Page 22 of From the Start

“Whatever,” she mutters and my phone beeps with a message. It’s a contact for Kai.

“Thanks, Blossom,” I say and hang up before she can ask any questions.

I stand and pace the room as I dial Kai’s number.

“Hi, Slugger.”

My brow wrinkles. “How do you know it’s me?”

“It’s this thing called modern technology. You may have heard of it.”

I grunt. “Thanks for the reminder of how much older I am than you.”

“Yes, you’re ancient. Were dinosaurs as scary in person as they are in movies?”

“Ha. Ha. Aren’t you funny early in the morning?”

“I’m funny all the time. Early in the morning, in the sunny afternoon, late at night.”

I shiver at how he lowers his voice on ‘late at night’. When did Kai Raider grow up and get a deep voice? Or those muscles on his chest? He’s not a little boy anymore.

But then I remember why I’m calling.

“Who do you think you are?” I spit out my question.

“I’m Kai Raider.”

“Don’t be cute with me. You know what I mean.”

“I do? You’ll have to fill me in because I’m confused.”

I open my mouth to lay into him but Dad yells, “Harper!” before I get the chance.

“I’m on the phone!”

“I can’t find my Fruit Loops.”

Those damn Fruit Loops. If I could, I’d contact the manufacturer and have the production stopped. They are more trouble than they’re worth.

“Is that a man? Are you with anotherman, Harper?”

Another man? As if he has some kind of claim to me. I roll my eyes so hard at his indignation, I nearly give myself a headache.

“None of your business.”

He growls. An honest to goodness growl.

“Harper!” Dad shouts again and I march out of my room to the kitchen. I easily find the Fruit Loops – it’s possible they’re in a spot too high for Dad to reach with his limited mobility – and plonk them on the table.

“There, Dad. Are you happy now?”

He doesn’t respond. Merely reaches for the Fruit Loops. I blow out a breath. Is ‘thank you’ too much to ask for?

“Dad?” Kai asks. Shit. I’m still on the phone with him. “You live with your dad?”

I open the door to the patio and step outside. I shut the door behind me and march to the edge of the deck out of Dad’s hearing range.

“Do not start with me.”