Page 113 of Only With Me

Harlow: He just wants to give you the “If you hurt my daughter, I’ll hurt you” talk.

Waylon: Oh…how fun.

It’s been years since I’ve seen or talked to Mr. Fanning. His work accident had happened shortly after Delilah and I started dating, so we never got to know each other. But I don’t blame him for wanting to speak to the guy who’s picking up his daughter. Considering what she went through, I’m glad he’s overprotective.

Harlow: You’ll be fine. Just don’t stare at my chest in front of him.

Waylon: I don’t do that when he’s not around.

Do I?

By the time I park in front of her house, I’m more nervous than I thought I’d be. We’re friends so this shouldn’t be a big deal, but maybe he doesn’t like that his oldest daughter’s ex isfriendlywith his youngest daughter.

I wouldn’t blame him either.

From the outside, it looks bad.

Walking up the wheelchair ramp, I clear my throat and then knock on the door.

I hear barking and then moments later, Harlow appears.

“Hey, c’mon in. Don’t mind the dogs. They sound scarier than they look.”

I nervously chuckle as I try to make my way through the entryway and into the kitchen.

“Dad’s in the livin’ room.” She walks away before I can say anything, so I follow until I see him.

“Waylon, hello. Long time no see.”

“Mr. Fanning, nice to see you. How’re you?” I ask, standing next to Harlow.

“I’m alive. How about you?”

“Same, good. Thanks.”

“Harlow tells me you’re a Big Brother?”

“Yes, sir. To a fifteen-year-old boy named Bentley. He lives in the town over, so I pick him up and bring him to the ranch to hang out a couple times a month.”

“Fifteen, huh? He’s closer in age to Harlow than you are.”

And there it is.

“Yeah, I guess so. He enjoys watchin’ her jump with Piper.”

“That’s what she says. What’re you plannin’ for today?”

“I told you, Daddy. We’re gonna horseback ride up the mountains,” Harlow chimes in.

“That sounds dangerous,” Mr. Fanning says.

“It’s not. I give ridin’ tours twice a day. I know those mountains in my sleep.”

“You know she’s not legal to drink, so I expect you won’t either.”

“Of course not.”

“Daddy, he’s responsible,” Harlow tells him. “As am I.”