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)
I pat over my messy hair before I unlock the door and open it for her. “Hi, Mrs. Adams.”
“Don’t ‘Hi, Mrs. Adams’ me,” she snaps angrily. “How could you be so cruel, Kelcie? Colby has been nothing but kind to you, and you broke his heart. All for some stranger?”
My eyes grow wide from the sudden attack, but needing to make her understand, I reply, “Even if Levi weren’t in the picture, I still wouldn’t date Colby. I told him so many times that I only feel friendship for him, but he wouldn’t listen.”
“Many marriages built on friendship have been successful.”
I give her a what-the-heck look. “I’m not talking about this with you. I’m sorry Colby is hurting, but that’s not on me. Excuse me.”
When I begin to push the door shut, she darts forward, and her palm connects hard with my cheek.
“Your parents must be turning in their graves,” she spits at me while I lift my hand to my stinging face, too shocked to react. “Shame on you, Kelcie. They raised you better than this.”
Still stunned out of my mind, I watch as she stalks back to her house.
Slowly, I shut the door and lock it, then turning around, I walk right through the house and out the back, going straight to the only place I feel safe.
Chapter 13
Levi
Done showering and on my way to my bedroom, I hear a soft knock at my back door. Knowing it can only be Kelcie, I turn around and head to the kitchen.
Lick starts wagging her tail, confirming my thoughts.
I open the door, but when I see Kelcie cupping her cheek, tears swimming in her eyes, worry pours into my chest.
“What happened? Did Colby come back?” I ask while taking hold of her arm and pulling her inside. I slam the door shut behind us before giving Kelcie all my attention.
“No,” she whispers, her face pale. “His mother came over.” Her eyebrows pull together, and she gasps before she continues, “She laid into me for breaking Colby’s heart, and when I told her I’m not taking the blame, she slapped me.”
Anger explodes in my chest because someone dared to raise a hand against the woman I love.
Knowing I’ll land my ass in jail if I go over to the Adamses’ house and that won’t help Kelcie at all, I do the only thing I can. I pull her against my chest and rub my hand up and down her back.
“I’m so tired,” she admits in a small voice. “I’m sorry I came here, but it’s the only place I feel safe.”
“You did the right thing,” I grumble. “If anyone comes knocking on my door, I’m putting them on their asses.”
Keeping my arm around her shoulders, I guide her out of the kitchen and down the hallway with Lick right behind us. When we enter my bedroom, I say, “Sleep here for today. I’ll take the couch.”
When I let go of Kelcie, her hand darts out and she grabs hold of my sweater. “No. I mean, I feel safe with you.” She glances at the king-size bed. “It’s a huge bed. There’s enough space for both of us.”
I should do the right thing and leave Kelcie alone. Nothing good will come of this.
Colby already knows who I am. He’s a reporter. He can make things bad for me.
The thoughts are fleeting and don’t manage to take root.
Fuck Colby. I don’t care what he prints about me. Only Kelcie matters.
“Okay. I’ll take the side closest to the door.”
When she climbs onto the bed, and I notice she’s barefoot, my anger spikes again, and I let out a growl. She must be fucking freezing.
“What?” Kelcie asks.
“I’m just pissed off because people won’t leave you alone,” I mutter while I get into bed beside her. I pull her into my arms, and leaning over her, I tuck the covers tightly in behind her before I settle into a comfortable position.
Rubbing my hand up and down the length of her back, I’m hoping my body will heat hers quickly.
“Thank you,” she whispers.
I dip my head down and press a kiss to the red mark on her cheek. “Get some sleep, my muse.”
She tilts her head back, and I feel her warm breath fan over my neck and jaw. “Your muse?”
“Since I’ve been spending time with you, the writer’s block is gone, so you’re my muse.”
“Oh my gosh. Really?” Her face lights up with happiness. “That’s such good news.”
“I’ve already written forty-five thousand words. I’m halfway done with the book. At this rate, I’ll be able to send it in before Christmas.”
She pushes herself up into a sitting position. “Levi, that’s amazing!”
“It is, so we’d better sleep or I won’t get any writing done this afternoon.” I pull her back down, and when she rests her head on my chest, I feel content.