Page 158 of Now Their Starlet

“Andi,” he says softly.

“Dad!” I sprint forward, stopping myself at the last minute before I tackle him like an NFL linebacker, instead settling for just throwing my arms around his shoulders. “You’re awake!”

The moment his arms wrap around me, still strong despite the obvious thinness to his frame, I break down into tears.

“I’m awake,” he murmurs. “And it seems you have some new adornments.”

When I pull back to wipe at my cheeks, he gestures to my shoulders.

I break out into a bright smile, looking over my shoulder at all five of my guys. Beck is dabbing silently at his cheeks. Cameron has tears in his eyes, too. The others are all wearing stark expressions of relief and happiness.

“Yeah,” I say, reaching up, my fingertips brushing against each one of my bite marks. Everyone but Eli chose to bite along the crook of my neck or my shoulders. Eli was a weirdo and decided to bite my right tricep because—in his words—he wanted his bite mark to be visible even when I’m wearing short sleeves. “Dad, I’d like to officially introduce you to my mates!”

“I’m so happy for you, Andi,” my dad murmurs. He scans my expression, seemingly trying to find any hint of anxiety or negative emotion. “I take it... everything with the conservatorship hasn’t caused you trouble? I understand I was out for a while.”

“It definitely gave us a scare! But... us bonding managed to work everything out. As of this morning, my mates are in charge of the conservatorship. I’ve been meeting with Nancy every week and Dr. Brennar, so I’ve been keeping up with the court orders. So when that 90-day review court date comes up, the conservatorship should be dissolved, according to Charles.”

“That’s fantastic,” my dad says, his shoulders slumping with relief. He turns his gaze to my guys. “I hear from the doctors that I was found in my car by one of you?”

“Yes, Sir,” Eli nods.

“Leo, Eli, and I were coming back from work when we saw you slumped over in your car,” Beck says.

“Eli immediately started CPR,” Leo adds.

“Thank you all,” my dad says. “I wouldn’t be here without you. Truly. You’ve saved my life.”

“No skin off our teeth,” Eli nods, his voice thick with emotion. “Just—we’re just glad you’re okay. Sorry about the broken ribs and stuff.”

“My body will heal with time,” My dad says with a firm nod. “I’ve considered you family ever since I saw how well you treated my daughter.” He reaches out and pats my head gently. “Doubly so, now that you’re bonded to her, but... You’ll never be able to get rid of me now that you’ve saved my life.”

“You’re joking, right?” Cameron chuckles. “I think that should be our line.”

Small chuckles echo around the room before a comfortable silence replaces it.

“I love you so much, Dad.” The words explode from my chest.

Something ripples in my dad’s expression. Like decades-long pain washing away with a few simple words.

Except they’re not simple words.

They’re words I might never have had the opportunity to say to him.

“I love you too, Andi,” he says.

Surrounded by all the men I love the most in the world, something settles into place in my chest.

There’s nothing anyone can say to me, nothing anyone can do to me, that would tear me down now.

Because I’m loved. Deeply. I can handle anything life has to throw at me.

THE END

Epilogue

ANDI - EIGHTEEN MONTHS LATER

After growing up on my mom’s reality TV show, I have plenty of practice avoiding eye contact with cameras around me, but I’m still getting used to having a live audience. Turns out, when you put out a docuseries that’s a strong contender for an Emmy, people want you to talk about yourself.