Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
Kace
I am now outnumbered three to one, I realize while eyeing the females sitting across from me at the kitchen table.
Lindsey and I agreed to take the easy way out regarding dinner and ordered pizza and salads to be delivered.
Mads had wanted to eat in her room, but I made it clear we were having a family discussion while we ate, and now she's picking at her food like she's suddenly allergic, even though I've seen her devour a pizza slice faster than I can take a bite.
"I wanted to talk to you guys last night, but I fell asleep.
This isn't a lecture. It's a talk about making sure we all know what the rules are and where we stand. "
Dani eyes me before quickly looking away, and while my beautiful baby girl has me twisted around her tiny fingers, it's my job to protect her.
Once again, I go over the rules for her riding her bike when she gets it back in two weeks, whether she's with me or anyone else.
Dani quickly agrees and says she's sorry, but I ignore her promise to never do it again, followed quickly by her request to get her bike back now. That's not happening.
Not only because of what nearly took place but because it'll take two weeks for my blood pressure to return to normal. And every day that passes without her bike is a reminder of the rule she broke. Hopefully it'll sink in and stick that she can't do whatever she wants.
From there, I move to the rules of the house that apply to both girls.
"I know having another adult in the house might take some getting used to, but Lindsey is here to help, and I will not have any of us taking our bad moods out on her, me included.
" I stare at Mads, but she refuses to lift her gaze off her plate.
I know my words have hit home, though, because of the sour twist of her lips.
"No slamming doors. No stomping off in a huff.
You got a problem? Open your mouth and talk about it in a reasonable tone so we can work through it and come up with a solution. Got it?"
Dani looks from me to Lindsey and back again, her expression wary and a little uncertain, like she isn't sure why I've said what I've said.
Madi ignores me. And I feel the last of my frayed nerves shredding. "Mads? Listen up."
"I'm listening."
Yeah, there was no attitude in those two words at all.
"Okay, then hear me when I say this. You are part of this family now.
No one expects you to fend for yourself, and I certainly don't intend to leave you out of any future plans.
Whatever happens? We do it as a family. You're one of my girls. Got it?"
The teen's mouth twists harder, and I frown. Does she not believe me?
With a sharp inhale, I realize that's exactly the case.
Because why would she? My sister's made lots of promises over the years, but Madi has been left behind anyway.
I'm not sure how to get Mads to understand that I don't break my promises, though.
I guess time will just have to prove I mean what I say.
Mads remains silent and visibly troubled, and I give up trying to break through the wall she's built.
Time. Patience. Stability. That's what she needs.
Hopefully she'll come to terms with her relatively new living situation with me and adjust, despite the fact her mother abandoned her. I can't imagine what she feels, but I'm here. And I'm not going anywhere.
Even as the thought strikes, I falter. I can make all the plans in the world, but the fact I'm sitting here in a wheelchair proves it's all talk. I could've died in that fire.
A chill rolls through me, and I drag in a breath.
I made it out. That's all that matters right at this moment.
The rest will work itself out. Eventually.
At least that's what I tell myself. I can't make any decisions until I heal up.
Then there's the physical and evaluations. One day at a time. That's all I can do.
I clear my throat and force the wave of unease ready to take me down like a riptide and refocus on the moment.
"So," I say, bringing us back to the meeting, "as far as Lindsey is concerned, she's my second-in-command.
That means if I'm not around to make a decision, you're both expected to listen to her and do as she says. "
I stare at the girls, but right now, neither of them will meet my gaze. I know Dani's still upset about losing her bike, but I'm not sure why Mads has an attitude. How do teenage hormones factor in here? Or is it more? Something to do with her mom? With me?
I feel like my niece is a puzzle with hidden pieces, and I'll never figure her out. And while I'm trying to view Madi's presence as practice for Dani, I am not prepared for a teenager.
And at this rate, I'm not sure I ever will be.
"Is that it?" Mads asks. "I'm not hungry."
I glance at Lindsey but find her as quiet as my girls. "Anything else we need to go over?"
Lindsey looks uncomfortable that I've asked her directly in front of them, but now's not the time to be shy.
"Not that I can think of. Oh, other than schedules due to driving everyone where they need to be."
"I have dance class," Dani says.
I pick up a slice of pizza from my plate and nod.
"I'll put it on the calendar. Just remember what I said.
Okay, girls? Things are going to be weird for a while until I'm back on my feet, but we'll do the best we can to sort out a schedule that works for everyone.
" Silence follows, and I focus on Mads. "Madi, can you get a schedule for work? It'll help me and Lindsey keep up."
"Keep track, you mean," the girl mutters.
"Hey. You're my responsibility. So, yeah, we will be keeping track. I realize your mom probably gave you a lot more leeway, but you're new to the area, and things are different here, especially with it being summer at the beach. Not to mention the fact that you're only sixteen."
"Almost seventeen."
Ah, dang it. That's right. Mads has a birthday coming up soon.
I remember her being a summer birth because Dani's turning seven soon, and they were born within a few days of each other, but for the life of me, I don't remember when Madi's birthday is.
And now is not a good time to ask or admit I don't remember.
"That's right. We'll have to plan something special.
Be thinking about what you'd like to do and maybe we can add it to the calendar. "
Too obvious? I hope not.
"I wanna go on the long ferry ride," Dani says. "And get ice cream and ride the golf carts."
Dani loves all things adventure and recently saw an ad for Bald Head Island. She's been wanting to go ever since because she discovered the island has rules on vehicles, and visitors and residents are restricted to bike and golf-cart travel only. "Sounds like a fun day," I tell her.
And while I'm not up for anything like that yet, I have a few weeks to go. And thankfully the trip involves a car, a ferry, and then golf carts. If I'm in a regular cast by then, it's doable. "Mads?"
"Whatever," she grumbles, staring at her barely touched plate.
I bite back my frustration and nod. "Okay then. Well, think about it and let us know, okay?"
"Are we done?"
I exchange a glance with Lindsey and see her wince in response. "Yeah, Mads, we're done. You can—"
Madison shoots to her feet and is halfway down the hallway before I can finish the sentence. I watch her go and then hear the door shut. Not a slam but…not soft, either. "Dani, baby, do you know why Mads is upset?"
"Maybe she's mad because I lost my bike?"
A low huff leaves me at the not-so-innocent eyes staring back at me, and I shove the pizza into my mouth.
Three females under one roof, and every one of them upset with me. This is where a smart man rethinks his strategy.
And I'm out of ideas…