Page 145 of Trick Knot Treat

“You’ll be so far away from home.” His voice sounds old and tired.

My heart races, but I feel a pang, too. This is why I couldn’t break the promise. “But we’ll come visit all the time.”

Dad sniffles. “I hoped this was just a passing thing. That it was just a puppy love thing, but I can see you’re both serious. I don’t want you to be sad. I would never, ever want that.”

“We are serious. They are my everything, Dad. I didn't know how the world had colour or life until I met them, but now they are the wind, the roar of the bikes, the blue skies, the open road.”

Dad wipes his eyes. “But why do I have to lose both of you?” His chin wobbles, but he throws that whiskey back and pours another. All around us are the photos of a club that loved its life together. Smiling alphas, betas, and omegas. People in leather, on bikes, blue skies, smiles. But in amongst all those photos are photos of Harvest and me, growing with them, from children to adults.

We were born into this world, and we all thought we would always be here.

It’s not meant to be.

I stand up and go and squeeze in next to him, hugging him tight. “You aren’t losing us. Consider it as if you are gaining a whole lot. You will really like them when you get to know them, I know you will.”

Dad drinks, but I can see he’s struggling with his emotions.

“Dad?”

“Yeah, okay. We’ll sort it out. You can go back and be with them. I won’t stop you. Not anymore.”

I squeal and throw my arms around his neck, kissing his cheek. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

“Go pack your stuff. I’ll take you back first thing tomorrow.”

“Pack?” I ask in confusion.

“You’re going to need your things if you are moving there, aren’t you?” Dad growls.

The world spins, dips, and suddenly, I’m elated and terrified. I take a step towards him, but he wards me off.

“Enough of the sappy stuff. You do want to move there, right?”

“Yes,” I whisper, and suddenly, I don’t want to go. I don’t want to leave home and everyone I know. A tiny part of me wants to stay young and safe forever with my dad and all my uncles and big brothers.

Dad stands up, and I follow, unable to voice the conflicting emotions. He turns back and cups my cheeks.

“I am so damn proud of you and everything you have done. You are amazing. Incredible. A wonder of a daughter, no one could have had better. I want you to have everything, so let’s pack your stuff. We’ll throw a party for you both tonight because I’d be dragged behind the bikes if I dared take you back without letting them say goodbye. Then tomorrow…back to your pack and happily ever after you go.”

Harvest stands there, hands in his pockets. “Prez?”

“Get your shit together. I saw the way that lawyer looked at you. You need to go sort that out. He looks like he might wake up tomorrow and realise he’s too smart for you. Chain him down, bite him before he comes to his senses. He can take care of you the way you need.”

Harvest laughs, but he’s hurting, too. The same conflicting feelings are written on his face.

“It would be easier to leave you if you were an asshole, Dad, just saying.”

“It would be easier to send you away if you were less…” He starts crying, big huge tears rolling into his silver beard. “I love you two shits. You remember what I taught you, right? Swing hard. Never stop fighting. Be smart. Be fearless.”

“Be just,” Harvest whispers.

“Make sure you always come home for dinner,” I say, ending the phrase Dad has been saying my whole life.

He puts his arms around both of us, and I close my eyes and hug them back. Harvest has been a brother to me, and Dad was my whole world.

“Maybe you can retire in Sunshine Cove?” I suggest.

“What would I do in a small coastal town?”