Page 43 of Tangled Hearts (Mended Hearts #4)

Eli

I t’s quiet today at The Hart Foundation. Dad and I are just hanging out more than anything else. Since the fundraiser is less than a week away, we have everything organized and ready to go. Dad’s gotten better at this through the years.

I glance down at the paper in front of me. I’m working on my speech for the big night. It’ll be my first year giving a speech. It’s not like a huge deal, probably. But I’m still a little nervous.

“Do you want to read my speech?” I ask, waving the paper in the air.

Dad looks up at me. “I can if you want me to.”

“You don’t want to?”

He smiles. “I can. I’d like to be surprised, but if you want me to read it, I will.”

Ugh. Well, that takes all the fun out of it. I don’t want to ruin his surprise. “Fine. I’ll let you be surprised.”

Dad’s been a little quiet today, and a tiny part of me is slightly concerned.

He’s never been someone who has to fill the silence with words.

Which works out in some ways. Like the universe knew our house couldn’t have handled three chronic yappers.

He’s the quiet to Beck’s chaos. I snort to myself. And they call Uncle Hold a chaos twink.

“What’s so funny?”

“Huh?” I ask.

Dad chuckles. “You’re laughing to yourself over there. I’m just wondering what’s so funny.”

“Can you keep a secret?” I know damn well he can. But this is different, and if he tells Beck on me, I’ll never, ever hear the end of it. It’ll be talked about at my wedding, at every one of my birthdays, and probably at my fucking funeral too.

“Of course.”

“I was just thinking.” I stop, giggling hard as Dad gives me a bemused grin. “It’s funny that Dad calls Uncle Hold a chaos twink. I know that no one is calling Dad a twink, but like… if anyone’s the chaos, it’s him.”

Dad blinks at me a few times, then bursts into laughter. I join him, laughing so hard I can barely breathe. “That’s a secret we’ll take to the grave.”

“Deal,” I say through my laughter.

“Now… can you keep a secret?” Dad asks, tone serious.

My laughter dies off immediately. “Of course. Are you okay? Is everything alright?”

Dad rubs at his face, then he slumps against his seat. “Probably not appropriate to talk to you about this, but I can’t really call Holden about it, and I can’t believe I’m thinking about doing this to Beck again.”

My stomach drops out. “What’s going on, Dad? ”

“I want to adopt Lexi,” he blurts out, and my brain grinds to a halt. It doesn’t matter, though, because he keeps rambling on. “I know it’s wild because we’re pushing forty now, and we just got you raised. God, can you imagine Beck having to teach another kid to drive? He barely survived you.”

We both laugh at that. “He really was a hot fucking mess. Remember when I wasn’t slowing down fast enough, and he acted like he was going to jump out of the car while it was rolling down the highway?” I scoff. “As if that wasn’t more dangerous than me being a little heavy-footed.”

Dad raises an eyebrow. “A little? Kid, you were going faster than you realized. He needed twenty minutes of quiet time when we got home to get his head on right again.”

I giggle again. “He lived.”

Dad sobers. “And then there’s you. Is that something you would be okay with?”

“Me?” I scrunch my nose up. “What do I have to do with it?”

“I’d never want to make you feel like you were being replaced.”

My heart swells to the point that I’m sure it’s going to crack my ribs. God, I fucking love him so much.

“I’d never feel that way,” I say softly.

“God, you… you guys saved me. You gave me a family. Why wouldn’t I want that for Lexi?

I’d adopt her myself if I thought I could take care of her.

She’s a special girl.” Wait a damn second.

“Okay, wait.” Dad freezes, his eyes widening as he stares at me. “You have to do it.”

“Do what?” he asks cautiously.

“Adopt her. You have to. How cool would I be as a big brother? Be for real. I’d be the best.”

“Yeah.” Dad laughs, running a hand through his hair. “You really would be. ”

I close my eyes, my heart thrumming, then I open them and reach across the table to grab Dad’s hand.

“You brought so much to my life, Dad. You and Other Dad both. I don’t even have words for how much the two of you mean to me.

Even just the thought of you giving that love to someone else makes me happy.

How could it not? I love Lexi, and she loves you guys too. ”

“She does.” Dad’s lips tilt up in a little smile. “Especially Beck. She told him last week he looked like a prince. God, he hasn’t shut up about it since. Insufferable man.”

Not surprising at all. “Of course he hasn’t.”

