Page 51 of The Deals We Make

When the tears subside, Ti grabs a cloth from a stack of clean ones next to the sink and gently washes off my face.

I try to take it from him, but he simply bats my hand away.

Mascara has likely lined my face. I’m probably red and blotchy. “Always was an ugly crier,” I say.

Ti holds my chin between his thumb and forefinger. “Not ugly. Would be impossible with a face like that. You feel better?”

I process the question. My mind feels clearer, and my heart rate is slowing. “Surprisingly, I do.”

“You’ve gone through some big emotions in the last twenty-four hours. Let’s get you cleaned up and fed and rested so you can face it all again tomorrow.”

I turn my head to glance over my shoulder to see our reflection in the mirror. Tiberius is so much taller than me. He’s bulked out somewhere down the line, while I foolishly bought into the thin is the new black vibe. For years, I loathed myself. But Ti makes me feel small. We look so different. “I should go. Mom shouldn’t be alone.”

“Hey, look at me,” Ti says.

I do as instructed.

“Your mom has been doing okay. Not great, obviously. But she’s left the house occasionally, hasn’t starved, and the house is now warmer and so much safer than it has been. And everything starts tomorrow. The cleaners are coming, the doctor is coming. If you’re gonna look after her, you’re going to need to let me take care of you.”

The sincerity in his eyes is overwhelming. “I don’t need you to take care of me. I’ve been fine on my own.”

“There’s a difference between being fine on your own and thriving because you allowed someone else to help.”

“You don’t owe me anything,” I say. “I heard your apology. I accept it.”

Ti huffs. “Babe, I know I don’t owe you. And I’m not doing it because I’m sorry. I’m doing it because I want to help. Because you were such a huge part of my childhood, Calista. Because it’s really good to see you. To have cleared the air. You’re staying here tonight. I’d rather not have to tie you to the bed.” Then, he chuckles. “Okay, maybe it would be kind of fun to tie you to the bed.”

I slap his chest, but the only thing I do is hurt my knuckles. “Ouch. You asshole. And when did you get so…solid? Where’s the scrawny teen?”

Ti flexes a bicep. “Never was scrawny, but I found the gym. Couple of my brothers are ex-military. Switch and I work out together.”

I don’t want to think about the men Ti associates with. Although, perhaps Switch wasn’t so bad. I guess Ti feels me tense.

“Hey, stop that. You are safe. I won’t let a single person from the club in here while you’re here. Doubt any of the brothers even know the real details of what happened.”

I relax a little at that. “Can I trust you to keep your word?”

Ti looks at me for a moment, like he doesn’t even recognize me. “I’m as good as my word for anyone. Not just you.”

I’ve hurt him, and I didn’t even mean to. “I’m sorry. I’ll shower and eat with you.”

His eyes go wide.

“No!” I shout. “I mean, I’ll shower while you cook dinner. And then, I’ll eat with you.”

He puts his mouth close to my ear. “I’d prefer to join you with the former, but I’ll take the latter.”

I turn to look at him, our lips so close that I can feel his breath on mine. Our eyes hold; neither of us moves an inch or says a word.

Everything sits on a precipice. But I know falling off it would hurt, whichever way I land.

“Ti.” I’m uncertain with what else to say.

His hand cups my cheek, and I run my tongue over my lower lip.

See? Telenovela.

But all coherent thoughts disappear when his lips brush mine with the softest, gentlest kiss. Nothing is hurried or too intense.