Rebel (Bad Blooded Rebel Series) by Mellie George Page B

sick and
helpless will drudge up all the pain of losing your own father to cancer,” she
said, and my heart skipped a beat. “I just don’t want you to be sad.”
    In that moment, I’m pretty sure I fell
completely head over heels in love with her. This girl is going through losing
her dad and she’s worried about me being upset by old memories? Wow. “I’m fine.
Don’t even worry about me. This is your dad, Everleigh, not mine. I lost my dad
a long time ago, and even though it still hurts that he’s not here, you are my
concern right now. I’m just glad that I get to meet him while there’s still
time,” I said, and I reached up and wiped a tear that had fallen down her cheek.
“So, are you ready to do this?” I asked her.
    She nodded her head and forced a smile.
“Okay, let’s do it.” I opened the door and climbed out. I turned and then
helped her out of the SUV and she took my hand and with a deep breath she led
me into her house. As soon as we walked in the front door, I immediately felt
at ease. The house was so quaint and cozy and I instantly missed home. “Trish?
Are you here?”
    A short lady who looked to be about in
her forties with bright red hair came walking out from the back of the house.
“Right here, Everleigh,” she said and when her eyes landed on me, she smiled.
“Oh, well, I didn’t know you were bringing home company,” she said, grinning.
    “Trish, this is my friend Ryder
Matthews,” she said, squeezing my hand. “Ryder, this Trisha Cramer, my dad’s
nurse.”
    I placed my free hand in hers and shook
it gently. “It’s nice to meet you, Trish.”
    Trisha smiled and looked at Everleigh
before her eyes darted back to me. “Pleasure’s all mine, Ryder.”
    “So, how is he doing?” Everleigh asked
Trish.
    “He’s doing good so far today. I just
got him to eat a whole bowl of soup.”
    Everleigh’s face lit up. “Really? Oh,
that’s great!” she said happily. “Is he awake right now?”
    She nodded. “He’s watching television in
the den,” Trish said. “I’m going to start on dinner in here so you and your
friend can visit with Max. It was nice meeting you, Ryder,” she said, walking
off toward the kitchen.
    She turned to me and smiled. “So, are
you ready to meet my first love?” she asked me, a twinkle in her eye.
    I smiled and leaned in and kissed her
nose. “Absolutely.” She winked at me and led me down the hall all the way to a
room in the back of the house.
    As soon as we walked in, I heard the
sounds of the channels on the TV being changed quickly and a grumpy voice say,
“Three hundred channels and not a God damned thing on.” I instantly smiled.
    “Hey Daddy, what are you in here
complaining about?” Everleigh asked, leading me over to a recliner. As soon as
my eyes landed on Everleigh’s father, my heart sank. He was so thin and pale…he
looked just like my dad had about a week before he passed away.
    “Just the fact that we pay out the ass
for cable and there is always shit on the TV,” he said, smiling at her. His
eyes flickered over to me and he smiled a smile so bright his face lit up.
“Well, now who do we have here?”
    Everleigh squeezed my hand and led me
closer to his chair. “Daddy, this is my friend Ryder. I told you about him last
night,” she said.
    “Oh right, the rocker boy. Max Stone,
nice to meet you son,” he said, weakly extending his hand to me.
    I gently placed my hand in his and gave
it a quick shake. “Nice to meet you too, sir.”
    Max looked at me and then at Everleigh.
“Sir, huh? I like it. Why don’t you call me that, Evie girl?”
    Everleigh smiled at him. “Because I
don’t have to kiss your ass, old man. You already like me,” she said, and he
laughed.
    “Hell yes I do. So, tell me about
yourself, young man. What has you chasing my Everleigh to town?” he asked,
smiling at me.
    “Honestly? How can I not? I mean look at
her, she’s gorgeous,” I said, and he laughed.
    “That she is,” he said,