The cop car outside my house set a ball of anxiety inside me.

"I just don't understand," I sighed. "This is the first time anything like this has happened. We've always been safe."

Florencio said nothing. He also didn't park in the driveway.

"What's wrong?" Those words weren't supposed to be coming from me. I was the mouse and Florencio was the tiger. When did he need protecting? He didn't.

"Just get inside," he finally said. "He's probably wondering why you're just sitting here." His hand gripped the steering wheel tightly, eyes looking anywhere but me.

My mouth fell open.

"Parker, I have to go—"

A knock on the window interrupted him. He sucked in a breath, opened the door and got out. I did too.

"Ms. Rose?" Robert, I could tell by his name tag, questioned. He ignored Florencio completely and came around the car to me.

"Y-yes, call me Parker." I mentally cursed at myself for stuttering.

My eyes darted to Florencio. Now he was looking at me. He stared at me openly, waiting for me to crack.

I wanted him to leave now. He made me mad. He had to be a jerk now? I wrapped my arms around myself protectively.

"Are you the boyfriend?" Robert questioned.

He nodded. "Yeah. Afternoon, officer."

Robert eyed Florencio suspiciously. "I hope this doesn't sound odd, but I swear I've seen you around."

A forced laugh left Florencio. "A bit. I'm not from here."

"You just look so familiar." Robert's voice didn't hold any particular tone and I felt myself break out in a sweat.

Florencio's fingers drummed on the hood of the car. "I guess I look like every Mexican guy, no?"

Whatever guards Robert had about Florencio dropped. "No. My apologies." Robert looked at me.

"Ma'am, let's talk inside?"

I nodded. "Yes." My arms itched to move and hold Florencio. "Bye."

Pivoting, I tried my best to not run to the door.

The house was trashed. I wasn't sure what I was expecting.

"Oh my god," I whispered. The few photos in the living room were shattered. The hallway photos were ripped to pieces and taped on the wall in bunches.

"Ms. Rose—"

Gasping, I spun around.

"I'm sorry," I sputtered. "I forgot you were here."

"Let me show you where the break in happened," he said quietly. He led me to my moms room.

Her bedsheets were cut up, pillow feathers everywhere. Cigarettes were burnt out on her headboard. Her nightstand tables were opened. The intruder had spilled their contents and threw them on the floor. Her clothes were on the floor. It reeked in here of booze.

I didn't notice I was crying until Robert handed me a tissue.

If she was here... would she have died? Would the intruder had come to get me too?

"Your neighbor Edith said she heard glass breaking and voices around 11 at night. She called 911 in the morning," Robert explained.

Anger flared in me. "In the morning? What if we had been home? I can't believe her." My hands shook. To calm myself down, I started to tear the used tissue.

"I know." Robert tried to smile. "She also said she knew you and your mother were gone."

I didn't respond.

"This is a lot to handle right now, I'm sure. Let's sit." We went to the kitchen table.

Robert asked if anything like this had happened before. I told him everything from when the car got broken into. He said the incidents were unusually close to each other, and to watch for any suspicious activity.

Like what? Someone named Tyler broke into my moms car supposedly. Had the same person broken into the house? Were we a target? How was I supposed to know to look for that.

I dropped my head into my hands. The heels of my hands dug into my eyeballs.

Felix was supposed to propose. I couldn't ruin that moment. I wouldn't. Mom would blame me for spoiling it. But she also wouldn't be happy to find out I waited to tell her about this.

Robert left me with multiple business cards to solve the window problem. After I called a company, I laid my head down on the table and cried.

Cleaning up all of our photos was surprisingly emotional. I couldn't stand to see them in the trash so I decided to take it out.

I felt a little better now compared to two hours ago. The repair company had come and gone. My mood lifted slightly with the presence.

I was throwing the trash bag in the can when I saw Edith approaching.

"Oh, Parker," she gushed. "Are you okay?" Her worry was pissing me off.

"Good," I said quickly, wanting the conversation to be over.

"For once, I'm happy you were off with that boy," she laughed lightly.

"That boy?" I repeated. "He's none of your business, Edith."

Her eyes widened. "Don't get hostile on me."