His smile grows for a second, then it falls away, his face taking on a serious look. His eyes go a little glassy, and he brings a hand to his chest, placing his palm over his heart. “It feels like you, kid.”

“What do you mean?” I ask.

He’s quiet for a second while he collects his thoughts.

“There was something special about you right from the start. I just… I don’t know, Eli.

You felt like mine—ours—from the very first second I met you.

And seeing you heal and grow and trust in yourself—watching you blossom into such a compassionate, giving person has been the fucking joy of my life.

” My throat goes tight, my eyes starting to burn. “Lexi feels like that too.”

“Like she’s meant to be part of our family,” I whisper, emotion making my voice all choked.

“Exactly like that,” Dad whispers back.

“You should do it. I mean, obviously you need to talk to Dad, but… you still have a lot to give. Both of you.”

He lets out a shaky breath, squeezing my hand. “And you’re sure you’re okay with it? ”

“Positive.” And I am. How could I not want what I had for Lexi? I love her to pieces. She’s an absolute sweetheart, and she deserves nothing but the best. I quite like the idea a lot, actually. “When?”

“I don’t know, really. I need to talk to Beck. And Lexi. She’s had so much taken from her. I don’t want to take more from her. I want it to be her choice. Just like it was yours. And probably not until after the fundraiser. I just… I want to make sure we can help her transition.”

I think that’s probably smart. My stomach flips in excitement. “This is actually the coolest thing ever. Do you think Dad’s gonna freak out?”

“Probably not.” Dad laughs. “I was scared as hell to tell him I wanted you, and he was ready to pick you up and bring you home the same night.”

That makes me smile. God, I love this family. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” Dad blows out a breath. “Okay, so you’re good with it. Now I just need to talk to Beck.”

“Please call me when you’re done.” I know he’s going to say yes.

I know it, but I still want to be included.

Not because I’ll feel left out otherwise, but because if my family is growing, I want to be included.

I want a part in welcoming Lexi home. I want to help her set up her bedroom.

“She’ll need a makeup station. She loves makeup.

And we need to make sure she has a night-light. She’s afraid of the dark.”

Dad laughs. “You really will be the best big brother. I’m so proud of you.”

I hold a hand up. “That’s enough, or I’m gonna cry. This is supposed to be a happy moment. You’re not allowed to make me cry.”

“It is a happy moment, though,” Dad argues, swiping at his own eyes.

“Oh my God, you’re such a sap. It’s embarrassing.”

Dad scoffs. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re a brat?”

I can’t help but laugh at that. “Yeah, from time to time.”

There’s a new lightness in my chest. I’m so happy and so excited. “She’s going to be so happy. Hell, I’m gonna be so happy. And Dad’s gonna be super happy that he’s not the only blonde anymore.”

Dad lets out a barking laugh. “You’re not wrong.” He gives my hand another squeeze, and I gently pull away from him.

Ugh, now I have to finish writing my speech all emotional and shit. This is annoying. Only I can’t seem to wipe the smile from my face, and I can’t help the excited buzz tingling under my skin.

Our family is going to grow. Again.

I can’t believe that I get to have this life. That I’m in this place right here. And it’s all because of Roman. I peek up at him through my lashes and scrap my entire speech. I’m going to make it about him instead.

Nic

I’m about to leave Holden’s now, baby. I’ll see you soon.

Honestly, thank God. I love that Holden and Nic are getting closer, which is mildly hilarious to me, considering how much I was worried about it at first. Looking back, I’m not even sure why. There was really no reason for me to think that Nic would affect my place in my family.

Like Lexi, he’s an addition, and he takes nothing from me .

Only he’s not my family. That would be fucking gross. Nah, Holden can claim that title. Nic can be my… well, he’s kind of my everything. And that’s enough for me. More than enough.

I honestly think part of me was just worried he wouldn’t like me. That he wouldn’t want me around or that he’d consider me a nuisance. I’m not sure why my mind still always jumps to the worst-case scenario, but it’s no fun.

The sound of Nic’s Jeep pulling into the driveway makes my heart pound furiously in my chest. Will this feeling ever go away? Will I ever stop being so damn excited for him to be around me? No. I don’t think I will.

I open the door, too impatient to even wait for him to get inside, a smile stretching across my lips when he jogs up to me.

He scoops me up, making me squeal in surprise, then he slams the door shut behind us and strides across the living room.

He drops onto the couch, hauling me in closer, and buries his face against my throat.

“Not that I mind, but what’s this?” I ask, breathless.