Levi
Twelve
Imight have some competition.
My dog is head over heels in love with Oakley.
Never in the six years that I’ve had Bandit have I seen him warm up to someone so fast. He’s a loving and affectionate dog, sure, but it took him a full three months of Justin coming around the house to let his guard down.
It took him even longer to warm up to me.
That’s the way it goes with rescues sometimes.
They’ve been through some shit. You ain’t the only one, bud.
Bringing Bandit with me this morning was a good call. As soon as he saw me grab the keys to the truck, he turned the puppy dog eyes all the way to maximum, and I was a goner. There was no way I was going to be able to leave him at home.
I make a mental note to bring him along more often. I watch in amusement as he bites at a bug behind him and then proceeds to chase his tail until he catches it and falls to the ground. He’s clearly having the time of his life.
The way the sun dances across the branches in shining streams of light reminds me of the way Oakley’s hair shimmered as we walked along the path.
I kept stealing glances at her, in utter bewilderment at the wonder and curiosity in her eyes as she drank in the scenery around her.
There was a lightness about her as we walked side by side, like she had realized that whatever chased her into town couldn’t reach her here.
Our hands were so close, and I wanted to reach out and take hers if only to let her know that she isn’t alone. That she’s safe to let her guard down and feel whatever it is she needs to feel.
I watched the way the tension lifted from her shoulders, and only by having experienced the same freeing feeling of being surrounded by something so much bigger than myself was I able to recognize it for what it was.
The start of a breakthrough.
I can’t keep the smile off my face as I climb into my truck, Bandit panting in the passenger seat.
Rolling the window down so he can hang his head out as we drive home, I flip through the radio stations until I land on one playing John Denver’s “Rocky Mountain High.” I turn the dial up and let the lyrics of the song wash over me, reminding me why, despite everything, I never left this place.
There’s a verse that mentions walking alone through the mountains, and how the man is on a journey to soak in the quiet calm of the forest. It’s there where he learns who he truly is.
Maybe Oakley will find herself out here too.
I know I did.
My phone rings as I pull into my driveway, and I look down to see it’s my sister, Eva, calling.
She’s a college student, and while we make it a point to talk at least weekly, I know she’s been busy getting ready for the new semester, and I didn’t want to bother her.
I tap the green button and tuck the phone between my ear and shoulder as I round the truck and let Bandit out.
“Hey, little sis.”
“Hey, big bro! How’s it going?”
“Great. Just getting back from a hike with Bandit now.”
I can hear her wistful sigh through the phone, and it makes me smile. Eva loves these mountains as much as I do.
“God, I miss the mountains.” Eva goes to college down in Miami, and only when she was boarding the plane did it sink in that my mountain-loving sister was going to live at the beach for four years.
“Hate to break it to you, but you’re shit out of luck for another year.”
She groans. “I know.” She draws out the last word.
“Are you all set for the semester? Need me to send you anything? Money? Snacks?” I unlock the front door and walk into the house, kicking off my shoes and dropping my keys on the counter before grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge.
Eva laughs, and my heart swells. I miss hearing that high, joyous sound in person.
“I’m good. I just got back from the grocery store, so I’m all stocked up for now.”
“Alright,” I concede. “But let me know if that changes.”
“Such a mother hen,” Eva teases, but I can hear the warmth in her voice telling me that she’s less annoyed about it than she lets on. “So, what have you been up to, big bro?”
“Work. Eat. Sleep. Repeat. The usual.” I can’t hide the way my voice falls flat at the end.
When did I become so complacent with my routine? When did it start being enough for me? Eva, of course, picks up on it immediately. The other end of the line is silent while I wait to see if she’s going to call me out on it or not.
“Are you in the dark place?”
I blow out a breath. “Maybe. I don’t know.”
“Talk to me.” Her voice is both gentle and firm, not pushing me for an answer, but I know from experience that she won’t let me off the hook until I get it off my chest. In a way, it’s infuriating that the little sister I worked so hard to protect has switched roles with me.
But in another way, it feels good to be taken care of for a change.
I didn’t have that growing up. I had to be strong for the both of us.
“I met someone. A girl. And there’s something about her I can’t put my finger on. But it scares me to death.”
“This is a good thing. I worry about you all alone up there. You could use a little feminine touch.”
“Okay, ew.”
Her answering laugh eases the tightness in my chest a fraction. “I didn’t mean it like that! But… maybe I should have meant it like that?”
“We are not having this conversation, Eva.”
“Oh come on, Levi, we’re both adults. And we both know you get a little broody when you’re not getting any.”
“I’m hanging up now.”
“Wait! I only mean you could use someone in your life that’s there for you the way you’re there for me.”