My shoulders slumped. I couldn't catch a damn break. "Edith," I cautioned. "I know you and my mom talk, but that doesn't give you the right to be involved with me. I hate that you're here right now trying to talk to me. You know nothing about me."

Her arms crossed. "Is that anyway to talk to your neighbor? I'm looking out for you, Parker. With your mom not here, you've gone off the rails. She is right. That boy is trouble. Look at what has happened since you've gotten together." She gestured to my house.

"The break in has nothing to do with him," I choked. Edith might as well have punched me. I couldn't take harsh words.

"That walk of shame had something to do with him," she muttered.

A shocked noise left me. All the pain and anger that had built up inside me exploded. "Go to hell." My hand flew to cover my mouth. "Edith, I didn't mean to–"

She held up a hand and started to walk away. "Just don't start bawling when everything falls apart."

A bitter taste was left in my mouth after our interaction.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket and called Gina when I got back inside. I sat on the couch and listened to the phone ring.

I didn't know where Florencio was. I was angry he left when, well, everything was falling apart. I relied on him too much. I knew what he did and I kept walking around it. God, but I wanted him here. I wanted him to apologize for treating me rudely and kiss me until I forgot today.

"Hey, babe," Gina answered, voice bright. "Whats up?"

"You might not believe me," I started, chuckling.

"Bet. Go. What happened?"

By the end of everything, Gina was speechless.

"Shit, are you okay? Do you need me to come over? Do you want to come over. Peter is sleeping on me, but I can easily get him to leave. He's being a big baby right now because we just had sex–"

"G, don't tell me about Peter... he's right there."

She sighed. "He's dead asleep." I heard a smack. "I just hit him and nothing. I got him, huh?"

I laughed. "Where's your sister? She's allowing this?" I knew Sofia wasn't comfortable with Gina and Peter.

"Shh, we're watching a movie," she whispered.

"You're crazy. I love you."

I heard some rustling around. "I love you too. Are you sure you don't want to come over?"

"I'm sure. I need to feel safe, so sleeping here is step one. It is my house."

"Guess so. Hey, where's Florencio. Why isn't he with you right now?"

"Work thing," I made up.

"Men aren't shit. Remember that, Parker."

My phone buzzed with an incoming call. I looked at the screen.

Florencio.

"Speaking of men, Florencio is calling. I'll talk to you later?" We said our goodbyes, although I wish we hadn't.

Remembering how he treated me earlier, I let the phone ring out. Why was he mad at me? I wasn't sure what I did.

The phone rang again. I waited until the very last second to answer.

"Hi, honey." He sounded exhausted. I ignored my growing concern for him.

Clearing my throat, "What?"

"I'm sorry for leaving."

"Okay."

"I'm outside."

"Oh, well, I'm busy." Where was he when I was talking to Edith? Florencio would have kissed me, scaring her, and our whole conversation would've been over.

"Parker."

I swear I could hear the phone cracking. Loving people was hard.

Me and mom got mad at each other, but that was easy. Fighting with her was natural. I didn't know how to do that with Florencio.

"You hurt me," I confessed. "I felt so insecure. Don't put me in that situation ever again." Florencio needed to be careful with me. Sleeping with him was nerve wracking and for him to just act like that towards me after, I had never felt more used.

"Please let me in." His voice was so quiet I almost didn't hear him.

I threw my phone on the couch and opened the door. He was leaning against the door frame and perked up when he saw me.

"Honey, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left, but I had to. You need to understand that."

I couldn't look at him.

"I'm trying but I can't stop this. I'm sorry, sorry." His lips curved distastefully. "You know I can't drop everything for you."

My heart hurt.

"I know." I motioned for him to come inside. I didn't sit and neither did he. "The police," I started, wanting the silence to be filled, "said to look out for suspicious activity. I'm starting think we're in some sort of trouble."

Florencio barely shrugged.

"Crazy? I know. My mom said she knew a Tyler." I shook my head. "My dad, can you believe it? That's what he went by. But he's dead. So the note in the car..." my hands ran through my hair, frustrated. I didn't want to think about the bad stuff anymore. There was so much of it. Then I remembered one more thing. "Well, you know a Tyler but how would that even..."

