“Welcome to Verona. I’m Ellie. My husband and I own The Black Door. You probably saw our bar when you drove into town. You can’t miss it. If you’re in the mood for a drink after a hard day of work, don’t hesitate to stop by.”
Repulsed, I rip my arm free from her hold and take three steps backward, a sheen of sweat breaking out over my body. Lick instantly moves in front of me to act as a barrier between the woman and me.
Ellie’s features tense with confusion, and when I just glance away and don’t bother to talk to her, I can feel the air stiffen.
“Well, I never,” the elderly woman mutters. “So the rumors are true. He is nothing but a rude thug. Doesn’t he live next door to Kelcie? We should tell Sheriff Williams to do a welfare check on her.”
Fuck this shit. I don’t need the groceries. I’ll call the order in later and have them deliver. Setting the basket down, I stalk out of the store and head straight for my car. My breaths become shallow, and the trembling in my body keeps growing.
On my way home, I see Kelcie walking up ahead. Earlier, I would’ve stopped to offer her a ride, but needing to be alone, I drive by her without a second glance.
After I pull the car into the garage, I switch off the engine and sit for a moment while I breathe through the disgust creeping all over my body.
Lick barks to remind me we have to get out, and I automatically go through the actions. Once we’re inside the house, I set the pack oftreats down on the counter in the kitchen before walking through the house and closing all the curtains.
I leave the door to the bathroom open so Lick can come and go as she pleases, and switch on the faucets in the shower. Once I’m undressed, I step beneath the hot spray and let it burn over my skin.
Memories skirt around the edges of my mind, and my breaths turn harsh as I fight to keep them from overwhelming me.
It’s been seventeen years since I ran away from home, and there are still moments when the hell I went through as a kid haunts me.
I don’t think I’ll ever fully heal from it.
I glance down at my chest, and lifting my hand, I brush my fingertips over the old scars that are hidden beneath a tattoo. It looks like black ink has been splattered all over my chest, and a phoenix is visible with red and orange ink, giving the impression that the creature is on fire.
My back is covered in black, dead branches, with a single orange flower on my left shoulder blade.
Grabbing the bodywash, I begin to scrub myself, and only when I’m finally rid of the disgust crawling all over me do I switch off the faucets.
I dry myself and put on sweatpants before I drop down on my bed. Lick jumps up and comes to lie beside me, resting her head on my chest.
With my own trauma retreating, I remember what the women said about Kelcie.
I’ll keep an eye on her parents’ house and take care of the garden so she doesn’t get in trouble and people stop gossiping about it.
It’s a way for me to help her and Jordan.
My thoughts turn to Kelcie and how she looked for comfort in my arms when she was suffering from a panic attack. I didn’t feel any disgust. Instead, the urge to hold her and never let go was intense.
She’s beautiful, kind, and so unbelievably strong, and now that I know I can touch her without being overcome with revulsion, it makes the attraction I feel for her grow in leaps and bounds.
Closing my eyes, I exhale a sigh.
Don’t, Levi. Nothing romantic can ever happen between the two of you.
Kelcie
I’m abruptly woken by someone knocking, and half asleep, I stumble to the front door. I peek through the peephole, and seeing Jill, I open it for her.
She takes one look at my messy hair, then asks, “Dang, did I wake you? I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. It’s time for me to get up.” I let Jill come in before I shut the door behind her.
“Ooh boy, do I have news for you,” she says as we walk to the kitchen.
Stifling a yawn, I ask, “Would you like something to drink?”
“I’m good. I just had a soda at home.” While I prepare tea for myself, she comes to lean back against the counter. “Our grumpy neighbor has the whole town up in arms.”
