CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
SCARLETT
LEV
Hey, your brother plays tonight, right?
That was not the message that I expected to wake up to this morning. Not to mention that I never expected that Levi would be coming over to stay the night in order to watch the game. But he is.
I’m giving my apartment a quick clean when my phone rings out from the kitchen and I jog to grab it, not checking the Caller ID.
“Hello?”
A gruff voice comes through the speaker. “Scarlett, it’s Warren. How are you?”
I make my way back to the living room, flopping down on my couch. “I’m good, thank you. And how are you?”
“I’m great. I just wanted to check in about Levi. How is he progressing?” He asks as I hear him rustling through papers on the other side.
An involuntary smile takes over my face. “He’s doing really well. I’m really happy with his progress.”
“Do you think he’s ready to get back on the ice?”
“Absolutely. The main concern will be his confidence, but as long as the workout isn’t too strenuous to start with, he can definitely get back to work.”
I hear Warren’s smile through the speaker. “That’s amazing to know. I’ll go speak to Levi now, and we’ll get him to start in a couple of weeks. Thank you for all your hard work, Scarlett. We really appreciate it, and I know he especially does. I’m sure the fans will too.”
“Thank you for this opportunity, Warren. It’s been amazing.”
“Have a good night.” Coach says before he hangs up and I throw my phone onto the cushion thinking over how much my life has changed over the last couple of months.
I try not to think about whatever has been developing between us ending. I just want to focus on enjoying the time I have left training him.
…
It’s eight P.M. when Levi shows up.
I swing the door open, and there he is, in all his glory.
Tall and muscular, his grey sweatpants and black tee clinging just right, brown curls tousled perfectly, crystal blue eyes looking down at me with warmth.
A small smile plays on his lips, drawing my attention to the moustache I ache to feel between my thighs again.
I step aside to let Levi enter, and he looks around my apartment, taking it all in. It’s small and nothing like what he’s probably used to, but I love it anyway. It’s finally starting to feel like home to me.
He purses his lips, nodding as he moves into the living room. “Nice place, Scar.”
“Thank you. Make yourself at home.” I nod at him as I move into the kitchen. “Would you like a drink?”
He sits down on the couch leaning back, before looking over his shoulder at me. “Uh, sure. Thank you. Just whatever you’ve got.”
I grab a couple of beers from the fridge as I move back toward the living area, settling down on the couch beside him before handing him his drink.
Flicking on the TV, I lean back in my seat, being careful to keep a bit of space between myself and Levi.
“You’ll have to explain the rules to me.” Levi says as he throws his arm around my shoulder, pulling me into him.
I attempt to shift away, but he draws me back in. “Um… What are you doing?”
“Just relax, Scar.”
I sigh, giving in because if I’m being honest, I can’t deny that I like being this close to him.
On the screen, the boys run out onto the field, and I immediately point out Charlie, barely able to contain my excitement.
There’s something so special about watching my little brother live his dream.
He takes the kick off, and the game starts.
Charlie is making incredible tackles, and through the screen you can see how he’s directing the play and directing his teammates. He’s really taking this position in his stride.
The ball changes over and Charlie is now the first receiver after every tackle. We get to tackle five, and Charlie sets up for his kick. He gets tackled mid-air and I jump out of my seat.
“What the fuck was that?” I jump up, gesturing towards the TV.
Levi grasps my hips, lightly pulling me back, down onto his lap. “He’s okay, Scar.”
I gasp. “But that was an illegal tackle!”
He keeps his voice soft. “I know, but look, he’s up and he’s fine now.”
I slump back into Levi’s chest, and he wraps his arms around my waist, holding me softly.
His thumb grazes against the small strip of bare skin at my waist, a gentle, soothing touch as we continue to watch the game.
At the twenty-sixth minute mark, Sydney scores and I perk up, a wide smile taking over my face as I look to Levi over my shoulder.
And he’s already smiling. At me.
My cheeks heat as I look back at the screen to see Charlie celebrating with his teammates.
Charlie easily converts the try, making Sydney ahead by six.
By halftime, they’re sixteen to nothing.
I stand, grabbing the empty beer bottles as I head to the kitchen.
“Would you like another?” I ask as I put them to the side, ready to be recycled.
“Oh, no thank you…” Levi trails off, and I wait, expecting that he has more to say. “I’m actually going back to training next week.”
I walk back to the living room, an easy grin on my face. “That’s amazing, Levi. Are you excited?”
He takes a moment to respond, and I give him space to decipher his emotions as I drop back down onto the couch beside him. “I’m excited, but I’m also really nervous. I don’t have that much confidence in my shoulder holding up the way I need it to.”
I cup his jaw as I look into his eyes. “That’s expected, Lev. But Warren won’t throw you into the deep end. You’ve built your strength back up. You should be proud of how far you’ve come and how strong you’ve been through all of this.”
His eyes gloss over, and a soft smile graces his perfect lips. “Thanks, Scar. But… I was just wondering if maybe you’d come with me? The support would be really nice. But of course, it’s totally fine if you can’t.”
He starts to ramble nervously, and I squeeze his cheeks together to get him to stop talking.
“Levi. Of course, I’ll come. I’ve got your back. Always. Okay?”
He breathes out a shaky sigh of relief, his gaze flicking to my lips.
“Can I kiss you?” He asks softly, as he reaches up to my hair, winding his fingers through the strands.
I shake my head but find myself leaning in anyway. “Levi… we shouldn’t.”
His voice lowers to a breath. “Please?”
I lift myself up and swing my leg over his, settling in his lap. Then I lean in and brush my lips against his in a slow, gentle kiss.
It’s hesitant like we are just testing the waters of what this could possibly mean for us, now that we’re not at the lake house.
I pull back, just slightly, only for Levi to close the gap again, pressing a deeper kiss to my lips.
He tilts my head back, making me gasp as he slips his tongue inside.
I bring my hand to the nape of his neck, stabilising myself as I grind myself down into his lap. He grunts, jerking his hips up into me creating delicious friction against my clit.
“Levi.” I gasp, dropping my head back, and he starts peppering gentle kisses along the curve of my neck.
“Holy shit, Scar.” He moans against my skin, as I roll my hips into him again.
I grasp his shirt, pulling on the fabric as I draw his lips back to mine.
“You feel so good.” I moan against his lips as I feel my core starting to tighten.
Through the haze, I hear the game beginning to start back up and I halt my movements.
Both of our chests are heaving as I drop back onto the couch beside him. I keep my legs over his lap, and he wraps his arm around my shoulder to pull me into him, placing a light kiss against my temple.
I melt into him as we begin to watch the game, though I'm not really focused. I’m growing to really like Levi. Maybe I’m even falling for him. And I don’t quite think that I am ready to let him go.