I sat on the couch, wanting to start crying again. Was the Tyler Florencio knew... no. That wasn't it. It couldn't be that.

Florencio stood in front of me and pulled me into his arms.

"Honey," he murmured into my hair. "I'm so sorry." His voice was thick with emotion.

"It'll be okay," I said, trying to reassure myself.

"Can I take you out?" Florencio asked. "Let me. Let me make it better."

I looked up at him and remembered how good I felt this morning. I wanted to relive it. So I said yes. To tomorrow.

"Please, it's been a long day.

He stroked my cheek hesitantly. "Whatever you want."

"Can you stay too?" I asked, waiting for rejection.

"Yes, honey." He kissed me softly.

That night I slept cured in Florencio's arms. I had never felt more safe.

-

I woke up and Florencio had an arm over my stomach, using my chest as a pillow. I ran my hands through his hair, listening to his breathing. It picked up when I touched his lips. Florencio traveled up farther and shoved his face in my neck. His warm breath was making me hot.

I looked at the clock and it read almost noon. We stayed up late and watched a movie. Florencio looked disinterested the whole time, but I simply enjoyed his company.

Florencio wasn't expecting to stay, so he was in his boxers and it was becoming hard to ignore his hard body. My hand ran over his broad shoulders, down his spine.

"Honey," he groaned, making me stop. He could probably feel how fast my heart was beating. "Keep going."

"I want to get up," I mumbled. "I need to pee."

"Liar," he called me out.

I managed to get out of bed.

"So what are we doing today?" I asked, remembering yesterday.

-

When I didn't say anything, Parker hummed and left the room. I heard water running, indicating a shower.

Damn.

She was so sweet and I felt like shit I knew things she didn't. I shouldn't know these things about her family. I hated this. She didn't deserve any of it.

I got up and searched for another bathroom that wasn't in the master. I noticed that any photos that were up the last time I was here was gone now.

A half bath was attached to the kitchen. I did what I needed and went back to her room. She wasn't back yet. I sat on her bed.

I truly did regret leaving her yesterday.

I was angry at myself for unintentionally dragging her father back into her life when it just caused chaos. All I knew was that he was here. So I looked anywhere I thought he'd be. Nowhere. So where the fuck was he?

I didn't even notice the water stopped until Parker walked in. She had brushed her hair and pulled it over a shoulder. Her hands gripped the towel tightly to her chest. She opened her mouth to say something but closed it.

"Do you want me to leave?" I asked. I could've had her in the most mortifying positions two nights ago and she'd still be shy.

She rolled on the balls of her feet. "If I asked, would you?"

Of course.

"Wanna find out?"

A small smile grazed her lips. "Mmh." She spun around and went to her closet. I wasn't expecting her to drop the towel.

She put her arms above her head, going as far to stand on her tiptoes to stretch her back.

My eyes roamed over her shoulders, back, to her ass—

I looked away before I couldn't stop. I swallowed hardly.

"Florencio," she called softly and turned around. Her hands held together in front of her, they ended nearly above... I tried not to look down. Closed my eyes, didn't open them until I knew I would be looking at her face.

"Do you like this one?" She asked, holding up a blue dress. "Or this one?" It was yellow.

"Blue," I answered, voice hoarse.

She smiled prettily. "Thanks." Throwing the dress on the bed next to me, she walked to her dresser and pulled out a pair of underwear, once she had those on, she approached me. I couldn't help it, I looked at her chest.

She reached past me and grabbed the dress and put it on. She adjusted her breasts before stepping back.

"Do I look nice?"

My foot tapped rapidly on the wooden floor. "Yes, you always do."

She sighed heavily. "I'll wait for you in the living room."

When she left, I fell back on the bed. My brain was fried. How was I supposed to focus for the rest of the day when I just saw her dripping wet, standing in front of me?

"Florencio!"

My head snapped up.

"Why aren't you getting dressed?" Her feet kicked the door frame lightly.

I got up. "Bossy much?"

She laughed and left for real.

There wasn't much to do where Parker lived, so I drove out of the county.

The unsuspecting town reminded me why I was here for work all the time.

Parker's legs fidgeted and I grabbed her hand, almost smiling at the warmness I felt in my chest.

"I haven't told my mom what happened yet," she said, looking straight ahead.

