Page 85 of The History in Us

“Quit flirting with the volunteers,” Professor Erickson’s voice dropped my heart rate, but Vic only smiled broader.

“You tell that young thing he’s a fool. And if this beauty loves me, I’m not too old to be one.”

I turned slowly to face my professor.

“Professor Erickson.”

“Wayne, please.” His hand rose to stop me from speaking. “We’ve missed you this week. You haven’t seemed yourself.”

“My portion of the project is done, and I had some…personal things…” I offered weakly.

“I know all about that.” Wayne’s voice lowered as he stepped toward me. “You’ll be there on Tuesday for the final presentations, correct? It’s part of the grade.”

I nodded and excused myself for my assigned room. Carmela greeted me, her fingers moving fast.

“Wait, slow down. What’s happening?”

Carmela slowed the motion of her fingers as she signed that the hot new guy had been hanging out at the gym more often lately. Rumor had it, he became an investor of some sort.

“Carmela, which hot new guy?” I laughed, playing off my hopes that she meant Levi while at the same time not wanting to see him. Maybe she meant the guy with the bun from the basketball court. He was new, and hot, too. But when Carmela’s fingers spelled out Levi, I swallowed hard.

“Well, good for Levi. He needs to feel invested in something, and it’s good for the gym.” Maxwell could use any help he could get, and the holidays were a time for major contributions. Carmela shook her head, as if I didn’t understand. I read her fingers as they fluttered rapidly again.

“Levi, isn’t going to work here,” I said aghast. “You must be mistaken.” Irritation filled my voice as I stared at my caramel-colored friend. She’d lost her voice, but I was convinced she’d also lost her mind. Xavier walked in with his over-the-edge attitude, and I dismissed thoughts of Levi to lose myself in volunteering.

Two hours passed before we decided to break. I remained in the room, straightening some books, when a throat cleared behind me.

“How was class today?”

“Levi?” I spun to face him, feeling betrayed by everyone who’d said he wasn’t present, and strangely achy at the sight of him. I wanted to erase last night’s dinner, especially our dance. The way he held me, pressing me tighter, nearly begging me for words I could never risk offering without knowing where I stood with him. He was promising me with his eyes he’d never hurt me again.

“I hear you’re an investor here. Thank you. Maxwell and the recruits will benefit from the support.”

Levi nodded slowly and sat in one of the orange loungers.

“I’m more than an investor. I’m the new director.”

My knees buckled and I lowered to the seat opposite him. I closed my eyes. Another secret.

“I wanted to tell you last night.” The sound of scratching fingers under his chin opened my eyes. He tipped his head left, cracking his neck, reminiscent of when we first met again. “I had so much to say, but things got away from me. You slipped away.”

I sighed, exhaling his name with my breath.

“I always wanted to see the world. Escape, as I told you. I joined the military. When I lost my leg, I lost more than a body part and my men. I lost my soul. I didn’t know what to do without the adventure. I thought the travel could restore some of the aching emptiness. I was a caged animal, like you explained. The sense of something crawling under my skin, needing to be set free.”

I stared at him. He didn’t seem to understand me when I’d explained those things at the zoo. How wrong I’d been.

“I think what I wanted was just a way to feel connected again. Connected to something. Sure, I have AJ. I love my son. He’s my everything, but I still need something for me. Something for me that will benefit him. I thought the job would be that. The money. The world. But it wasn’t what I wanted any longer.” He chuckled softly. “I wanted something else. Something that seemed bigger than me. Something I’d never had.” His eyes met mine, holding me prisoner to his sadness and his hope.

“Anyway, I decided VetGym might be a better place for my talents and time. I understand what these men and women have been through. That’s my connection. I can relate to their struggles and triumphs. I have so many ideas, starting with a photography collection. I’m going to make my own book.” He smiled sheepishly and I responded in kind.

“That’s a fabulous idea.”

“The history project sparked the idea, as well as you.”

“Me?” I laughed. “You don’t like writing.” My feet slid forward on the tile, and I looked down at my boots.

“Katie, I don’t dislike writing. It just isn’t my passion, not like it’s yours. But I wondered if you could help me. We make a good team.”