Page 24 of Strike Out

“No. I will not ruin this because of my allergies.” Isla struggles with the pill bottle, so I gently take it from her and open it, handing her two pills. “You shouldn’t have to change your plans for me.”

A server shows up just in time for me to ask for a glass of water for her. “Can we get two waters, please?” The server nods and turns to our parents.

“Bring the water first and then we’ll order the rest. My daughter needs to take some medication.” Gene tells them sternly. Then his eyes are back on Isla.

“Stop staring at me like I’m going to blow up, Dad. I’ll get nervous hives.” She chuckles.

Goddammit, this woman is going to make her father have a heart attack before he’s fifty.

“That’s not funny, Isla.” Gene narrows his eyes at her. The server drops off the waters and I slide one to her and she takes the pills.

“I think I’m hilarious.” Smiling at her father, then turning to the waiter. “Can I order the Southwest Chicken Salad as myentrée? And can the chicken be cooked in a pan that’s not had any of the top nine allergens in it?”

The guy stares at her like she’s got two heads. “I’ll have the same thing.”

“I’ll have to check because I think the chicken is cooked on the grill. But I think they have a separate section for allergy people.” They write the order down and turn to our parents, who order steaks, side salads, and steamed veggies with no butter.

“You could have gotten a steak, Kai.” Isla says quietly.

“I will not risk eating something that could hurt you. I very much like touching you, Princess. And if I went off-diet, that would mean I couldn’t touch you for at least twenty-four hours.” I grin and Isla blushes. “Twenty-four hours is a long time.”

“GoodfuckingChrist, where is that beer?” Gene mutters, turning around and looking for our server.

I’m not gonna lie. It’s kind of fun messing with him.

Is it immature?

Yes.

Will I keep doing it?

Absolutely. The transition from stepson to son-in-law is going to be a wild one.

Once Gene has his beer and food comes out, the tension dissipates a little.Isla takes a bite of her food and I wait, staring at her. Our parents start eating within a few seconds of her taking her bite, but I don’t.

I wait.

Because if it goes bad, I can react.

I’m pretty sure I still have PTSD from the incident in high school. I have never been more terrified in my entire life than in that moment when her airway closed.

“I’m fine, Kai.” She pats my hand. “I feel fine, notingling, not itchy.” And for good measure, just to appease me. She picks up her glass of water, takes a sip, and swallows.

“Okay.” I smile, pick up my fork and begin eating and quickly regret it. My face scrunches up and I have to force myself to swallow the bite.

“I never said it was good.” She laughs.

“I’ll make you food when we get home, baby.”This is disgusting and I can make her a better chicken salad at home.Bland, overcooked chicken and a strange-tasting dressing. “So, now that we’re eating, can we talk about this like adults?”

“What is it you want us to say, honey? Gene and I had our suspicions. We made our peace with it years ago if you two were to happen.” My mom reaches across to pat my hand. “I knew you loved her a long time ago. Maybe even before you realized it.”

“I knew from that first day, Mom. When Gene opened the door and she stood there smiling,” I looked over at Isla, who was trying not to cry. “I knew.”

“Dad,” Isla looks at her father, and he sets his glass down. “Are you going to be okay with this?”

“I’ll be honest. It’s going to take some getting used to. The day you called me to tell me that Steve proposed and you said you told him no, I thought you were going to tell me it was because of Malakai.” He grabs her hand. “That you were going to tell me you had feelings for him.”

“You’re not wrong.” Isla’s gaze shifts to mine and she says, “He is the reason I told Steve no.”

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