CHAPTER SIXTEEN
LEVI
We drive around the last curve in the driveway, the lake house comes into view – three stories of glass and cedar, perched so elegantly above the water.
The late afternoon light spills across the wide deck, catching on the steel railings and illuminating them golden. It really is beautiful.
Scarlett cuts the engine beside the garage, and I look over to her as she supports an awestruck expression.
I don’t blame her; this house really is incredible.
I decide to break the silence to get things moving. “Alright, let’s get our shit and go inside.”
We’re quiet as we go to the trunk of the car and grab our things, Scarlett’s small grunts filling the air as she attempts to lug all her bags at once. I take a second to admire her bent over into the trunk, trying to wrangle in the obscene amount of baggage that she brought.
Rolling my eyes, I decide to pity her and help. “Here. I’ve got it.”
She slaps my hand away, turning to glare at me. “Don’t you dare. Not with everything going on with your shoulder.”
I sigh, moving toward the door as I call back to her, “Well, get moving, little Quinn.”
Scarlett’s light footsteps jogging toward me, and once she reaches me, she pulls the keys from my hand before retorting, “I’m not little.”
I admire Scarlett’s ass again in those grey leggings as she makes her way to the porch. God, she looks so good.
Making our way up the porch, Scarlett opens the door, we walk inside. The house is all clean lines and natural lighting. The open plan space makes it feel large and spacious, a slight smell of oak lingers in the air, fresh and earthy.
I place our bags on the floor beside the door, as Scarlett does the same.
Walking through the living area to the kitchen before getting to the back door.
Stepping outside onto the wrap around deck, I take note of a hot tub before a sprawling lawn leading down toward a dock at the lake with a small yacht sitting next to it.
Yep, I could get used to this. Scarlett gasps beside me interrupting my thoughts, reminding me that I indeed will not be enjoying this all alone. My posture slumps slightly at that thought, although this house is big enough, we could surely avoid each other easily.
I nod my head toward the door back into the house, before saying, “Let’s head inside and check out what we’re working with.”
My eyes stay trained on Scarlett’s ass as she enters the house ahead of me. Seriously. I wonder if anyone else is this drawn to it. It is perfect.
Shaking my head to break me out of my trance, I follow Scarlett up the stairs and through the hallway. We pass a few bedrooms, all with their own ensuites. Reaching the final door, Scarlett gasps upon seeing what’s inside.
What looks like it was once a spare bedroom has been transformed into a clean, minimalist retreat.
A polished oak floor stretches beneath creamy walls, before being interrupted by a wide mirror running along the entire length of one wall.
Two sleek beige reformer beds sitting in the middle facing toward the mirrors.
The farthest wall is floor to ceiling windows leading out onto a deck which gives an incredible view of the lake.
Baskets cast off to the side contain exercise bands, rings, balls, weights, and whatever else Pilates could possibly incorporate. A Bluetooth speaker is discreetly placed in the corner of the room beside a small diffuser that’s releasing a faint scent of lavender.
Woah, Coach really thought of everything. At that thought, my phone dings with a message.
Coach
I hope you guys got in safe after all. The kitchen
is fully stocked, so go wild. Enjoy the time away, Levi.
I glance back to Scarlett who looks amazed; her hands are clasped tightly together in front of her chin, a glassy sheen coating her eyes. I take her in, enjoying the sight of her so unguarded.
“Levi…” She trails off, taking a steadying breath, “This space is amazing. Wow.” She looks around in awe as she starts to make her way around the room.
“This is going to be so good for your rehab. The serenity, the space, we have anything and everything we could possibly need.”
And I agree with her. It really is incredible, I feel less like I’m dreading this form of rehab and more… rejuvenated, more excited to get into things and really get better, even though I hate being away from home and my family.
“Yeah, Quinn,” I say softly, “Let’s get settled into our rooms and then we can come up with a game plan.”
…
SCARLETT
One word. WOW. This place is just incredible. I’m speechless. The boat, the spa, the lake… the Pilates room.
The. Pilates. Room.
It is just incredible; I’ve never seen anything like it. I would work out there forever if I could.
I sigh to myself as I finish unpacking my clothes into the dresser.
Before sitting on the bed, contemplating my situation.
Everything has happened so fast, and despite Levi being difficult to work with, I can’t help but think this is for the best. This will open so many doors to a range of opportunities for me, I need to run with it.
I need to wrangle Levi into making this plan. I find him in the kitchen digging around in the pantry.
“What are you making?” I ask him as I slide onto one of the kitchen stools.
He gives me an exasperated look over his shoulder. His eyes look so tired, and I almost feel sorry for him. “I want my chicken and pasta.”
“Well, can we at least figure out this training plan first?”
His shoulders slump as he trudges over to me, collapsing on the seat beside me. “Fine.”
I speak softly, “Levi, how about I order our pizzas?” I’d rather not agitate him further before we get any work done. I’ll leave that for our sessions.
“I don’t want pizza anymore,” he grumbles.
“I just want my pasta with chicken and vegetables. I need to stay on top of my nutrition even through the off season. This isn’t just fun and games, Scarlett – this is my life.
I need to stay focused.” He crosses his arms over his chest, head tilted down, looking at his feet. He looks so young like this. Cute.
“Okay, come on then. You can help me cook as we discuss our game plan. Since, you know… I’m not all that good.” A subtle smile pulls at his lips, and I take that as a small win.
Digging through the pantry – and the mountains of food – I manage to find the pasta tucked right in the back.
Pulling it out, along with a few spices, I place them on the bench before finding a pot, filling it with water, and placing it on the stove to boil.
I then hand the chicken to Levi for him to prepare it.
Once the food’s on, I turn to Levi to find him already studying me.
I smack my hands down onto the counter to really get his attention before saying, “So, do you have any preference? Would you rather train in the morning to get it out of the way? Or would you prefer to train in the evening?”
Keeping his mouth pinched together, he just shrugs.
Ah, so this is how it’s going to be. I see.
Obviously, he’s not going to speak, so I decide to keep going until he gives me something.
“What kind of things did you want to get up to while we’re here?
” Another shrug. I roll my eyes as I continue, “The boat? The spa? Watching TV? Dude, give me something to work with.” Like, really, what crawled up his ass and died in the last forty-five minutes since I’ve seen him.
I turn around to start prepping the vegetables when I hear him say, “Late morning class.”
I whip back around. Thank God, something to work with.
“Okay, great. Let’s say every day at eleven?” I ask. Expecting no response from him at this point, I continue, “We’ll make a routine and get into a rhythm here. The more sessions we have, the better chances of you being good for the beginning of the season, yeah? Let me help get you there.”
I notice him resign slightly, before nodding.
“Okay, great.” I speak softly before I continue to prep some vegetables, handing some to Levi to help before we chuck them in a steamer to cook.
Once the food is all finished, I make a plate for Levi, sliding it across the counter to where he is still sitting before making my own plate and sitting a couple of stools down from him.
And clinging onto the tiny shred of hope I have left at making this work, I decide not to push him further, and begin eating.
We can work out the heavy details after he’s eaten his carbs.
I really hope we can turn over a new leaf and make this work.