Page 131 of The Crowned Garza

“You wouldn’t be going the lengths you are if you didn’t.”

“I’m sorry you went through what you did today. Feels like I let you down... I’m sorry.”

“You didn’t. Stop apologizing.”

His arms tighten around me. “I love you, T. You know that, right?”

“Do you love me enough tonothurt my boyfriend when you find out who he is?”

“Nah. Any man who doesn’t have the gall to step up to us like a real man and ask for our blessing to date you, deserves to have his neck snapped. I don’t care who he is.”

“If you snap his neck, you snap my heart.”

“You’ll live.”

“Ugh.” I wriggle out of his hug and shove him back. “Get away from me, you psychopath.”

Backing out of the room, he laughs. But there’s not an ounce of humor behind it.

I swear, he scares me sometimes.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

“Win what?”

Tillie

AS SOON AS THEmedic is through with me and all noticeable evidence of me being slapped across the face has faded, I sneak out of the medical center and take a car service to Venice. I don’t want to deal with any more of my brother’s macho bullshit tonight.

Once I’m in Tripp’s courtyard, I text them all that I’m home safe.

When I walk into the house and see Sunny, safe and sound with a huge smile on her pretty face as she watches something on her tablet, all the pent-up resentment and disappointment I’ve harbored these last few days just...fade away.

Instead of picking a fight with her like I’ve been wanting to do, I wrap my arms around her. I’m a fool to think I could cut her off, live without her. There’s no chance. She’s my soul mate. My tether. Selfishly, I wish I didn’t have to share her with my brother, but I’d rather have some of her than none of her.

“Hey, hey…” She rubs soothing circles on my back. “What’s going on, T?”

It’s then I realize I’m sobbing. “I just... I just need you right now.”

“Of course, of course. I’m here. I’ll always be here for you.”

Tears fall. Lots and lots of them.

For hours on end.

I fall asleep in tears, wake up in tears, fall asleep again. But she never leaves my side.

By the time dawn yawns outside the windows, I’m worse for wear. But I’ve always been better at throwing myself into work than curling up in bed feeling sorry for myself, so as damaged as I feel, I drag myself out of bed and quietly get ready for work.

On the way out, I go to snag Tripp’s car keys since my car is still at Mom’s but notice my car key is in the bowl. Tripp must’ve collected it from Mom’s and brought it here for me. He can be thoughtful sometimes, that one.Sometimes.

I head out, finding my car parked in front of the gate. When I open the door and climb inside, there’s a matte-black gift bag sitting on the passenger seat.

My breath hitches. No need to guess who it’s from. It’shimwho brought the car here for me.Hisscent is in every crevice of this confined space.

He must’ve been in here for a long time.

With hesitance, I pick up the gift bag and peer inside.