“Charlie can't keep you from visiting your mother. She still has primary custody.''Nobody has custody of me. I'm an adult.'He flashed a brilliant smile. ' Exactly.”

“You’re exactly like Charlie. Once you make up your mind, there is no reasoning with you. Of course, exactly like Charlie, you stick by your decisions, too.”

“I told you I didn't want to fight with Charlie.""Nobody said that you had to."I glowered at him. "I can't help myself when he gets all bossy like that―my natural teenage instincts overpower me.”

“Yeah- in between insulting someone's mother and taking the Lord's name in vain, he said, 'Bet you're glad she loves Cullen instead of me today, huh, Charlie?”

“I'm not a child, Dad. And I'm not grounded anymore, remember?''Oh yes, you are. Starting now.''For what?''Because I said so.''Do I need to remind you that I'm a legal adult, Charlie?''This is my house, you follow my rules!'My glare turned icy. ' If that's hoe you want it. Do you want my to move out tonight? Or can I have a few days to pack?'Charlie's face went bright red. I instantly felt horrible for playing the move-out card.I took a deep breath and tried to make my tone more reasonable. 'I'll do my time without complaining when I've done something wrong, Dad, but I'm not going to put up with your prejudices.”

“So what you're saying is, I'm your brand of heroin?" I teased, trying to lighten the mood.He smiled swiftly, seeming to appreciate my effort. "Yes, you are exactly my brand of heroin.”

“I'm trying to keep"― he huffed, shifting his weight as the treetop bounced him―"my promise!"I blinked my wet blurry eyes, suddenly sure that I was dreaming."When did you ever promise to kill yourself falling out of Charlie's tree?”