Read With Your Heart: a small town romance

by L. B. Dunbar

  “Tricia,” he states, and our table goes silent.

  “I’m warning you,” says the bald bartender who owns the place, addressing Trent. He’s been decent to me over the past few months, so I don’t want any issues with him.

  “Just wanted to let you know Levi misses you.” I’m not certain I know who Levi is. Tricia and I have had more surface-level conversations than deep ones like the day we shot hoops at the high school.

  Tricia’s fingers curl into my thigh. “Levi can see me anytime he wants at school, or he can stop by my house.”

  “Oh, yeah? Where you living now?” His eyes travel to me and hold.

  That’s right, man. I live with her. I want to beat my chest.

  “It’s not like you don’t know,” Tricia huffs, and Jess shifts beside me.

  “How does he know?” her older brother asks me.

  “He stopped by,” Tricia answers Jess.

  My eyes hit Trent’s.

  I know you’re still sniffing around her.

  “Don’t know what you’re talking about,” Trent states smugly, holding my glare. My other hand clenches into a fist.

  “Of course you don’t,” she whispers, keeping her gaze from him.

  “What about Levi?” Trent asks, and Tricia’s brows furrow.

  “Don’t use Levi like this,” she warns him, and I’m still wondering who this other person is.

  “My brother needs you to come home.” Ah! He has a brother.

  Tricia’s fingers dig deeper into my thigh, and she slowly shakes her head.

  “Jess,” I hiss, giving him fair warning. I’m ready to break this man.

  “Trent, great to see you, but as you can see, it’s family night,” Tom interjects, interpreting the tension among us, but Trent doesn’t take the bait.

  “Still part of the family,” he mutters.

  “Not anymore,” Tom says, turning in his seat to glance up at the man behind him. “We don’t want any trouble tonight, Trent, so find a girl and skedaddle.”

  “My girl is sitting at this table,” Trent states, and Tricia shakes her head again.

  “Sign the papers, Trent,” Tricia beseeches, gazing up at him, and Emily gasps before hush-whispering, “He hasn’t signed the papers yet?”

  What the . . .?

  Tricia releases my thigh and stands. “I’m not doing this in front of my family.”

  Tom, Jess, and I stand at the same time Tricia does. She isn’t taking one step without one of us, and Trent better be walking in the opposite direction.

  “I know what you are.” Trent turns on me. “You’re the rebound man, but she’ll be back. She always bounces back to me.”

  Tricia holds her stomach. “I need to get out of here,” she whispers, and my arm wraps around her shoulders. It’s taking all my strength to hold back from what I want to say to this fucker. All my strength. My body vibrates, and I want at him for speaking to her, for even looking at her, but I can’t touch him. One fight and I might end up back where I was.

  I don’t want any trouble.

  “Let’s get out of here,” I mutter, finding it difficult to walk away—very difficult—but I will not touch him.

  “Run away,” he calls after Tricia as we both turn for the back entrance. “But I do know where you live.”

  All hell breaks loose then. I stop and turn toward him. Jess whips around Emily, and Tom shoves Trent toward the door. Baz calls out for the entire group to leave, and he tells Trent he isn’t welcome in the Tavern anymore. Ever.

  I pause, knowing I can’t keep my mouth shut. If I can’t use my fists, he’s going to hear my words.

  “You don’t look at her,” I growl, forcing Tricia behind me as I point at her ex. “You don’t talk to her, don’t come near her. Not at the house, the school, not anywhere. Because if you do, I’ll find you, man, and it will not be pretty.”

  The entire time this circus unfolds, Trent holds my gaze, and I keep mine focused on him.

  “You threatening me?” Trent questions. Tom still holds Trent back with two hands on his chest while Emily’s hands wrap around Jess’s biceps.

  “I don’t threaten. I promise,” I warn. After turning back to Tricia, I tuck her under my arm and walk us out with Trent’s eyes burning a hole in my back. Doesn’t hurt. I already have scars there.

  And yeah, I got his number, and he’s not getting what’s under my arm.

  She’s one in a million, and I’m keeping her.

  She’s mine.

  Lesson 18

  A game is only a game.

