Page 48 of Tinley's Daddy
He sat down next to me.
“I’ll be just across the hall.” He pointed. “If you need anything, come and wake me up.”
We sat in silence. Josh seemed reluctant to leave. I didn’t want him to go either. We’d been in the same room with each other for most of the last week and we slept a few feet away from each other. The other room seemed so far away. I had to be brave. I wasn’t Josh’s responsibility. He had given me the opportunity to heal and deal with all of it, including the death of my mother. I didn’t want to take advantage by making him feel like he had to take care of me, too.
“I’ll be fine.” I squeezed his hand and let go. I scooted farther down in the bed and pulled the covers up to my chin.
“Okay.” He hadn’t moved.
“Good night, Josh.” I sat up and leaned forward. He stiffened. I kissed him on the cheek, lay back down, and smiled up at him.
“Night, Tinley.” He nudged my leg and stood and turned off the light. He headed out of the room. The night-light made me feel better.
I lay with my eyes closed, unable to fall asleep. The house made weird noises and while I wasn’t scared, it set off the noise in my brain. I tossed and turned for as long as I could take it. I was anxious and lonely. I got up and went to the open suitcase. I put my clothes away in the bottom drawer of the dresser along the wall. I zipped and stored the suitcase in the walk-in closet. The other door near the back wall was a full bathroom. White tiles and countertops. The glass shower was lined with gold and gave it a rich, clean look. I set my toothbrush and the other few items I had for my hair and then went back into the bedroom. I pushed the drapes to the side and peered through the blinds into the darkness.
I flopped back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. I looked over toward Josh’s room. The door remained open. I’d just go see if he was asleep.
Maybe he would want to play a game or watch some television.
I picked up one of the pillows and the blanket and squeezed them in front of me as I crept over to his room. The doors to the other two rooms were closed. The game room had a huge brown three-piece sectional in front of a large-screen television on the wall. A card table sat under one window. A bookshelf lined the back wall, and a few other chairs and beanbags were scattered around the rest of the room. Off to the left, a bar lined the whole wall and behind it was a small kitchen. Snacks were stacked up at the far end. I found a small refrigerator behind the bar and peeked inside. It was full of sodas and water. I shouldn’t be snooping.
I shut it and continued toward Josh’s room. It was dark, but my eyes adjusted quickly. He lay sprawled out on his back. His eyes were closed. I shouldn’t disturb him.
“Tinley.”
I gasped.
He sat up. “You okay?” He swung his feet and placed them on the floor. He remained shirtless but had on a pair of dark plaid pajama bottoms.
“I’m fine.” My breath came out high and wispy. I cleared my throat. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“You didn’t.” He rubbed his face.
“My room was so quiet.” I stepped in farther and hugged the pillow. “I couldn’t hear you snoring.”
“I don’t snore.” He grinned.
I snorted and giggled.
“Can I sleep in here with you?” I looked around the room. “I’ll be fine on the couch.”
Josh tilted his head and narrowed his eyes. He shook his head and stood up.
He took the extra pillows on the other side from where he was sleeping and lined them down the middle of the bed. He rounded the bed and climbed. “Just stay on your side.”
“I’ll try to control myself.” I climbed into bed and lay down. I looked over at Josh. He looked at me and then shifted to his side. I did the same and faced him.
“Are your parents wealthy like Kyler’s family?” I didn’t understand why he’d leave his family to be a part of someone else’s.
“Not as wealthy, but they have money.” Josh nodded. “My dad owns a shipping company and my mom is a socialite as an occupation, in San Francisco.”
“You didn’t want to work for him?”
“He didn’t offer me a job.” He chuckled, but it seemed forced. “I was an only child. More of an obligation to my father’s legacy than their kid. My parents had other priorities other than me. He closed his eyes. “Kyler’s mom had so much love to give. I gravitated toward her and the whole family because they made me feel part of something bigger than myself.”
Had I ever felt like part of a group bigger than myself?
“My mother’s parents died when she was in her teens, a year after her sister was born, and she had to look after her and then when her sister was around ten, I came along.”
