“Huh? What?” I sit up and brush my hair out of my face.
Shit, I must’ve dozed off.
“You were yelling. I heard you while changing the trash in the hallway.”
My cheeks flush. “Oh. I’m sorry. I’m fine.”
“Are you sure? I can get a nurse if you’d like.” He points behind his shoulder, gesturing to the nurses’ station across the hall.
“No, thank you, I’m alright. Just had a weird dream, I guess.”
He nods and turns to go but stops when he gets to the doorway. “Miss, I know it’s none of my business, but don’t give up hope. Hope heals all. I truly believe that.”
“Thank you.” Tears fill my eyes once again from his unexpected kind words. He nods before shutting the door behind him.
Wiping the sleep from my eyes, I look over at Levi as a shiver runs down my spine. My dream felt so real, like Levi was here, talking to me.
He wanted me to choose, but he didn’t let me, making the choice for me. How does that make sense?
It doesn’t. It was a dream and nothing more.
What bothers me the most is how I chose Levi, as if I were appalled there was anyone else.
But life’s a lot messier, isn’t it?
We don’t get to choose who we fall in love with or who falls for us. It just happens, and we’re left dealing with whatever storm it brings.
Dean was unexpected in every way. But he brings me comfort, distraction, and relaxation because his kindness seeps into everything he does. Did I expect him to fall for me? Or for him to claim a piece of my heart?
Hell no. But it happened, and I can’t change it.
But it seems like no matter what I feel, my actions prove otherwise. I’m drawn toward Levi in a way I never felt for anyone. And my love for him keeps me here, in this hospital, by his side.
The holidays pass by as if they were never really here at all. The new year looms ahead, this one full of so many uncertainties.
I ignore my family for the first time in my life, not able to keep up with the endless questions and concerns. I know they’re worried, and I know Anthony is beyond pissed at me, but I also know they’ll still be here in the end.
Mable and Drew come by, often keeping me company well into the night. Neither one asks questions, knowing their presence is enough.
I asked Dean for some space while I figure it all out, and he said he understood and to take all the time I need. But I know he doesn’t like it; his miss you and love texts continue to come every day as if nothing’s changed.
Tonight, I shut down my phone, taking a much-needed break from it.
Staring out the window in Levi’s room, I watch the snow fall all around the hospital. It’s peaceful watching them fall, the unique shapes of frozen water drifting through the night air.
It reminds me of the night Levi and I watched snow fall from inside a tiny café he found in the theater district. We laughed at stupid jokes and wrote a song about snow, which was a complete mess, but it was fun. We were so in love, so wrapped up in each other, we didn’t notice anyone else around.
My love for him is still as strong as that day in the café. Maybe his isn’t. Maybe he won’t want me here at all.
I’m lost in the memory of that night, our walk home as the snow came down faster. Levi carrying me inside his apartment, our snow-covered clothes flying off behind us.
We fell onto his bed, our laughter drifting through the air. We made love so many times that night that I lost count.
I would do anything to go back…
With a sigh, I turn away from the window and sit down next to Levi, scooting my chair closer. I reach down and take out my journal, wanting to read Levi some of my new lyrics.
Opening to the page, I take one of his hands in mine, my thumb running over the skin. I notice his calluses from playing guitar have softened, and I hope he’ll play once again. The world needs his music.
I read him what I wrote, the words powerful and heart breaking. I pray he hears me, these personal lyrics of mine only for him.
A knock on the door fills the room, and I wonder who that could be. Nurses and doctors don’t wait after knocking; they usually burst right in. “Come in,” I call out, and the door creaks open, Dean’s face popping from behind it.
“Hi. I thought you might be hungry, and I couldn’t reach you on your phone so…”
Oh, Dean. Always so thoughtful. I beckon him in with my free hand. As I release Levi’s fingers from my own to stand and greet Dean, they twitch, and I freeze.
Oh, my God… his fingers… his fingers just moved. Did I imagine that? Am I seeing shit now? “Oh my God, Dean. His fingers just moved.”
“What? Are you sure?”
I nod and watch him, hoping he’ll move again.
Dean stands there helplessly, shuffling his feet back and forth.
I look back and forth between the two men I love.
One who destroys me while the other makes me better.
So I thought…
To be continued…
About the Series
Are you ready for the next one??
Forever You is will be available for pre-order the day before Ghostin’ You releases at a special pre-order price of 99c! Links available soon!
Forever You
Cover & Blurb Reveal 7/27/20
Releasing 8/27/20
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The You & Me Series
My heart beats for two men but only one can make me whole.
Two men.
One destroys me.
The other makes me better.
But I love them both..
Hearts will break.
Tears will fall.
How will I ever choose?
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About the Series
Book 1- Lovin' You, Raina & Levi's story, ends on a cliffhanger, out now
Book 2- Ghostin' You, Raina, Levi, & Dean's story, ends on a cliffhanger, releasing 7/16
Book 3- Forever You, the final chapter in the love saga, guaranteed HEA, releasing 8/27
Book 4- Finding Me, a spin-off of the series but it will contain spoilers to the previous books and won't be considered a standalone, releasing in 2021
*More spinoffs to be announced later (Think- Drew and Anthony's stories??)
*While working on this series, I'll also be working on my world books- stay tuned for updates about Arrogant Assassin (Cocky Hero Club), Irreplaceable (Salvation Society), and Diesel (The Driven World)
Xoxo- Lyssa
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Chapter 1 of Twisted Fate
Twisted Fate- Free in KU!
Lilliana