Chapter 007 Levi
Nash is leaning against the porch rail when I pull up to the ranch house, his arms crossed like he's been waiting. The kitchen light spills out behind him, warm and yellow against the dark. "Was that the girl from the photography studio?" he asks, poking me in the ribs with that shit-eating grin of his.
Turner pokes his head out from the kitchen door, wiping his hands on a dish towel. "The hot blonde?"
My fist clenches before I can stop it. "Watch it, Turner."
It's bad enough Trisha was standing there on Lennie's porch when I dropped her off, eyes wide as saucers, bombarding her with questions before Lennie could even shut the door. I barely got a wave in before they disappeared inside. My only prayer is Trisha keeps her trap shut. Word gets around Copper Cove faster than a brushfire, and with Shelly due here for the Hoedown next weekend—regardless of whether she's crashing at the ranch or not—she'd sniff it out in a heartbeat. Last thing I need is her thinking Lennie and me are some kind of item.
"Yeah, looks like my little brother's got a crush," Nash piles on, chuckling.
"Who wouldn't?" Turner says, shrugging like it's no big deal. "She's a hot little number."
"How the hell do you even know that?" I snap, my voice coming out whinier than I meant. "Since when do you hang around the studio?"
Turner's been one of our newer hands, solid enough with the horses but mouthy as hell. "Word got around town she's running the place. Hot little blonde? Come on."
"She's been there a while. You saying you've been sniffing around that long and done jack shit?"
He holds up his hands like I'm fixing to throw a punch. "She's got a thing, see."
"She's deaf. Yeah, I know," I bark. "What's your point?"
He backs off quick, disappearing into the kitchen. Nash scratches his nose, eyeing me. "Hey, if you've got a crush on this Lennie girl, what's gonna happen when Shelly spits out that kid of yours?"
"This is beneath you, Nash." I shove past him toward the house, my boots thudding on the steps. Enough of this horseshit.
Piper's inside the office, hunched over the desk with Jade. They handle Billy's books mostly, though Jade splits time with her mama's outfit too. Smell of coffee hangs heavy in the air, mixed with that sharp tang of printer paper. "Levi, you hungry?" Piper asks without looking up, like clockwork. Treats me like I'm some scrawny kid, not six-two and two-twenty soaking wet.
"No, I'm fine." I glance at Jade. "How's Crystal doing?"
They swap a look, quick but loaded.
My tone stays light, almost sorry. "It's okay to talk about it."
"You mean Shelly's pregnancy?" Piper says, setting her pen down.
I perch on the desk edge and nod.
"Crystal's fine," Jade says straight. "How far along is Shelly, anyway?"
I shrug. "Don't know yet."
"She can't be that far. How long y'all been together?" Jade presses.
"Not really keeping track." Truth is, I'm not even sure when we turned official. Just sort of ended up at her place one night, she asked me to crash, and I did. Kept happening.
"More than a month?" Piper guesses.
"Yeah, probably. We were, uh, messing around before we were a thing." Feels weird saying it out loud.
"That's usually how it goes, Levi. We ain't judging." Piper smiles soft.
Jade leans back. "I'd like to meet her. Dinner tomorrow night or something?"
"Not sure that's smart. Got stuff to iron out still, and she gets riled easy."
"I get that," Piper says, snuffling a laugh. "Heard she gets a loose tongue too." Her grin's playful, no bite. "Hate for her to say something incriminating if she's cornered."
I wink back. She's dead right. "She's coming to the Hoedown next weekend anyway. Y'all can size her up then."
Their faces light up. "Oh, is she?" Piper says. "That'll be fun."
"What part of that's fun?" I mutter, more to myself.
Jade tilts her head. "Thought you loved the Hoedowns."
"I do, but..." I trail off.
Piper closes the office door—signal to the world to stay out, important shit going down. "What's going on, Levi?"
Can't spill this to Nash or Billy or any of the guys. They'd rib me till I bled. But Piper and Jade? They're solid. Like sisters I never knew I needed. Jade drags over the extra chair, grabs me a water from the mini-fridge.
"I'm in deep shit."
Piper spins her chair around backward, sits, takes my hand. "Nothing we can't help you out of, Levi."
"Appreciate it, but I reckon I'm on my own this time."
"Tell us what's wrong," she says, voice heavy like she's bracing.
I swallow hard. "I don't love her."
Jade nods slow. "That's okay. Doesn't hit everybody the same. But you're good people—you'll step up."
"Yeah, and Nash had a point. Don't own that kid full-tilt till you confirm it's yours."
I stay quiet. Paternity test? Makes it too damn real. Scary real. 'Specially when it's with someone who don't make my pulse jump. When there's another who does.
"You gotta talk it out with Shelly," Jade says. "Keep it honest. Best foot forward for you and the baby."
My eyes fix on a scuff on the floorboards. "That ain't it."
"What's not?" Piper squints.
"You said you're in trouble," Jade prods. "What kind outside this?"
"I said I'm not in love with her."
They nod, getting it. I feel like a heel. Deserve the stake, the lions, the whole nine. "I think... I think I'm falling in love with someone else."
"The girl from the studio?" Piper asks soft.
