“That’s nonsense. I would never hit the garage door.” He waved at me, fork still in his hand. “You’re lying. You just want to steal my car.”

“No, Dad. I have my own car.”

“You’re thirteen!”

“I’m twenty-eight.” I looked to Xander for a little help, but he stared at the table in defeat.

“Cam, you know triggering his emotions is just going to make him spiral,” Xander warned.

Thanks for the help. “Dad, you’re not safe behind the wheel anymore.”

“That’s bullshit! You say you’re a man?”

“I am,” I agreed, even though some days I wasn’t quite sure where that line really was anymore, because I sure as hell felt like a child the minute I walked into this house. Hell, even this town.

“Then, you know I need my keys. A man drives! He has control! Who is going to take your mother to the library when it snows? You know she hates that driveway.”

Shit, that hurt.

Xander’s eyes squeezed shut. Fine, okay, I could be the bad guy. It was pretty much the role I’d been born to play anyway.

“Dad, Mom passed away a long time ago. You don’t have to drive her anywhere. Both Xander and I are grown. We can drive you wherever you need. Your nurses can, too. They’re extremely capable. Xander and I made sure you have the best people around you. You don’t need to worry about driving. Let us make this easier.”

“I want my goddamned keys!” The fork flew from his hand, skidding down the honey oak table and landing in Mom’s empty chair.

“You. Can’t. Have. Them.”

He roared in frustration, and my chest clenched like I was a kid.

“Fine, I’ll just ask Sullivan to get them. He’s the only one of you who ever listens,” he grumbled.

That was a fight I refused to have.

We ate the rest of lunch in silence, until Nikki arrived, all smiles in her green scrubs.

“There you are!” She waved to Dad, then turned to Xander and me. “Thanks. It was great to grab lunch with my boyfriend.”

“Who are you?” Dad asked.

“Nikki,” she answered like it was the first time. It wasn’t. “I’m here to spend the day with you. How about we pop this back on”—she looped the oxygen back under his nose—“and get you set up for a little relaxation time? Your boys tell me that you love Band of Brothers, so I’ve got the first episode queued up.”

Dad’s eyes narrowed as he watched her take his empty dish from the dining room.

“I’m supposed to watch movies with this girl?”

“She’s just here to help, Dad.”

“She’s bossy.” He thumbed his oxygen tube.

“So are you,” I countered.

“Okay, we’re all set. Want to come with me, Art?” Nikki asked.