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

“No, we haven’t, and it is long overdue. Come on. It’s time for an episode of walking Miss Daisy.”

Rod looks as though he wants to object to our leaving his impromptu drinking party but decides against fighting with Tracy.

“Don’t worry, Rod. I won’t keep her out long. She’s looking a little peaked, anyway. I think she needs a nap as much as Juliana and Isa.” Tracy scrutinizes my face with her eyebrows scrunched and her head tilted to the side.

“Are you okay, Daisy? Now that Tracy mentioned it, you do seem a little out of sorts.” Rod’s concern will be my undoing.

“I’ll be fine. You two don’t need to worry about me.”

The moment we step outside the house and away from prying ears, Tracy rounds on me, hands on her hips, eyes burning into mine, and her lips forming a thin line. “Spill it. How long have you known?”

“How did you know?”

“The only time I’ve seen you with that terrified expression on your face was when you found out you were pregnant with Landen. You wore that look the entire pregnancy. I half expected him to come out with the same expression on his face.”

“I just found out today.” We walk down the street and I recount the entire conversation for her—with the nurse and the one I’ve had in my head about whether I should keep the baby, along with all the reasons I should and shouldn’t.

“You know I’ll support you whatever you decide.” We walk around the corner in silence, both absorbing everything the only way we know how. “Daisy, has Rod even tried to make up for being a complete asshole after the last time you two bumped uglies on the floor?”

“He called me, drunk as hell, asking me to give him another chance to prove he’s worth all the trouble he has caused. He also said he didn’t want to share me with anyone else, and that he wanted me all to himself. But his revelation was the alcohol talking. He isn’t capable of saying any of that to me sober. Why should I believe him when he’s out of control?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because alcohol loosens the ties that bind the tongue, leaving it free to confess what’s really in the heart. I think he meant those things he said more than even he realizes yet.”

“An emotionally repressed man-child is not my idea of the perfect partner in life. Can you imagine raising a child with him?” I’m grasping at anything that’ll get me out of telling him the truth.

“Me, personally? No. That would never happen. I’d kill him first. But you’re much more patient and forgiving than I am.”

“Is that a polite way of saying I put up with his shit when I shouldn’t?” I arch an eyebrow in her direction, causing her to laugh.

“No, that’s not what I meant at all. We have different tastes and expectations. You actually care about what makes people tick and want to help them. I expect everyone to figure their own shit out and not depend on me to do it for them.”

“That is very true, except when it comes to me. You go out of your way to help me with everything and anything. You always have.” I wrap my arm around her waist as we slowly stroll down the street.

“And I always will. That’ll never change. You’re the only sister I have in the world.” She wraps her arm around me, and I lay my head over on her shoulder. Not once has it ever mattered that our skin color isn’t the same. Our bond is as tight as the one I have with Marlee. “I know you’re scared, and you’re worried about everyone and everything except yourself. I’ll do all the worrying about you since I know you won’t.”

“What’s the right path to take? Tell me what to do, Tracy. Make the choice for me.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that, babe. You have to follow your own heart.”

Even though I know she’s right, I just want someone else to make the best decision so I don’t have to. My brain is tired already from turning cartwheels, and this little problem has only just begun.

CHAPTER FOUR

Rod

Aside from my unexpected and brief panic episode when we arrived yesterday, I’ve felt surprisingly relaxed and comfortably at home with the Nash family. I didn’t realize how badly I needed this break until I got here. No family is perfect, I fully realize that. But being in the midst of this enormous gathering of affectionate people, I recognize how much they love and depend on each other. No one person carries the weight alone—the rest of the family would never allow that to happen.

I want that for Juliana, Isa, and myself.

This is the first time I can remember wanting to surround myself with an enormous, extended family since my mother died. A few friends, along with my sister and niece, are all I’ve cared about since that day. Watching the interactions between parents, siblings, and cousins in this house full of love has shown me what I’ve closed myself off to having all these years.

My unexpected revelation is all thanks to Daisy. Because she was kind enough to invite me when I didn’t deserve her thoughtfulness, I’ve experienced something I thought was found only in fiction. I would’ve remained locked away in a purgatory of my own making, especially at this time of year when old nightmares haunt me the most. I hope the idyllic memories we’re making now will replace the terrible ones I’ve held on to for far too long.

Watching Daisy laugh and tease her family members has stirred the feelings I’ve tried to repress. They aren’t gentle nudges or soft whispers in my ear anymore. They’re deafening shouts, demanding I correct the mistakes I’ve made and tell her exactly how I feel about her before it’s too late. Maybe I’m reading her signs wrong, but she seems to be warming up