Never Say Never (Haven Harbor #3)

Chapter 27

TWENTY-SEVEN

THIS ISN’T THE END OF US

T ucker

Daisy’s hand is in mine as we head inside to face the wrath of my father. We’re both pretty positive he’s the only one who will have an issue with us dating. I think it will be a shock for my Uncle Randy and my mom, but once we explain that we have real feelings for each other, I’m betting they will understand. My dad, on the other hand, is going to lose his mind.

My hand grips Daisy’s a little tighter when we walk through the foyer toward the kitchen. I pause for a second, looking down at her. “Ready?”

“Yes. It’s going to be fine, Tuck. We haven’t done anything wrong.”

We enter the kitchen to find my mom and Aunt Victoria huddled together at the island, talking in hushed tones. When they see us, their expressions soften. I assume Aunt Vic has filled my mom in on everything. I instantly feel guilty that I wasn’t the one to tell her I’m dating Daisy, but I refuse to feel bad about being with her. We’re adults. If Daisy and I want to be together that’s up to us. Nobody else gets a say in this.

I take a quick glance around the space to see if I can find my dad as I hold Daisy’s hand a little tighter, but he isn’t around.

“Victoria told me about the two of you after dad stormed into the house in a rage,” my mom says, meeting us in the middle of the kitchen. “She said you two are together, which is quite the surprise. She said it’s serious.”

“It is,” I admit. “And I’m not apologizing for it, so please don’t try to make me.”

My mom holds up a hand to stop me. “I’m not here to make things worse for you, Tucker, but I also want to know what’s going on. I hate that you kept this a secret from us.”

“I’m sorry, Mom, I really am,” I tell her, wishing that Daisy and I had just come clean to our parents weeks ago. “Are you upset?”

“That you kept it from me… yes. But you’re not a child, Tuck. And it’s not my place to tell you who you’re allowed to date. I just hope you both have thought this through.”

“We have.” Daisy nods. “It’s sort of a long story.”

“I don’t need the details. Daisy, you have always been like a daughter to us. You are our family, blood or not. So, if it takes us a minute to wrap our heads around the news, I hope you’ll understand.” My mom pauses before looking at me. “I’m your mom, Tucker, and I only want to see you happy, and if Daisy is the one to do that, then how can I stand in your way?”

“Thank you, Mom.” I feel the emotions start to bubble up inside of me. My mother usually sides with my father, she rarely goes against him. And even though she doesn’t appear to be over the moon happy, her understanding is good enough for me. I know she’ll come around.

“I love you both,” Aunt Victoria says, resting a hand on my shoulder. “And I just want to see you both happy too.”

Her response doesn’t surprise me, but I am grateful to her all the same. I have so many happy memories with my aunt. She has always been there for me, but I have never appreciated her more than I do right now.

Swallowing down my nerves, I ask, “Where’s dad?”

“He’s outside talking to Uncle Randy. He’s pretty upset. Randy is trying to calm him down.”

“Did you two get into it out there?” my mom asks.

“No,” I reply. “He didn’t stick around after he saw us kissing.”

My eyes drop to where my fingers are laced with Daisy’s as I try to decide how much I should say. “There’s more to the story,” I admit. “I’ve been upset with him for a very long time over it. I’m tired of him thinking that he knows what’s best for me.”

“Maybe you two can finally work this out,” Daisy’s mom says. “Do you think it’s something you can forgive your dad for?”

“I’m not sure.”

I look to Daisy, her warm, blue eyes looking up at me, and it takes everything in me not to gather her up in my arms and hold her close to me. But first, I need to deal with my dad. I pull her into me and press a soft kiss to the top of her head, not caring that our moms are watching the display of affection. “I’m going to go talk to my dad,” I whisper into her hair.

“Okay.”

I leave Daisy in the kitchen and head out to the patio, where I’m greeted by my dad’s icy gaze. He’s holding a tumbler of scotch, half-full, a look of intense anger on his face. My Uncle Randy stands stiffly beside him.

“What the hell was that, Tucker?” Dad snaps. His brows are pinched together, and his eyes are glued to me.

I cross my arms over my chest, straightening my spine. It’s very clear that he’s upset, but I’m not backing down. I unclench my jaw and try to keep my voice calm. “I think it’s obvious.”

My dad shakes his head. “Enlighten me. Why the hell were you kissing Daisy? Are you together?”

“We are,” I answer firmly.

I glance at Daisy’s dad, trying to figure out where he stands in all of this, but his expression is one I can’t read. He seems to be more concerned with calming my dad down, which I appreciate. My dad can scream and yell as loud as he wants, it won’t change a thing about my feelings for Daisy. In this moment, she is the only person I care about.

“I’m going to go inside and talk to Daisy.” Uncle Randy looks at my dad and then to me before walking inside. He closes the door behind him, and the second he does, my dad turns to me with anger in his eyes.

“I thought I made it clear a long time ago that you are not to mess with Daisy,” he fumes.

“ Mess with her?” If he’s trying to piss me off, he’s a doing a good fucking job. “When have I ever messed with Daisy? I’ve spent my entire life looking out for her. I would do anything for that girl, and I think I’ve proven that.”

“Oh, come on, Tucker.” He rolls his eyes. “You did all that because she’s family. Because I asked you to. Even you must see that this is a terrible idea. You’re just going to fuck it up. You’ll get tired of her, get bored and break up with her. Stop thinking with your dick and consider the damage it will do to all of us when you break her heart.” My dad gestures toward the house where the others are inside.

