CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Levi
W atching her walk out the door just now was like watching her do it two and a half years ago at the restaurant.
I’m not sure what I expected, but I was hoping she’d stay.
I’m sure it was a lot to process, but the thought of her going back to that bastard has me in knots.
Something doesn’t sit right about Buttons and Brody, and that entire situation.
A knock at the door brings my eyes away from the window, hoping that Saylor has come back to me, but it’s Dr. Blake on the other side.
“I heard Saylor leave and wanted to know if you needed a session?” she offers with her notepad in hand.
I open the door wide to let her through and aimlessly walk over to the sofa to veg out. I was shocked that Saylor even showed up at the hotel. I feel like I didn’t even get the chance to really talk to her. We only covered the threat and not the progress I’ve made being under Dr. Blake’s care.
“Were you able to tell Saylor everything?” she asks, and it makes me roll my eyes.
“I told her most but not all. It was a lot to take in for her, so she left.” I sigh and rub my hands hard over my face.
“And?”
“And, I hate that she probably is headed back to him for comfort when it should be me,” I huff.
“I know the role I played in this and take full responsibility, but it still hurts. Doesn’t she understand what his role played in all this?
I thought she heard what Mitch and Dean were saying but now I’m not so sure. ”
“Mr. Thorne—”
“Can’t you call me Levi? I think after a year we should be on that level at least,” I quip.
“Mr. Thorne, the reason you left Dr. Jordan was because you’d gotten too familiar with each other and thought she was more of a friend than therapist,” she states, and I appreciate that about her but it still feels weird.
“Fine.” I sound petulant but don’t care right now.
“What goals are you wanting to accomplish while here in Montana?”
“Get my wife back and have my daughter never leave my side.” I’m quick to answer. I’ve thought about this ever since we got off the plane here.
“And if your wife doesn’t want to leave him ?” Dr. Blake asks my biggest fear. We avoid saying his name out loud.
I know after speaking with my grandparents that Saylor and Brody are being intimate, and I hate the thought of her with someone else but as everyone reminds me, it’s my fault.
“Then I’ll just have to show and remind her why she chose me first. She has no idea what I’ve gone through to get here today and the changed man I am from it.”
“That’s good, Mr. Thorne. It’s realistic and I think you have what it takes to get you there.
Please remember that it’s been over two years that Saylor has been away from you and a lot has happened to her as well.
Even though she’s had his help, she has been doing this on her own, essentially.
It’s not going to be ‘a few flowers and chocolate’ kind of situation to fix this. ”
“I know. Saylor hates getting flowers anyway; she thinks it’s a waste of money since they die a few days later.
” I smile thinking how she’s not like every other woman.
Jewelry won’t do either; she’s an actions speaks louder kind of woman.
Although, she did love it when I bought her new baking tools.
“Were you able to speak about seeing Halo? Or of all the things you’ve done to get you ready to be a father to her?”
“No, we only were able to discuss the threats that led to her leaving and the crash. We touched on him a bit, then she left when she learned we were still married and not divorced.”
“Did she seem receptive in what you were saying?”
“I’d brought in Mitch and Dean to confirm when she had her doubts, but she seemed to take everything in stride.”
“Well, it’s a start, and hopefully after some time, she’ll call you and the two of you can manage to have another conversation about the rest of it.” She starts to gather her belongings.
“Thank you, Dr. Blake.”
“Before I go, have you thought of the possibility that the end result is you and Saylor not getting back together, and only co-parenting baby Halo?” she asks.
“There is no scenario in this universe where that is going to happen or even become an option,” I firmly state.
“Mr. Thorne, I understand that when you were in the attorney world you always got what you wanted, but when it comes to people there might not be an outcome in your favor.”
“If, and I’m saying a big if, she and I aren’t on the same page then I plan to tie her to the bed until she comes to her senses.” I shrug.
“Mr. Thorne, I have to strongly advise against that.” Sarah is getting herself all worked up and I can see that my humor didn’t reach her.
Although, I did tie Saylor up once after we got home from our honeymoon when she was being stubborn.
That ended in the best sex ever, after we both calmed down and listened to each other.
Some couples hold hands until the other partner is ready to listen and others tie their partners up. To each their own, I say.
