Torn by Love (Scarred by Love #4) (9 page)

Chapter Nineteen

Lily

Oh my God, he was infuriating. Today was the third time this week Tanner has called some poor guy out for looking at me. First Phillip, who, I might add, barely talks to me anymore, which sort of makes being study partners difficult. I’m tired of the damn nods he gives me instead of words now.

The second attack was on some guy who held the door open for me and winked when I thanked him. I was sure he almost pissed his pants from the stare down Tanner had given him.

Now here we were at Gilbert’s Bar with Tanner standing chest-to-chest with some guy who’d called me “gorgeous.” Okay, it was a flirtatious comment, but it was innocent. It wasn’t like he grabbed my ass and called me “sexy” or something.

I placed my hand on Tanner’s arm and tugged him back. He only ignored me as he continued to threaten the poor guy.

“You see that girl?” He cocked his head in my direction, still staring down the guy in front of him. “Take one last look, memorize that face, and remember it. Now understand this—if you look in her direction again, this shit right here,” he motioned between them, “is gonna end real badly for you.”

The other guy swallowed hard but stood his ground.

I slapped my hand to my forehead and shook my head. I was gonna kill him, murder his ass in his sleep. He was driving me crazy.

Carson wrapped his arm around Tanner’s shoulders and pulled him away. I mouthed “I’m sorry” to the guy as I followed behind
Mr. Pigheaded Ass
and Carson.

Max was hiding his laughter behind his hand while they stood to the side observing this disaster. Bree tapped the back of his head with her outstretched hand, telling him in her own way to shut up. “What, babe? That shit was funny. For the first time I can turn the tables on T. He used to tear into me every time I showed any signs of jealousy. Calling me pussy-whipped and telling me to tuck my vagina away. Now it’s my turn to have some fun.”

Carson agreed as the laughter flowed from the group. The girls were fighting their smiles, Tanner was still seething, and I let my head fall forward, shaking it from side to side. The only two that were missing from this crazy scenario were Zander and Riley.

Tanner had gone from barely acknowledging me to being my own personal bodyguard in less than five months. I was sure everyone in this bar had figured out we were together. Hell, I was surprised he even let me pee alone.

***

“You still mad at me?” he asked as I walked past him toward his bedroom.

I pulled my shirt over my head and slipped on one of his T-shirts to replace it. I shimmied from side to side as I unzipped my jeans, letting them slide down my legs and pool at my feet.

Tanner stood in the doorway, bracing an arm on each side of it, his muscles flexing. “You gonna talk to me?” he asked.

I glared at him before turning around and yanking down the covers. I crawled under them and pulled them up around my neck, tucking myself in tightly.

I listened to him grumbling as he moved around the room. When the mattress dipped behind me, I held my breath. He shifted around until I felt his arm slip around me beneath the covers. “Don’t be mad at me,” he said. “I just don’t like other guys checking you out.”

I turned and looked back over my shoulder. “It’s embarrassing, Tanner. I could understand if they were going overboard, but half the time you take what they do or say out of context. You yelling at some poor guy for holding the door open for me was awful.”

His jaw ticked. “Lily, he was leaning forward to look down your damn shirt as you walked by.”

I rolled my eyes and flopped back over on my side. “You are ridiculous.”

“I’m not trying to be, Lil, I just don’t like that shit. This is all new to me. I used to make fun of Z and my brothers when they acted all jealous. Now I know what they felt. It’s like my common sense takes a backseat to my temper and I act on the anger.”

I was trying to hold back my smile, but it was too hard.

“Are you laughing at me?” he asked, and all I could do was shake my head and try to frown. “You are.”

He grabbed my waist, yanked me backward, and pinned me beneath him, then placed my hands above my head and held them securely in one of his.

“I’ve never felt this way before,” he confessed as his gaze raked over my face and finally settled back on my eyes. “What I feel for you, I’ll be honest, it freaks me out sometimes. I just want everyone to know you’re mine. The thought of someone else touching you drives me insane.”

“No one will,” I assured him.

“Damn right they won’t.”

I smiled up at him, and he returned it. “There are other ways to handle things besides intimidation,” I replied. “You don’t have to be ready to throw down every time some random guy glances in my direction. Half the time I don’t even know they’re looking. That should mean something.”

