Page 97 of From the Start

I get to my feet and brush the sand off of my jeans. “I’m not family.”

Jessica wraps an arm around my waist. “My boy loves you. You’re family.”

Warmth spreads throughout my body at her declaration. I’ve always wanted a big family. Mom was the best, and I love my dad with all my heart, but I never had any siblings. Siblings to tease you and play with. Siblings who will rush to your side when you need them. Siblings who will support you even when you messed up.

Miles’s nose wrinkles. “If Kai loves her, why did he break up with her?”

“Kai did not break up with me.”

“He didn’t?” Jaxon’s brow wrinkles. “Why are you upset and crying on the beach if he didn’t break up with you?”

I won’t allow them to think Kai broke up with me – especially since they appear ready to beat him up for hurting me –but I’m not telling them I ran away because he declared his love. Who does that? Apparently me.

“I’m not crying.” Not at the moment, at least.

He leans close as if to inspect my face but Rhett pulls him back. “No.”

“Harper just needed a bit of girl talk,” Jessica says. “Since she doesn’t have a mother anymore, I stepped in.”

“Girl talk?” Zane shivers. “Count me out.”

He starts to walk away. Miles chases after him. “Wait for me! The waves are calling my name.”

“I should get back to Blossom. I told her I had a work emergency. She gets angry if I work on the weekends.” Jaxon waves before marching off.

“Are you certain you’re okay?” Eli asks.

Rhett nods. “We can hurt Kai in ways no one will notice.”

“Boys,” Jessica growls. “Stop threatening to harm my baby.”

“It’s actually kind of sweet.” In a super weird and slightly scary way.

“You shouldn’t encourage them. They’re bad enough without the encouragement.”

Eli smirks at his mom. “And you love us anyway.”

Rhett wraps his arms around her and lifts her into the air. She giggles as she slaps at his shoulders to let her down.

“Do you need a ride home?” Eli asks.

“I’m good.”

“Catch you later, sis.” Rhett grins as he walks off with Eli and their mom.

My heart is full as I watch them make their way across the sand. They’ve accepted me and my grumpy dad into their family. They’re not merely saying I’m family. They show it.

I blow out a breath. I guess I’d better go fix things with Kai before I lose him.

He loves me. My heart squeezes, but I’m not struggling to breathe at the thought of Kai’s love for me. I’m still afraid of losing him, but Jessica helped me to put my fear into a place where I can handle it.

Chapter 28

“I Said ‘I Love You,’ Not ‘Start Your Engines.’” ~ Kai

Kai

The front door opens and I rush from the kitchen toward it. Is Harper running away? Not on my watch. But by the time I’m on the porch, she’s already in her car barreling away.