Page 112 of My Destiny

My father’s eyes move to my mother. “He can’t stay here, Patricia.”

“But, Robert.”

“No buts,” my father says, putting his foot down.

“She has no right to dictate what you can and can’t do in your own home,” I say, but it falls on deaf ears.

My mother’s eyes move between Brooke and me. I can tell by the expression on her face that she’s not happy about this. She and John have always been close; they have the same subdued temperament, unlike their spouses. But I also know my mother is not going to disagree with my father in front of us. While we were growing up, she never did. She’d keep her opinions to herself until my sister and I were in bed, and then she’d let him have it. I’ve got to admit that I loved lying in bed listening to my sweet, timid mother tear my father apart. It didn’t happen often, but it felt like retribution when it did. She’s the only one who can get away with speaking to him like that.

My gaze moves to Brooke, and I see her head is bowed, so I reach for her hand under the table.

“Let’s just drop it for now,” I say, trying to defuse the situation. This was supposed to be a nice relaxing dinner with my parents, and the last thing I want is Brooke worrying about this.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

Brooke

“Are you okay?” Logan asks, rolling onto his side. “You seem quiet this morning.”

I manoeuvre my body so I’m facing him. “I didn’t sleep well last night; I have a lot on my mind.”

“Like what?” he asks, draping his arm over my side, and pulling my body into his warmth.

“John,” I say.

“That isn’t your worry; we’ll work something out.”

“I think he should stay here.” Logan’s eyes widen at my suggestion, but in my heart, I know it’s the right thing to do. He’s close with his uncle and if it wasn’t for me, he wouldn’t hesitate to let him come here.

“You want my uncle to come and stay here, with us?”

I go quiet for a moment. This is where my predicament lies. I’m pretty sure Logan won’t agree to this if it means me moving out, but on the other hand, I’m not sure I could handle being under the same roof as that man. “This arrangement was never permanent.”

“What does that even mean?” he asks, frowning. “You’re breaking up with me?”

“What? No. I love you,” I say, resting the palm of my hand on his cheek.

“I love you too, but if having him here means I lose you, then the answer is a definite no.”

“I had a feeling you’d say that, but we always knew that I’d move out eventually.”

“I don’t want that; I need you here. My home is nothing without you in it.”

I sigh. “Well, I’ll just need to find a way to deal with having him here, then.”

“I don’t want that either. If having him here makes you feel uncomfortable, then again, the answer is no.”

“He’s your uncle, and he needs you.”

“I know, but you are my life. You’ll always come first.”

I feel a smile tug at my lips. “And you’re my life too, but he’s family and has nowhere else to go.” By family, I mean his family, not mine. He may technically be my father, but I can’t ever imagine myself looking at him in that way.

“You have the kindest heart. You always put other people’s wants and needs before your own.”

“I had a good teacher,” I say. “That’s exactly how my mother was with me… with everyone.”

“I wish I could’ve met her.”