Page 71 of Read With Your Heart

“You told me what AJ said, and I think I should take him up on his offer. If he really meant it, I could live with him and Theresa while I finish school and then register for college. I’ll go back to Lane. I’ll get a job once the baby is . . . born and then find a place of my own.”

Shit. That just sounds so hard, but I remember my own determination at eighteen. I also remember getting hooked up with the wrong people to help me survive. At least with AJ, my sister is with someone we both trust. His wife, Theresa, might be good for Lena. They checked in on my family while I was in prison.

“That’s what you really want?” I question.

“It’s what I want now, Leon, and that’s all that matters.” Sadness fills her voice. My sister and I are not warm and fuzzy with each other, but we aren’t that dissimilar either. The small sound of her voice and the lowering of her head remind me she’s just a kid. She might think she’s all woman at eighteen, but she isn’t. I rise from the edge of the bed and walk up to her. Opening my arms, I encourage my sister to step into my embrace. For the first time in years, I hug her tightly.

“I didn’t want to do wrong by you, hermanita. I’m sorry I failed.”

“You didn’t fail me, Leon. I just don’t want you to fail yourself. You deserve more. You deserve her.” Her words are muttered into my chest, and I marvel at the loyalty my sister has toward a woman we didn’t even know months ago. Then I think about myself and how much I want to give to the same woman, if she’ll take me back. If she’ll give me a second chance.

Lesson 23

Sometimes you can feel too much.

[Tricia]

The day after I returned from Chicago, I had a visitor.

“Levi?” He sheepishly looks up at me when I opened the front door to my home. I’d only missed two days of work as Emily and I returned shortly after seeing Lena. Knowing that Leon had found his sister, Emily thought it best we leave it up to the siblings to work things out. There was no hint from Lena she wanted to return to Elk Lake City, and I felt a bit like I’d wasted my time driving all the way to Chicago.

“You okay?” Levi asks, and I step back, inviting him inside with my body language. However, I also peer around him.

“How did you get here?”

He gives me another sheepish grin, and I realize he’s taken his dad’s car.

“Levi!” I admonish. “You’re only fourteen.”

“I’m fifteen now,” he reminds me, and in turn, I’m reminded how I didn’t get the chance to celebrate with him this year. I’m also aware that fifteen is not the legal driving age.

“What are you doing here, baby?” I cringe as soon as the words leave my mouth, but I can’t help myself. He doesn’t seem as embarrassed as when I’ve done it at school.

“You missed school. I wanted to check on you.” His concern is sweet, but I’m suspicious. Was he worried about me? Or has Trent put him up to something? It makes me uncomfortable to know Trent’s lurking about, and for a second, I allow myself to miss Leon. When he was here, I felt safe.

Now, I’m just lonely.

“Had some . . . issues, but I’m okay.” I don’t feel it’s my place to share the Ramirezes’ story. I told the school office Lena was sick and would be missing the rest of the week. My mother kept Lys on track, getting her to and from school the two days I missed, so there was no suspicion surrounding Lys.

“He here?” Levi questions, his tone turning sharper than I appreciate.

“He has a name, and it’s Leon, and no, he’s not. He’ll be gone for a few days.” It’s more information than I should give Levi, especially if he’s going to report back to his brother. Our relationship has never been like that. We’d always taken care of each other, but things are different now, and I’m sensing Levi resents me a bit because I left his brother.

Levi has already seen my place, but he scans around the room as if looking for something. “That couch is really hideous. I can’t believe you still have it,” he teases, and an idea strikes.

“Have you had dinner yet?”

Levi glances at me and away. “Dad’s on a bender. We don’t have any groceries.”

Shit. I hate when Robert does this, and that’s when Trent stepped it up for his brother. I could give Levi money for groceries and send him on his way, but instead, I make a suggestion. “How about I’ll make you dinner if you help me toss that couch and pull up the carpeting?” I take a glance around the room. “In fact, why don’t you come here the next couple of nights after school, and I’ll feed you for your manual labor.”

Levi smiles. “I made the basketball team, so I have practice.”

“Levi!” I squeal, reaching out to pull him in for a hug. “How did I not know this?”

He shrugs, slipping his hands into the back pockets of his jeans after I release him. “I can help tonight but not again until the weekend.”

“This weekend then, but dinner tonight.” Just as I finish my invite, Lys comes down the stairs, takes one look at Levi and blushes worse than I’ve ever seen. She’s a deep shade of red.