“I was visiting with my parents and saw you come home. It’s been a while. How are you?”
“I’m great, and you?”
“I’m doing okay. Things would be better if the prettiest girl in town finally stopped playing hard to get and agreed to go on a date with me.”
Not this again.
Desperate to make him understand it will never happen, I totally take advantage of my friendship with Levi and lie, “I’m actually dating Levi.”
Shock flashes over Colby’s face, then he frowns darkly at me. “What the fuck, Kelcie? I was there for you when your family was killed. I helped you get this place.” His voice keeps rising until he shouts, “The fucker moves in, and you jump into his arms?”
My lips part with shock, and I take a step backward from Colby’s aggressive reaction. “Don’t take that tone with me!”
He shakes his head, and just as he moves toward me, Levi’s voice snaps, “Back the fuck away from her.”
Colby’s head turns to the side, and when he moves backward, I’m able to peek out the doorway. Levi cuts across the dead grass between our houses, his expression downright pissed off.
“You better go, Colby,” I say, not wanting a fight between the two men.
“Oh, look,” Colby sneers. “If it isn’t the great Levi fucking Graye. You think you can tell me what to do just because you’re some big-shot author?”
“I’m going to call the sheriff,” I warn him.
His eyes flick back to me, the anger in his gaze scaring me, as he hisses, “I see how it is.” Levi steps between Colby and me, but it doesn’t stop Colby from continuing, “Don’t come running to me when he drops you like a sack of potatoes. People like him never stay in one place for long.”
“Leave,” Levi growls, the sound of his threatening tone making goose bumps erupt over my skin.
“Fuck both of you,” Colby angrily mutters as he walks away, crossing the street to where his car is parked in his parents’ driveway.
“I’m so sorry,” I say while letting out a heavy breath. When Levi turns around, I step out of the way so he can come inside the house. “Where’s Lick?”
“At my place. I didn’t want her attacking Colby.”
“Yeah, we don’t want that to happen,” I agree. My shoulders sag as I wrap my arms around myself. “Colby is probably going to tell the whole town who you are.”
“Let him. I don’t care.” Levi shuts the door behind him and locks it. When he turns to face me, he lifts his hand and rubs it up and down my arm. “Are you okay?”
I shrug, feeling rattled by the unpleasantness. “I hate that it happened, but Colby needed to understand I’ll never date him. I just don’t get why he has to be so difficult.” I give Levi a weak smile. “I mean, I’d give up after the first time I’m rejected.”
Levi’s eyes drift over my face. “How many times did you reject him?”
“I’ve lost count.” Turning around, I walk to the kitchen. “Would you like something to drink?”
“Hold up.” Levi grabs my shoulder and stops me from walking. Coming to stand in front of me, he asks, “Countless? Has he spoken to you like that before?”
“No, usually he just flirts and tries his luck. But it’s been going on for six years. It’s exhausting.”
Levi’s expression turns angry again. “Have you told the sheriff?”
I shake my head, and not wanting Levi to worry, I explain, “Colby is harmless. He is all bark and no bite. I’m sure he got the message this time.” Knowing word might spread through town, I glance down at my feet as I admit, “I kinda threw you under the bus and told him we’re dating, so if you hear the rumor, you know where it started.”
“You can throw me under the bus any day.”
Surprised, I look up again, and seeing Levi isn’t angry with me, I let out a breath of relief.
“I’m going home,” he says. “I need to jump in the shower.”
“Okay.” When he walks to the back door, I ask, “Will I see you later?”
