Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 108124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 541(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 541(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
But then I thought better of it. She’d had a tough-enough night, and Alex was probably sleeping. Besides, this was a conversation we needed to have in person. She was an early riser, so I’d just get to her bright and early before practice, and before Tanner had a chance to wake up with a belligerent hangover.
***
The next morning, I wasn’t taking any chances. After a shitty night of sleep, I headed over to the hotel at six AM. The vein in my neck pulsed as I rode the elevator to the top floor. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been this nervous.
What if I blew her trust for admitting the truth to Tanner last night?
What if she won’t take me back?
What if the time we’ve been apart made her realize life with an athlete who spends half of the year on the road isn’t what she wants for her and Alex?
Everything that could go wrong kept spinning through my mind.
What if Tanner causes trouble?
Could he turn Alex against me?
Shit, how is Alex gonna take the news?
When the elevator dinged on her floor, my palms started to sweat, and the thoughts circulating through my head began to leak out my mouth. I mumbled like a crazy person.
“Calm down, man.”
“You’ve played in Super Bowls without sweating.”
“What the fuck is wrong with you?”
It was a good thing it was early and people weren’t around, or they’d run the other way seeing a man my size talking to himself.
When I got to Presley’s room, I took a deep breath before knocking lightly. And then I waited.
And waited.
When she didn’t come to the door after a few minutes, I assumed she must have still been sleeping. I hated to wake her, but I needed to talk to her before Tanner, and before I had to be at practice. So I knocked again, this time louder.
And waited.
And waited.
Then I knocked again. When she still didn’t answer, I started to get freaked out, and the craziest shit ran through my head.
What if Tanner got to her and did something?
What if she’s in there hurt?
So I banged on the door. “Presley? Alex? Are you in there?”
I still got no response, but the door to the adjoining room opened, and a pretty pissed-off looking guy walked out. He eyed me. “What the hell are you…” He blinked a few times. “Holy shit. You’re Levi Miller.”
I dragged a hand through my hair. “Yeah. Sorry to wake you. Have you seen the woman who was staying in this room?”
He nodded. “She was coming out when I walked in early this morning. I was out late.”
“Was she okay?”
The guy shrugged. “She looked okay to me.”
“Did she happen to say where she was going?”
“No. But she had her suitcases and stuff. And the little boy was carrying a bag, so I assumed she was checking out.”
Fuck.
“How long ago was that?”
“Maybe four thirty. An hour and a half ago?”
“Thanks.” I took off jogging down the hall.
“Wait! Can I have your autograph?”
“Another time!”
I ran to the elevator, uncertain of my next move. The last person to talk to Presley was my mother last night, and she was definitely not an early riser. I called anyway.
She answered on the third ring. Her voice was groggy. “Levi? What’s going on? Is everything okay?”
“I just went to Presley’s room, and she’s not there.”
“What time is it?”
“It’s about six.”
“She’s probably at the airport by now. She was pretty upset after she got back to the room from talking to you last night. Alex was sleeping, so we chatted for a while. She thought it was better that she go home. It’s very difficult for her to be around you, and with Tanner causing scenes at dinner... She asked me to tell everyone there was an issue at the inn and she had to fly home early.”
Fuck. I closed my eyes. “I need to talk to her. Tanner knows, Ma.”
“Tanner knows what?”
“That I’m in love with Presley. That we were together over the summer.”
My mom sighed. “Oh boy. How did that go?”
“I don’t even give a shit. I just need to get to her. Can you do me a favor?”
“What’s that?”
“Don’t mention to Tanner that Presley left.”
“Levi, I don’t want to get in the middle of this by lying to your brother.”
“Then don’t lie. Turn off your phone. You’re having breakfast with Dad’s friend and his wife, right?”
“Yes. And then I’m going to get my hair done before the ceremony.”
“So chances are, you won’t even see him until later. Just buy me some lead time by not answering your phone. Please.”
“Lead time? What are you going to do? Don’t you have practice today? And we have the ceremony tonight.”
“I’ll take the fine for missing practice. And I’m sorry, Mom. But I’m not going to be able to make the ceremony. I never missed watching Dad play, so I think he’ll forgive me. Plus, I’ll be able to look up and honor him every time I walk into the stadium for a game.”