Page 73 of Tinley's Daddy
“Wait.” Kyler stopped. “Your feelings are hurt?”
“No.” I shrugged. “It’s not about me.”
“It has everything to do with you.” Kyler grabbed the glass and poured us both a shot. “You’re upset she doesn’t want you with her.”
“Well, yeah.” I shook my head. “I thought we were connecting, getting closer. She’s so perfect for me, but she still doesn’t trust me.”
“Or maybe she doesn’t want the man she loves to hear about all the stuff that happened to her.” Kyler downed his drink.
“No.” I lifted the glass. “That can’t be it.”
“It probably is.” Kyler leaned against the couch and crossed his arms over his chest. “She doesn’t want you to hear what those other men did to her. It makes perfect sense.”
“But if she trusts me, then she should be completely open with me.” Fuck. I hated myself for even feeling it. I flopped onto the couch. “What I am imagining is probably worse than it is. Right?”
“Maybe, or maybe not, but none of that matters.” Kyler sat next to me. “It’s what she needs. It’s always about what she needs.”
“You’re right.” I shook my head and stood. I headed down the hallway and found Tinley and Rayna skipping back in my direction. Tinley cradled her journal to her chest. She looked up at me with wide eyes.
“Come here.” I motioned for her and she ran into my arms and hugged me tight. “Whatever you need, sweet T.” I kissed the top of her head.
“You’re not mad at me, are you?” I kneeled on one knee. Tinley was just a few inches taller than me in this position. “I am not mad at you. I could never be mad at you for telling me what you need.”
She fell into my arms.
“But I still don’t want you going down there by yourself.” I lifted her into my arms and carried her back into the living room. I set her on the counter.
“Well, Rayna had an idea.” Tinley looked over at Kyler. Rayna was climbing onto his lap and whispering loudly in his ear.
“I told Tinley she could borrow my Daddy for a while.” Rayna giggled. “As long as she promised to give you back.”
“You want me to come with you?” Kyler seemed taken aback.
“Is that okay?” Tinley asked. “I mean, no offense, but he’s meaner looking than you.”
“I don’t know who that was supposed to offend, me or him.” Kyler chuckled.
“And you trust him.” Tinley grabbed my face. “I trust you. So, I trust him, too.”
Tinley stared into my eyes. “I think I have to do this now. I keep thinking about the seven years that man has done this and then all the other men who keep doing this and if what I know can stop them, I have to tell them what I know.”
“That’s my brave little girl.” I kissed both her cheeks and then her lips. “I’m so proud of you.”
Her smile made all my worries go away. She did trust me, but she had to protect herself first and if worrying about me kept her from helping all those young women and men from going through what she went through, I’d never forgive myself.
I laid another kiss on her lips, pouring out all my love and support I could muster. I sat her back on the ground and turned to Kyler. “I guess we’re swapping littles for the afternoon.”
Rayna and Tinley giggled. Kyler did not.
“I love you like a brother. But I don’t share.” He kissed Rayna and sat her on the couch. He grabbed a blanket and tucked it in around her. “You stay put and rest and do what Josh tells you to do, okay?”
Rayna started to get up. Kyler pushed her back down. “Stay put.”
“Daddy, I have to give Tinley a hug and then I have to go to the bathroom.”
I chuckled. He had his hands full with little Rayna.
Tinley walked over and hugged Rayna. “Thank you,” she whispered.
