Chapter 7 Levi
Levi
After spending time with Kelcie, it’s become more difficult to keep my distance.
It’s been four days, and every time I catch a glimpse of her, I have to suppress the urge to go over and check on her.
I hold the car’s back door open for Lick to jump up onto the seat before I shut it. When I climb in behind the steering wheel, I glance at the house beside mine, wondering whether Kelcie is home from her morning visit to the cemetery.
Probably not.
I start the engine, and as I drive to the vet for Lick’s yearly checkup, my thoughts return to the other night. I can’t remember when I last talked so much. I figured I needed to open up so Kelcie would feel comfortable with me.
Then she had a panic attack, and when she slammed into my chest, I was stunned out of my mind. I was overcome with an intense need to hold and comfort her.
Touching her neck and arm was . . . Jesus, it was downright incredible. Feeling her pressed against my chest made a protective emotion flood my heart.
The entire episode was mind boggling, to say the least. I’ve never experienced anything like it before.
During the drive to the vet, I find myself searching the sidewalks for Kelcie, and by the time I park the car, I’m low-key annoyed with myself.
I should pack up and go back to Grand Rapids. I’m looking for trouble, staying here.
After getting out of the car, I keep a tight hold of Lick’s leash and enter the building.
Luckily, there aren’t any other animals, and the appointment goes smoothly.
I buy her a few treats, and after leaving the veterinary clinic, I pause on the sidewalk to let her eat one of them as a reward for being so well behaved.
I glance up and down Main Street, and once Lick is done wolfing down her treat, we walk to the general store. I grab a basket and get the few items I need, and as I go to pay, there are two women ahead of me at the counter.
“I hear Kelcie is still hiding in that house,” the brunette with a ponytail says.
The second I hear Kelcie’s name, I shamelessly eavesdrop.
The elderly woman who’s loading her groceries onto the counter replies, “It’s such a shame that the Woodruffs’ old house is just standing empty.
They don’t even take care of the garden.
The sheriff’s department has to send someone out to mow the lawn.
” She makes a tsking sound. “Libbie told me Jordan wants to sell, but Kelcie is being stubborn.”
“You know it’s bad when the sheriff’s department has to get involved,” the cashier gasps.
“It was a terrible thing that happened to her family, but it’s been a year, and sitting around wallowing in grief all day long isn’t doing anyone any favors.
” She gives her two cents. “Jeez, get over it and move on already.”
Anger pours into my chest, and I clench my jaw to keep my mouth shut.
The brunette glances over her shoulder, and when she sees me and a wide smile spreads over her face, I groan internally.
“Aren’t you the guy who moved into town two months ago?” She thinks hard. “Levi . . . something.”
“Levi Graye,” the elderly woman informs her friend, all three women now openly looking me up and down with way too much interest.
I’m immediately uncomfortable and contemplate leaving the basket and getting my ass out of the store, when the brunette reaches out and places her hand on my arm.
Disgust creeps over my skin until it feels as if something’s crawling beneath the surface.
“Welcome to Verona. I’m Ellie. My husband and I own The Black Door. You probably saw our bar when you drove into town. You can’t miss it. If you’re in the mood for a drink after a hard day of work, don’t hesitate to stop by.”
Repulsed, I rip my arm free from her hold and take three steps backward, a sheen of sweat breaking out over my body. Lick instantly moves in front of me to act as a barrier between the woman and me.
Ellie’s features tense with confusion, and when I just glance away and don’t bother to talk to her, I can feel the air stiffen.
“Well, I never,” the elderly woman mutters. “So the rumors are true. He is nothing but a rude thug. Doesn’t he live next door to Kelcie? We should tell Sheriff Williams to do a welfare check on her.”
Fuck this shit. I don’t need the groceries. I’ll call the order in later and have them deliver. Setting the basket down, I stalk out of the store and head straight for my car. My breaths become shallow, and the trembling in my body keeps growing.
On my way home, I see Kelcie walking up ahead. Earlier, I would’ve stopped to offer her a ride, but needing to be alone, I drive by her without a second glance.
After I pull the car into the garage, I switch off the engine and sit for a moment while I breathe through the disgust creeping all over my body.
Lick barks to remind me we have to get out, and I automatically go through the actions. Once we’re inside the house, I set the pack of treats down on the counter in the kitchen before walking through the house and closing all the curtains.