“It does mean something, but I still don’t like it,” he admitted.

I wrapped my legs around his waist and pulled him to me. “I am exactly where I want to be. Where I have wanted to be for so long. Stop being such a caveman and look at it as a compliment.”

“Look at what as a compliment?”

“That other guys admire what’s all yours.” I leaned up to place a soft kiss against his lips.

“Not happening, babe. Can’t ignore that shit.”

He wasn’t going to budge. This was who he was. I closed my eyes tightly and giggled to myself. “You’re so ridiculous.”

“Yeah, but admit it, you like that I get jealous,” he whispered just before kissing me, claiming me once again.

He was right, I did like it. I would never in a million years tell him that, but his possessiveness did make me feel good. It was amazing to know I meant enough to him that he felt the need to let everyone else know it too.

He just really needed to rethink his approach.

***

Riley yawned as she looked back at me. She had been to her doctor a couple times after being released from the hospital, but her swelling hadn’t gotten any better, so he hadn’t cleared her for regular activity. As a result, she’s been feeling cooped up and hungry for gossip. Every Tuesday and Thursday morning I was on watch until Kate or Kelly could get here for the afternoon shift. It was actually nice to be able to take the time to get to know Riley a little better. We were always around the others, so the one-on-one was more of a chance for just us to talk.

“Things have been good. He’s been really busy with the new construction on McClure, so we don’t see much of each other during the week these days. We talk every day, though.” I shrugged like it was no big deal. I missed him, but I knew his reputation was important to him. He pushed hard to complete every job ahead of schedule.

“He took yesterday afternoon off to help Dad get a new washer and dryer. I just assumed he’d spend the rest of the day with you.”

I’d had no idea he hadn’t been at work. He hadn’t said anything or even called until later that night. I hadn’t even been out to his house in over a week. We’d stayed at my apartment the last couple times we’d been together.

When I was relieved of Riley duty, I drove by the property on McClure and saw his truck parked out front. The fact I had even checked up on him made me feel sick to my stomach. He must have had a reason for not mentioning yesterday. He knows I’m busy during the day too, so he probably just didn’t want to bother me. I had to trust him. I had no reason not to.

I pushed the entire thing out of my mind and went about my day after sending him a quick text just to let him know he was on my mind.

Me: I miss you.

Chapter Twenty

Tanner

Lily: I miss you
.

I smiled as I looked at Lily’s message. Between her classes and my job and work on the house, things had really cooled down between us. I had overbooked myself, and I was working overtime to dig myself out of the hole I was in. I had only taken a small break to help my dad out yesterday before digging back in. I had to stay on top of the workload. The bids were going out and the jobs were coming in, and it was great but hard to keep up with. I’d put the word out that I was looking for some more hands, and I was hoping soon I would find some reliable guys.

Tapping out a message, I vowed soon I would make time for us.

Me: I miss you too, Lil.

An hour here and thirty minutes there wasn’t cutting it. I needed more.

***

I drove to my house, took a quick shower, and was now on my way to Lily’s place.

I hadn’t called to forewarn her; I wanted it to be a surprise. As I knocked on the door impatiently, I didn’t expect her to answer it looking as she did. Staring back at me was a puffy-faced, red-rimmed-eyed, brokenhearted girl.

My excited smile disappeared quickly as I stepped inside and pulled her close. “What’s wrong, Lil’?”

“I’m just being a girl,” she whispered against my neck.

“Well, be a girl and tell me what’s going on, then.” I led her toward the couch just as Logan stepped out of his room, wheeling a suitcase out behind him. It appeared he was leaving again. I hated the thought of Lily being here alone all the time.

“Hey, Tanner,” he said as his stare shifted toward Lily. “Did you tell him yet?”

She shook her head, and her eyes filled with tears once again.

“Tell me what?” I asked.

Logan stopped at the back of the couch and leaned over to place a kiss on top of Lily’s head. “I’ll be back tomorrow night. This is a short trip,” he assured her as he forced a smile in my direction.

I didn’t like the fucking tension pooling around me. When the door clicked shut, I pulled Lily onto my lap. “Start talking, babe.”