My eyes snap to hers. I drop my head into my hands. "Jesus Christ. Everybody knows now, huh?"
"No." She pats my shoulder. "Just figured from that picture Billy mentioned. Didn't know it was real."
I lift up. "What do I do? Shelly already knows about the picture. Finds out I got feelings for the girl who took it, she'll lose her shit and lock me out of my kid's life."
Jade raises a hand. "Hold up. How'd she find out about the picture?"
I run it down quick—the receipt.
"Isn't there some code about snooping receipts? Her business?" Jade says.
"Semantics," I huff.
"No it ain't," Piper cuts in. "She knows how much you dropped on that now, Levi. Might tuck it away for leverage."
"Yeah, we're just watching your back, doll," Jade adds. "Talk to her."
"Don't even know where to start. What do I say?" All I got in my head are words for Lennie. How she's beautiful, smart, talented as hell—makes my head spin. Selfish as shit, but I'd take her over Shelly any day. Even without the baby mess, I'd be gone. Ain't saying that, though. They'd peg me immature.
"Start by asking what she wants for the kid," Piper says firm.
"And let her know you might not stick around," Jade piles on. "Lead her on while pregnant? Hell waiting when the baby's here."
"Exactly. Tell her you're in for the baby, all the way, but boundaries—like no digging through wallets or receipts. That's what snoopers do." Piper pats my hand.
"What about Lennie? She lectured me on fatherhood, honesty. Finds out I like her, she'll bolt. Think I'm some bed-hopper."
"Tough call," Piper says.
"Keep it under your hat till Shelly's sorted," Jade agrees.
"Not hard. Told her we're just friends anyway. Hate lying, but didn't know how I felt till tonight."
"Then you didn't lie," Jade says. "And sometimes you hold cards close. Don't shoot your foot."
I breathe deep. "Maybe Shelly feels the same. We're not close."
"How so?" Piper asks.
"I crash at her place, but no spark. With Lennie, I'm light—can tell her anything. Her voice... soft, real. Could listen forever. Shelly? Heat at first, but guarded. Don't like me knowing shit."
"You find out about that ring?" Piper asks.
"She put it away. No clue what that means."
Jade smirks. "Means she's onto you."
Feels shitty they see through her so easy. What if she's decent and we're off?
"Before y'all judge," Jade says, "remember—she blurts the pregnancy in a restaurant, no heads-up. Slimy as hell."
Heard enough. Head's spinning. "Gotta go. Long day."
"Get some rest, Levi," Piper says, patting my back.
I head out, cut across to the resort. Past the guest suites, light from my door catches a big box propped against it—my drafting table, busted down for shipping. Smile tugs despite everything. Drag it inside my suite—Billy's generous, big space with fireplace, understanding it's temp till the bunkhouse. Picture's up on the ledge by the mantel, Lennie's work. Stunning. Hits like her—pulls you in.
Mind drifts to finding her in the grass that first time. Life flipped right there. Set up the table slow, pieces clicking together. Sketch the bones of my dream house. Rudimentary as hell, but mine—cobblestone drive, wraparound porch like Mama always wanted, Daddy never built. Lose track of time, pencil flying, her face floating in every line. Not Shelly, baby and all. Just Lennie.
Wake with cheek stuck to paper, drool in one corner—far from the lines, thank God. Roll to bed proper, but eyes shut and it's her. Should be ashamed—expectant dad, eyes wandering. Decide: friends only. Hard, but protects the family name, her rep too. Won't drag her into this mud my daddy started.
Between brothers and hands, I'm already the joke. Town'll buzz soon if it ain't. Good Shelly's in Dallas. Buys time. That ring nags, though—engagement set, wedding band, gone now. No angry hubby yet, but...
Since Lennie, gut screams Shelly's trouble. Tricks or truth? Piper, Jade, Crystal usually clear the fog, but not tonight. Means what? Sure of one thing: don't love Shelly. Lennie made it plain.
Phone says ungodly hour. Sleepless nights ahead. Gotta talk to her—baby plans? Adoption? And married?
Questions spin like Russian roulette. Then her hand—soft, warm, nimble fingers trailing my chest. Gasp catches as lips meet mine. Devour her. Tongue sweet like candy, lips silk-soft, breath ragged. Starved. Blonde hair feathers over skin as kisses drop—neck, chest. Mouth... God, her mouth heaven-warm, wet. Knuckles whiten gripping sheets.
Possessed. She is too. Dick throbs for more, brain yells slow. Don't want it ending. Moans vibrate, pleasure spiking. Sink into her? Delicious thought, but frozen. She owns me, expert hands, mouth—reads every twitch, perfect suction, pace like we've done it a thousand nights.
Should gentleman up, give back. Hottest thought? Lennie crying out, begging stop-or-don't. Cock hits her throat back, twitches warning. She knows—sucks harder, faster. Veins bulge neck, empty into her mouth.
Wake groaning loud, sheets soaked, hand sticky. Need to dunk my head. Maids find this? Dead. Laughingstock forever. Was single pre-Shelly—laundry second nature after saddling up.
Strip sheets, bundle 'em. Take home, wash myself. Easier than truth. But damn, trail of lies starting now.