After assuring her that I was only half joking, she leaves me and heads out for the rest of the day. A firm knock raps at my hotel door, and I make my way over to answer it.
“You look like shit,” Linc greets me when I pull open the door.
“Thanks a lot,” I tell him. “It’s been a rough twenty-four hours. Come on in.”
We walk toward the living space and I head over to the drink cart and pour us both a glass.
“Have you seen Saylor or your baby yet?” he asks as we both take a seat across from each other.
I can’t help the smile that forms, “Yeah man, I saw both last night at Grandma’s of all places.”
“Grandma’s? How?”
“I haven’t got all the details yet but they’ve known where she was for almost a year,” I fill him in. “I wish I’d told them about the entire situation and then we would’ve been reunited a long time ago,” I say, then hang my head.
“Hey, we aren’t going to do that. You’ve learned to a lot over these last few years and you aren’t the same guy you were back then. Stop looking back.”
“I know but I can’t help but think that one decision altered so many lives.”
“Tell me all about my favorite niece,” Linc changes the subject, and I launch into every little detail I could remember seeing Halo.
“She’s just… perfect. Saylor looks even more amazing than the last time I saw her,” I can’t help but say. “Did you come by yourself?”
“Everly went out to buy things for Halo while I took a call from Olivia about a case she’s having trouble with. Reid said to tell you that he’ll be here in two days after he’s finished speaking at some dental conference across the world.”
“Yeah, I got his text this morning.”
“How are you feeling right now with everything?” he asks.
It takes me a minute to think of everything. “Relieved, anxious, stupid and mad.”
“It’s a lot to take in. I know you’ve been praying for this day to happen for a long time.”
“She’s moved on, from what little I’ve gathered.” I say with a defeated sigh.
“In what way? You’re both still married to each other.”
“She thought Daniel pushed the divorce through. It didn’t help that that fucker Brody was in her ear, I’m sure, feeding into whatever agenda him and Buttons were pursuing. Saylor basically said without saying that they were in a real relationship.”
Linc starts to run his fingers through his hair and lets out a frustrated sigh.
“If that fucker wasn’t already dead, I’d beat the shit out of his fat ass.
I still don’t understand why Buttons would basically kidnap Saylor and hide her away.
I know he hated us for always winning court cases against him, but doing what he did is a whole new level of insane.
” Linc gets up from the couch and starts to pace the length of the room.
“Okay, this can all be resolved as long as you both are willing to work things out. Surely, Saylor just needs a few days to process all this information, and then see you were just trying to protect her and the baby.”
“That’s the hope but we’ll see.”
My phone buzzes and I get a text from an unknown number, but realize who it is immediately.
Unknown: Halo is at Grandma’s house for the night if you wanted to visit with her.
Even when I think I’ve messed up, Saylor has always given me a second chance. Or third, or fourth. I program her name into my phone and also send it to Mitch so that he can have it.
Levi: Thank you, baby. Will you be there?
Saylor: I’m busy and need some time to think.
I wonder if she’s dealing with him . That smarmy lying bastard, who has been playing house to my family, knowing I’ve been looking for them.
Saylor: I’m trusting you to keep her there and not take off with her.
Does she think I’d kidnap our daughter? I’d never leave without her or Halo.
Levi: Never. I’d never do that to you, Saylor. When I leave, I plan on it being with the two of you by my side. Willingly, of course, unless you want to involve ropes!
Saylor: Don’t, Levi.
Well crap, that didn’t come off as I wanted it to. I guess my humor is best saved for Mitch these days. Maybe Halo will think I’m funny?
Levi: Don’t what?
Saylor: You can’t just expect me to drop everything and jump into your arms after everything that has happened. We are different people than we were two years ago.
Boy, don’t I know it!
Levi: I know but I still plan on us being a family. I’ll do and show you that I’m the man for you and earn it all back again.
Saylor: Spend some time with our daughter.
Levi: Yes Ma’am!
“If you’re not careful you might split your face in half with that smile you have going on,” Linc says, breaking me out of my texting haze.
“Want to go and meet your niece?”
“I’d love to since my wife has found your wife and are hanging out together,” he informs me.
“Let’s go then,” I grab my wallet and hotel key, and walk towards the door. Off to Grandma’s house we go!