I didn’t ask you to stay here tonight to make you do more work than you already do.”

“I don’t mind, Rod. I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t want to help.”

I take Isa from Daisy’s arms and set her on the counter. After I’ve combed and dried her hair, Daisy and I tuck her in then say goodnight to Landen too. As I close Landen’s door, I turn to Daisy to share my concern.

“I’m losing her, Daisy. Juliana is growing sicker by the minute. I’m afraid it’s time we start making preparations for her final wishes. Find out about making her comfortable for the time she has left so her last days are more enjoyable. Make lasting memories for Isa to hold on to for the rest of her life. I’ve already handed the reins of my company over to Kevin for the time being, so this means I’ll be completely unavailable while he’s in charge. I’m one-hundred percent okay with that.” I realize I’m rambling, but I can’t stop. If I stop talking, I’ll have to concentrate on what I said, and my heart and mind aren’t ready for that yet.

“Rod, take a breath.” She puts her fingers over my lips. “You and I have a few things we need to discuss. I’ve put this off long enough, and now I realize it was more selfish of me than I ever imagined. Let’s go sit down.”

“You do realize that in the history of the world, every conversation that started with ‘we need to talk’ resulted in utter destruction. In fact, I’m pretty sure I read that’s how all the ancient civilizations ended. Are you sure we need to tempt the fates like that?”

“Yes, I’ll chance it. Come on. We need to talk.” She takes my hand and leads the way downstairs to the den.

When we’re seated on the couch, she turns to me and takes my hands. She can’t bring herself to meet my gaze. Instead, she’s solely focused on my hands, tracing the lines on my fingers with complete dedication. I never realized they were so fascinating.

“Daisy, it’s me. Whatever’s on your mind, you can tell me. Don’t be afraid to talk to me. I thought we’d moved past that. There’s nothing but complete honesty between us, no matter what happens, and we’ll figure out together.” I try to remind and encourage her of our solid relationship standing.

The grimace on her face in response doesn’t bode well for me.

“I know it’s you, Rod. That’s what makes this so hard to confess.” She takes a deep breath and slowly releases it, readying herself to blurt out whatever horrible secret she’s keeping. “Damn it. This is harder than I thought it would be.”

“Just say it. Out with it, right now.” I’m mentally preparing to have my heart ripped in two. I’m not good enough for her. That’s been apparent from the moment we first met.

“Promise you won’t get mad at me?” She’s throwing my request back at me.

“No, but I promise to hear you out.” I smile reassuringly.

“Before Christmas, I went to be tested to see if I’m a donor match for Juliana. While we were at my parents’ house, I received a call from her doctor’s office. The nurse told me I am a tissue match, but I can’t donate my bone marrow to her for a few more months… because I’m pregnant.”

In the span of twenty seconds, I went from fear to elation to disbelief to panic to rage. Now I’m fuming. I jerk my hands away from hers then run my fingers over my face and through my hair. Unable to sit still, I