I probably called after the accident happened, and that’s why Jordan answered.
As I turn around and walk back to my car, I rub my hand over my chest, my heart beating a mile a minute from the fright I just had.
I put in gas, and after paying, I get back into my car and drive out of town. It’s a five-and-a-half-hour drive to Grand Rapids, and I don’t plan on making any stops unless Lick needs a toilet break.
As I put one mile after another between me and Verona, my thoughts revolve around Kelcie. I alternate between thinking about how I could’ve done things differently so I ended up with the woman I love, and reliving the happy moments we shared.
But let’s face it. If I had introduced myself to her as Wesley Porter’s brother, she wouldn’t have given me a snowball’s chance in hell.
Instead, I did the selfish thing and took what I could get from her. But at what cost?
I can’t lay the blame at Colby’s feet. I’m the one who hurt Kelcie. This time her pain is all on me.
As more miles fall behind me, my chest begins to tighten until it feels like I might suffocate. I jerk the steering wheel to the side and make a U-turn before bringing the car to a stop.
I can’t leave Verona. I can’t drive five and a half hours away and never see Kelcie again.
I don’t have that kind of strength in me.
Pushing down on the gas, I begin to drive back, hoping and praying to all that’s holy, I’ll get another chance with the woman I love.
If not, living near her would be better than having Lake Michigan between us.
Instead of going back to the house, I find a motel in the next town over and get a room for the next few days.
I only grab one of my bags and my laptop, and once I’ve placed them in the room, which is so outdated, the wallpaper is peeling in thecorners, I take Lick to the open piece of ground behind the motel that’s covered in snow.
I lean back against the wall and cross my arms over my chest while staring at my dog as she searches for the perfect spot to pee.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I dig the device out as quickly as possible. When I see a message from Kelcie, my heart begins to hammer in my chest.
Earlier, I sent her a text, trying to convey everything I wanted to say to her, and I’m incredibly nervous to read her reply.
Sucking in a cold breath of air, I let it out slowly before I open the message.
Kelcie: What happened with your mother?
I frown because I wasn’t expecting her to ask that question at all.
Levi: She wanted money. I told her to go to hell.
Kelcie: I’m sorry you had to deal with her after being no-contact for so many years. It must’ve been a shock to you.
Shock is the understatement of the year. I was rattled to my core.
Kelcie: I saw everything on the news.
Levi: My publicist and agent will take care of it all.
Kelcie: Are you okay?
Levi: Not at all. You?
Kelcie: Same.
Kelcie: You knew it would hurt me when your secret came out. Why did you do it?
Levi: At first, I approached you with good intentions. I wanted to make things better for you, and when I saw it helped you to spend time with me, I decided to stick around until you were able to heal enough to go on with your life. But then I started healing as well. The more time we spent together, the more I wanted to get to know you. Before I knew what was happening, I was head over heels in love with you, and I couldn’t pull away anymore.
