All I Need: Rod & Daisy (All Of Me Duet Book 2) by A.D. Justice (electric book reader txt) 📕

furrow and his eyes crinkle at the corners. “I’m lost. Why would Juliana have to weigh in?”

“I was afraid Tracy didn’t have a chance to tell you everything. The oncologist’s office called to tell me I’m a match for Juliana, but the nurse said I can’t donate bone marrow right now because I’m pregnant. That’s how I found out—because their blood test showed it. Now I’m watching her die, Kevin. She’s getting worse. She said so herself last night. So, it’s only right that she’s included in the discussion of whether to terminate my pregnancy to save her life. How can I ask either of them to make that decision on Christmas Eve? That’s why I’m asking you to give me a few more days to tell them. I can’t ruin yet another holiday for them.”

“Oh shit, Daisy.” He scrubs his hand over his face and holds it there for a moment before continuing. “You’re right, you’re right. That wouldn’t be fair or right to expect of anyone. Tracy didn’t tell me that part because I wouldn’t let her. That’s on me. I’m so sorry I thought the worst of you. This situation makes so much more sense now, and I feel stupid for doubting your intentions. You have my word I’ll keep my mouth shut and go along with this until you’ve had a chance to talk to Rod and Juliana. Let them enjoy their perfect holiday. It may be their last.”

He takes my hand in his, a friendly gesture to show his support. “Just so you know, my heart is breaking for you right now. If there’s anything I can do to help manage Rod, I’m happy to help. I was so excited when I thought Tracy was pregnant. In my mind, that sealed us as a couple, and I wouldn’t have to worry anymore about her not being as into me as I am her because I don’t fit in with her family. Then she told me the test wasn’t hers, but I had to keep it a secret. That made me question everything I believed about us all over again.

“But I see things more clearly now. You don’t have to worry about me telling Rod anything. I’ll go along with this story as long as you need my help. I don’t envy the choice you have to make.”

“Thank you, Kevin. You don’t know how much I appreciate it. I’m doing the best I can to get through each day. All I need is another week, and I’ll make everything right. I won’t let him blame you. I’m not sure how yet, but I’ll do something.”

“Don’t worry about that. I can handle my friendship with Rod. You just focus on taking care of yourself.”

Easier said than done.

“But there’s something you should know. Tracy is absolutely all about you, Kevin. She loves you, and she doesn’t care what her family says or thinks at all. She wouldn’t leave you because you’re not a black man, because you weren’t raised by a black family, or because of what her crazy family thinks. There’s more than one reason why she’s not at her family’s house on Christmas Eve.

“One of those reasons is because she’d never subject anyone she loves to their hate, but there are plenty of other issues that keep her away from them. I’ve been best friends with her almost my whole life, and she and I don’t even go visit her family together. They wouldn’t even let me inside when I was a child, so they sure wouldn’t now. They’ve never approved of us being friends, and she doesn’t see them unless she absolutely has to.”

He nods, effectively shutting me up, but I can tell my attempt to reassure him was in vain.

“Look, I appreciate what you’re trying to do, Daisy. Seriously. But I just feel this is something we need to face together. If she can’t face ridicule from her family, the people she knows inside and out, how can I trust she’ll be able to face the world by my side?”

“Kevin, I don’t think she understands that’s where you’re coming from with your request. Maybe if you explain it to her, exactly as you just did to me, she’ll get it. You have a valid point, and I don’t believe for a second she’d let you keep hurting if she knew how to fix it.” I squeeze his hand, silently urging him to look up at me and acknowledge what my words.

“You’re right. I know you are. She and I are both hard-headed and hell-bent to have our own way. Never a dull moment, right?” A smile brightens his face, so I know at least his agreement is genuine.

“I’m afraid you’re doomed to a lifetime of no dull moments with her, Kevin.” I wink and smile, hoping to help lift his spirits the way he did mine.

“You know, you’re in the same sinking ship with me, right? You have the weight of the world on your shoulders. You hold Juliana’s life in your hands. You have Rod’s baby growing in your body. And you have to give up one to save the other. That’s an impossible choice, Daisy. If there’s anything else I can do to help, it’s giving you my support no matter what you choose.”

“Are you crazy? You’re not giving up your baby for me. That’s not even up for discussion.”

Kevin and I whirl around at the same time to find Juliana standing in the doorway. Her face is beet red, her eyes are open wide, and her nostrils flare with every breath. She cuts her gaze between the two of us. She slowly shakes her head from side to side as her brows furrow and her hands clench into fists.

“Jules, you have to hear the whole story. Today is not the time, though.”

“I heard the whole story, Daisy. I’ve been standing here for a few minutes now. Sorry to eavesdrop, that wasn’t my intention at first. I started to walk away when