“Why the hell would I break her heart?”

“Because you don’t do relationships, Tucker. I lost track of the number of women you’ve dated a very long time ago. You’ll get bored with Daisy within weeks, and then it will be over. You can’t commit to a house plant, you’ve proven that. Hell, in 27 years you’ve never even brought a girlfriend home. If that isn’t a sign that you have no clue what commitment means, then I don’t know what is. So, this is what you are going to do: you are going to leave Daisy alone. And you’re going to do it immediately. Let her find someone who actually wants a future with her, not just a good time.”

The accusation is like a punch to the gut. Does he really think I’m that much of an asshole? Sure, he’s right, I have dated my fair share, but I’ve been up front and honest with the women I’ve been with. I may not have wanted to commit to them, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want something serious with Daisy. Everything changed the moment I started seeing her. I’ve kept my mouth shut for far too long and I am done. I. Am. So. Fucking. Done.

“Let’s make one thing clear. I’m not asking you for your permission. If you have a problem with Daisy and I being together, that’s on you. I won’t stop seeing her this time. I’m not some frightened teenager who will listen to your ultimatums.” I pause and then in a clipped tone I add, “There is nothing you can say or do that will get me to change my mind.”

Anger flashes across my dad’s face and his voice gets louder. “You have no idea what you’re doing. End things now before you break her heart and destroy our families in the process. Daisy doesn’t deserve this bullshit. The last thing I need is for you to fuck the poor girl up.”

“Would it kill you to just have a little faith in me, Dad?” I shake my head, infuriated. “This conversation is over. I’m sorry you had to find out that way, but I will never be sorry for choosing Daisy. I would never hurt her and honestly, I am baffled that you can’t understand that. But that’s your problem, not mine.”

There is so much more I want to say. I want to tell him that she’s always been it for me. That I choose her, and that I regret not choosing her all those years ago. But I want Daisy to be the one to hear those words first.

“I’ve lost her once, Dad, and I won’t lose her again.”

A look of surprise passes briefly over his face, but he doesn’t say a word. Instead, he takes a long drink of his scotch and then turns away from me.

There’s nothing more to say. Thank fuck, that’s over. We might not see eye to eye on much, including my relationship with Daisy, but if he wants to be a part of my life, he is going to have to figure out how to get over it.

I leave him on the patio outside, returning to the kitchen to find my uncle leaning against the island, as if waiting for me. I can’t exactly read his expression, but he doesn’t seem angry. He looks pensive, but also open to having a discussion. He proves that when he pulls out a stool for me and motions to it.

“Let’s talk, Tucker,” he says, taking a seat himself. I can hear the faint voices of Daisy and our moms in the living room and although I want to check on her, I know I need to have this conversation first. We’re silent for a moment as I try to decide what I want to say to him. But when I look at him, I can tell he has something to say as well, so I wait and let him go first.

His eyes find mine and I brace myself for what he is about to say. “First off, are you okay?”

Emotion tugs at my chest as I remember all the times I would sit with him and my aunt in their kitchen after I’d had an argument with my dad. “I will be, thanks.”

“Good. Your dad will calm down. I’ll have a talk with him.”

“You don’t need to do that.”

“I know I don’t have to, but I want to.” He takes a long, steadying breath.

“I’m really sorry we kept it from you, Uncle Randy. This is not how I wanted you to find out.”

“I’m not mad at you, Tuck. You did what you thought was right at the time,” he says before clearing his throat. “Your relationship with Daisy is none of my business, but I do want to know if it’s serious.”

I nod, then I brace myself for what I’m about to say next.

“I’m in love with her.” I swallow. “And I realize that may seem strange to you, but I promise you that what I feel for your daughter is real. She means everything to me, and if being with her means losing my relationship with my father, then so be it. I want you to know that I’m not going to stop seeing her. I don’t care what he says or what he threatens… it’s Daisy and me. I will choose her every time.”

“I had to ask,” he says, smiling. “Daisy is a smart girl, and I trust her to make her own decisions. But I’m her dad and I can’t help but feel protective.”

“Of course.”

“You really do love her,” he says.

“I do. She’s it for me.”

He nods, looking into his whiskey glass before looking back at me. “Tucker, if you love her like you say you do, I support the two of you.”

I exhale, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. I feel like I’m so close to having everything I’ve ever wanted. “Thank you, Uncle Randy. I appreciate that.”

He claps me on the shoulder, nodding. “You know I’m always here to talk.”

“I know,” I say.

I still feel like a kid sometimes when Uncle Randy and I have one of our talks. He’s still the man I go to when I need advice, and no matter what it’s about, I always leave feeling like I am enough.

“I’m glad that you’re happy, Tuck.”

“Even if it’s because of your daughter?”

“Even if.”

He knocks back the last of his whiskey before taking his glass over to the kitchen sink. “I think we should all call it a night.”

“I think you’re right.”

“Everything okay in here?” I turn to see Daisy standing in the entrance to the kitchen, looking hesitant but hopeful.

“Everything is just fine, sweetheart. Come here.” Uncle Randy holds his arms wide for Daisy and she steps into them. He pulls her into his chest and presses a kiss to her hair. “Love you, Daisy.”

“I love you, too, Dad.”

Then her gaze shifts to me. “Come on, Tuck, let’s get going.”

We say our goodbyes and then leave, thankful the night is over. We drive back to my house on Haven Harbor knowing this isn’t the end of us.

At least, not yet.