by Keeland, Vi
CHAPTER 20
* * *
Levi
I popped into Alex’s room the next morning. It was his first day of peewee football practice, and the plan had always been that I would take him.
“You ready to go to practice?”
“Dad’s gonna take me,” he said.
Not gonna lie, my heart sank a little. “He is, is he?”
“Yeah, I am.” Tanner’s voice came from behind me. “I figured you’ve been filling in long enough. I have a lot of making up for lost time to do.”
I understood that, but I still felt like crap. Alex and I had bonded in Tanner’s absence. Now that his dad was here, it felt like he didn’t need me anymore. And you know what? That would have been perfectly fine if I didn’t worry that Tanner was gonna somehow break his heart and flake out again.
A few minutes later, they were both gone, and the house was quiet for what felt like the first time in forever, even though it had only been a day. The only good thing about Tanner taking Alex was that it gave me a chance to finally be alone with Presley.
The second Tanner’s car pulled out of the driveway, I rushed to Presley’s side in the kitchen.
She looked so beautiful, leaning against the counter, holding her coffee while lost in thought.
“Hey,” I said.
She looked up and smiled. “Hey.”
I pulled her into my arms and spoke against her neck. “I feel like it’s been forever since I’ve gotten to hold you.”
Presley exhaled. “What the hell are we going to do, Levi?”
I placed a soft kiss on top of her head. “I thought I’d have this all figured out before we had to face him. Clearly, that’s not the case.”
“Yeah. Everything was easier when he wasn’t here.”
I pulled back to look at her. “Last night when we were outside having beers, he kept saying how good you looked. This mixture of guilt and jealousy hit me like a ton of bricks. And I didn’t know who I hated more in that moment—him or myself.”
“You have nothing to be jealous of,” she said as she ran her fingers through my hair. I closed my eyes, wanting so badly to carry her to my room and bury myself inside of her. But I got the impression she wasn’t in the mood. Presley seemed way too preoccupied.
I had to know. “What else did he say when he texted you last night?”
“He told me I looked beautiful yesterday and said he wanted to talk to me today.”
“Fuck. He wants you back, Presley.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Yeah, I do know it. He didn’t say it in so many words last night, but it’s obvious.” Panic started to set in, and I felt the need to stake my claim. “You’re a nervous wreck,” I told her. “And I feel like I’m about to lose my mind. Not sure how much more of this either of us can take. Maybe I should tell him about us tonight.”
She shook her head. “No. Definitely not.”
Her adamant stance confused me a little. “No?”
“I don’t want him to find out what happened.”
Her choice of words jarred me.
“Happened? You realize you just used past tense.”
“That’s not what I meant,” she stammered. “It’s just…not the best time.”
“When will it ever be, Presley? Seriously. You think it’s gonna get any easier as time goes on?”
“No. I just don’t think it’s the right time to hit him with it.”
I moved back. “You seem very concerned with Tanner’s feelings.”
Presley shook her head. “I need some time. I feel like the rug was pulled out from underneath us, and I haven’t had a chance to regain my footing. Let’s just give it some time.”
I felt so many emotions, but the one that freaked me out the most was fear—fear of losing her. Unfortunately, I covered it with anger. “Fine. Take all the time you need. Just let me know if it’s gonna be forever.”
“Levi…” She reached for me. But I took a step back and put up my hands.
“Don’t. I need some air.” I headed for the door.
***
Levi: I’m sorry I acted like an idiot earlier.
Three hours later, I’d finally gotten my shit together enough to apologize. I’d gotten in my car earlier and started driving, not stopping until I somehow ended up at Folly Beach, just south of Charleston. I didn’t even remember the drive here.
I’d parked near the pier and walked down to the end to stare out at the water. I wished I could say it had given me some clarity. But I still felt angry and confused, scared and jealous. Though I did come to the realization that taking those feelings out on Presley wasn’t going to do either of us much good.
My phone pinged, and I took a deep breath, unsure what she’d been thinking after the way I’d acted.
Presley: It’s okay. I understand. Tanner showing up has thrown us both for a loop.
I smiled. It was just like Presley to be so understanding. It was one of the things I loved about her.
My smile suddenly fell. Loved. I do fucking love her, don’t I? I’d felt it for a while now, but I hadn’t been able to bring myself to accept it. Nothing like the threat of losing someone to make you realize what you have.
Levi: Thank you for understanding.
Presley: I just want to make sure anything that happens with you, Tanner, and me doesn’t cause a backlash on Alex. I don’t want him caught in the middle. Tanner says he’s changed, but I’m not certain he would put his hurt feelings aside for the sake of our son. We can’t make any rash, emotional decisions, because it’s not just us who will pay the price for them.
I took a deep breath. What she was saying sucked, but I admired her so damn much for keeping her priorities straight.
Levi: You’re a great mom.
She responded with a smiley face. A minute later, my phone buzzed again.
Presley: Will you be home for dinner? I know it’s not easy to sit at the table all together, so I figured the least I could do was console you with my cooking. I’m making your favorites.
Levi: Fried chicken?
