Chapter 14
Magnolia
It should be illegal to be as hot as Levi is.
Standing there in his bedroom with a tight t-shirt, hugging his biceps, showing off the tattoos on his arms. The jeans he’s wearing have been worn a long time, the ass is really close to coming out of them, and the hem on the bottom of the legs is starting to pull out. He’s got on a pair of old tennis shoes.
“There’s one thing wrong with that,” I say as I look him up and down.
“Oh yeah, what’s that?”
“It’s perfect. You look like a guy in a country video who hangs out by a bonfire, except your shoes. Where are your old boots?”
He glances down. “I thought they’d make me look like I don’t have enough money to be doing what I’m supposed to.”
If he only knew how hot he is with those boots on.
He’s had them for years, and I can remember when they were brand new.
I watched those boots, just like him. As he grew up, they got worn in, and I found myself looking at them every time I’d see him out and about.
“Nah, I think it’ll make you look weirder if you don’t have them.
I mean, what person do you know hunting in tennis shoes? ”
“True, I guess you do have a point.”
“I know I do, go put those on, and I’ll make us some food before you have to leave.”
He looks back at me as he goes into the closet. “I didn’t invite you here to cook for me, Magnolia.”
My throat tightens. “I know, but the fact of the matter is, you’re letting me stay. You don’t realize how much I hated being in that house with Cody, even if I was really in a different one. It was as if I could feel him watching me all the time, and he knew things...”
“What type of things?” He asks, his eyebrows drawing together as he looks at me.
I shake my head. “Doesn’t matter now. But that’s what I’m talking about,” I tell him as I point down at his feet. “Now you look like you’re there to actually hunt, instead of just looking at the property.”
“Thanks for pointing that out. I might have gotten most of being an officer down pat, but there are still things that catch me off guard. Guess the shoes were something I didn’t think about. Thank you for helping me.”
He’s so sweet in the way he’s willing to give me credit for helping him.
“You’re welcome.” And I mean that because he was truly thankful.
If it had been Cody, he’d say that, and then find a way to throw it back in my face when we were fighting.
I’m not used to someone being honest with me for the sake of being honest, and I’m just now realizing how it may affect me in the future.
“Now what do you want to eat this morning?”
“I’m not used to having anyone here to cook for me. I’m a bacon and eggs kinda guy with maybe some oatmeal and fruit.”
Looking him up and down, I give him a grin. “Looks like you’re doing pretty well on your own, even though you don’t have anyone here to cook for you.”
His cheeks get red, and he grins back at me. “I don’t have anyone to cook for me. Like I told you.” He reaches back, scratching his neck. “So whatever it is you want to do for me, I would be appreciative. Typically I don’t even eat here, so I’ll enjoy it while I can.”
I’d love to tell him that I’m gonna be here forever, because that’s what my wish is.
But if there’s anything I’ve learned over the last few years, it’s that the things we think are forever, aren’t guaranteed.
With Levi Harrison, though? I wish they were.
“Well, I’d love to send you to work with a full stomach and a home-cooked meal. ”
“My mom might get jealous,” he laughs.
“Trust me, I don’t want Ruby to be on my bad side, but I think she’d be okay with me making sure her baby boy is taken care of.
” The way his eyes move up and down my body, heats up certain parts of mine.
We’re obviously both thinking of other ways I can take care of him, and I’m not sad about it.
We just don’t have any time for that this morning. “Okay, what do you want, Levi?”
“Magnolia Grace, whatever you wanna fix me.”
“No,” I shake my head. This is what Cody did to me. Force me to make a decision I didn’t want to make, and then get angry when I didn’t make the one he wanted me to. “I need you to make the decision. Please.”
Our eyes meet. My blue ones clashing against his brown.
We look at each other for longer than we should, but there must be something he sees in the depths of mine.
That slight smirk he wears most of the time fades, and his face gets as serious as anyone ever sees it.
“Then I’d love a bacon and egg sandwich. ”
My throat tightens and slight tears pop into my eyes. He recognized it. How much it would mean to me for him to make the decision. “Thank you, that’s what you’re going to get.”
About an hour later, we’re finishing up our breakfast, and I watch as Levi checks his phone. His foot is tapping under the table, the heel of his boot making a rhythmic sound against the floor. “Are you nervous?” I ask softly, taking a drink of my orange juice.
“Yeah,” he admits quickly. “This is the first time I’ve been given this type of responsibility. Obviously most everyone I work with knows who my family is. That my dad is the best K-9 Officer for Laurel Springs, that my grandfather is the Chief. They know there’s a legacy behind me.”
