Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 95712 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95712 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
“Why did you send those pictures to Janet?”
Levi’s head swiveled, and he gaped at me. Before he could say anything, Caroline spoke.
“How did you know it was me?”
Now he was staring at Caroline. “Wait—you sent the pictures?”
I cleared my throat. “I didn’t know it was you until I saw your car. I remembered seeing it on two of the occasions the pictures were snapped.”
“Fucking hell, Caroline. What is wrong with you?” Levi asked.
She shrugged. “I thought if I kept you both in the papers, you’d eventually realize that being with someone so much younger than you wasn’t worth it. It would be that much easier for me to come back.”
Levi removed his hand from mine and wrapped his arm around my waist. “You need to leave now.”
She shrugged again. “I had to at least try before I left.”
A part of me felt sorry for the woman standing before me. She’d lied to get Levi to marry her, lost her daughter in an accident, and was now going to cut her only living child out of her life. And for what reason?
Moving her gaze from Levi to me, Caroline lifted her chin. “Have fun with my sloppy seconds.”
I didn’t even bother acknowledging that comment. Just smiled contentedly.
When Caroline realized I wasn’t going to engage, she started her car and drove slowly down the driveway. I’d half expected her to peel out.
I watched until I could no longer see the red taillights.
Levi turned and scrubbed both hands over his face and let out a frustrated growl. “I cannot believe she’s going to just walk away from Rhett. What the fuck is wrong with her? I thought she just needed some time to work things out in her head.”
My heart hurt for both Levi and Rhett.
Looking back down the driveway, he said, “But this is good. It’s better that she just leaves and Rhett never sees her again.”
I placed my hand on his arm and gave it a light squeeze. “I’m sorry, Levi.”
He looked at me, and his somber expression slowly eased, a soft smile appearing. “Thank you.”
“For what?” I asked.
“Standing by my side just now. You could have taken one look at Caroline and left, or…I don’t know. You didn’t. And I appreciate that more than you know.”
I reached up and kissed him. “I know you’re acting like you’re glad she’s gone, and I’m sure a part of you is. I also know another part of you is hurting for Rhett…and for Brooke and all that you have lost.”
He closed his eyes and nodded. “Thank God Rhett wasn’t here tonight.”
“I’m glad he wasn’t as well. He would have been very confused.”
Levi exhaled.
“Let’s go inside—we have ice cream sundaes to make.”
He took my hand, and we headed through the garage and into the house. He shut both doors and locked up.
He seemed a million miles away, so I quickly got to work making sundaes. We’d bought paper bowls and plastic spoons at the store, since Levi didn’t have any dishes.
“I can’t believe you figured out it was Caroline taking the photos.”
“When I saw her car, I realized I’d seen it before. I simply put two and two together. I’m just surprised she admitted it.”
He looked tired. I slid the bowl over to him, and he took it absentmindedly, starting to eat.
I set my spoon down and walked around the kitchen island, putting my finger on Levi’s chin and forcing him to look at me.
“You know what I think we should do?”
“Finish our ice cream?”
“No,” I whispered as I shook my head. “I think we should blow up that fancy mattress, take a shower, and get some sleep.”
He closed his eyes. “That sounds like heaven.”
I took his bowl, along with mine, and tossed them in the trash. Levi stood, took my hand, and led us to his bedroom, which was on the other side of the house. While he blew up the mattress, I unpacked some towels and soap that Levi’s mother, Sam, bought. By the time I walked back into the bedroom—I stopped when I saw Levi passed out sleeping on the blowup. He’d managed to get a sheet on it, and that was it.
I kicked off my sneakers, pulled off my jeans, and grabbed a blanket. Crawling onto the bed, I snuggled in next to him. He didn’t even wake up.
I covered us up and watched Levi’s chest rise and fall until my eyes slowly began to close, and I drifted off to sleep.
Levi
Rhett opened the door to my truck and climbed up into the back seat, tossing his backpack to the side.
“Well? How was your first day of first grade?”
Giving me the biggest smile I’d ever seen, Rhett replied, “It was the bestest day ever, Daddy!”
“I’m so glad it was. Buckle up, buddy.”
He quickly buckled into his booster seat as he talked. “Ms. Kennedy said me and Timmy can sit at the same table! And I had three other friends in my class! Jimmy and Katie, and Luke.”