Presley: And buttermilk biscuits from scratch, your grandmother’s recipe.
If she didn’t already have my heart, that could do it. My stomach growled, as if it were answering for me. So I translated the sentiment.
Levi: Sounds good. I’ll be back by dinner, and I’ll be on my best behavior.
***
All of the positivity I’d been feeling after the long drive and time staring out at the ocean flew out the window as I pulled up in front of The Palm Inn. The scene unfolding on the front lawn made my heart sink to my stomach. Presley was on the grass with Alex and Tanner, playing football. I watched from the car as Alex threw the ball to his mom. Presley caught it and tried to fake right to run around Tanner, but he grabbed her from behind, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her to the ground on top of him. The two of them laughed as they went down, and Alex ran over with a giant smile on his face.
I rubbed at my breastbone and considered driving away again. The happy family probably wouldn’t even notice. But before I could, Alex spotted my truck. He waved and pointed.
Fuck.
Now I had to stay. All three of them were looking my way as Alex said something. If I hightailed it out of here now, Alex would be confused, and I’d also have to explain myself to Tanner at some point. So I took a deep breath and turned off the ignition.
“Uncle Levi!” Alex ran toward my truck as I got out. “You can be on Mom’s team. Dad and I are killing her. It’s like…five million to zero.”
I looked over at Presley. The smile that had been on her face before she saw me had morphed into a frown, and her eyes were filled with regret. I wasn’t sure if she regretted me seeing her having a good time, or if she regretted that I’d caught her wrapped in Tanner’s arms. But there was no damn way I could play anything with them right now.
“Sorry, buddy. Not today. My knee has been acting up.”
&nb
sp; Tanner smirked at Alex. “Sounds like he’s scared we’ll beat him, doesn’t it?”
Alex grinned. He tucked his hands under his armpits and started to flap his elbows like a chicken. “Buc-buc! Buc-buc!”
I smiled as best I could and kept walking toward the house.
Inside, the kitchen smelled like fried chicken, which normally would perk me up, even on the worst days. But not today. So I went to my room and decided to take a shower. After I was dressed, I debated telling Presley I couldn’t stay for dinner. But I knew walking out and leaving her and Tanner together would make me crazy, wondering what was going on while I was gone. So I stuck around to watch the car accident waiting to happen.
Presley was taking biscuits out of the oven when I walked back into the kitchen.
“Hey,” she said softly. She looked around to see if the coast was clear. “How was your afternoon?”
I walked to the refrigerator and grabbed a beer. Twisting the cap off, I shrugged. “Fine.”
She frowned. “Alex wanted to play, and I couldn’t say no.”
I nodded and sucked back half my beer.
“It smells like heaven in here.” Tanner strolled into the kitchen. “I can’t remember the last time I had a home-cooked meal.” He walked over to Presley and swiped a biscuit from the tray she’d just taken out of the oven. Biting into it, he said, “Thanks for making my favorites. I miss your cooking, P.” Then he winked at me. “Among other things.”
Presley closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “We’re ready to eat. Can one of you please tell Alex and make sure he washes his hands?”
Tanner and I both said “Sure” at the exact same time. But I needed a moment.
“Enjoy your biscuit.” I lifted my chin to my brother. “I’ll get Alex.”
Once we were all seated at the table, Alex was even more animated than usual. He bit off a chunk of a drumstick and spoke with his mouth full.
“Uncle Levi, did you know my dad probably would’ve had the highest number of completions in his first year in the pros? Before he got hurt.”
I looked up at my brother. He’d had a pretty solid rookie year, though he wouldn’t have had the best passer rating in the league if he hadn’t gotten injured. I knew that because I did hold that title that year. But when I looked over at Alex, who was practically beaming with pride for his father, I didn’t have the heart to set the record straight. Instead, I gritted my teeth and nodded.
“I’m sure he would’ve.”
“He also could’ve been All Pro that year.”
I inwardly rolled my eyes. “No doubt.”
While Tanner was busy shoveling food into his face, totally undaunted by stretching the truth with his kid, Presley caught my eye. She smiled appreciatively at me. She knew the truth.
“You know,” Tanner said. “I realized today that I was just about your age when I first met your mom.”
“Really?”
“Yup. We were in second grade together. She was a cheerleader for my peewee football team, and she was the prettiest girl on the squad. Actually, she was the prettiest girl in the school. I remember telling the guys on my team that I was going to kiss her someday.”
Alex scrunched up his nose. “Gross, Dad.”
Tanner laughed. “Why is that gross?”
“First of all, you’re weird for wanting to kiss a girl at my age. And second of all…she’s Mom.”
“Well, don’t worry. Your mom is a nice girl. She made me wait years to get that first kiss anyway.” Tanner turned to Presley. “Remember that day? I carved your initials in the tree at Redmond Park.”
“You also cut yourself with the pocketknife while doing it.”
Tanner leaned back in his chair. “Totally worth it.”
I guzzled what was left of my beer and slammed the bottle on the table a little too hard. “I need another one. Anyone else?”
