Chapter 7 Levi #2
He’s only wearing sweatpants, and I can’t stop myself from drinking in the sight of his chest and the ink covering most of his skin. After getting a good look at the phoenix tattoo, my gaze lowers to his six perfectly carved abs and the V-shaped muscular grooves running alongside his hips.
“Kelcie?” Levi asks, sounding a little taken aback by my sudden appearance.
I blink like an idiot and quickly glance to where Lick is sniffing the grass. “I heard about what happened in town and wanted to check on you.” Turning my gaze back to Levi, I notice the grim lines on his face. “Are you okay?”
I haven’t seen him in the past few days and thought he just needed some space, but after learning about how he reacted to Ellie touching him, I wonder if I was too much when I had my panic attack.
“I’m fine,” he replies. When Lick comes toward me for pets, Levi pats against his thigh, and she quickly goes back into the house. “See you around.”
Levi shuts the door, and with a sinking feeling, I turn around and walk back to my place.
Crap, maybe I did upset him the other night with all the touching and asking him to stay for dinner, and he was just too overwhelmed to put me in my place.
The instant I step into the kitchen, Jill says, “What’s going on with you and our hot, grumpy neighbor?”
I shake my head. “Nothing is going on.” I finish making my tea and manage to take a couple of sips before my doorbell rings again. “What now?” I mutter, refusing to admit that I’m a little hurt by Levi being so brisk with me.
When I open the door and see Colby, my shoulders slump.
“I heard Sheriff Williams was here because of the bastard next door. I told you he was nothing but trouble.”
Completely overstimulated by all the activity, I can’t stop myself from snapping, “Levi isn’t a bastard! I wish everyone would mind their own business.” When Colby tries to come in, I don’t step out of his way. “Look, I just woke up from a nap, and Jill is here. Thanks for stopping by.”
I shut the door in his face and rest my forehead against it.
Dang, this afternoon is getting the better of me. I’m used to being alone ninety percent of the time and feel completely rattled.
When I finally turn around, it’s to see Jill carry my teacup to me. “Sit down on the couch and drink your tea.”
“Thanks.” I don’t even bother moving my blanket and plop down on top of it.
As I take a sip, I glance through the window and see Colby crossing the road to his parents’ house.
“So Colby still isn’t taking the hint?” Jill asks, sitting down beside me.
“I’ve been super clear with him, but he refuses to hear that there will never be anything between us.” Even though I got five hours of sleep, I let out a tired sigh. “I just wish he’d give up and set his sights on someone else.”
We’re quiet for a moment, then Jill turns her body so she’s facing me. “There’s a brave boy from school who knocked on my door last night. He asked me whether he could take Holly out on a date.”
My eyes widen. “Oh my gosh. And? What did you say?”
“I told him I’d think about it.” She scrunches her nose. “Holly is only fourteen. I feel she’s too young to start dating, but if I say no, she might do things behind my back.” Worry fills her eyes. “What do you think I should do?”
“Gosh, I don’t know. I have zero parenting experience.” I think for a moment. “Maybe you could say yes on condition that you go with them. If they go watch a movie, you could sit a few rows away?”
Jill’s face lights up. “That’s a great idea!” Climbing to her feet, she hurries toward the front door. “I’m going to give Holly the good news and let you wake up in peace and quiet. See you later.”
“Bye.”
When she pulls the door shut behind her, I continue to drink my tea while trying to make sense of the last hour.
What a crappy way to wake up.
Rising to my feet, I walk to the kitchen to make myself another cup of tea. With the steaming beverage in hand, I head outside and take a seat at the table.
I stare at the trees while my thoughts revolve around Levi.
He was so patient and kind when we had dinner, but today he was cold and standoffish.
Suddenly, Lick’s snout nudges against my thigh, and it takes all my strength not to look at Levi’s house to see if he’s coming outside as well.
“Hey, girl,” I murmur while brushing my palm over her soft fur. “I heard you had a rough day.”
“I’m sorry.” Levi’s voice sounds rough and deep, and it sends a wave of goose bumps spreading through my body. When he sits down in the other chair, I glance at him.
He’s dressed in a pair of jeans and a sweater that looks as soft as Lick’s fur.
Feeling relieved that I get to interact with him again, my tone is gentle as I reply, “It’s okay.”
He shakes his head and glances over the yard. “I ran away from home when I was sixteen. I got married when I was young and stupid, but it didn’t even last a year. Since then, I’ve been on my own. It’s become very difficult to interact with people.”
My eyebrows draw together, and there’s an intense pang of sadness in my heart, learning that he’s been alone for such a long time.
“How old are you?”
His gaze turns back to me. “Thirty-three.”
We’re quiet for a little while before I say, “Well, if you’re looking for a friend, it just so happens I have a spot open.”
The corner of his mouth lifts. “Yeah? You don’t mind being friends with a grumpy asshole?”
“Not at all.” I let out a sigh. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not the most social person in town. We’re two peas in a pod.”
Silence falls between us while Lick soaks up all the attention I’m giving her. “Where’s your ball?”
She darts away like a bat out of hell to fetch her toy inside the house before coming back. She drops the ball near my chair, then stares at it, her tongue already hanging out.
I throw as hard as I can, and Lick tears across the yard to fetch it.
“I have a couple of steaks and was thinking of firing up the grill,” Levi says, his tone much kinder. “Want to join me?”
Keeping my attention on Lick, I answer, “That sounds nice. I can make corn on the cob.”
“Sounds good.” He gets up, and when he walks back to his house, I steal a glance at him.
His broad shoulders and trim waist have my stomach fluttering, and I frown at myself.
You have to kill the attraction before it gets out of hand. Levi is clearly not interested in anything romantic, and you shouldn’t be either.