Struggles of a Single Father (Book 1 of the Struggle Puff Series)

Chapter 36

Edited 03/15/2020

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The closer he got, the more Tilisia's face contorted into one of indifference.

I decided to stand up and block his way before he could get too close, "Do you want to tell me what this is about before you just roll up on her?"

"Carter, I respect you and all, but I really need to talk to her so she can understand somethings."

"And I understand that, but I think this can wait."

"It clearly can't because she texted me an hour ago and told me that she wanted nothing to do with me anymore!" He leaned around me to look at her, "And if you send one more of my calls to voicemail, I might just strangle you!"

"Come at me, teme!" Tilisia shouted from behind me.

"Newsflash, I've been learning Japanese and I know what that means."

"Oh yeah? And what are you gonna do about it?"

"I'm gonna end you!" He went to jump at her, but I was faster and wrapped my arm around his waist and pulled him away.

Unfortunately, he was almost my height, and hard to hold back. I was thankful when he stopped struggling against my grasp.

Once he stopped, for the first time, I saw him completely disheveled. His black hair was in his face and his eyes were filled, not with rage, but something else that I couldn't quite pinpoint.

Once he stopped struggling, he was breathing heavily, "Screw you." He said in a low tone.

Tilisia dramatically placed her hand on her chest, "Screw me? Screw me! How about you screw Jessica?"

That name ignited a memory and me and I looked at him the best I could in our position, "Friendless loser Jessica? Really?"

"If someone would just let me explain, you'd get why."

"Oh shit." I heard an alarmed exclamation behind me.

I turned around to see Cadence quickly backing out of the shop and running.

I shoved Ain back, "Stay here. If you lay a hand on my daughter, I'll kill you." I turned towards Tilisia, "Don't give him a reason to want to fight you."

I trusted that my threat would work well enough, so I ran after Cadence, knowing that she probably had something to do with this.

When I caught up to her, she was hiding behind the stairs that lead to the rooftop restaurant.

I grabbed her by the shoulder and immediately started dragging her back with me.

"Hey! What the hell?" She yelled out.

"I know you have something to do with this and I'm not going to let any of you get away."

"I don't even know what you're talking about!" She argued.

Upon reentering the shop, I apologized to the manager before heading back to where Tilisia and Ain sat, both refusing to look at the other, and shoved Cadence towards them.

"Does she have anything to do with this?" I asked as I crossed my arms over my chest.

"Absolutely." Tilisia and Ain said in unison. They glared at each other before looking away.