“I’ll take one,” my brother said.
Presley frowned. “No thank you.”
For the next half hour, Tanner continued to walk down memory lane. I had to listen to stories about them going to prom, their first apartment, and how my brother used to fall asleep with his head on Presley’s pregnant belly, listening to Alex’s heartbeat. Each one was progressively harder to swallow, so I washed them all down with more beer than I normally drank. But it was what came after dinner that made me move to the hard stuff.
“Dad and I are going to camp in the yard tonight together,” Alex said.
I knew it was stupid. We’d only camped once, yet selfishly I’d felt like camping was our thing. I couldn’t even muster a that’s great to the kid. Instead, I went to the cabinet where my grandfather had always kept the liquor and twisted the top off an unopened bottle of scotch.
Presley looked at me with concern as I poured myself a shot, but said nothing.
“Mom, can we go out and get marshmallows? Dad and I are going to make a campfire when we camp tonight.”
“Umm… Sure, sweetheart. Let me just load the dishwasher, and we can run to the store. Why don’t you go wash your hands in the meantime.”
“Okay, Mom!”
As Alex ran off, Tanner walked up behind Presley at the sink. He put his hands on her shoulders, and I felt heat rise from my toes to the top of my forehead. “Levi and I will take care of all this, babe. You did all the cooking.”
Presley turned around, effectively forcing his hands from her shoulders. “Tanner, please stop calling me that.”
“Sorry. I guess it just feels so good to be living with you again, I forget we have a ways to go.”
Presley shook her head. “We’re not living together. You’re staying in one of the rooms—same as any stranger might be doing once the inn is open again.” She lowered her voice. “You need to stop giving Alex the wrong impression, Tanner.”
He wrinkled his forehead. “What, that I love his mother? That’s not a wrong impression. It’s a fact.”
“You’re making him think we’re a couple.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Yes, you are.”
“He’s a smart kid. Maybe he just sees what’s meant to be.”
Presley shook her head again. “I’m going to take Alex to the store. Do you need anything else for tonight while I’m out?”
“Nope.”
She glanced over at me before grabbing her keys and yelling for Alex.
Once it was just Tanner and me, another shot of scotch was necessary. I poured to the brim and sucked it back, enjoying the burn as it washed down my pipes.
Tanner rinsed a plate and loaded it into the dishwasher. “You drink more these days than I remember…”
“Not usually.”
“Something bothering you?”
“Nothing I feel like talking about.”
Tanner chuckled. “Woman problems, huh?”
I said nothing, which made my brother assume he’d hit the nail on the head.
“It was easier when we were eighteen, wasn’t it? Now a Ouija board has more answers about what a woman wants than I do.”
I poured another shot. “It’s not that complicated.”
“For you, maybe. What are you pulling down? Twenty, thirty million a year? You just have to flash that Super Bowl ring, and the panties fall to the ground. Us working stiffs have to actually work for it.”
The muscle in my jaw ticked. “You might want to pull out your Ouija board and have a heart to heart if you think all women only give a shit about money.”
Tanner turned off the water. He leaned a hip against the counter and folded his arms across his chest, facing me. “Alright, big brother. If you know so much about women, tell me what Presley wants.”
I looked back and forth between my brother’s eyes. “Trust, loyalty, and dependability are important to Presley.”
Tanner shrugged. “I can give her all those things.”
I wanted to say ‘Now you can give them to her? Where the hell were you seven years ago?’ But instead I just gritted my teeth a
nd motioned to the sink with my eyes. “You got this? I have something I have to do.”
“Yeah, sure. Go do whatever you need to.” Tanner smirked. “Or whoever you need to.”
I probably should’ve walked to the bar a few blocks away and finished getting shitfaced, but instead I went to my room, unable to bring myself to leave the inn. Since my room was at the far end of the hall, away from the common areas of the house, I couldn’t hear when Presley came back. Which was probably just as well.
But an hour or so later, there was a light knock at my door. I opened it to find Presley.
She glanced back over her shoulder. “Can I come in?”
I debated saying no for about two whole seconds, but who the hell was I kidding? I was incapable of turning this woman away.
So I stepped aside and held my hand out.
Inside, she stared down at the floor. “This is such a mess. I don’t know what to do.”
“I do. We need to tell him.”
Presley’s eyes flared as she looked up. “No, we can’t!”
I raked a hand through my hair. “If I have to watch him put his hands on you or listen to him call you babe one more time, I’m going to lose it.”
She shook her head. “I’m sorry. But I don’t know how to make him stop. You’ve heard me tell him to knock it off. I’m not doing anything to encourage him.”
“No? You don’t think playing two-hand touch with a man who has made it known he wants to touch you all over is encouraging him? Or making his favorite meal for dinner in the house you invited him to stay with you in?”
“I made you your favorite dinner.”
I scoffed. “That’s not what he thinks.”
“I don’t care what he thinks.”
“Good.” I put my hands on my hips. “Then we’re in agreement. If you don’t give a shit what he thinks, we’ll tell him.”
“Levi, don’t twist my words. You’re not being fair.”