Dirty Player (The Montgomery Billionaires #3)

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

KAYLEE

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We step into my father’s room. He’s hooked up to a bunch of machines and is as pale as I’ve ever seen him. The doctors said we only have about five minutes with him.

Mom has been back in since we explained everything.

Well, not everything.

Levi and I decided to exclude the cheating. That’s between us. I never slept with Colby and he’s right. I had no choice but to kiss him that night. I’ve always said he kissed me. Not the other way around.

I’m grateful he’s finally listened to my side of the story and even had the foresight to tell me I was innocent.

I do love him for that.

I told Mom we should wait to tell Dad we were engaged.

“It’s up to you, but while your father has come through tonight, he’s still not out of the woods. I don’t want you to have any more regrets.”

“Okay.” I nodded.

She’d listened to us both explain how we were young and had argued. That we were both overwhelmed with our feelings for one another and said things we didn’t mean.

And how we’d been seeing each other since September—four months—and had fallen deeply in love. Neither of us wanted to tell our families for different reasons. Most of all, for the things we said after breaking up and looking stupid.

“Ah, pride.” Mom shook her head. “The killer of relationships.”

I have a feeling she knew there was a little more to it than that, but she didn’t dig.

I might tell her one day.

In fact, I’m almost certain I will.

Levi squeezes my hand and then releases it, putting his in the small of my back, leading me over to the father’s bed.

“Hey pumpkin,” Dad says and then his eyes drift over to Levi. “I’d like to think God sent me a Hawkes quarterback as a parting gift from Earth because I’d been a good man, but I hear you’re in love with my daughter.”

I almost snort.

“Dad.” I chastise softly.

“Yes, sir.” Levi nods, draping his arm over my shoulder. “Have been since day one. Both of us too stubborn to say it.”

Dad nods.

“You said some bad things about my daughter.”

My eyes drift to Mom and she shakes her head, telling me to let him get it off his chest.

“Which I regret.” Levi dips his head respectfully.

“I did the same thing,” I tell Dad. “We were both hurt and scared.”

Dad lays there a while, the machines beeping. Levi tugs me closer against his side, showing me support.

“We should stop talking about th—”

“Love is scary,” Dad says breathlessly. “Being loveless is scarier. Surround yourself with people worth fighting for.”

I don’t know who he’s talking to.

Himself. Me. Levi.

Or Mom.

Because I become suddenly aware that he will not be with us much longer. It’s a knowing I can’t explain.

“I want you to look after her for me,” Dad tells Levi.

“Yes sir. I haven’t done a good job at that to date, but today that changes.” He confesses, then glances down at me, almost seeking permission. I spot the moment he decides for himself. “I asked your daughter to marry me.”

My eyes dart over to Dad.

He shakes his head. “If I could, I’d kick your ass for not asking me first.”

We all know he couldn’t kick my big strong football player's ass, but it's cute anyway.

“I should have. I’d say I’m sorry, but I’m not. I wasn’t going to lose Kaylee a second time,” Levi says with strong conviction.

Mom lays her hand on Dad's leg.

He nods repeatedly.

“I would’ve done the same thing. So I respect you for that. Keep fighting for my daughter—that’s the man I want for her.” Dad glances at me this time. “Do you love him?”

“Yes.” I nod. “With all my heart.”

“Then love each other well. Fight. Make up. Forgive. And stick together.”

I place my hand on Levi’s chest and let tears fall down my cheek. “We will.”

“Well, maybe more of the making up and less of the fighting.” Levi grins down at me.

“You wish, son, you wish.” Dad coughs out his laugh and we all glance around nervously as the machines beep a little.

I tense, not knowing what to do.

“Give your Dad and me a minute, sweetheart.” Mom says, smiling at me sadly.

I turn but walk straight into Levi’s chest. I lift my face to his. “Go say goodbye to him, kitten.”

Something isn’t right.

I lean down, planting a gentle kiss on my father's face. “Sleep well Daddy. I love you.”

“I love you too, pumpkin.” Our eyes remain locked for a long moment, his glossy and so faded that I barely recognize them.

Then I feel Levi take my hand and let him lead me out of the room.

“Take her home,” Mom says to Levi.

He does.

We climb into a waiting vehicle down below and the luxury vehicle I barely pay attention to drives us back to Levi’s penthouse apartment.

He undresses me, showers me, and drapes one of his white shirts over my head, then carries me into bed.

We leave the drapes open, and the moonlight fills the room as we lay in each other’s arms.

“Is he going to die?” I finally ask.

“Yes,” Levi answers eventually, holding me tighter.

I drift in and out of sleep all night, plagued with confusing dreams or nightmares.

I’m not sure what they are. Just garbled thoughts and images.

Finally, I’m startled out of sleep by the sound of a phone ringing.

Levi answers it, then he hands it to me.

“Mom,” I say, already knowing.

“Your dad is at peace, darling,” she says, crying. “He has given you both his blessing.”

I press my face into Levi’s chest and let the tears fall.

He takes the phone.

“We’ll be there in an hour to pick you up, Mrs. Rose.”

“Please. Call me Gillian.” I hear her say. “Or Mom.”

“Mom. That sounds good,” Levi says.

When the call ends, this amazing man lifts my face and kisses my lips gently.

“I heard,” I say.

“You’re both part of my family now. I promise to be the man your father expects, but more importantly, the man you deserve, Kaylee.”

“I know you will.”

“Let’s go get your mom, so she knows she’s not alone.” He brushes the hair from my forehead. “Then let’s get your father buried and create our life.”

I don’t even know if Levi wants children. Or a big wedding or...I don’t know anything. We have never discussed these things.

It doesn’t matter.

I know the important things now. Levi is a man with great integrity and loyalty, and he loves me unconditionally.

The rest will fall into place.