There was pain in her voice when she whispered, “We’re moving.”

An uneasy feeling set deep in my chest. I cleared my throat and took a moment before speaking. “Moving where?”

“Logan got a job offer with an airline in Texas, and Sam’s job can be done from pretty much any location.” She sniffled.

“So they’re moving. We’ll visit ’em when we can.” She sat up straighter and looked at me like I had grown two heads. I chuckled at her expression.

“Tanner, I…”

I placed my finger against her lips. “Before you say anything more, let me just clarify the fact that you aren’t going anywhere. Your ass is staying here.” I didn’t give a shit how hard she fought me on this, she wasn’t moving to Texas.

“I can’t afford the apartment.” I tried to calm her but it was useless, she had already worked herself up. Her mind was in overdrive, and all I could do was patiently wait for her to take a breather so I could reassure her things would be okay.

“I’d have to find a roommate, and I barely have time to look for one before they leave. We only have a little over a month left before the lease is up anyway.” Lily was a wreck at the thought of leaving Arizona.

“Living with a complete stranger was not what I had in mind. I can stay and finish up the classes I have, then transfer. I’m close to graduation anyway, and I can have Logan help me get a job since he knows the area. It just makes sense to go with them.”

“You done?” I asked.

She stared back at me and nodded.

I positioned her more securely on my lap and took her hand in mine. “What makes sense is you staying here. You don’t need to get a roommate. You don’t need to transfer colleges.” She started to argue, and I just arched an eyebrow at her, which made her halt quickly. She bit down on her bottom lip, and I smiled. “My house is your house.”

Her eyes grew wide, and this time I did chuckle. “What’s that look for? Do you actually think I’m gonna let you leave me? You’re not going anywhere, Lil. There’s not a goddamn chance of that happening.”

She sat in silence, as if still unsure of how to respond. “Don’t even think about fighting me on it,” I continued. “You won’t win.”

The look on her face was cute—a mixture of irritation and shock. She seriously had nothing to say. I knew I’d just thrown her for a loop—hell, I’d thrown myself for one too.

When I left work today, I never would have thought I’d be asking Lily to move in with me. Okay, so I didn’t ask, I demanded. But she was out of her mind if she thought I wouldn’t stop her from leaving. What the hell did she think this was between us, just something to pass the time?

***

For the next week, every time Lily left for class or for any other reason, I slowly began snatching items out of her room.

I started out small, taking things from the back of her closet and the bottoms of her drawers. Anything big she might have noticed was missing I left alone. She was still being stubborn about living with me, going on and on about annoying me, and me growing sick of her over time. On more than one occasion she caught me rolling my eyes at the stupid shit she was spewing.

Sam and Logan both told me she was going to be livid today when I walked into their apartment with Max following closely behind. He’d brought his truck, which he’d attached to a big trailer. Today was the day I’d take the shit she would miss. If she didn’t want to come willingly, I would give her no other choice. She could either sleep on the floor in her empty bedroom or sleep in our room at our house.

I left a note taped to the door of her old room, one I was more than positive would piss her off. I could handle it, though. I knew the best way to divert her anger.

Logan chuckled as I walked past him. “So you’re actually going to leave me to face the raging inferno. You do know she is going to kick your ass when she comes home and sees what you’ve done.”

“Yeah, probably.” I shrugged. “But in the end she’ll accept it, and I’ll have my girl at my home with me, where she belongs.”

I winked as I closed the door behind me and walked over to Max, who was leaning against the tailgate of his truck.

“I hope you know what you’re doing, bro. Lily may break out the moves you showed her and pin your ass to the floor,” he said.

“I fucking hope so, man.” I wagged my eyebrows and opened up my truck door. “Angry sex is fucking hot.”

He chuckled as he turned toward his truck. He knew exactly what I was talking about. On more than one occasion he has carried off a kicking, screaming, and pissed-off brunette. He and Bree would always resurface later wearing matching smiles.

I could handle Lily; in fact, I was looking forward to it. Dealing with her anger would be a small price to pay if she would accept that she belonged in my house.

I was expecting a fight. I knew it would come, but in the end everything would work out.