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“My dad left when I was really young,” I find randma basically raised us And my auntie We were like this fucked up faht after uess he followed his older brother’s example Our family worked Without our dads It worked just fine I’ that my brothers and my cousins and maybe even me- that we aren’t effed up to so us like that, but I aranny So I know it can work”

“What if I don’t want it to be that way?”

“Then we’ll talk about visitation”

I realize Daniel’s cheeks are still hen I smooth my hand up from his jaw, and that’s all I can take, because Jesus, his cheeks are wet I don’t think those are good tears either Emotional tears, yes Tears of shock, probably But I’ve hurt hihtless and caused him pain I have alhter and grunts from my brothers and my cousins over the course of my lifetime, I’m pretty oblivious

I twist in the seat and lean in, basically freaking kneeling so I can get close I rest my forehead on Daniel’s and keep my eyes open so that he has like five eyes and two noses and six hundred eyelashes, and I smooth my hands over his wet cheeks

“I’ to hurt you If that’s what you want, to be in our baby’s life, and I know that he or she is our baby, then you’re ure out what that will look like”

“What if I wanted to be in your life too?”

“Mine?” I squeak like I’et my voice under control “What’s- uh- you can’t- we barely know each other I think that would be a terrible idea Inever works out and that would just cause drama I don’t want our baby to have to do deal with parents who are falling apart, fighting, or just sticking it out because- well- because a baby happened”

“You think that’s hoould go?”

“How do I know?” I ers, and look at our first date! You got punched in the ass, the dick, and the balls by a cactus- a bloody trifecta if I’ve ever seen one- and then we ended up at the hospital, and we found out we’re going to be parents That’s- that’s- about as rough of a first date as I can iine You think it bodes well for the future?”

Daniel’s massive hands co at hi entle, his eyes so soft, his perfect lips actually turned up a little at the corners, and for soed infractionally It’s there because of the pain of the past The pain of all the disappointments and hurts I’ve suffered over a lifetime It’s an icicle of distrust because I’ve been the one left over and over again, starting with my dad andstring of crap-shit and before that was no picnic relationship wise either My high school boyfriend introducedhouse party, and then a rand from my room because he knew I kept cash in my jewellery box, and then proht before prom So, I went alone That ice is there because I’ive Daniel a chance Afraid that if I do, ain, just like it has all the other ti called trusting

“I don’t like to use the past as a gauge for the future,” Daniel says in his beautiful deep voice, which is a little thick and raspy “Every situation and every person is unique I knohy you’re hesitant and if I could find all those douchebags who hurt you, I would I would introduce them to my cacti A prick for a prick”

“Stop,” I gasp, grinding down on h “That’s horrible”

“It is, but they’d deserve it for treating you badly Since I can’t do that, I’d like a chance to prove to you that I’ to treat you badly or leave you”