“Hey,” I said.
She looked up and smiled. “Hey.”
I pulled her into my arms and spoke against her neck. “I feel like it’s been forever since I’ve gotten to hold you.”
Presley exhaled. “What the hell are we going to do, Levi?”
I placed a soft kiss on top of her head. “I thought I’d have this all figured out before we had to face him. Clearly, that’s not the case.”
“Yeah. Everything was easier when he wasn’t here.”
I pulled back to look at her. “Last night when we were outside having beers, he kept saying how good you looked. This mixture of guilt and jealousy hit me like a ton of bricks. And I didn’t know who I hated more in that moment—him or myself.”
“You have nothing to be jealous of,” she said as she ran her fingers through my hair. I closed my eyes, wanting so badly to carry her to my room and bury myself inside of her. But I got the impression she wasn’t in the mood. Presley seemed way too preoccupied.
I had to know. “What else did he say when he texted you last night?”
“He told me I looked beautiful yesterday and said he wanted to talk to me today.”
“Fuck. He wants you back, Presley.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Yeah, I do know it. He didn’t say it in so many words last night, but it’s obvious.” Panic started to set in, and I felt the need to stake my claim. “You’re a nervous wreck,” I told her. “And I feel like I’m about to lose my mind. Not sure how much more of this either of us can take. Maybe I should tell him about us tonight.”
She shook her head. “No. Definitely not.”
Her adamant stance confused me a little. “No?”
“I don’t want him to find out what happened.”
Her choice of words jarred me.
“Happened? You realize you just used past tense.”
“That’s not what I meant,” she stammered. “It’s just…not the best time.”
“When will it ever be, Presley? Seriously. You think it’s gonna get any easier as time goes on?”
“No. I just don’t think it’s the right time to hit him with it.”
I moved back. “You seem very concerned with Tanner’s feelings.”
Presley shook her head. “I need some time. I feel like the rug was pulled out from underneath us, and I haven’t had a chance to regain my footing. Let’s just give it some time.”
I felt so many emotions, but the one that freaked me out the most was fear—fear of losing her. Unfortunately, I covered it with anger. “Fine. Take all the time you need. Just let me know if it’s gonna be forever.”
“Levi…” She reached for me. But I took a step back and put up my hands.
“Don’t. I need some air.” I headed for the door.
***
Levi: I’m sorry I acted like an idiot earlier.
Three hours later, I’d finally gotten my shit together enough to apologize. I’d gotten in my car earlier and started driving, not stopping until I somehow ended up at Folly Beach, just south of Charleston. I didn’t even remember the drive here.
I’d parked near the pier and walked down to the end to stare out at the water. I wished I could say it had given me some clarity. But I still felt angry and confused, scared and jealous. Though I did come to the realization that taking those feelings out on Presley wasn’t going to do either of us much good.
My phone pinged, and I took a deep breath, unsure what she’d been thinking after the way I’d acted.
Presley: It’s okay. I understand. Tanner showing up has thrown us both for a loop.
I smiled. It was just like Presley to be so understanding. It was one of the things I loved about her.
My smile suddenly fell. Loved. I do fucking love her, don’t I? I’d felt it for a while now, but I hadn’t been able to bring myself to accept it. Nothing like the threat of losing someone to make you realize what you have.
Levi: Thank you for understanding.
Presley: I just want to make sure anything that happens with you, Tanner, and me doesn’t cause a backlash on Alex. I don’t want him caught in the middle. Tanner says he’s changed, but I’m not certain he would put his hurt feelings aside for the sake of our son. We can’t make any rash, emotional decisions, because it’s not just us who will pay the price for them.
I took a deep breath. What she was saying sucked, but I admired her so damn much for keeping her priorities straight.
Levi: You’re a great mom.
She responded with a smiley face. A minute later, my phone buzzed again.
Presley: Will you be home for dinner? I know it’s not easy to sit at the table all together, so I figured the least I could do was console you with my cooking. I’m making your favorites.
Levi: Fried chicken?
Presley: And buttermilk biscuits from scratch, your grandmother’s recipe.
If she didn’t already have my heart, that could do it. My stomach growled, as if it were answering for me. So I translated the sentiment.
Levi: Sounds good. I’ll be back by dinner, and I’ll be on my best behavior.
***
All of the positivity I’d been feeling after the long drive and time staring out at the ocean flew out the window as I pulled up in front of The Palm Inn. The scene unfolding on the front lawn made my heart sink to my stomach. Presley was on the grass with Alex and Tanner, playing football. I watched from the car as Alex threw the ball to his mom. Presley caught it and tried to fake right to run around Tanner, but he grabbed her from behind, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her to the ground on top of him. The two of them laughed as they went down, and Alex ran over with a giant smile on his face.
I rubbed at my breastbone and considered driving away again. The happy family probably wouldn’t even notice. But before I could, Alex spotted my truck. He waved and pointed.
Fuck.
Now I had to stay. All three of them were looking my way as Alex said something. If I hightailed it out of here now, Alex would be confused, and I’d also have to explain myself to Tanner at some point. So I took a deep breath and turned off the ignition.
“Uncle Levi!” Alex ran toward my truck as I got out. “You can be on Mom’s team. Dad and I are killing her. It’s like…five million to zero.”
I looked over at Presley. The smile that had been on her face before she saw me had morphed into a frown, and her eyes were filled with regret. I wasn’t sure if she regretted me seeing her having a good time, or if she regretted that I’d caught her wrapped in Tanner’s arms. But there was no damn way I could play anything with them right now.
“Sorry, buddy. Not today. My knee has been acting up.”
Tanner smirked at Alex. “Sounds like he’s scared we’ll beat him, doesn’t it?”
Alex grinned. He tucked his hands under his armpits and started to flap his elbows like a chicken. “Buc-buc! Buc-buc!”