Page 95 of Tangled Hearts

“Now… canyoukeep 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 somethingyouwould 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. Whywouldn’tI 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. “Youhaveto 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 thethoughtof 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.”