All I Need: Rod & Daisy (All Of Me Duet Book 2) by A.D. Justice (books to read to improve english TXT) 📗

you. Besides, I have to make sure that other guy doesn’t swoop in and take my place.” I can’t tear my eyes away after dropping that statement. Th expression on her face will tell me everything I need to know.

“There is no other guy, Rod. Cam is a very nice man, but he’s only a friend. Nothing more. There’s no need to rush into new living arrangements simply to keep him away.” There’s not even an ounce of deceit in her eyes.

“I’m not rushing into anything because of him. This is all your fault. If you weren’t so perfect for me in every way, I wouldn’t be in this predicament at all. You can’t leave me on my own now.”

“It’s my fault, huh?”

“Damn skippy. This isn’t on me. I’ve never snuggled with anyone all night before, but your body fits so perfectly against mine. Add to that, I’ve never wanted to spend more than a couple of nights with any one person, but you’ve addicted me and put me under some kind of spell. It’s all your fault you’re stuck with me now, like I said.”

“You’re a closet romantic. You’ve just kept it hidden all these years.” She leans forward and gawks at me as if she’s in shock, utter disbelief laces her tone.

“I’m not sure if I should be offended because you think I am a closet romantic or because you can’t believe I could be.”

“You’ll find a way to cope. I have faith in you.”

We laugh together and it feels good, like the release on a pressure valve that’s subject to blow at any time. Daisy puts me at ease and riles me up. She soothes and stimulates me. She’s my rock and my place of comfort. My mind and gaze drift back to Juliana, returning to the same concern I pushed away only minutes ago.

She’s reclined in her seat, eyes closed and sleeping soundly. But her face doesn’t show the peaceful rest I’d hoped she’d have. Her grimace, even in slumber, leaves no doubt she’s in pain. I feel Daisy’s eyes on me and shift my gaze to meet hers.

“What’s wrong, Rod?” She furrows her brows and places her hand on my arm.

“The same as always, love. I’m worried about Juliana. That’s my life mantra. I always try to protect and save her, but I’m coming up a day late and a dollar short. Let’s face it—I’m failing her, Daisy. She’s growing weaker by the day, her pain is increasing, and she’s trying harder to hide it all for my sake. She’s stronger than I ever thought about being. I’m not the one who’s suffering through treatments, but she’s trying to make this transition easier on me.” I snap my mouth shut, not intending to share that last bit of my soul just yet.

My self-preservation guard is normally better intact than that, and I’ve never been one to let it down for anyone since my mom died. Now, Daisy has me running off at the mouth about feelings, fears, and our future like I’m one of her girlfriends. What the fuck is wrong with me?

“It’s normal to worry about her, Rod. You love her, you raised her, and she’s your family. You naturally want to protect her. Anyone who knows you can see there’s nothing you wouldn’t do to help her. She knows that too, you know. She knows she can depend on you for everything. Her medical problems are not your fault. She only wants you to support her decisions and stay by her side regardless of what the future holds.”

“My head knows you’re right.”

“The heart is not as easily convinced though.” Her kind, sympathetic eyes nearly take my breath away. I remember that same expression on the visitors’ faces at my mother’s funeral.

We keep the conversation light and the banter witty for the rest of the flight. The words hang in the air between us though. Losing Juliana is my worst fear, and it’s coming true before my eyes. I can’t fix her—literally. I’m not a match. I can’t wish or will this away. These are our cards, and we have to play the hand we’ve been dealt, even though it’s a shitty losing hand.

After we land and Daisy and I make arrangements to meet later once we’ve settled in, I set off on my own path. There’s something I need to do. Not want to do. Not a fleeting thought or passing fancy, but a deep-seated, unyielding desire to right a few wrongs.

I make the drive on autopilot, barely paying attention to my surroundings while moving through traffic. My mind is preoccupied with what comes next. None of this will be easy, but it’ll be worth it in the end. Even if I somehow have to convince both Daisy and Juliana of that.

I shift the car into park and sit in the driveway to collect my thoughts before I make my move. It’s been a long time since I’ve been here, and we didn’t part on the best of terms after our last conversation considering I thought I’d never return. But this visit is vital, with the circumstances being what they are.

How I play it depends on how well my presence is received.

As I open the car door, the front door of the small, modest house swings wide open. We stand stock still, staring the other down in a silent battle of wills. It stretches out long enough to be obvious and beyond normal decorum. Apparently, he’s as thrilled to see me as I am to be here with him. He crosses his arms over his chest and steps forward.

“What the hell do you want, Rod? You back to find new ways to ruin my life?” His tone is sharp and cuts, but I let it roll of my back and focus on my reason for coming back again.

“I’m here to give you a chance to redeem yourself, Gabriel. This is a chance for you to do what’s right, not act selfishly, and give