  [Tricia]

  When we return to the house, Leon follows me into my bedroom after double-checking all the doors and windows. We haven’t spoken to one another since leaving the bar, and I’m still trembling from the scene.

  This isn’t my life, plays on repeat in my head. I’m good. I’m quiet. I do everything by the book. I do not get in trouble or cause trouble, but I’ve made mistakes. The biggest one just faced off with me in front of my family and in a public place.

  I sink down onto the edge of the bed. Leon paces before me, making me even more nervous. He raises his hands and entwines his fingers behind his neck.

  “I planned to tell you earlier to keep it cool, thinking we shouldn’t let on to my sisters about anything, but now . . .” He stares down at me, chest heaving like we’d both just raced a mile instead of having walked a few yards to the house.

  “I’m sorry that happened,” I say, feeling guilty for the embarrassing way Trent behaved and for everyone losing it.

  Leon steps up to me, cupping the back of my head like he did in the shower. “You have nothing to be sorry about, pretty lady.”

  “This is all so embarrassing,” I admit quietly.

  “Hey,” Leon says, tipping my head up so I look into his pewter eyes. “You have nothing to be ashamed of.”

  “I should have never married him,” I whisper. But I did. I’d said, I do, and I’d stuck with him because I hadn’t known how to leave.

  He licks his lips and focuses on me. “What did he do to you?”

  Immediately, my head shakes. I won’t tell him. I won’t tell anyone. I’m an intelligent woman who has a career in educating others, but I’ve been very stupid.

  “He lay a hand on you? Smack you around? Call you names?” I don’t look up at him. I try to hang my head as shame washes over me, but he maintains his hold on my chin, keeping my head up.

  “Okay, baby,” Leon says, stroking his thumb over my lower lip. He squats before me. “Not tonight.” He quickly kisses the corner of my lip before leaning away.

  “Tell me something else.” He pauses, and I nod. “Who’s Levi?”

  “Trent has a younger brother. He’s Lys’s age and attends the high school. I see him almost every day, so his plea on behalf of Levi isn’t warranted.” In all honesty, Levi’s been distant with me this week, only giving me half-hearted waves from down the hall.

  “He important to you?”

  “I’ve practically raised him since he was two. Their father is an alcoholic—drunk most of the day and collecting disability.”

  Leon’s head slowly bobbles as if he understands.

  “Okay.” He quiets. “Why don’t you get ready for bed?”

  “What are you going to do?” Fear and need wrap around me. I don’t want him to leave me. I need him to stay with me. The energy coming off Leon in the bar was near volatile, like a volcano ready to erupt. He was ready to go after Trent, and I imagine the damage he could do would not be pretty. Instead, I need that strength next to me tonight, but I don’t know how to ask.

  “Just want to take a breather,” he admits.

  I reach out for his cheek and focus my eyes on his. “Thank you for standing up to him. No one’s ever done that for me before.”

  Still tracing over my lower lip with his thumb, Leon stares at me. “Did anyone ever know they needed to stand up to him?”

  I swallow and shake my head. Trent’s friends heard him talk to me,
how he spoke to me. They’d laugh, as if I was one of the guys. Only one ever caught my eye and saw that Trent’s words hurt. Once, he saw Trent grab me harder than necessary, but he still didn’t speak up. He let Trent handle his woman.

  “I promised I’d ask before I touched, but I don’t seem to have the willpower to keep my hands from you before asking permission crosses my lips. I don’t want to leave you alone right now.”

  “I don’t want you to go,” I whisper. He slowly smiles his crooked grin, but it doesn’t reach his eyes, which still glow a deadly platinum.

  “Be right back then,” Leon states and stands. When he releases my face, I instantly miss his touch, realizing I was calmer with his hands on me. Shakily, I stand once he leaves my room and dress for bed. I cover myself in a robe and head to the bathroom for my nightly routine. When I return to my room, Leon is propped against the headboard, lower body under the blankets. His naked chest is on display, and I can’t stop my eyes from roaming over those fine plains of strength. His eyes watch me as I hesitantly remove my robe, revealing a nightie similar to the one I wore when his finger trailed down the middle. I don’t feel sexy or seductive tonight. I’m tired and climb onto my side of the bed before slipping under the covers. Leon scoots lower so we lay face-to-face, staring at one another.

