Chapter 22
JOSH
The paramedics gave Tinley and Rayna the all clear. They both would have bruises for a while. Tinley’s nose wasn’t broken, and she could breathe fine.
She kept peeking at me, but when she opened her mouth to speak, we would get interrupted. Finally alone, I walked her to the car and helped her inside. She looked so vulnerable and unsure of what she had exactly agreed to. I slid into the car next to her.
“We have to go back to the house.” She grabbed my hand. “I need my journal.”
“James, let’s swing by the house first.” I patted the driver on the shoulder. We rode the few blocks in silence. At home, she waited for me to round the car and open her door. Her big, bright eyes darted around.
“Are you okay?” I couldn’t think of anything else to ask. Clearly, she wasn’t okay. “That’s not the question I want to ask, but not sure of any other way to ask it.”
“I think I should go talk to Agent Stanley alone,” she blurted out.
My heart sank.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” I helped her out of the car and walked her to the house. “You don’t have to do this all alone.”
“I know.” She stopped at the door. “I don’t think I can do this with you.” A tear fell down her face. We stood at the door. The silence was thankfully interrupted by Rayna and Kyler climbing out of another car.
“I thought you were going to the FBI,” Rayna asked. “Tinley, are you okay?”
Tinley nodded and stepped inside. She scooted off toward our room. Rayna followed her.
“What’s going on?” Kyler ushered me inside.
“Nothing.” I walked into the kitchen. “She needed to get her journal.”
“Okay, then why do you look like someone kicked you in the gut?” Kyler rested a hand on my shoulder.
“She doesn’t want me to come with her to the FBI.” I scratched at my chest, but my heart continued to beat uncontrollably. “I need a drink.”
“She can’t go down there by herself.” Kyler followed me into the den.
“I agree.”
“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.
“Daddy, be super nice to Tinley.”
“I’m always nice.” Kyler walked toward the door. Tinley hugged her journal to her chest and followed him. She stopped at the door and turned. She ran back toward me. I squatted down and absorbed her hug. I didn’t want to let her go ever.
But I did.
I sat next to Rayna on the couch and watched the door.
“She’s going to be fine.” Rayna took my hand. “She’s strong.”
“Thank you. For being such a good friend to both of us.” I looked down at her.
“Now do you think I’m good enough for your best friend?” Rayna grinned up at me.
“Yeah, but now he’s not good enough for you.” I kissed her on the side of her head. “I’m hungry. Let’s eat some junk food.”
“Yes, best uncle ever.” Rayna raised her arms in the air in victory.
“Don’t let Chandler and Randall hear you say that.”
She dropped her arms.
“Oh shoot, knowing Randall, he probably has microphones and cameras in this whole place.” Rayna squinted and stared up at the air vent.
“Randall, if you’re listening, you’re my favorite uncle, too.”
I reached behind me and flipped the light switch on and off.
Rayna gasped and clutched her chest.
We both stared at each other before cracking up.