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NOLAN
Ibrace myself against the wall outside of Andi and Bruce’s apartment. I’ve been in their home so many times, as a guest and friend, and but now I’m playing a very different role. I look down at Andi, who for once looks demure, and I’m confident being her partner is the role I was born to play. Maybe that’s why I’ve remained a bachelor for so long. I was just waiting for Andi to grow up.
“It’s now or never,” Andi says with a sigh as she places her hand on the door.
“Don’t worry, Andi. I’ll be here no matter what,” I tell her, but I’m not sure if I’m reassuring her or myself.
She smiles thinly, unlocks the door, and pushes it open. She steps inside first, and I follow, closing and locking the door behind me. When I turn around, Bruce is standing there with a scowl on his face.
“You bastard,” he snarls, reaching out to grab Andi before shoving her out of the way.
She yelps in surprise, but before I can open my mouth, Bruce’s meaty fist collides with my jaw.
“Pops! What the hell was that for?” Andi screeches from the kitchen.
I wiggle my jaw and cradle it, checking to make sure it’s not broken. Just as I straighten, ready to face Bruce, he lands another blow to my gut.
Andi screams out again, begging her father to stop his assault. I don’t blame him, though. I broke his trust and defiled his little girl. If I had a daughter, I’d do the same thing.
“He’s fine, and besides, he had it coming,” Bruce barks. “You could have absolutely anyone. Why her?”
“It’s always been her,” I say simply. “I just didn’t realize it until now.”
“She’s a child! How could you take advantage of someone so young?”
“Excuse me,” Andi chirps. “But I’m still here.”
We both look at her, standing in the kitchen, her hands on her hips and an annoyed expression on her face.
She waves sarcastically. “Hi. Remember me?”
“Andi, please,” her father says. “You’re too young to be involved with someone Nolan’s age.”
“Don’t patronize me, Pops. You can either listen to what we have to say, or I’ll leave this mountain forever and never come back.”
All the color drains from Bruce’s face, because something like that would break his heart. He and Andi have a special bond that no one, not even me, can break.
“Andi don’t say things you’ll regret,” I tell her.
She steps forward and links her hand with mine.
“I’d regret not being with you,” she whispers, then turns her attention back to her father. “Who gives a fuck about our age difference? All that matters is I love Nolan, and he loves me back.”
“Bruce, I promise to protect her and love her until the day I die,” I tell him, attempting to diffuse the situation.
“We aren’t asking your permission, but we would love for you to be okay with this,” Andi chimes in.
“Do you really love him?” Bruce asks at last.
“Without a doubt.”
He turns to me. “And you promise not to hurt her?”
“Of course, and if I did, then I’d hand you the knife myself to cut off my balls.”
Andi gasps next to me, and I’m positive I’m the only one who heard.
“No one’s cutting anyone’s balls,” Bruce grumbles.
