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"You don’t need another dad You don’t need brothers But honey, everyone needs a family You let us in and we can be that family Not the same as the old one--never be the same as the old one--but a family all the same"

With that, he stands and disappears back inside I dropbreaths He doesn’t understand; it’s not just about o in there and I let the Blade into a part ofinfor h the patio door The guys all look up atdishes in the kitchen I walk in, and she looks up the moment I round the corner Her eyes are soft and she places the towel down, stretching her hands out tohs "You could never be a brat It’s a lot to take in Give the that’s gone They’re Jack’s kids; we have to do our best to ht about that Da down at ?"

"Absolutely"

I walk out of the kitchen and through the lounge "Night, guys," I call

There’s silence, then a string of "nights"

Maybe Moht Maybe it won’t be so bad

CHAPTER SIX

THEN – ONE YEAR EARLIER

"Give me one weekend"

I stare at the ive in to hiers around the back of , you’ve finished school, and you’re living it up before college Spend a weekend with me Let me enjoy you"

"One weekend?" I question

"Yeah, darlin’, one weekend"

"Where e spend this weekend?"

He grins "Got a hotel"

"You own it?" I squeak

He throws his head back and laughs "Shit no I have a rooht," Iit up "I’m not a perv, or a creep You want ht now"

I shake my head "No, it’s not that"

"Then what?"