"Don't be afraid to "ruin" her day, honey. She needs to know."

She chewed on her lip, nodding. "I told Felix instead. When I was in the bathroom I texted him. Never thought I'd need his number. He said he'd tell her after the engagement." She blew out a breath. "It all seems so messed up."

"You're not wrong," I joked.

Her face lit up. "Don't say that!"

I wracked my head for any ideas on what to do with her.

We were surrounded by shops and restaurants now. I noticed how she did a double take at the shaved ice cream place.

I turned around and took her there.

Parker spent probably ten minutes to pick a flavor.

I watched as she touched the tip of her nose thoughtfully, made faces.

"Um, black cherry," she practically whispered. I wanted to ask what got her embarrassed, but she pointed to the menu instead. Looking up, black cherry was the first option.

"Are you serious?" I teased. "I watched your head catch fire for you to just choose the first one?"

"Stop talking about it. I think the worker hates me," she grumbled, bumping her shoulder with mine.

"I think he loved it," I told her, knowing it would make her flustered, before walking off and watching the worker make our ice cream.

Everything I did with her was a blissful blur. I remembered her smiles, laughs, kisses, and blushing face when I tugged on the end of her dress.

Parker rambled on and on about stories and little things that made her, her. I was eating it up. I could've sat here and listened all day.

"You're so nice," She said, shoving the spoon in her mouth.

"Am I?"

"Now you are." The corners of her mouth pointed down slightly. "I like this part of you."

"You're weird." It was all I could say because how the fuck was I supposed to respond to that? "Are you done?" I got up, throwing our cups away.

She came up to me and kissed my chin. "Yeah. Thank you for today. I feel a lot better."

Grabbing her hand, I steered us out of there.

Back at her house, I followed her around like a lost puppy. My back straightened when I noticed that.

She went to her room, kicked off her shoes. I watched as she brushed her hair out.

"Florencio?"

"Yes?"

She set the brush down on the dresser. "Why are you staring at me?"

I don't know how to do anything else when I'm with you.

"You're imagining it," I said, tapping my head. "Tired?"

She flopped on the bed, folded her hands on her stomach. "I don't know." Her arms then went above her head, lifting up her body slightly. She fell back down on the bed, huffing. "Are you busy?"

I stopped staring at her body. "Busy?" Oh, she was asking if I was leaving. "No. Not yet."

At a private club, there was a party in a week. Besides that, I did what I always did.

I thought it was ridiculous to go, but Rudy would be there. Possibly Tyler. I wanted to know his game. He left, why the hell come back, even if I provoked him?

"Florencio..." she pushed down the shoulder of her dress.

"Trying to tell me something?" I knew what she wanted, but I wanted to hear it. I liked pushing her.

Her chest rose and fell. "Yes. Come here."

I placed my hands on either side of her head and breathed a laugh at her eagerness. She held my jaw and kissed me hurriedly.

I lost it when she pulled the top of her dress down.

"Honey," I murmured, filling my hands with her breasts. She moaned against my mouth.

I got on top of her, roughly spreading her legs open. Grabbing her hips, I encouraged her to move with me where I was already hard.

Her head rolled to the side and hands went back above her head, fingers twisted together.

I kissed down further, sucking on the soft skin of her neck. I bit her nipples harshly and she gasped. Her knees rubbed the sides of my torso, hips bucking.

Staring down at her, my breath escalated. So beautiful, and so mine.

Standing up, I brought her with me. I turned around, sitting down on the bed and positioned her between my legs.

"Take off your clothes."

As if remembering she was indecent, her arms went to cover her breasts.

"O-okay," she said shakily, arms falling.

Wide doe eyes stared at me as she pulled her dress down and underwear. I admired her like how I wanted to earlier.

"You know exactly what you're doing," I stated, trailing my hand from her hip to between her legs.

Her hands grasped my shoulders.

"Oh," she breathed, slightly rocking.

My thumb played with the throbbing bud, circling.

"Don't think I don't see through your innocence," I rasped, "because I do. It won't be that easy next time."

Parker's whimpers became high pitched, her thighs clamped my hand in place. Pressing down hard one last time, her mouth opened wide, a broken sigh leaving.