Page 37 of Thunder

“You live hours away, and I have Sammie to think about,” she whispers as her eyes race between mine.

She’s not turning me down, instead, she’s bringing up reasons why it won’t work in her mind, and I can work on that.

“That’s a few months away with me going home, and Sammie is amazing,” I say. “All you’re doing is getting to know me, that is it- no promises. Or are you scared you’ll fall madly in love with me?”

“I could, you know,” she chokes, and I half smile and murmur, “I know,” before I bend down and decide to let her body convince her mind and I press my lips against hers.

She gasps, allowing me to gently push my tongue into her mouth and instead of shoving me away- something I knew she wouldn’t do because she feels this connection- she grips my cut and kisses me back. I wrap my bad arm around her waist, holding her to me while ignoring the pain because of how right this fucking feels.

This girl is mine, and I’m going to make sure I am all she sees before I kidnap her and her nephew.

They don’t call me Thunder because I liked the sound of it. They call me Thunder because I jump with both feet with a bang, and I’m jumping, I’m all fucking in.

Chapter 12

Scottie – Two Months Later

I walk out of the diner with my order as my phone rings, and I quickly grab it to ensure it isn’t Sammie’s school. They now call me instead of my sister after she gave them my number.

If I’m on shift, Sammie now stays with Dad. When I’m not on shift, he’s with me, pestering me to get another cat because apparently Felix or Demon cat I’ve now dubbed him needs a friend.

I don’t think my sister or Kavan has had Sammie at their home in over two and a half months and not one of them has realized. Heck tonight Dad said he’ll have Sammie just so I can live a little without being a surrogate mama which is what I have become. I feel like he’s mine, which isn’t healthy considering he’s my sister’s and ex’s.

I wish I could take over his parental rights. I wish I could wrap him up in bubble wrap to hide him from how selfish his parents are, but I can’t, and it doesn’t help that the ass is still working at the hospital after assaulting a patient. Every time he tries to corner me I want to hit him for his treatment of his own son and don’t get me started on him getting away with what he did to Bradley.

The man makes my blood boil.

Checking the screen, I frown, seeing it’s Dad and nerves hit me as I answer, “Dad? Is Sammie alright?”

“You know I love that he becomes your first thought,” he replies, and I can hear the smile in his voice which makes me smile.

I never thought I’d have this kind of relationship with my father, after years of him treating me like the black sheep of the family. Yet, here we are and there isn’t a day that goes by that he doesn’t call to check in.

He says, “Sammie is good. I’ll be picking him up from after-school club in an hour. We’re going bowling. The reason why I called is because of your mother,” and I wince.

It has been nearly three months and I still haven’t spoken to her, even over the phone. While Dad was unsupportive, Mama was vocal about not agreeing with my life choices. She was the one who supported my sister the most despite knowing Rachel and Kavan had an affair because that is what is was and it was cruel.

I think I’m struggling to forgive her.

“Look, sweetheart, I understand she’s made some bad choices. I understand that she has hurt you, she understands it, which is why she’s been giving you time. She hates that you’ll only eat with me, she’s hurting because you won’t even try with her like you have with me. I know it is because she was more vocal, that she was always on your sister’s side, but Scottie, she wants a family meal. She wants to get to know you again and she wants to get to know the person you are falling for,” I look down and swallow hard as he finishes, “She promises your brother and sister will be on their best behavior.”

“She wants me to bring Bradley into the lion’s den?” I confirm just as a strong hand glides across my stomach from behind. The man himself leans his chin on my shoulder, and I give him some of my weight as my skin lights up with his touch alone.

Two months ago, this man asked me to get to know him, called me out for being afraid of falling in love with him, then kissed me when he knew I was going to decline. I have been hooked on him ever since.

We’ve been taking it slowly, so no bedroom time just yet, but I have fallen for him. The thought of him leaving me instantly makes me feel breathless, and I can’t seem to picture my life without him in it.

I mean, come on, the man has hurt himself at least seven times in the past two months just so he can spend time with me while I’m at work. I have scolded him for doing that several times, only to receive smirks. To top it all off, he’s basically living with me, how can I not fall for the idiot.

Doesn’t mean I want him anywhere near my sister, though, or sister-in-law, for that matter.

“She does,” Dad admits, “because she knows he’s your future and she understands why you’ve refused to come home. She’s been content with hearing about your achievements from me, but she’s hurt you’ve yet to introduce her to the man basically living with you. She’s hurt that you won’t take that extra step and I’m not taking her side, Scottie, you deserve to finally have someone fight for you. I also think you need this to finally heal from the past and if Kavan says or does anything I’ll just knock him out.”

I snort before I twitch my nose as I turn my head and lock eyes with Bradley, who smiles gently at me.

He knows I’ve struggled with my relationship with my parents. He knows Dad has slowly wormed his way back into my life with the help of Sammie. He also knows I haven’t had the courage to let my mama in, too scared of getting hurt again, but dinner? With the whole family?

I don’t know if I can do that.