Page 51 of Read With Your Heart

“That was real,” I retort. “And I’ve never felt more alive than I do when I’m with you,” I whisper, feeling this moment as really real and raw between us. “I don’t want to lose you.”

It’s more than I should admit. His jaw clenches, and I realize I’ve said too much. His finger pauses a second and then returns to brushing over the side of my face, along my jaw, around my eyes, and down my nose. It’s like he’s physically sculpting me, and I’ve never felt so vulnerable or so worshipped.

“Not going to try anything with you tonight. I just want to hold you and continue to make you feel safe.” My eyes close under the tender way he’s painting my cheeks with the tip of his finger. I want to be closer to him, want to be connected to him, but he’s probably right. I don’t want tonight to be the night, not with Trent as the cause.

Leon scoots closer to me, tucking me into his chest. His arm comes over my body, and his hand palms the back of my head, holding me to him. I inhale his skin—a hint of motor oil and spicy male. He smells so good. His scent is safety, and I settle in, easily falling asleep.

+ + +

I wake to Leon sitting on the edge of my bed, dressed.

“What’s going on?” I say without even greeting him good morning.

“Gotta work, pretty lady.” He smiles down at me like nothing happened last night. “What are you doing tonight?”

“I have to work security at the football game.” It’s Friday night, and football is a small-town favorite. Leon’s eyes roam my body, mostly under cover from the blankets on my bed.

“You? Security detail?” He chuckles.

“I earn extra money by doing it. I would most likely go to the games anyway since my niece is a cheerleader, but this way, I get paid to be there. It’s one hour of supervision, making sure there isn’t any drinking in the stands or making out under the bleachers or a fight between rivals.” In the five years I’ve done it, I’ve only caught three kids drinking. I turn a blind eye to innocent kissing and tell kids to move along. Thankfully, we’ve never had a true rumble, just the occasional name-calling and general good-natured rivalry.

Leon nods. “Maybe we can hang out afterward?” he suggests. The way his eyes drift away from mine, he almost appears shy. Does he want to ask me out? Would he want to go on a date?

“Sure. I’d like that.”

Slowly, he smiles and leans forward, kissing my temple. “See you later, baby.”

I wish he’d kissed me, but I do have morning breath and finding him sitting on my bed wasn’t the worst way to start a day. In fact, it was kind of nice.

Oh, who am I kidding? It was the best.

+ + +

That night, I finally see Levi.

“Hey, ba…” I falter over calling him baby in front of his friends. He stops as I block his path. “Are you mad at me?” There’s a fine line between being Levi’s pal and once being his disciplinarian. I didn’t discipline him like Trent would have, but I still reinforced good habits like hygiene and homework over the years. Still, I don’t want him upset with me. I don’t want to lose Levi just because I’m divorcing Trent.

Levi crosses his arms, standing taller than I remember. He’s definitely going through a growth spurt.

“I’m not mad.” His tone tells me otherwise, and he kicks at the ground.

“I saw Trent.”

This brings Levi’s attention back to me. His face expresses his surprise and concern. I hate that I see hope in his eyes as well. I’m never going back to his brother.

“What’d he say?”

“He used you against me. Told me how you missed me and wanted to see me.” I pause to let the information sink in. “You know you can still see me anytime you want. Call me anytime. I’m still here for you, Levi, even if I don’t live at the cabin.” I realize in some ways, it might seem like I’m a million miles away from him, but then again, Levi lived in the main house with his father. He didn’t live with us. Trent and I only took care of him most days. Robert was quick to remind Trent that Levi was his son, not Trent’s, but it didn’t seem to make any difference. Robert treated them both with the same apathy.

Levi nods, but I’m certain he’s acknowledging what I’ve said.

“My friends are waiting for me.” The brush-off feels cold, but I look over my shoulder to find three guys hanging back, waiting on him.

“Okay.” I turn back to him. “Be safe tonight. Stay out of trouble.”

Levi tips his chin and starts to walk around me, but I stop him with a hand on his forearm. “But if you get in trouble, you can always call me.” I stare earnestly into his eyes. He’s growing into a man, and I can’t decide if his aloofness this week is his way of establishing himself in the hierarchy of high school or if he’s truly trying to avoid me.

“I love you, Levi.”