“Is it hard to live up to that legacy?” The question is impulsive. He never seems to wither under that pressure, so many would, but Levi? He doesn’t seem to have a problem. Never has, and I’ve always respected that about him but at the same time maybe I’m not looking hard enough.
He’s quiet for a few minutes, before his voice speaks low and slow.
“Yeah, it is. I’m proud as hell of the family I’ve grown up in.
I’m going to work hard to continue that legacy, but I think a lot of people forget just how young I am when it comes to the badge.
I’ve only been a professional for a year and a half, and I’m still learning a lot.
Sometimes people, including my bosses, don’t remember that I’m still in that phase.
So, being given an undercover assignment is making me pretty nervous. ”
Licking my lips, I pull my bottom one in between my teeth, before reaching over and grabbing his wrist. Wrapping my fingers around it as far as they’ll go, I give him a squeeze. “You’re going to do amazing. I’ve seen you grow up, been able to witness your work ethic, you’re going to rock this.”
He sighs heavily, leaning back in his chair. “I appreciate it, Magnolia Grace, and I really thank you for the breakfast. I’ve got to be going.”
My stomach stutters with nerves for him. He’s going to be doing something that’s potentially very dangerous. I wish there was a chance that I could check in with him while he’s in the middle of this, but that’s not possible. “You’ll be careful, right?”
He smiles. “Always.”
Within thirty minutes, he’s gone and I’m left to my own devices.
Yesterday it was kind of weird being in here by myself, even if I was trying to figure out how to work.
Today, it’s going to be a bit of a longer time, and I know what he’s going to be doing.
Well kind of know what he’s going to be doing.
From what I can gather, it’s probably more dangerous than what he’s telling me.
I sigh heavily and look around at what I have to do for the day. It’s a lot of catch up on with everything that’s been going on. Pulling up my schedule on my phone, I look to see what I can possibly push back, and then make a plan to get started.
One of the ways I make money is by working while streaming.
This is tricky, though. If Molly or one of Levi’s family members happen to watch, which they do, they’ll be able to tell this is Levi’s house.
He has distinctive walls. Which is why I made sure when I purchased stuff to use yesterday, I bought a tapestry to hang behind me.
There’s nothing individualistic about the table and chair I bought, so I’m hopeful this will help me keep where I’m staying private.
Once I know what I need to accomplish today, I head over to the counter and start making the cakes I’ll use for cake pops.
This is second nature to me, I can do it without thinking of anything.
It’s almost soothing, the way I can turn my brain off when I’m doing this.
It’s what I’ve needed, and what I haven’t been able to accomplish with Cody always watching me.
Just when I would get seated and start to work, he’d need me to do something, or he’d start an argument.
It was annoying as fuck. It affected not only my business but my mental health, because I never thought that I could do anything correctly.
Because my brain was divided into two separate places, I’d end up messing something up.
Now that I’m here, I’m looking forward to building myself back up, instead of being torn down.
As I start melting my chocolate, my phone rings, and I have to close my eyes and take a deep breath when I see Molly’s name on the screen.
“Hey girl,” I answer. “What’s going on?” Thankful that she’s not FaceTiming me for this phone call.
“Nothing much, just wanted to call and check on you. I know yesterday was rough.”
God bless her. She’s been by my side through every hard moment in my life, and sometimes I’m not even sure if I deserve her. “It was, but I’m doing okay. This AirBnB is super nice, and I’m able to get my stuff made. All in all, it could be a lot worse, but I’m just trying to make it through.”
“Is there anything I can do to help you? You know that I’ll do whatever I can.”
“I know, and I love you for it. I’ve got this though.”
“Mags, just because you can stand on your own two feet doesn’t mean you have to. You can lean on others,” she says carefully. “And it doesn’t make you weak. I wish you’d let me help you.”
“No, I get it, Molls, but I do have to stand on my own two feet. I got myself into this mess, I can get myself out of it.”
She laughs. “I have no doubt that you can, I’m just saying, I can help if you need it.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” For a few minutes, I sit in the silence, before I finish. “I’ve gotta get to work.”
“I know, talk to you later. Love you, Mags.”
“Love you too!”
When we hang up, I text a quick message over to Levi.
M: I’m about to start working and I’m going to be streaming. So if you’re going to come home early, please text me so I can cut my stream off. The last thing we need is for someone to know I’m staying with you.
L: Will do, Magnolia Grace. But trust me, it won’t be nearly as bad as you’re assuming.
I don’t say anything to those words. Instead, I sit down and get to work.
“Hey everybody! Welcome to Sweet Magnolia Treats. We’ve got a lot of treats to make today. I hope you’re ready to spend some time with me.” And I settle in, to do what I love.