Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88889 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88889 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
“Leave,” Levi growls, the sound of his threatening tone making goose bumps erupt over my skin.
“Fuck both of you,” Colby angrily mutters as he walks away, crossing the street to where his car is parked in his parents’ driveway.
“I’m so sorry,” I say while letting out a heavy breath. When Levi turns around, I step out of the way so he can come inside the house. “Where’s Lick?”
“At my place. I didn’t want her attacking Colby.”
“Yeah, we don’t want that to happen,” I agree. My shoulders sag as I wrap my arms around myself. “Colby is probably going to tell the whole town who you are.”
“Let him. I don’t care.” Levi shuts the door behind him and locks it. When he turns to face me, he lifts his hand and rubs it up and down my arm. “Are you okay?”
I shrug, feeling rattled by the unpleasantness. “I hate that it happened, but Colby needed to understand I’ll never date him. I just don’t get why he has to be so difficult.” I give Levi a weak smile. “I mean, I’d give up after the first time I’m rejected.”
Levi’s eyes drift over my face. “How many times did you reject him?”
“I’ve lost count.” Turning around, I walk to the kitchen. “Would you like something to drink?”
“Hold up.” Levi grabs my shoulder and stops me from walking. Coming to stand in front of me, he asks, “Countless? Has he spoken to you like that before?”
“No, usually he just flirts and tries his luck. But it’s been going on for six years. It’s exhausting.”
Levi’s expression turns angry again. “Have you told the sheriff?”
I shake my head, and not wanting Levi to worry, I explain, “Colby is harmless. He is all bark and no bite. I’m sure he got the message this time.” Knowing word might spread through town, I glance down at my feet as I admit, “I kinda threw you under the bus and told him we’re dating, so if you hear the rumor, you know where it started.”
“You can throw me under the bus any day.”
Surprised, I look up again, and seeing Levi isn’t angry with me, I let out a breath of relief.
“I’m going home,” he says. “I need to jump in the shower.”
“Okay.” When he walks to the back door, I ask, “Will I see you later?”
“Yes. Dinner and movies at my place,” he replies before pulling the door shut behind him.
A deflating sound ripples over my lips while I go to the couch and sink down on it.
Well, that sucked.
I meant it when I said I wish it hadn’t happened. We could’ve been friends, and I hate that things had to escalate like that.
I kick off my sneakers, and lying down, I pull the blanket over me. I snuggle into my pillow and stare at the black screen of the TV.
Levi didn’t say anything about the kiss. Maybe he’s going to pretend it didn’t happen.
For a day that started so well, it sure turned to crap at the speed of light.
If friendship is all I’ll ever have with Levi, at least I got to kiss him today. Even if it was just a peck on the lips.
My head pops up as I remember the security cameras. I sit up, and grabbing my phone, I go into the security app. I find the camera that’s focused on the back of the house and rewind to where I’m talking with Levi.
I drink in the sight of his face, the week-old beard I’m really growing fond of, and as I go in to kiss him, I see his eyes closing. When I pull away, there’s a flash of shock tightening his features, and he stares after me.
Then he lifts his hand and brushes the pads of his fingers over his lips. When he begins to walk back to his house, the corner of his mouth lifts.
I rewind the footage, needing to make sure I didn’t imagine his reaction.
Watching it again, a smile forms on my face, and hope blossoms in my chest.
Okay. Chill, Kelcie. You’ve made it pretty clear how you feel by kissing him. Let him make the next move.
I rewind the footage again and pause on the time stamp where Levi’s smiling as he walks away. Staring at the screen, I memorize it until my eyes drift closed.
The ringing of the doorbell rips me out of a deep sleep, and when it’s followed by someone banging on the door, I dart up off the couch. My eyes feel as if there’s sand in them, and I rub them before I look through the peephole. Seeing Mrs. Adams, Colby’s mother, I let out a groan.
There’s a strand of hair sticking up at the back of her head, and her cheeks are red with anger. Where Colby has an athletic build like his father, his mother is short like me.