Page 109 of Raise Me Up

My shoulders slump. “Yeah. That sounds great.”

It shouldn’t surprise me how quickly we fall back into a normal rhythm. We came together so easily. Sure, we haven’t had muchconversation about what our future looks like, but it seems to be an unspoken agreement that we’ll make it work. Somehow.

We end up sprawled out on the Adirondack chairs in the backyard, surrounded by empty takeout boxes, as the sun dips below the concrete wall bordering my property.

They don’t comment on my lack of landscaping. The yard is a dirt pit, spotted with a few cacti that were planted when the house was built. Saved me from having to pay for lawn care while I was touring.

I don’t want to be happy about their decision to stay with me, but secretly, I’m relieved they’re here. Not only do I low-key feel like shit, I’ve been overwhelmed by the amount of research I’ve done on tumors since my release from the hospital.

It’s hard to determine what my recovery will look like when we won’t know what kind of tumor I have, or if it’s even cancerous, until a biopsy is done.

All that anxiety fades away when Stasi crawls onto my chair to snuggle with me. We’re sluggish after the amount of fried rice and honey chicken we consumed. Perfectly lazy with our conversations.

I rest my chin on the top of Stasi’s head. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to thank you enough for being here. For choosing me.”

Stasi repositions herself so she’s sitting on my lap. “I’m gonna say something greedy. Just know this is entirely your choice. I think you should come back to Dallas for your surgery. Dr. Malone is a remarkable neurosurgeon, Beau. And you would have us there to help with recovery. But if you’re more comfortable here, then we’ll be here to support you as much as possible.”

I run my palms along her back. “I’ll…consider it. I have an appointment tomorrow with the surgeon she recommended here.”

She nods, tucking herself against me. We stay like that even after the stars come out to play.

“So… my dad’s planning on coming over for breakfast,” I comment nervously. “Should I reschedule?”

Liam rolls his head to the side to look at me. “Your decision. I don’t exactly win parental approval.”

“My dad hasn’t met a stranger,” I assure him.

Liam’s gaze moves to Stasi. I rub light circles over her shoulder blades, noticing her breathing has evened out.

“Is she sleeping?” I smile.

“Yeah. She expended a lot of energy lecturing me yesterday. Spent a lot of time today researching brain tumors.”

I sigh, clinging to her tighter. “I don’t want to let her go.”

“I know.” Vulnerable, deep brown eyes meet mine. “I don’t want to let either of you go.”

“Ugh.” I slam my eyes closed. “My head hurts too much to cry.”

“Do you need something? Tylenol?”

I shake my head. “Just… stay with me, okay?”

“Yeah. I’m here.”

Liam turns his gaze up at the sky. “If you think your dad will be open to us…”

“I wouldn’t ask if I thought he’d hurt either one of you.”

“Then I’d like to meet him.”

My chest swells with happiness, and a touch of nerves for what tomorrow will bring.

A cheesy smile spreads across my face. “Big bad Liam Beckner is going to meet my dad.”

He chuckles. “I’ll turn on the charm.”

“You know damn well you can.”