Page 91 of Tinley's Daddy
“Charlotte.” I stood and took her phone from Kyler and handed it to her. “Maybe we can talk in private.”
“Okay.” Charlotte stood up. We walked back toward the solarium. I gestured for her to sit.
The space warmed by the sun felt like a blanket. I sat opposite her. Before I could gather my thoughts, she began to speak.
“It’s amazing how you got caught up with these guys.” She looked around. “Do you know how much Kyler Grant is worth?”
I shook my head.
“It must have been so hard for you.” She frowned and reached out to squeeze my knee. “The whole time you were gone, I knew you were alive. I just knew it. Your mother knew it too.”
“What happened to mom?” I knew the facts but not the details.
“She died of a heart attack.” Charlotte sat back. “I’d like to say she died of a broken heart when you left.”
“I didn’t leave.” I leaned forward. “I was taken. Kidnapped. You know that, right? Damon was killed in front of me and then some men took me and no, they didn’t feed me well. They didn’t take care of me. They hurt me.”
“But you’re free now, right?” Charlotte’s eyes grew wide, and she leaned her chin in her hand. “These guys, you don’t owe them anything, right?”
I narrowed my eyes.
“Listen. When you get home, things will be better.” She patted my leg again. “You can come back to Philly and figure out what you want to do with the rest of your life. Your room is still exactly how you left it.”
“I don’t?—”
“Are you still drawing? Maybe we can collaborate on something.” Charlotte stood up. “Why don’t you get your stuff together and we can get on the train back to Philly and in a few days, we can begin building your life again. We’re the only family we have now.”
Funny. Charlotte didn’t feel like family. She reminded me of someone familiar, but not family. I peeked into the family room and spotted Rayna’s worried expression. Kyler tried to calm her down. Josh sat at the table, his head down, but peeked occasionally in our direction. When I would catch his attention, he’d try to smile, but it didn’t feel like Josh’s smile.
I followed her back into the living room.
“As soon as Tinley gathers her stuff, we’ll be out of your hair.” Charlotte clapped her hands and the whole room jumped. I looked around the room and everyone seemed sad. I smiled at Rayna, but she pouted and stared up at Kyler with those big brown eyes. “Come on, Tinley. Where’s your stuff? I’ll help you.”
“That’s not necessary.” Josh stood up and waved for me to follow him. “We’ll be right back.”
My heart dropped, but I followed him.
He stepped into the room we shared and pulled my suitcase out of the closet and set it on the bench at the end of the bed. He pulled other things out of the closet. I couldn’t concentrate and keep the tears out of my eyes. Another suitcase appeared and more clothes were tossed near it.
Josh moved so fast it made me dizzy.
I walked to my side of the bed and grabbed Clarence and set him in the case. I then grabbed my sketch pad and pencils and walked to my backpack and shoved them in. My muscles wouldn’t move. I felt like I was in quicksand, trying not to sink further. He was in an awful hurry to get rid of me.
Josh disappeared into the bathroom and came out with my hair stuff and set it on the dresser. He walked back into the closet. I traced my hand across the edge of my suitcase. It was empty. I looked over and for the first moment, I realized he wasn’t packing for me.
These were his clothes.
CHAPTER 28
TINLEY
“Why don’t you start with the stuff in the drawer and as soon as I’m finished, I’ll help you with your stuff.”
I blinked and my eyes came into focus.
“Wh-where are y-you going?” I whimpered.
“Pittsburgh, of course.” He closed his suitcase and zipped it up. “You want to pack your slippers or wear them?”