  “How’re you doing?” he questions, his eyes trying to read mine.

  “I’m shaken, but it’s nothing new.”

  “He was on the porch the other night, wasn’t he? And he’s been at the school, too?” I don’t question how Leon knows these things. “I’m worried about your safety.”

  My eyes fill with tears. “I’m safe with you.” I remind him of what he told me.

  “Yes, you are,” he says, his smile more genuine as his fingers brush my hair around my ear. We stare at one another a minute.

  “I’d never hurt you like that,” he assures me, and I believe him. “You’re one of the best people I’ve ever known,” Leon says, watching my eyes. “Pure. Fresh. I’ve never had that.” His finger draws down the side of my face. “Don’t ever let anyone make you think otherwise, not even me.” He licks his lower lips. “‘Doubt the stars are fire; doubt the sun doth move; doubt the truth to be a liar…’” His voice trails off, but I know the rest of this one—but never doubt I love.

  “Shakespeare,” I whisper. Is he saying he loves me?

  “That was deep,” he says, a nervous chuckle in his voice as his eyes shift to my throat where I swallow.

  “That was real,” I retort. “And I’ve never felt more alive than I do when I’m with you,” I whisper, feeling this moment as really real and raw between us. “I don’t want to lose you.”

  It’s more than I should admit. His jaw clenches, and I realize I’ve said too much. His finger pauses a second and then returns to brushing over the side of my face, along my jaw, around my eyes, and down my nose. It’s like he’s physically sculpting me, and I’ve never felt so vulnerable or so worshipped.

  “Not going to try anything with you tonight. I just want to hold you and continue to make you feel safe.” My eyes close under the tender way he’s painting my cheeks with the tip of his finger. I want to be closer to him, want to be connected to him, but he’s probably right. I don’t want tonight to be the night, not with Trent as the cause.

  Leon scoots closer to me, tucking me into his chest. His arm comes over my body, and his hand palms the back of my head, holding me to him. I inhale his skin—a hint of motor oil and spicy male. He smells so good. His scent is safety, and I settle in, easily falling asleep.

  + + +

  I wake to Leon sitting on the edge of my bed, dressed.

  “What’s going on?” I say without even greeting him good morning.

  “Gotta work, pretty lady.” He smiles down at me like nothing happened last night. “What are you doing tonight?”

  “I have to work security at the football game.” It’s Friday night, and football is a small-town favorite. Leon’s eyes roam my body, mostly under cover from the blankets on my bed.

  “You? Security detail?” He chuckles.

  “I earn extra money by doing it. I would most likely go to the games anyway since my niece is a cheerleader, but this way, I get paid to be there. It’s one hour of supervision, making sure there isn’t any drinking in the stands or making out under the bleachers or a fight between rivals.” In the five years I’ve done it, I’ve only caught three kids drinking. I turn a blind eye to innocent kissing and tell kids to move along. Thankfully, we’ve never had a true rumble, just the occasional name-calling and general good-natured rivalry.

  Leon nods. “Maybe we can hang out afterward?” he suggests. The way his eyes drift away from mine, he almost appears shy. Does he want to ask me out? Would he want to go on a date?

  “Sure. I’d like that.”

  Slowly, he smiles and leans forward, kissing my temple. “See you later, baby.”

  I wish he’d kissed me, but I do have morning breath and finding him sitting on my bed wasn’t the worst way to start a day. In fact, it was kind of nice.

  Oh, who am I kidding? It was the best.

  + + +

  That night, I finally see Levi.

  “Hey, ba…” I falter over calling him baby in front of his friends. He stops as I block his path. “Are you mad at me?” There’s a fine line between being Levi’s pal and once being his disciplinarian. I didn’t discipline him like Trent would have, but I still reinforced good habits like hygiene and homework over the years. Still, I don’t want him upset with me. I don’t want to lose Levi just because I’m divorcing Trent.

  Levi crosses his arms, standing taller than I remember. He’s definitely going through a growth spurt.

  “I’m not mad.” His tone tells me otherwise, and he kicks at the ground.

