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)
“A dream woke me.”
“Oh? What was the dream about?”
Levi’s eyes flashed to Alex, who was reading the back of the Cheerios box while eating his cereal. He lowered his voice. “I was taking a bath.”
The thought of Levi dreaming about taking a bath was amusing for some reason. “Was it a bubble bath?”
He shook his head slowly. “Not quite. Do we have any of that rope left from yesterday when I hung the tire swing in the tree out back?”
“I think so. Why?”
Levi checked over his shoulder once again. Alex was oblivious as he slurped the milk from his bowl.
He moved his mouth to my ear and whispered. “How much weight do you think the showerhead can hold? Meet me back here after you drop Alex off. I’ll grab the rope from the garage.”
Oh. Oh my. I swallowed and cleared my throat. “Alex, you ready to leave for camp? I have to get back home to do some things.”
Levi grinned—a wicked, dirty smile that made my heart flutter—as he raised his coffee to his lips. “Yes, it’s a very busy day. Your mom will be all tied up.”
I’m pretty sure I broke the speed limit driving back home from camp. I also stepped on the gas at a yellow light a few blocks from the house and didn’t quite make it through before it turned red. I couldn’t get back to Levi fast enough.
At the house, I swung open the front door and could see the back of Levi’s head where he sat in the kitchen. For a half second, I considered stripping at the door and walking in naked, but I wasn’t sure if Fern was home or not. So I opted to remain clothed—for a few more minutes anyway.
“I think I just got one of those red-light tickets on the way home,” I said as I breezed into the kitchen. “And I think you should have to pay for it since—”
I froze. Levi was not alone.
A man sat across from him at the table.
Blinking a few times, I was sure my imagination had to be playing tricks on me. But unfortunately, the smiling face was very real.
The man stood. “There’s my girl.”
My heart jumped to my throat. “Tanner, what are you doing here?”
He flashed a crooked smile. “Surprise?”
I wiped my sweaty palms on my shorts. “Yeah. It most certainly is.”
My eyes shot over to Levi, who stayed seated with his arms crossed. He looked troubled, but sympathetic—as if he were silently telling me he was so freaking sorry right now.
I’m sorry, too.
This was not the way this morning was supposed to turn out.
“I thought it was time to come home,” Tanner finally said.
With a bitter tone, I asked, “Why now?”
He nodded. “Well, to be honest, it’s been a long time coming. From the moment I found out you and Alex were moving down here, I’ve felt like I was missing out. I decided some time ago that I was going to come join you. But I didn’t announce it because I didn’t trust myself to follow through. I’ve just fucked up so many damn times with my son, and didn’t want to make any promises I couldn’t keep.”
“I’m seriously confused, Tanner. You barely came to visit him when we were in New York.”
He took a few steps toward me. “I know. This is less about Beaufort and more about where I am in my life right now, Presley. You guys just happen to be here right now. But this would be happening if you were in New York, too. I just needed to get to this place in my life first.” He sighed. “Look, I know I have a lot of explaining to do, okay? To both you and Alex. I hope you give me a chance.”
My eyes once again met Levi’s. The happiness I’d seen in his face the past few days was totally gone. It had been drained, replaced by the same fear, anger, and confusion I felt right now.
I turned to Tanner. “Why didn’t you call to let me know you were coming?”
“Would it have mattered? I thought about it, but in the end, I thought it would be better if I surprised Alex.”
“Where do you plan on staying?” I asked.
He looked around. “Well, given that this place has several rooms, I was hoping you’d let me crash here.”
Levi’s chair skidded as he got up from his seat. He opened the fridge and popped open a root beer, angrily tossing the bottle cap aside. Tanner likely thought nothing of it, but I could see the steam coming out of Levi’s ears.
“How long do you plan to stay in Beaufort?” I asked.
“I honestly don’t know.”
“How can you not know?”
He laughed. “If I didn’t know better, I would think you’re not happy to see me, Presley. I can’t say I blame you, okay? But know that I didn’t come back here to cause any problems. I want to spend some time with my son.” He turned to Levi before looking back at me. “Big bro told me about all of the stuff you got going on here, all the wonderful plans you have for Gramps’s place. You know, when I found out he’d left half of The Palm Inn to Alex, I worried what that would mean. I thought you were crazy for not selling. But Levi told me how much progress you’ve made. Where there’s a will, there’s always a way, I guess. And I’m really proud of you.”