Page 99 of Born to Scar

“You’re my family, yes?”

“I’m hers.” He nods toward Indy.

“And mine by association. Stay.”

Cam scrambles in through the garage door with a huff. “So sorry I’m late. Had a meeting that ran over.”

“It’s okay. He’s not here yet.”

The doorbell rings. My body stiffens on instinct, but Indy is right there, kissing my cheek.

“This’ll be good, Jay.” With a squeal, she skips to the door, flinging it open. “I’ve been waiting to meet the hero!” she says, wrapping her arms around my dad, not waiting for an invite. She’s changed so much. Where she used to pull back, avoiding touch by most, she now gives it freely.

He laughs, hugging her back with one arm, holding a dessert box upright in the other. Cam chuckles from behind me.

“Dad, that’s Indy.”

His eyes dart down. “Nice to meet you, Indy. I’m James.”

“Please, come in.” She moves to the side to let him through.

Cam extends his hand. “Cam. Nice to meet you.”

“You, too.” My father’s hand grips Cam’s.

“And this is Mik.”

Mik nods with a quick wave. “I’m not with them.”

Cam chokes on his wine, but it’s Indy who’s quick at damage control. “No, he’s more of a brother to me. To us. Not by blood but choice.” She side-eyes Mik with a grin she’s trying to suppress.

“Okay, now that this can’t get any more awkward. Dad, we have a great dinner for you. Indy learned under a Michelin-starred chef. I promise, you’ll love it.”

Dad chuckles but doesn’t seem surprised or appalled. This feels promising.

The meal is five stars as usual. His eyes keep dancing between Cam and Indy even as our conversation flows, but I think he wants to know more.

“So, can you tell me how this works?” he finally asks.

“Well…at first, it was your son and me. Then pre—uh…blondie here came along. Then it was Jared, me, and Cam. Now it’s a free-for-all.” Indy smiles and nods as if she just explained what we are perfectly. I suppose she did. That’s exactly how it happened, but it’s not any less confusing. “And Mik came with me. Calling him a friend isn’t enough, but a lover is⁠—”

“Eww,” Mik blurts.

Her brows shoot to the top of her head with a nod. “Exactly.”

My father chuckles, shooting me a grin. “Hence the need to ‘figure some things out?’”

“Yeah. Obviously, we both can’t legally marry her.”

“And I can’t have children, so there’s another hurdle we’ll have to jump, if and when the time comes.”

“I already told you both the logical next steps. You need to get on my page.” Cam’s flat voice shows his annoyance with us.

But I don’t like his plan. I don’t want her to marry him. Legally and practically, it makes sense for his job and his appearance. The tinge of jealousy that flows through me every time we talk about it is proof enough that I’m not ready for that. It may make me an asshole, but I don’t want her to marry anyone but me.

“Oh. Fucking hell, Jared, really?” Cam’s voice brings me back.

“What?”