  “I saw Trent.”

  This brings Levi’s attention back to me. His face expresses his surprise and concern. I hate that I see hope in his eyes as well. I’m never going back to his brother.

  “What’d he say?”

  “He used you against me. Told me how you missed me and wanted to see me.” I pause to let the information sink in. “You know you can still see me anytime you want. Call me anytime. I’m still here for you, Levi, even if I don’t live at the cabin.” I realize in some ways, it might seem like I’m a million miles away from him, but then again, Levi lived in the main house with his father. He didn’t live with us. Trent and I only took care of him most days. Robert was quick to remind Trent that Levi was his son, not Trent’s, but it didn’t seem to make any difference. Robert treated them both with the same apathy.

  Levi nods, but I’m certain he’s acknowledging what I’ve said.

  “My friends are waiting for me.” The brush-off feels cold, but I look over my shoulder to find three guys hanging back, waiting on him.

  “Okay.” I turn back to him. “Be safe tonight. Stay out of trouble.”

  Levi tips his chin and starts to walk around me, but I stop him with a hand on his forearm. “But if you get in trouble, you can always call me.” I stare earnestly into his eyes. He’s growing into a man, and I can’t decide if his aloofness this week is his way of establishing himself in the hierarchy of high school or if he’s truly trying to avoid me.

  “I love you, Levi.”

  His eyes blink rapidly, and he nods several times, licking his lips. “I gotta go.”

  “Okay, baby,” I whisper, releasing my hand from him, and he brushes past me. My heart breaks in a whole new way.

  As Levi walks away, I feel eyes on me. A cold chill ripples over my skin, and I scan the space closest to me. My eyes find Trent lurking near the base of the bleachers, leaning casually against the metal supports but watching me. He’d pushed off the bleacher base once Levi disappeared and has started walking in my direction. I shiver at his menacing gaze and spin on my heels, losing myself in the crowd of people near the concession stand. Knowing Trent is still around means I’m constantly checking over my shoulder, wor
ried he’ll corner me.

  When I’m almost done with my hour-long shift, I walk toward the school, fumbling with the Velcro on the highlighter-yellow vest I wear so people know I’m security. A familiar voice startles me.

  “Officer, I’d like to be arrested.”

  I burst into laughter as I look up. “It doesn’t work like that.”

  Leon smiles back at me. He’s wearing head-to-toe black—a black Carhartt jacket, a black shirt underneath, black jeans, and black motorcycle boots. He looks dark and menacing, but with that smile showing off his white teeth and a spark glinting in his lighter eyes, I know he’d never hurt me. I’m reminded of how he held me to his chest throughout the night, and my body heats as if it can feel him still pressed against me.

  “I’d still like you to handcuff me,” Leon flirts, leaning toward me and dropping his voice. I haven’t given that kind of role-play much thought. The idea of being unable to control myself scares me, but somehow, I sense Leon would be gentle with me even if he was in charge. His teasing hints he’d be willing to let me dominate him.

  “The gig doesn’t come with handcuffs. Only this lovely yellow vest.”

  Leon chuckles and reaches for the Velcro strap. I don’t know how he’s doing it, but I’m turned on as the first tear of Velcro releases the vest. As ridiculous as it sounds, it’s freaking sexy as hell when he tugs at each strap as if he’s ripping off my clothing. My breath hitches with each consecutive opening. His crooked smile tells me he knows what he’s doing to me.

  “Everything go okay tonight?” he questions once the vest hangs open. Images of my dress falling to the sides returns to me in a flash. Was it only yesterday? The way he touched me on my bed. The heel of his hand running over my skin. Fine prickles race up my chest, and my breasts tingle.

  “All good. Just need to hand this in.” Leon tips his head, and he follows me to the school. It’s quiet inside the building where the only other people include another security person and the athletic department’s secretary, who takes the vest from me. It’s been an easy night. Typically, the evening turns into more socializing, waving at students, and greeting parents while trying to avoid the impromptu parent-teacher conference. After telling the secretary there were no issues, I let her know I’m going to give Leon a quick tour of the gym. At this time of night, all the lights are off except for a single spotlight on the center court emblem. The Tigers. Orange and black.