I nod, but don’t answer. I couldn’t find the words even if I tried. A beat of silence goes by, filled only by our breathing on the phone—mine rapid, but hers even and calm.
“You’re nothing like him, Levi.”
“What if a part of me is?” My question feels like tar in my throat.
“You’re not. And you fucking know it.” Her defiance takes me by surprise, and I’m stunned into silence.
Eva never curses. “How long are you going to isolate yourself from anything remotely good in your life?
You and I grew up in the same house. I saw the same things you did.
You always say I'm nothing like Mom, so I'm going to flip it around on you.
You're nothing like Dad, Levi. What we saw does not define who we are.”
“I know. You’re right.”
“Of course I’m right,” she scoffs, as if the idea of me coming to any other conclusion is ridiculous. “Now, what is it about this girl that has you so afraid?”
“I can’t figure her out. One moment, she’s carefree and laughing and full of life, and the next moment, her walls go up and she gets this look in her eyes.”
Eva is quiet for a moment, and I plop myself down on the couch next to Bandit, resting my head back and stroking my free hand over his head. A female voice in the background shouts something unintelligible.
“Coming!” Eva shouts back. “Listen, I’ve got to run, but remember, we’re not the only ones with baggage out there. When did you meet her?”
“A few days ago.”
Something between a laugh and a groan sounds from the phone, and I roll my eyes, already knowing what she’s about to say.
“Maybe she just needs some time to open up. I know you’ve got that whole mountain man charm thing going for you, but, my advice? Ease off a bit. Give her a chance to wonder about you, too. And don’t go all dark and mopey on me again. It’s weird.”
I know that last part is only a joke. Eva is always there for me when I need her, the same way I am for her.
“Thanks, sis. Have fun, and watch your drinks. Don’t give me a reason to come down there and drag your ass home,” I say, knowing that she’s definitely going out tonight with her friends to celebrate the start of the semester.
“Blah blah blah, I know, I know. Love you!”
“Love you.” The line clicks, and I drop the phone on the couch beside me, startling Bandit who glares up at me with disapproval.
“Sorry, bud.” I stand from the couch and climb the stairs to my room, figuring a shower will help clear my head a bit.
I know Eva is right—she usually is—but all of my thoughts since meeting Oakley have revolved around her.
When I’m around her, I can’t seem to get enough, and all I want to do is get to know her better.
I also know, though, that Eva’s right. I shouldn’t push my luck. Maybe backing off is the way to go. The last thing I want to do is come across as a creep and scare her off. This may be a small town, but there are ways to avoid people if you want to.
Justin texted me on the drive home to tell me he and the guys are meeting at the bar again tonight, and I make a mental note to shoot him a text back when I get out of the shower to say I won’t be joining.
My teeth clench when I think about Justin hanging around the bar with Oakley while she works tonight.
I know he’s harmless, and, despite his shameless flirting, he would never force himself on a woman.
Still, the thought of him getting to look at Oakley all night has envy surging through my body and my muscles tensing.
I hop under the spray of hot water and stand there for a minute, letting the water roll down my body, and willing the tension in my back and shoulders to ease, before grabbing the body wash and lathering up the washcloth.
I drag the rag across my chest, the suds sticking to the smattering of dark hair in the center, before moving on to the rest of my body.
What will Oakley look like tonight? Will she have her hair pulled up messily in one of those big clips to keep it out of her face, showing off the delicate curve of her neck?
Will she have on another pair of those tight little leggings she wore during our hike, or will she be wearing those sexy cut-off shorts?
My cock twitches at the memory of her bent over the console that first night.
I so badly wanted to peel those shorts down her legs and plunge myself inside her.
I bet she’d squeeze the life out of my cock, stretching to fit all of me.
I imagine her soft whimpers as I slide into her wet heat, begging me to give her every inch.
The way I’d run my hand up the length of her spine and grip the back of her neck, whispering in her ear what a good girl she is for taking me so well.
I give up the fight and fist my cock, leaning my back against the tile wall as I pump myself slowly from root to tip.
The suds cascade down my body, and I catch some in my hand, imagining it’s her wetness I’m gliding through as I stroke.
A drop of precum beads at my tip, and I swipe it away with my thumb, letting out a whimper when I repeat the motion.
I want to coax my thumb into her mouth and listen to her moan as she sucks on the taste of me.
A few more strokes and my spine tightens. I’m already right there. Blue-gray eyes darkened with lust turn to look at me over a smooth shoulder, and I’m fucking done for.
I careen over the edge, a low groan falling from my lips as pleasure racks its way through my body. My legs tremble with the force of my orgasm.
I’d say I’m seeing stars, but all I can see are those haunting eyes.