I leave the door to the bathroom open so Lick can come and go as she pleases, and switch on the faucets in the shower. Once I’m undressed, I step beneath the hot spray and let it burn over my skin.
Memories skirt around the edges of my mind, and my breaths turn harsh as I fight to keep them from overwhelming me.
It’s been seventeen years since I ran away from home, and there are still moments when the hell I went through as a kid haunts me.
I don’t think I’ll ever fully heal from it.
I glance down at my chest, and lifting my hand, I brush my fingertips over the old scars that are hidden beneath a tattoo. It looks like black ink has been splattered all over my chest, and a phoenix is visible with red and orange ink, giving the impression that the creature is on fire.
My back is covered in black, dead branches, with a single orange flower on my left shoulder blade.
Grabbing the bodywash, I begin to scrub myself, and only when I’m finally rid of the disgust crawling all over me do I switch off the faucets.
I dry myself and put on sweatpants before I drop down on my bed. Lick jumps up and comes to lie beside me, resting her head on my chest.
With my own trauma retreating, I remember what the women said about Kelcie.
I’ll keep an eye on her parents’ house and take care of the garden so she doesn’t get in trouble and people stop gossiping about it.
It’s a way for me to help her and Jordan.
My thoughts turn to Kelcie and how she looked for comfort in my arms when she was suffering from a panic attack. I didn’t feel any disgust. Instead, the urge to hold her and never let go was intense.
She’s beautiful, kind, and so unbelievably strong, and now that I know I can touch her without being overcome with revulsion, it makes the attraction I feel for her grow in leaps and bounds.
Closing my eyes, I exhale a sigh.
Don’t, Levi. Nothing romantic can ever happen between the two of you.
Kelcie
I’m abruptly woken by someone knocking, and half asleep, I stumble to the front door. I peek through the peephole, and seeing Jill, I open it for her.
She takes one look at my messy hair, then asks, “Dang, did I wake you? I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. It’s time for me to get up.” I let Jill come in before I shut the door behind her.
“Ooh boy, do I have news for you,” she says as we walk to the kitchen.
Stifling a yawn, I ask, “Would you like something to drink?”
“I’m good. I just had a soda at home.” While I prepare tea for myself, she comes to lean back against the counter. “Our grumpy neighbor has the whole town up in arms.”
My head snaps toward Jill. “What? Why?”
“Ellie and Miss Juniper were at Jim’s convenience store, and Levi was behind them in line.
Ellie introduced herself to him, and he ignored her flat out.
” Jill’s eyes are wide, her tone excited.
“According to her, she touched his arm, and he shook her hand off as if he was disgusted by her. Can you believe that?” Jill gasps.
“Anyway, when Miss Juniper laid into him, he set his basket down and left abruptly.” She lets out a sigh and gives me a knowing look.
“Apparently, Miss Juniper went straight to the sheriff’s department and told Libby to send one of the men out to do a welfare check on you because she’s worried that you’re living next door to a ‘rude thug.’” She makes air quotes with her pointer fingers.
“That’s insane!” My words aren’t even cold when the doorbell rings.
My shoulders slump as I walk to the front door and open it.
Sheriff Williams smiles at me while tipping his hat. “Hi, Kelcie. I just wanted to check in on you and make sure you’re okay.”
“Hi, Sheriff.” Annoyed by everything Jill told me and being forced to interact with people before I’ve even had a chance to wake up properly, I get right down to business. “Thank you for coming by, but I’m okay. Don’t believe any of the rumors you hear about Levi.”
“He was pretty rude to Ellie and Juniper,” the sheriff informs me. “Tamara was working and backed their complaint.”
I’m sure she did. Tamara is one of the biggest gossips in town.
“Levi is an introvert who doesn’t like people touching him,” I explain. “You should tell Ellie to keep her hands to herself.”
Sheriff Williams seems to relax. “So he hasn’t given you any trouble?”
“Not at all.” My smile turns natural. “Levi has been very supportive and kind. I’m lucky to have him for a neighbor.”
“Well then, my job here is done.” Tipping his hat again, he begins to turn away from me. “You have a good day now.”
“You too. Thanks for stopping by.”
When I close the door, a scowl forms on my forehead, and I march through the house while muttering, “Just give me a minute, Jill.”
I stalk out the back and cross the lawn between the two houses. Before I reach Levi’s door, it opens, and Lick comes darting out. A few seconds later, Levi comes into view, and my eyebrows fly into my hairline.
Oh. My. God.