Page 34 of From the Start

I don’t rely on Eli. Except he gave me a job which pays more than most twenty-four-year-olds earn. A job Jaxon doesn’t think I’m qualified for.

I shove those thoughts away. Harper isn’t going to distract me from the matter at hand.

“You can try and distract me for as long as you want. I have five brothers. I’m used to distraction.”

She tugs her hand from mine. I frown. I was enjoying feeling her small hand in mine. She has callouses from how hard she works but they don’t bother me. They remind me of how strong she is. I suspect she’s much stronger than I know.

“Fine.” She huffs. “A year after my mom died, my dad had a stroke. He worked hard in rehab to regain mobility, but his right arm and leg never recovered. He had to quit working. It’s hard to construct buildings when you have to use a cane to walk and your right arm doesn’t work properly.”

I was correct. Harper is much stronger than I knew.

“And now you take care of him.”

“As much as he’ll allow me to. He’s stubborn.”

I snort. “A family trait.”

She glares at me. “I’m not stubborn.”

“Of course not, Slugger.”

“I didn’t slug anyone.”

“Because I stopped you.”

“You did not stop me.”

“No?” I feign innocence. “You weren’t distracted by my sexy abs and forgot you were in the middle of a fight?”

She narrows her eyes at me. “Sexy abs?”

I inch my t-shirt up. “I can show you again in case you forgot.”

“No!” She squeals. “No stripping in the hospital.”

I drop my shirt with a sigh. “Boring but okay.”

“I told you I was boring. Hold on. Are you wearing glitter?”

I groan. “I’m going to kill my brothers.”

“What did they do?”

“They glitter bombed me.”

She giggles and the sound fills me with warmth. Harper should laugh more. She needs more fun in her life. Not to worry. I’m on the job.

“I amend my question. What did you do?”

I raise my hands in the air. “I’m innocent of all charges.”

She barks out a laugh. “Kai Raider innocent? You haven’t been innocent a day in your life.”

I bat my eyelashes. “I was an adorable baby.”

“All babies are adorable.”

“Do you want children?”