Tiny's Sweet Obsession

57: My Family

Tiny POV

"Did you have a relationship with your family?" she asked, shocking me.

I remained silent, trying to figure out what to say, but Lily noticed my hesitancy.

"Sorry, we don't have to talk about it," she said, getting up, but I grabbed her waist and pulled her back into my lap.

I brushed her hair behind her ear before kissing her forehead and took a deep breath. "My mom was the best mom anyone could have. I know everyone says that, but she was special and meant the world to me," I answered, smiling, thinking about her. "She taught me how to be a man and to treat people with Southern hospitality no matter who they were or where they came from. I would be lost without her."

"She sounds like the best. Do you see her often?" Lily asked with hope-filled eyes.

Images flashed before me, and I couldn't ignore them. But gentle hands grabbed mine, pulling me out of my head. I looked into Lily's worried blue eyes, and a sense of peace washed over me. Lily has shared her past with me, even though it wasn't her choice, and she deserves to know mine. She is my everything, and I want her to feel the same.

"She died when I was six."

Lily tensed, staring at me silently, unsure of what to say. No one knows how to approach the topic of death, let alone the death of a parent, and Lily is no different. However, I don't want to brush her off like I would everyone else.

"Her death still haunts me. While you were gone, the nightmares returned, and every time I closed my eyes, the image of you, dead, plagued me. Then it would morph into memories of my murdered mom. A home invasion gone wrong. I'll never forget coming home from school and seeing her on the kitchen floor covered in blood. I called my dad, who was at work and didn't answer, and then the police. Shortly after the police came, they took me outside, not wanting me to see too much. But it was too late. I remember it all," I admitted, swallowing the lump in my throat.

"The worst part is that I would have never known the details of her death if it weren't for some stupid newbie cop who opened his mouth and told me every little detail," I gritted out.

Lily's hands grabbed my face, resting her forehead against mine, forcing me to look into her tear-filled eyes. She took some ragged breaths and choked out, "I'm sorry Tiny. I know she meant everything to you. The wonderful memories you have with her, hold on to them and don't lose sight of them. If she were here today, she would make more memories with you."

She is too good for this world; just like my mom.

Nodding, I kissed her head and wiped the tears from her eyes. "After her death, my dad became a shell of a person, and left me to my own devices, including figuring out how to take care of myself. I got bored, and didn't have money, so I started stealing. Small things at first, like soap and food, but I quickly graduated to large items like cars. It didn't take long for me to make a name for myself around town, and soon people would call for a job and I would deliver.

I did it for a few years and made money until I lifted the wrong car. Turns out Gears has always had good taste in cars," I laughed, remembering the first time we met.

"Wait, you stole Gears' car?!" Lily asked, shocked.

"Yes," I laughed. "Let's just say Gears wasn't too happy with me. But we have been friends ever since."

"Family," Lily corrected, and I smiled.

"Family," I agreed.

Lily looked at me with determination in her eyes. "I have lived my whole life without knowing who my parents or family were and created my own. All that tells me," she said, pointing to the papers in the trash, "is that they didn't want me. Which I have always known, but nothing new. This changes nothing. You made a life with the Riders, and I will, too. Nothing else matters," she said, and gently kissed me.

Her kiss touched the scars on my soul, healing me in a way I never thought I could be. Showing, I don't have to be ashamed of my past or alone in my future. No matter what happens from here on out, with my family by my side, I am complete.

Lily pulled away, and the sunlight lit her beautiful light-blue eyes, making them even more captivating. They held a love I never thought I would feel or see again after my mom died, but I know Lily is a gift from my mom, and I never want to let go.

"There are things you do that remind me of my mom. Like the night of my birthday party, when you made me a buttermilk pie, not knowing it was mine and my mom's favorite dessert. She would make me one every year for my birthday. Or, when you hum to yourself when you're baking in the kitchen. All the bright-colored outfits you wear remind me of her, too," I smiled, brushing her short brown hair behind her ear, causing her to blush and look away.

After a few minutes, Lily asked, "Can I see your tattoo again?"

Smiling, I pulled away, and Lily turned to face me, finding the lilies on my left ribs.

"How did you know lilac was my favorite color?" Lily asked.

"Well, your old phone case, toothbrush, and a pair of shoes were all a purple color. I asked Kayla, just to double-check, so I could tell Shotgun, and she said it was lilac. Who knew there were so many shades of purple!" I laughed.

Her fingers gently outlined the tattoo, sending chills across my body, and the urge to take off her shirt and pull her bare chest against mine consumed me. I don't want to scare Sunshine, but she is pushing my limits without knowing it.

Tugging Sunshine's chin, her eyes fell on mine, and desire coursed through me. "Sunshine, I want to respect you and what you want. But you are a tempting goddess, and I am failing," I whispered against her lips. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath as her hands ran up my arms and weaved into my hair.

Wait, dude. Lily's birthday is tomorrow, and she deserves all the respect in the world after what she went through. But every time she looks at or touches me, I crumble.

"Tiny?" a soft voice asked.

Opening my eyes, Lily stared at me and whispered, "I trust you. Trust yourself."

She's giving me permission.