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)
Pushing down on the gas, I begin to drive back, hoping and praying to all that’s holy, I’ll get another chance with the woman I love.
If not, living near her would be better than having Lake Michigan between us.
Instead of going back to the house, I find a motel in the next town over and get a room for the next few days.
I only grab one of my bags and my laptop, and once I’ve placed them in the room, which is so outdated, the wallpaper is peeling in the corners, I take Lick to the open piece of ground behind the motel that’s covered in snow.
I lean back against the wall and cross my arms over my chest while staring at my dog as she searches for the perfect spot to pee.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I dig the device out as quickly as possible. When I see a message from Kelcie, my heart begins to hammer in my chest.
Earlier, I sent her a text, trying to convey everything I wanted to say to her, and I’m incredibly nervous to read her reply.
Sucking in a cold breath of air, I let it out slowly before I open the message.
Kelcie: What happened with your mother?
I frown because I wasn’t expecting her to ask that question at all.
Levi: She wanted money. I told her to go to hell.
Kelcie: I’m sorry you had to deal with her after being no-contact for so many years. It must’ve been a shock to you.
Shock is the understatement of the year. I was rattled to my core.
Kelcie: I saw everything on the news.
Levi: My publicist and agent will take care of it all.
Kelcie: Are you okay?
Levi: Not at all. You?
Kelcie: Same.
Kelcie: You knew it would hurt me when your secret came out. Why did you do it?
Levi: At first, I approached you with good intentions. I wanted to make things better for you, and when I saw it helped you to spend time with me, I decided to stick around until you were able to heal enough to go on with your life. But then I started healing as well. The more time we spent together, the more I wanted to get to know you. Before I knew what was happening, I was head over heels in love with you, and I couldn’t pull away anymore.
Kelcie: Why didn’t you tell me before we kissed?
Levi: I was scared I’d lose you.
Kelcie: Were you ever going to tell me?
I read her question four times before I bite the bullet and type my honest reply.
Levi: No.
Kelcie: Thank you for responding to all my questions.
Levi: I’m here if you need more answers.
It shows that she reads my message, but she doesn’t send another one and instead goes offline.
I let out a heavy sigh and tuck my phone back into my pocket before watching Lick jumping excitedly around in the snow.
When she’s soaked through, I indicate for her to come, and we head to the motel room. I place my phone on charge, then grab one of the towels. Sitting down on the floor, I lean back against the bed and begin to rub Lick’s fur dry.
She lets out a little whining sound as she keeps looking at me.
“I know, girl. I miss her too.” Lick lies down on her side, exposing her belly to me. “I don’t know where we go from here,” I whisper as I pet her.
After a while, I drag my sorry ass up and change into a pair of sweatpants and a hoodie. I switch off all the lights and slump down on the bed. Lick jumps up and takes the spot beside me, resting her head on a pillow as if she’s a little human.
Lying on the lumpy mattress, I stare up at the dark ceiling, trying to figure out what I’m going to do next.
My thoughts keep returning to the shit show that happened and some of the special moments I experienced with Kelcie.
The first time I kissed her. God, my entire world shifted on its axis when I tasted her and got lost in the feel of her soft lips.
The memories we shared. Besides my fucked-up family, she’s the only one who knows some of what happened to me.
With Kelcie, everything was different. For the first time in my life, it felt good to be touched. That alone changed my world. Never mind the desire she made me experience. She made me feel like I belonged. Like I finally had a purpose in life.
To love her.
Kelcie
For the past week and a half, while everyone is at work and Brady is at day care, I lie in bed with the covers pulled over my head. I only get up before they all come home, so I don’t cause them unnecessary worry.
Every half an hour or so, the urge to reach out to Levi becomes a torturous battle.