Page 99 of Hush (Fighting Fate)

Isaac smirked at me. I knew he thought I was stupid for being so into a girl, but I didn’t care. He’d find out one day.

Adam lent back against the cabinets and crossed his arms over his chest and his feet at the ankles. "What brings you here? I thought we’d need a crow bar to get you away from her.”

I laughed because it was practically true. “I thought she should spend the time with her mom. They’ve both had a hard time lately.”

Mom smiled at me as she deposited a bunch of ingredients onto the counter.

“And I kind of had something I wanted to run by you,” I said, shifting to sit down on one of the stools.

Dad raised an eyebrow for me to carry on.

“I went and saw Walt this morning,” I started. “As you know, I’m supposed to lie low until after the trial, and...well…Walt didn’t think it was a good idea for me to be at the station too much - or in uniform, so I got to thinking about my future and where I wanted to go with my career.”

Dad’s eyes narrowed as he watched me. I could tell he didn’t like where he thought I was going with it.

“I made a suggestion to Walt and he agreed it would benefit both the department and me, so…” I took a deep breath and smiled. “I’m going to college to study criminal justice.”

Adam pushed himself off the bench with a smile a mile wide and grabbed me into a fierce hug. “That’s awesome, bro. I’m proud of you.”

I laughed at his excitement and thumped him back. “Thanks, man. That means a lot.”

Dad, smiling with relief, came at me next, pulling me to my feet. “I’m proud too, son. That was a very mature decision to make. I’m glad you’ll finally get to experience some normal young adult things…minus the drugs…”

I groaned. “No, there definitely won’t be any drugs.”

Both Eli and Isaac gave me a quick hug and a thump on the back too. It was amazing to see the pride in all their eyes. I didn’t realize how much I missed having their approval in my life. Especially as the youngest. It was a kind of need.

Mom grabbed me last. “You always amaze me, you know that?”

“Thanks, Ma.”

When she pulled back to look at me she took my hand. “I don’t suppose that girl of yours had anything to do with your decision?”

I grinned. “I’m not doing it just so I can go to college with her, if that’s what you mean, but yeah, she was the one who got me thinking about the future. I want to be someone worthy of her.”

Mom, Adam and Dad grinned, Isaac looked at me like I was crazy, and Eli looked like he didn’t quite understand what I was saying.

“Well, after I don’t know how many sleepless nights over the last year and a half, I’m ecstatic. I think it’s the best decision you’ve ever made. Tell that girl I said thank you.”

I smiled. I planned on telling her thank you for myself. All in my own way.

Chapter 61

Kaeli

When Mom had said it was probably for the best that Noah had declined our invitation to come to lunch, I’d thought she just wanted to have some one on one time with her daughter. What I hadn’t expected, was walking into the restaurant and finding Dr. Miller sitting at our table.

I stood there and blinked a couple of times, just to make sure my head wasn’t playing tricks on me. “Doctor Miller?”

I heard Mom say something under her breath, but I was still a little confused as to why the doctor was here. At our table.

He smiled, but it looked awkward. “Ah…you can call me Sam if you like…”

Sam? Why would I call him Sam? What the heck was going on?

I looked to Mom for a hint, but she was just standing there, kindly smiling at the good doctor.

“Uh…okay…?” I said, not knowing what the hell else to say.

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