CHAPTER THIRTEEN
LEVI
We’re an hour and a half into the drive. The sun was shining, pooling off the asphalt of the road – I had never seen a sky so blue. But, as it seems, we are driving right into a storm. Great. At least the weather now matches my mood for having to be stuck with this pain in the ass next to me.
I glance over slightly to contemplate said pain in the ass for a second.
She’s drumming her fingers against the steering wheel, bopping her head to the music while looking so adorably small in her oversized sweatsuit.
She looks content. With all her guards down, she looks relaxed and peaceful – beautiful.
I like this version of her that’s not as insufferable.
I have a slight hope we’ll find a solution while we’re there.
A sudden squeal brings me out of my trance.
“Oh. My. God. Levi! Look,” she’s pointing at the map on her phone. “Leavenworth, I’ve wanted to go so bad. Ever since I moved here. Please – please can we go? We’re driving past it anyway; it looks so dreamy.” She practically begs.
I sigh, what a nightmare. I’d really rather we not make a stop. The sooner we get there, the better.
“Quinn, we really should continue to Lake Chelan. Coach will want to check in once we arrive. Besides, the weather is atrocious, we don’t want to waste any time.”
“But please, Levi.” She whines, I'm honestly about to agree just so I don’t have to hear it anymore, “We can just grab some food and I can take some photos. That’s all. An hour, tops, please.”
I sigh, so she speaks up again, “Are you going to make me beg?”
My cock stirs at the thought of her down on her knees, begging me, but I will that thought away as quickly as it came.
“Okay, fine. But, Scarlett, I swear. An hour and then we get on the road again.”
She rolls her eyes. “Fine, Mr Grump. Geez, lighten up.”
…
SCARLETT
We are driving toward Leavenworth now, we’re only about 10 minutes away. I have never been more excited in my life. This is a bucket list destination for me.
I glance over to the passenger side of the car before focusing back on the road, “Thank you, Levi. Really, thank you so much for this.”
He flicks his eyes to me before saying, “You’re welcome. We were probably due for a quick stop soon anyway.”
I open my mouth to respond before I hear a loud bang followed by the hissing of a tire, feeling the weight of the car sink slightly as the back left tire flattens.
“Shit,” I mutter, pulling over and looking at Levi.
The rain is coming down so hard, I’m really reluctant to get out.
He rolls his eyes at me before stepping out into the pouring rain, going to look at the damage.
I follow. My poor car. And my God, it really is coming down so hard.
The tire is ruined. It’s lucky we didn’t instantly lose traction with the state of it.
I glance at the wheels before looking at Levi, “Um, Carter, when I pulled over, I kind of pulled over into a big pile of mud. Do you think we’ll be able to get the car out?
” I look back to the wheels of the car, slowly sinking a little deeper into the mud. Levi follows my eyeline.
“Shit.” He mutters before he jogs around to the driver’s side, climbing in and leaving me out in the cold, sticky rain. Dick.
Suddenly, I hear the faint sound of the handbrake releasing. No.
“Levi!” I yell out, but it’s too late.
He revs the car, mud comes flying out from under the wheels, before landing on me. Fuck, this is my nightmare.
I stomp over to the driver side door, yanking it open just as Levi takes his foot off the accelerator.
I’m livid.
“Are you fucking serious, Levi? Were you not thinking?”
His eyes drop, taking me in before looking back up. That prick. Is he just barely holding in a laugh? He better not fucking laugh.
“God, you’re such an ass, you know that? Now what? You need to get this fixed.” I glare at him.
His mouth drops open, looking like he might argue back. I don’t let him get a word in, “Do something, Levi, or I swear when I get back to training you, you’re not gonna know what hit you.”
His hands fly up, almost in a surrender.
“Okay, princess. Calm down.”
“I’ve already told you, Levi. don’t fucking call me that!” I snap back.
“God, Scarlett. Just calm the fuck down. What is your deal? It’s a little mud and rain, honestly.”
“Fuck you.”
I storm off, my white sneakers getting ruined as I stomp through the mud and puddles. Although at this point, I couldn’t care less.
“Scarlett!”
Nope, I am not turning around.
“Scarlett, for God's sake, get back here”.
He’s dreaming.
I hear heavy footsteps behind me, so I start to increase my pace.
A hand lightly grasps my bicep. Before I know it, I’m spinning around, crashing into Levi’s chest, his other hand coming up to rest at the nape of my neck, tilting my head up slightly so I can meet his eyes.
He looks furious. I’m not sure what he has to be mad at when I’m the one who’s soaked to the bone, covered head to toe in mud.
“You really think you can just walk away like that, Scarlett?” His tone sounds hurt, but I’m not going to analyse those feelings too deeply. I don’t have the time to delve into the mind of Levi Carter.
Looking up at him through my lashes, I can’t help but notice he looks perfect even after standing in the rain for however long. I kind of hate him for it.
“Levi, this has already turned into a disaster. We should just call it a day and go back to Seattle.” I know I’m complaining, but I’m just exhausted.
“Never knew you’d be the type to quit,” he smirks. I know he’s baiting me, and I hate that it’s actually working.
I roll my eyes, “Fine, it’s your call. What next?”
“So, do you want the good news or bad news first?”
I narrow my eyes on him, crossing my arms over my chest before tilting my head. “Good news.”
He sighs, “Well, the good news is that whilst you were having your little meltdown, I was able to get in contact with a tow truck company. The bad news is that they can’t get here until tomorrow.”
Levi cringes as my jaw drops open. Fuck. Just our luck.
My posture slouches slightly, “So, now what?”
“There’s a small inn up the road, I say we crash there for the night before dealing with everything tomorrow. Let you get all cleaned up as well.” He speaks softly, pointing the way toward the inn. I follow the direction with my eyeline before looking back at him.
“I’ll start walking, can you grab one of my bags for me? Any one will do, just so I have something to change into.” I turn and start walking in the direction of the inn, hearing him sigh behind me before heavy footsteps quickly retreat toward the car.
Just a few minutes later, he’s caught up behind me and we walk in silence toward the inn. With Levi carrying our bags, of course.
…
Heading inside of Leavenworth Inn, we’re immediately enveloped in warmth from the fire, encasing us in a soft glow.
Grateful to be out of the rain, I look around.
It’s old, yet not run down. The wide floor is laid with stone, a couple of beige couches off to the side and a small desk at the back wall.
The warming smell of freshly chopped logs and cinnamon filters through the small space, providing some much-needed comfort.
A lady with a name tag reading ‘Laurel’ greets us with a welcoming smile.
Levi speaks up first, “Hi, there. We’ve had some car troubles and were hoping to have a place to crash tonight, did you have any rooms available?”
“We just have the one room available tonight, is that okay?”
Levi quickly glances at me before responding, “Yeah. Yeah, that’s fine. Thanks.”
He hands his card over. She processes the transaction before handing his card back and giving us the keys.
“Room is four-zero-two. That’s the fourth-floor room two, the elevators are right over there. Enjoy your stay.”
“Thank you so much,” Levi says as I smile at her graciously and we start walking in the direction to our room.
Levi scans the key, opening the door but standing back to let me walk in before himself.
The room is simple but cute. Small and cosy. The ceiling low, wood that’s darkened with age and a window that’s fogged from the rain outside.
I take in my surroundings as Levi enters behind me. A small table by the arch window, the curtains that perfectly match the covers on the king-sized bed. One king sized bed.
I look back at Levi to see that he’s noticed the same thing.
You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.