Page 19 of Protecting Tiffani

“Can I see your phone? Mine is still in the car at Boe’s place.”

After typing in her password, she hands it to me, and I go to Spotify. I type “One Percent” by Canaan Cox and let her listen to the song. Midway through, a tear falls from both of our eyes. “That’s what I mean by she’s the one percent I need. The world around us was never perfect, but anytime she was with me, it was almost one hundred percent perfect. I heard this song right after I left for basic training, and it stuck with me. It doesn’t change anything though. I can’t have her,” I say, handing her back the phone.

She rushes out of her chair and wraps me up in a hug I didn’t know I needed. “Levi, that is the sweetest and saddest thing I’ve heard,” she says, pulling back to wipe her eyes. “These damn hormones are going to be the death of me.”

“Em, I don’t know what to do. I have this feeling inside me that I’m supposed to protect and provide for her. She is supposed to be beside me for the rest of my life. But she hates me, and I don’t blame her for that. I destroyed both of us when I left.” I sigh, shaking my head. I don’t know what I can do to make this mess disappear. I’m fucked.

“Why did you leave?”

There is no way in hell I’m about to tell my pregnant sister the truth, so I give her something I never told someone. “I didn’t like who I was back then. I was walking around, feeling broken inside, and constantly thinking I was a failure. I had no plans for the future, and Tiffani did. She had all these big life goals she wanted to complete. I felt like I would only hold her back.” I shrug my shoulders. “When I enlisted, I heard horror stories about girlfriends being left behind. How depressed they became and how hard it was on them. I didn’t want that for her. I wanted her to go and enjoy college and make new friends. If she found someone better than me in the time I was gone… Well, I would deal with that heartbreak when I had to. How can I expect someone to love me when I didn’t even love myself?”

“Oh, baby brother, we have a lot in common. You were never a failure, not to any of us. Jenna did a world of hurt to all of us when she abandoned us, didn’t she? But just like I learned with Parker, don’t you think you should have given Tiffani a choice on whether she wanted to stay or go?” Emilee sighs.

I hate talking about our biological mother. So, I just nod my head to answer her. “I was young and dumb. I knew Tiffani would choose to stay with me because I wanted to stay with her, but… she would eventually come to regret it. But I’m back now. Do you think my Cupcake will give me a chance? It’s getting harder to stay away from her?” The words fall out of my mouth without me thinking them through. If her piece-of-shit father broke the deal, then I can do the same. I promised I would never come back, but here I am. The threat of being charged with rape isn’t hanging over my head anymore, and they already cut her off, so what else can go wrong? Fuck him. He took her from me four years ago, and it’s about time I take back what was always mine.

“Yes, we’ll devise a plan to win her back. I have a feeling it won’t take long. You both…” Emilee’s eyes get wide, and a blush stains her cheeks.

I smile at her. “So you did go see her?”

“Shut up and eat. I’ll take you to get your car. Parker is busy this afternoon, but we have to get on the road soon.” She points at my half-eaten food.

“What’s Parker doing?” I ask. I go back to eating my cold food.

“Helping a friend.”

“Thank you, Sissy,” I say because she just told me everything I already suspected. My Cupcake got some help, even if it didn’t come from my hands. I breathe a little easier, but I meant what I said. I can’t stay away anymore. I stayed away for so long because I knew if I ever returned to this town, I would seek her out and make her mine again. This time no one will scare me away. I’ll end anyone standing in my way.

Chapter twelve

Tiffani

“Itoldyouforthe last time Parker West. I will not allow you to pay any of my bills. You have bulldozed your damn way into fixing too many things around here. Not to mention, stocking my fridge and cabinets with too much food. Plus the phone you forced me to accept. But I draw the line at you giving me money and paying my bills.” I stomp my foot and refuse to take the envelope of cash he’s holding.

“Tiffani, accepting the money doesn’t make you weak. You know that. Please let me help you. You can’t keep taking cold showers and running out of food because you’re trying to pay the ridiculous bills being pushed on you. If you won’t let me speak to Brad, then the least you can do is take this.” He steps forward, pushing out the envelope again.

My eyes roll to the back of my head as I step around him and turn on the coffee pot. It’s been a long ass day, and I can’t take much more of hovering, overprotective Parker. “Look, I may have been struggling, and there is no doubt that I will again in the future, but that’s part of being an adult. I’ve filled out job applications and am hoping one of those turns into an interview. I’ve always paid my own bills, Parker, and I won’t stop supporting myself now.” My nose starts to tingle as I fight the tears filling my eyes. I’ve stood on my own two feet since I walked out of my parent’s house, and I can’t stand the pity I’ve seen in his and Emilee’s eyes the last twelve hours. He has to let this go. I need him to. If I start depending on someone, I’ll hate myself even more.

His hands grip my shoulders and force me to turn and face him. “Sunshine. We aren’t trying to make you feel bad, or like you can’t do this alone, but believe me, everyone needs a little help sometimes. I had to swallow my pride and ask for help when I wanted to open the garage. It was actually Mr. Hill who loaned me the down payment, and he vouched for me with the bank.” My heart skips a beat at the mention of Mr. Hill. I told them about how he helped me get this place and job. I also shared that we had weekly coffee dates. I did leave out that I visit him weekly now, but I don’t know why.

I wrap my arms around Parker and place my head on his chest. “Give me two weeks to find another job. If I can’t find one, I promise I’ll let you put some money in the bank. And no, before you ask, I will not give you the details before then. Please, Park, this is something I have to do for myself,” I beg him.

“Okay, Sunshine,” he says as his phone pings with an incoming message. “Emilee’s outside. Walk me down and tell my pregnant wife you accepted the help, please.” I laugh at this big man begging me to keep him out of trouble.

“Scared she’ll hurt you? Some things never change.” I laugh as we head downstairs. There are a few people around the room, but nothing has gone wrong today, thankfully.

“I like my balls exactly where they are.” He chuckles back at me.

Emilee steps out of the truck and wraps me up. “Did you take it?”

“No, Emilee, I didn’t. But I made a deal. Two weeks to find a second job, or I’ll call you guys with my bank details. Em… I have to do this myself.” Parker groans when I don’t lie to her, but I’m already lying too much for my taste. Looking over toward him, I tell him I’m sorry with my eyes. He winks to let me know that he isn’t mad at me.

“I’m not going to fight with you over this one condition. No more running and hiding from me,” she says.

“No, sweetie. I’m not going anywhere. I missed you too damn much.” I place a kiss on her cheek. She leans close to my ear.

“When he comes around, do me a favor and listen to him. You’re more alike than you know.” Pulling back, she says louder, “I love you, my bestie.”

My heart rate picks up with the words she whispered to me. What does she mean, we are more alike than I know. “Who, Emilee? Levi?”

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