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“Oh, thank God!” She squealed and ran over to hug me.
My joy couldn’t last, though. After talking to Tara, I knew there was another conversation I needed to have.
“Mom,” I said. “Is Darren here? I need to talk to him.”
“Honey, I don’t know if that’s the best idea,” Mom said. “He spoke with Tara yesterday and it didn’t end well.”
“Is he here?” I asked again.
She searched my face and quickly realized I wasn’t going to give up. I couldn’t. Not when Tara’s health was on the line.
“I’ll get him,” she said, smiling sadly.
I sat on the couch and took a few deep breaths. Even after ten years of hatred, I wasn’t afraid of Darren. He did the worst thing possible when he sent me away. Now he was no longer a threat. He was just an angry man who couldn’t see past his own issues. I wasn’t afraid of what he would say, but I was concerned how it might affect Tara.
She needed her father more than he knew.
Darren stepped into the living room. He looked at me with fire in his eyes. Already, he was angry.
“Your mother said you wanted to speak to me?” he asked, sitting down in his usual chair.
I nodded and cleared my throat. Holding his gaze was hard. There was so much anger and disgust in his eyes that I didn’t deserve.
“I wanted to talk to you about Tara,” I said slowly. Darren’s eyes flashed, and he started to stand up. “Listen. Please.”
He glared at me but slowly lowered himself back down. I sighed and cleared my throat again. This wasn’t going to be easy.
“Darren,” I said. “I know you and I have had our differences in the past. When you first met my mom, I was an extremely angry kid. I did a lot of shit I shouldn’t have. I know that. When I think about the person I used to be, I can understand why you don’t want me to be with your daughter.”
I paused, but Darren didn’t respond. I wiped my hands on my jeans and kept going.
“But I’m not that kid anymore,” I said. “When you and Mom sent me to military school, I was angry. I hated you both f
or a long time. Then, I realized it was the right thing. You both helped me straighten up and eventually, I became a better man. My time in the army changed me more than anything else ever could. I grew up.”
Darren’s eyes were narrowed. I expected him to argue, to say something, but he didn’t. He watched me and said nothing.
“I love Tara,” I said firmly. “I’ve always loved her, and now I’m the kind of man she needs. I’m the kind of man she deserves.”
Darren scoffed and shifted in his chair.
“You don’t have to believe that,” I said quickly. “In fact, I don’t expect you to. I’m here to tell you I’m in love with your daughter. She’s the love of my life, and nothing you say or do is going to keep us apart. If you can’t accept that, you’re only going to hurt her, and I know you don’t want to do that.”
I fell silent and watched Darren. His eyes never lost their fire, and his lips were pressed into a thin line. He looked ready to throw a punch.
“Cathy,” Darren called, standing up. “Take Caleb home.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX - TARA
My oncologist’s office was cold and terrifying. I sat shivering in a chair, waiting for her to arrive. This appointment wasn’t an exam. I’d already had multiple tests done in the past few weeks. Now, finally, we were going to discuss my treatment plan. I was nervous but also excited. I was ready to get started. I was ready to fight this thing.
“Tara,” Dr. Young said. “Good morning.”
“Hello,” I said. I tried to smile, but my face felt tight.
“I know you’re nervous,” she said. “Honestly, I don’t blame you. This is all scary as hell.”
“It is,” I said, nodding. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do now.”
